Department of Agriculture Economic and Extension Services

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Analysis of the impact of globalization on Nigerian agricultural output
(European Journal of Social Sciences, 2007) MO Adewumi, SA Salau, OE Ayinde, Ayodele Jimoh
This study provides an empirical evidence on the impact of globalization on Nigeria’s Agricultural output and also highlights the implications for rural development. The data used covered 1981 – 2000 and were obtained from secondary sources. The descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to ascertain the extent and direction of relationship between Agricultural production in Nigeria and openness, GDP growth rate, inflation rate and population growth rate. The study revealed that agricultural share of the GDP was highest (41.00 percent) in the first quarter of liberalization. The crop sub sector remained the dominant contributor to agriculture’s share of GDP, followed by livestock, fishery and forestry in that order. The study revealed that the economy is still mono-dominated by the oil sector. The study revealed that about 60 percent of the variation in the ratio of agriculture to GDP was explained by degree of openness or globalization, exchange rate and inflation. These three explanatory variables are negatively related to the ratio of agriculture to GDP. The study revealed that it is unlikely for Nigeria to be fully integrated into the global economy given its peculiar features and state of the economy. Nigeria cannot afford to fully liberalize trade in the face of poor export performance. Nigeria has to restructure her economy, liberalize, deregulate and democratize her institutuions. This calls for a redefinition of the government roles,and liberaqlization of the private sector which is at the center of globalization. The government are to provide the basic infrastructure especially in the rural areas, efficient and transparent administration, good governance friendly investment environment, macro-economic and political stability and level playing ground for economic activities in order to realize the positive impact of globalizsation on Nigerian agricultural output and the diversification drive of the economy.
On-lending credit scheme to crop farmers in Nigeria: An appraisal of Ekiti State Agricultural Credit Agency (ESACA) scheme
(Journal of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Ecology, 2009) SB Fakayode, MO Adewumi, SA Salau, OA Afolabi
We performed an empirical economic analysis of the on-lending loan scheme of the Ekiti State Agricultural Credit Agency (ESACA), Nigeria. Specifically, we compared the cropping practices of the ESACA’s loan beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries as well as the structure of cost and returns and factors affecting farmers’ output. One hundred and sixty farmers’ households, comprising eighty beneficiaries and eighty non-beneficiaries were surveyed across Ekiti State. Descriptive statistics was used to examine respondents’ socio-economic characteristics while multiple regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting their level of food crop production. We found that a typical loan beneficiary was young, with at least the basic/primary education. The loan sum disbursed to each beneficiary was small; thus, the resultant gross margin from cropping activities of loan beneficiaries was low. However this was higher than that of non-beneficiaries because the beneficiaries farmed diversified crops, including a mix of food and cash crops. There is need for more funding of the ESACA scheme for enhanced performance. However, the agency should ensure better management and prompt disbursement of funds to farmers. Undue and unnecessary hurdles like collaterals and complex loan application processes should be avoided while farmers should be encouraged to venture into the more lucrative cash crop production
Agricultural Researchers’ Awareness of the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Edo State, Nigeria
(2011) Tajudeen Oyekunle Banmeke; Olugbenga Emmanuel Fakoya; Ibrahim Folorunsho Ayanda
The study assessed Agricultural researchers’ awareness of the causes and effects of climate change in Edo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 112 respondents and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that 45.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-50 years with 64.2% having a work experience of 5-10 years. Results revealed that 96.4% and 94.6% of the respondents were aware of gas flaring and oil spillage as causes of climate change. Also, 98.2% and 95.5% of the respondents were aware of increase in temperature and change in rainfall pattern respectively as some of the effects of climate change. There was a significant relationship between information sources and awareness of causes of climate change (r = 0.32; p < 0.05). It was recommended that agricultural researcher should be pragmatic and proactive in the pursuit of issues relating to climate change.
