International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 104-114, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Innovation barriers and drivers in Sub-sahara African economies (1976-2012): A cointegration analysis

*Eguoko E. Vincent, Dwarha T. Kenneth and Olu T. M

Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

*Corrresponding Author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 20 December, 2014

Abstract

The study was designed to analyze the challenges against innovations and econometrically deduce the long-run determinants of innovation levels in Sub-Sahara Africa. The study relied on secondary data accessed from World Bank data base spanning over 37 years (1976- 2012). Data obtained were analyzed using canonical cointegration regression (CCR) method. It was found that poor education (secondary school enrollment) was exerting negative influence on innovation levels in SSA (p<0.05) in the long-run. Credit to the private sector as well as value of official aids received, labour mobility proxied by number of passengers transported via air planes and electricity consumption were significantly and positively influencing the long-run level of innovation in the region. Their t-statistics were all significant at p<0.01. Based on the findings, the study recommended increased funding of education, R&D as well as increasing access to finance for entrepreneurship development; international communities and donors especially should be encouraged to contribute to building global innovation systems by supporting SSA firms: While SSA countries should remove barriers to labour mobility through flexible immigration policies.

Key words: Innovation, barriers, sub-Sahara African, economies ,cointegration analysis.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 122-127, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Viability of tobacco production under smallholder farming sector in M ount Darwin District, Zimbabwe

Morgan Tuku Masiyiwa

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 10 January, 2015

Abstract

Smallholder commercial agriculture in developing countries is hinged on cash crop production and in Zimbabwe tobacco is increasingly becoming an important smallholder cash crop. This study therefore, analyzed the viability of tobacco production by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Cross sectional survey data was collected for the 2010 and 2011 production season from 60 smallholder households in the Mount Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, breakeven analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) criterion to determine the viability and determinants of income earnings from tobacco by farmers. The study revealed that, smallholder tobacco production was viable, with farmers achieving average yield of 2052 kg/ha, average price of US $2.45 per kilogram and earning, on average, about US $2352 per hectare as gross margin. Break-even analysis revealed a margin of safety of 50% with respect to both yield and prices, indicating that, small-scale tobacco production will remain lucrative even at much lower prices and yields. Regression analysis showed that, off farm employment was inversely related to revenue earnings from tobacco with coefficient (-0.058) and the relationship was significant at 5%. Price and yield were positively related to tobacco gross margins with coefficients 0.865 and 1.001 and the relationship was significant at 1%. It is therefore concluded that, tobacco production is viable and can improve incomes for smallholder farmers. To improve income earnings from tobacco, there is a need for farmers to focus on farm production for better yields and improve quality for better prices.

Key words: Break even, gross margins, income, off farm employment, yields, quality.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 151-157, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production and productivity of maize subjected to modern and traditional methods of weed control options in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Dumisani V. Bulawayo

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 23 January, 2015

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the implications of using alternative weed control options on viability, production and productivity of maize crop in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 451 randomly selected smallholder farmers. Gross margins, regression and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. About 72% of farmers who grew maize practiced manual weed control while 40% used integrated modern and manual weed control. Results revealed that viability was higher in maize subjected to integrated (119,664.38 naira/ha) than in manual (4211.63 naira/ha) weed control. Seed rate (β = 0.155), variety (β = 0.283), herbicides (β = 0.593), fertilizer (β = 0.100) and labour (β = 0.535) were positive and significant determinants of maize output with a coefficient of determination of 0.823. Productivity of seed, labour, and fertilizer were higher under integrated weed control option than manual weed control. There was a positive association between use of herbicides and resource productivity (seed quantity (r = 0.607), herbicides (r = 0.526), fertilizer (r = 0.347) and labour (r = 0.770). Farmers were therefore encouraged adopt herbicides to improve viability, production and resource productivity. There was need for further research to identify intervention areas for inducing adoption of herbicides by farmers.

Key words: Integrated weed control, manual weed control, gross margins, regression.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 158-161, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Economic appraisal of small and medium scale performance in poultry egg production in Ogun State, Nigeria 

Zuberu D.K, Oreo L. Dickson and Danlandi F. B

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 January, 2015

Abstract

The study was carried out majorly to appraise economically the performance of poultry egg farmers by scale in Ogun State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined cost structure and profit level in the industry at different scale levels as well as the factors that determine the revenue of the poultry egg farmers. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select 50 representative poultry egg producer from whom primary data were obtained. The results of data analysis showed that costs of feed constituted the largest share of the total costs for the two categories of farm size. Although, poultry egg production was profitable in the study area, the level of profit depended on the scale of operation. The amount spent on veterinary services was the only significant determining factors of revenue accruable to poultry egg farmers.

Key words: Scale performance, poultry egg production, economic appraisal.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 115-121, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determinants of adoption of improved maize varieties in Osun State, Nigeria

Wole Innocent Kuti

Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 2 January, 2015

Abstract

The paper examines the level of awareness and identified the various improved maize varieties (IMVs) cultivated in Osun state, Nigeria. It also analyzed the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption and intensity of use of improved maize varieties. A multistage sampling design was used to select 360 farming households that were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data collected included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of respondents such as age, household size, gender, farm size and other improved maize production related activities. Descriptive statistics and double hurdle model were used as analytical tools. Results showed that the level of awareness of improved maize varieties was 97.8%. About 91% of these estimates were adopters while 8.8% were non adopters. The double hurdle model estimates showed that age (t=4.50, p<0.05), level of education (t=3.33, p<0.05), farming experience (t=4.33, p<0.05), household size (t=2.18, p<0.05), farm size (t=4.02, p<0.05), and household’s distance to market (t=2.26, p<0.05) were significant determinants of adoption of IMVs while age of respondents (t=2.31, p<0.05), level of education (t=2.27, p<0.05), household size (t=2.79, p<0.05), farm size (t=2.51, p<0.05), frequency of contact with extension agent (t=10.46, p<0.05), off farm income (t=2.19, p<0.05), and membership in association (t=2.46, p<0.05) determined use intensity of improved maize varieties. The study concluded that policies that increase farmers’ level of education and effectiveness of extension services contact will facilitate adoption and use intensity of improved maize varieties.

Key words: Adoption, use intensity, improved maize varieties; and double hurdle model.