The aim of the paper is to analyze the determinants and profitability of the output of swamp rice farmers in Ebonyi southern Agricultural zone of Ebonyi State. Primary data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaires. A total of eighty (80) swamp rice farmers were randomly selected from the different blocks and circles of the Zone. The multiple regression analysis (Cobb-Douglas) showed that education had positive effects on the output of swamp rice at 1% level of probability. Also, household size, farm size and farming experience were statistically significant at 5% level of probability. The equation explained 71.10% of the variation in the output of swamp rice production in the study area. The results also indicate that the net profit of swamp rice cultivation per hectare was N126, 590.00. Farmers should be encouraged to engage in swamp rice cultivation by providing access to funds. Formation of cooperatives is very essential to overcome financial constraints and ban on rice importation should be enacted to encourage local rice production.
Farmers' Perception of simple mechanized farm implements (Knapsack Sprayer, Watering Can and Sickle) used in crop production in Abia State, Nigeria were analyzed in 2009. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 180 crop farmers. The probit regression model result showed that the critical determinants of farmers Perception include such attributes as labour saving advantage and improvement of product quality of Knapsack, which were significant at 5% probability level, while time saving advantage influenced the use of watering can at 5% risk level of probability. Also, attributes such as simplicity of implement and accessibility of implement encouraged farmers perception in the use of sickle at 5% and 1.0% level of probability respectively. It is therefore recommended that fabricators should produce implements that have the attributes of time and labour saving advantages.
Participation and poverty levels of IFAD/NDDC/Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme farmers in Abia State were studied and assessed in 2012. Purposive and multistage random sampling techniques were used in the selection of Local Government Areas, participating communities, farmer groups and participating farmers. The sample size was 120 participating farmers. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and poverty analysis. The result indicated that IFAD participating farmers were actively involved in crop (M= 4.7), livestock (M= 3.8), fisheries (M= 3.7) and apiary (M= 3.4) technologies of the programme. The results of poverty indices of IFAD farmers showed that the poverty incidence was 33.33% and poverty gap (21.87%). Also, 2.5%, 20.83% and 76.67% of IFAD farmers were extremely poor, moderately poor and non-poor respectively. It is therefore recommended that policies aimed at timely supply of farm inputs since farming is time bound, replication of the programme to other communities and prompt payment of counterpart funds by federal, state and local governments were advocated for poverty reduction in the rural areas.Key words: Assessment, Participation, Poverty, IFAD, Farmers
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