A Comparative Analysis of Crop Production Intensification and its Determinants among Kwara and Niger States Maize-Based Farming Households
(Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2011) SA Salau, MO Adewumi, OA Omotesho, OE Ayinde
Nigeria has been faced with food supply deficit in the past decades. Continuous increase in population density and the consequent pressures from competing demands for land over time have the tendency of worsening the Nigerian arable land situation in the foreseeable future, if unaddressed. Thus, this study compared crop production intensification and its determinants among Kwara and Niger States maize-based households. A total of two-hundred and fifty-two maize-based households were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using crop intensification index and Tobit regression model. Analysis revealed that Niger state households have higher crop intensity scores than those of Kwara state households. The estimated Tobit model revealed that market access, farm income and adoption of land management practices; and extension contact, farm income and adoption of land management practices are the significant variables among Kwara and Niger State maize-based households respectively. For sustainability of maize based production, there is the need for a policy option that addresses the provision of qualitative extension education and farming households’ access to market in the study areas.
The Influence of Crop Production Intensification on Technical Efficiency of Maize-Based Farming Households in Kwara State, Nigeria
(The International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development, 2011) SA Salau, MO Adewumi, OA Omotesho, BA Tsoho
Efficiency Analysis is an issue of interest among economists in recent times, given that the overall productivity of an economic system is directly related to the efficiency of production of the components within the system. Thus, this study examined crop production intensification and technical efficiency of maize-based farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria. Data used for this study were obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 144 randomly selected maize-based farming households in Kwara state. The stochastic frontier production function methodology was used to empirically determine the level of technical efficiency of maize-based farming households as well as the factors that influence the efficiency. Given the specification of a Cobb-Douglass stochastic production function, in which the technical inefficiency effects are specified to be functions of several explanatory variables, the inefficiency effects of the smallholder farming households were significant. The estimated technical efficiency of the sampled households varied widely, ranging from 11.0% to 99.9%, with a mean value of 39.3%. Farming households were generally relatively not efficient, they still have room to increase the efficiency in their farming activities as about 60.7% efficiency gap from the optimum (100%) remains yet to be attained by all Kwara state maize-based farming households. Therefore, in the short run there is room for increase in technical efficiency of maize-based households in the study area. Farming experience, household size, credit access and crop production intensification were factors found significant in influencing the level of technical efficiency of Kwara state maize-based households.
An Analysis of Yam Storage Strategy to Promote Food Security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria
(2012) JA Akangbe; OO Oloruntoba; IF Ayanda; SE Komolafe
This study examines the analysis of yam storage strategy to promote food security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 110 respondents, using well- structured interviews schedule. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and probit model to test for significance. The study found that barn (47.3%) and indigenous plant materials (27.3%) were the common storage strategy used which are not capable of ensuring good storage for yam produce till off season. Probit model analysis revealed that the selected personal characteristics had significant (p<0.05) influence on farmer’s choice of strategy used. Deterioration of yam that reduces its quality (mean score 2.01) has also been the leading problem faced in marketing yam produce. It was concluded that these are one of the major reasons for food insecurity among farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage strategies as well as exposed to training on their use.
Profitability and constraints to dry season vegetable production under fadama in Sudan savannah ecological zone of Sokoto State, Nigeria
(Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2012) BA Tsoho, SA Salau
Many developing countries face major challenges to achieve food security in a sustainable manner, considering the increasing population, limited availability of land and water resources. Thus, the study centered on analysis of profitability of small-scale dry season vegetable production under fadama in Sudan savannah ecological zone of Sokoto State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was employed to collect data from one hundred and sixty respondents distributed in eighteen villages in the study area. Descriptive statistics and farm budgeting were employed to analyze the data for the study. The study revealed that vegetable farmers obtained an average gross margin and net farm income of N190, 024.36/ha and N173, 465.58/ha, respectively. While the return to owner’s labor and management is N84, 951.88, the rate of returns to investment is 97.20%. This indicates that small-scale dry season vegetable production under fadama in the area is profitable. From the viewpoint of this study, certain crops and crop mixture are more rewarding. It is therefore recommended that quite a substantial proportion of land should be devoted to the cultivation of these crops.
