In this study we assessed the determinants of lack of credit access among the Indigenous Vegetables (IVs) farmers based on primary data collected in a cross-sectional survey. Using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis, the results revealed that more females were involved in the indigenous vegetable production with average age of 40 years, seven household members, eight years of formal education and cultivating 0.76 acre of land. Only 8 % had access to credit and 76 % did not have contact with extension agents. The mean monthly income from indigenous vegetables production, off-farm income and savings were about ₦35,000 (US$96.83), ₦15,000 (US$42.12) and ₦13,000 (US$38.57), respectively. Further, lack of credit access significantly depended on gender (β = 0.15, P < 0.05), educational level (β = 0.11; P < 0.05), farming experience (β = 0.73; P < 0.05), off-farm income (β = 0.23, P < 0.05), saving habits (β = 0. 25; P < 0.01) and annual numbers of extension contact (β = 0.94, P < 0.01) of indigenous vegetable farmers. Therefore, improved access to formal education, extension supports, creation of gender-specific credit scheme and farm-based organisation (FBO) for indigenous vegetables farmers to sustain credit accessibility were advocated.
This study explored the current economic issues and isolated constraints involved in the spice business in Ondo State, Nigeria. A quantitative research approach was used to elicit information from 60 randomly selected respondents through an individual interview schedule with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected was explored using descriptive statistics, and budgetary and multiple regression analyses. The results showed that most (57%) respondents were male, and 87% were married with a mean household size of 7. Most (77%) had at least a primary education, and all of them were members of an association with the majority (78%) engaged in cooperative marketing of spices. Also, of the four selected spices, Aframomum melegueta, Piper guineese, Monodora myristica, Sylopia acthipea, only Aframomum melegueta was cultivated, others were gathered from the wild. The prominent constraints identified were the inability to propagate Piper guineese, Monodora myristica, and Sylopia acthipea; the lack of technology to harvest and dry Sylopia acthipea to meet the standard of the buyers; and the lack of access to high-value markets. The rate of return on investment was 0.98, and the factors that determine the profitability of the spice business included the level of education, household size, labor and value addition. Research efforts should be focused on the propagation of P. guineese, M. myristica, S. acthipea, the technology for drying and harvesting of S. acthipea, and capacity building on value addition to increase business profitability.
The impact of climate change, especially on agricultural sector, calls for a global and more localized strategies such as cultivation of underutilized indigenous vegetables (UIVs) which adapt better to local climate change. This chapter, therefore, examines the perception of UIVs farmers to climate change, their experiences of UIVs’ responses to climate change, adaptation strategies employed, and the determinants of the decision to adopt them in Southwest Nigeria. The study uses quantitative and qualitative primary household data from 191 UIVs farmers, 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and secondary climate data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Descriptive and econometric analyses are employed in the data analyses. The results show that farmers’ perceptions of climate change are high temperature and a high variability in rainfall pattern that has affected the yield, increased insects, pests, and diseases infestations, and reduced soil fertility. The results further show that the responses of UIVs to these resultant effects differ as such, and adaptation strategies farmers adopt are UIVs-specific. The adaptation strategies mostly employed by the UIVs farmers are cultivating UIVs along the river bank and the least is agroforestry and perennial plantation. The determinants of the decision to adopt adaptation strategies include UIVs revenue, age, years of experience, access to climate information, climate change awareness, agro ecological zone, and access to credit. Thus, promotion of UIVs business is advocated and provision of information on climate change essential and will encourage farmers to adopt appropriate climate change adaptation strategies to boost UIVs business.
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