Determinants of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies among dry season vegetable farmers in Sokoto state, Nigeria
(BA Tsoho, OA Omotesho, SA Salau, MO Adewumi, 2012) BA Tsoho, OA Omotesho, SA Salau, MO Adewumi
This study investigated the determinants of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies among small-scale dry season vegetable farmers in Sudan Savannah (SS) zone of Sokoto State, Nigeria, using a stochastic frontier production function. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 155 respondents randomly selected from designated locations in the project area. The findings revealed that four variables (extension visits, source of irrigation water, crop diversification and location of the farm), two variables (extension visits and location of the farm) and three variables (extension contact, source of irrigation water and crop diversification) were found to be significant at different levels of significance for technical, allocative and economic efficiency, respectively. These variables were therefore the important policy determinants of inefficiency in study area. These results suggest that farmers’ location in vegetable farming and increased investment in extension services could jointly contribute to an improvement in efficiency of vegetable farmers in the study area
Economics of improved and local varieties of cassava among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2012) A Muhammad-Lawal, SA Salau, SA Ajayi
This study was based on the economics of improved and local cassava varieties and its welfare effect on producing farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to collect information from 144 cassava farmers in the study area. However, only 120 pieces of questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Gross Margin and Multiple Regression Analysis were the analytical tools employed for the study. The results of the study showed that a typical household comprised of 8 persons and the farmers were on the average 45.3 years of age. The profitability analysis revealed a Gross Farm Income (GFI) per hectare of N167,733 and N114,569 for improved and local varieties of cassava respectively. Multiple regression model was used to determine the factors influencing the output of cassava in the area. The result showed that farm size, age of the farmer and household size are the variables explaining the variation in output of cassava in the study area. Implicitly, this result showed that in other to increase cassava production, policies that ensure that these farmers have access to land should be emphasized. Also, a policy targeted at encouraging reduction in household size should be put in place for cassava farmers in the study area.
Technical efficiency and its determinants at different levels of intensification among maize-based farming households in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2012) SA Salau, MO Adewumi, OA Omotesho
Examining the level of farm-specific technical efficiency of maize-based farming households in Southern-Guinea Savanna (SGS) of Nigeria, this study fitted cross-sectional data into a CobbDouglass production frontier. The study examined technical efficiency and its determinants among maize-based farming households at different levels of cropping intensification in the SGS of Nigeria. Data used for this study were obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 252 randomly selected maize-based farming households. Descriptive analysis, crop intensity index and the stochastic frontier production function methodology was used to achieve the research objectives. The study concludes that maize-based households can be grouped into high and low intensity farming households and are technically inefficient. The high intensity farming households are more technically efficient (78.2.4%) than those of low intensity households (30.1%). The main determinants of technical efficiency among the low intensity households are farm size, farming experience and access to credit. On the other hand, farm size and access to credits are the most important factors among the high intensity farming households. Providing farming households with both formal and informal credits will be a useful investment and a good mechanism for improving efficiency in maize-based farming. Policies that would make more lands available for the high intensity farming households must also be encouraged.
Assessment of vulnerability of farming households to climate change in Ekiti State, Nigeria
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2012) A Muhammad-Lawal, SA Salau, AY Saka
Production systems and livelihoods in South Western Nigeria are at risk of climate variability and change. The study examined the vulnerability of farming households in Ekiti State of Nigeria to climate change. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected, interviewed and used for data analysis. Results of the study indicated that the farming households in Ekiti State witnessed change in weather conditions as reflected in unusual downpour of rain thus affecting their productivity. Most of these household heads were young, males, literate, and experienced but relied mainly on personal savings and money borrowed from friends and relatives for farming. The results also indicated that climate change resulted in low productivity, low income, as well as poor standard of living of the respondents. The most widely adopted coping strategy by the respondents was to switch to other sources of income whenever there was unpredictable variation in climate condition. This study therefore calls for the need for government policy to encourage farming households in Ekiti State to obtain loan from banks and micro-credit institutions by reducing interest rate on loans for crop production as well as removing the stringent conditions attached to loans.
GENDER ANALYSIS OF LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES OF HOUSEHOLD HEADS IN RURAL AREAS OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
(2012-11) Yusuf Olayinka Jelili; Adisa Banji Olalere
Livelihood strategy is a function of livelihood assets, access to productive resources and opportunities available to a set of people. Given that female headed households (FHHs) tend to be more vulnerable than their male counterpart owing to greater difficulties in accessing productive resources such as land, labour, credit facilities, amongst others, this study analyzed the livelihood strategies of household heads in rural areas of Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the personal characteristics of household heads, determined their accessibility to productive resources and identified constraints inhibiting accessibility to productive resources. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 252 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule and Focus Group Discussions were used to elicit relevant information. Mean, standard deviation and one way ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results show that 60.0 per cent and 66.7 per cent of Male Heads of Households (MHH) and Female Heads of Households (FHH) aged between 31 and 60 years respectively, while 73.5 per cent and 80.8 per cent, respectively, had below 6 years of formal education. Also, more FHH (69.2 %) engaged in small/micro enterprises than male (32.6 %). Contrarily, more MHH engaged in skilled activities and wage labour as livelihood strategies. Furthermore, the study established a gap in accessibility to productive resources (F = 6.605, p = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in constraints limiting the accessibility by males and females (F = 2.227, p = 0.113). Poor access to resources was found to be a general phenomenon of rural households, and lack of adequate funds, rather than gender discrimination was responsible for this. It was concluded that, despite the gap in accessibility to productive resources, both categories of households engaged in a variety or mix of activities as livelihood strategies.
Assessment of effect of climate change on the livelihood of pastoralists in Kwara State, Nigeria
(2013) F. Ay
The study examined socio-economic characteristics of pastoralists, investigated perceived effects of climate change on grazing land, herd’s performance and changes in livelihood of the pastoralists. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, 140 pastoralists were randomly selected. Data were collected using interview scheduled and analyzed by percentages, frequency, tables and Chi square statistical tools. The result of the study showed that respondents were with an average age of 49.7 years. 10.8 and 5% of the pastoralists had primary and secondary education, respectively. Furthermore, 67.5% of the pastoralists strongly agreed that pattern of rainfall in recent time affects pasture availability while 47.5 and 52.5% reported a decline in milk production and an increase in herd mortality respectively. Pastoralists advanced diminishing land for cattle grazing, poor quality pasture, inadequate income and a decline in cattle productivity as reasons for diversifying into crop production and other enterprises. A significance relationship was established between herd’s milk production and factor of climate change (calculated x2 = 52.00, tabulated x2 = 7.8147, p≤0.00). It was concluded that climate change adversely affected livestock performance. Pastoralists should be encouraged through extension services to diversify production while livestock rearing is not compromised. This in turn will fast track Nigeria’s strive for self-sufficiency in food production and employment generation.
Perceived Effects of Climate Change on Transhumance Pastoralists in Ogun State, Nigeria
(2013) I. F. Ayanda; R. A. Oyeyinka; S. A. Salau; F. Ojo
The study examined perceived effects of climate change on grazing land, herds’ performance and examined the coping strategies of the pastoralists to climate change. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, tables and Chi square statistical tools. The result of the study showed that 37.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 51-60 years with an average age of 49.8 years. The results revealed that 67.5% of the pastoralists strongly agreed that the pattern of rainfall in recent time affects pasture availability. Consequently 47.5% and 52.5% of them reported a decrease in milk production and increase in herd’s mortality rate respectively due to the effect of climate change. A significance relationship was established between factors of climate change and milk production of the herd (calculated x2 = 52.00, tabulated x 2 = 7.8147. p ≤ 0.05). It is therefore recommended that the pastoralists be trained in forage conservation techniques. They should also be encouraged to pool their resources to enjoy economics of scale by the extension workers. Grazing reserves should be developed by the government to fast track the disposition of the pastoralists to sedentary life.
Farm practical training programme for agricultural students: Case study of pioneer students, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
(Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2013) Ibrahim Folorunsho Ayanda, Olayinka Jelili Yusuf, Ololade Latifat Salawu
In Nigeria, the curriculum of agriculture at undergraduate level was re-structured by introducing farm practical training (FPT) for students. The study examined students‘ orientation, skill acquisition, level of satisfaction and change in attitude towards farming, constraints and ways of improving FPT. Data were collected from students with structured questionnaire. Frequency distribution and mean were used to analyze data collected. Results revealed that students‘ orientation about FPT was inadequate, students‘ farming skills acquisition were tremendously improved and students developed positive attitude towards agriculture as a means of livelihood. The perceived constraints and mean score included: untimely payment of allowances (4.4), inadequate monitoring (3.2) and unfavorable sharing formula of farm proceeds (3.1). It was concluded that addressing the skills acquisition of undergraduates, through the FPT, would satisfy youth employability in extension organizations and efficient provision of extension services to farmers. This would permit agricultural development to flourish in a sustainable manner
FARM PRACTICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS: CASE STUDY OF PIONEER STUDENTS, KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE, NIGERIA
(2013) Ayanda Ibrahim Folorunsho; Yusuf Olayinka Jelili; Salawu Ololade Latifat
In Nigeria, the curriculum of agriculture at undergraduate level was re-structured by introducing farm practical training (FPT) for students. The study examined students‘ orientation, skill acquisition, level of satisfaction and change in attitude towards farming, constraints and ways of improving FPT. Data were collected from students with structured questionnaire. Frequency distribution and mean were used to analyze data collected. Results revealed that students‘ orientation about FPT was inadequate, students‘ farming skills acquisition were tremendously improved and students developed positive attitude towards agriculture as a means of livelihood. The perceived constraints and mean score included: untimely payment of allowances (4.4), inadequate monitoring (3.2) and unfavorable sharing formula of farm proceeds (3.1). It was concluded that addressing the skills acquisition of undergraduates, through the FPT, would satisfy youth employability in extension organizations and efficient provision of extension services to farmers. This would permit agricultural development to flourish in a sustainable manner.
Determinants of technical inefficiency among maize-based farming households in Niger state
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2013) SA Salau
Examining the level of farm-specific technical inefficiency of maize-based farming households in Niger state of Nigeria, this study fitted cross-sectional data into a Cobb- Douglass production frontier. Data used for this study were obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 108 randomly selected maize-based farming households. Descriptive analysis and the stochastic frontier production function methodology were used to achieve the research objectives. The mean technical inefficiency is 0.357 (35.7%), implying that about 36% percent efficiency gap from the optimum (100%) was yet to be attained by all Niger State maize-based farming households. The main determinants of technical inefficiency among the households are farm income, crop production intensification and market access. Policy that would promote adoption of hybrid seeds and other inputs as well as facilitate the development of infrastructures such as roads and market facilities among farming households are therefore encouraged. The government policy of subsidizing hybrid maize seeds and fertilizers is consistent with the findings of this study.
Cropping intensification and technical inefficiency of Maize-Based farming households in Southern-Guinea Savanna (SGS) of Nigeria
(African Association of Agricultural Economists, 2013) SALAU, S. A.
Maize is a main staple food in Nigeria, high productivity and efficiency in its production are critical to food security and poverty alleviation in the country. Thus, this paper estimates cropping intensification, the levels of technical efficiency of 252 maize–based farming households in southern-guinea savannah (SGS) of Nigeria and provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of technical inefficiency. Results show that the crop production intensity scores among the farming households ranged between 5.5 and 38.50 with a mean score of 23.13. Technical efficiencies of smallholder maize-based farming households ranged from 0.183 to 0.926 with a mean of 0.478. This result indicated the possibility of improving the efficiency of the sampled farming households by 51.3% with the existing resources and technology. The result of the inefficiency model shows that cropping intensification, farming experience and household size are the significant variables determining technical efficiency of maize-based households. Favourable inputs and output prices of agricultural produce as well as other policies that could facilitate households’ access to agricultural inputs are hereby suggested. Policies aimed at reducing household size should also be vigorously pursued.
Crop production intensification, technical efficiency and maize-based farming households
(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2013) IF Ayanda, RA Oyeyinka, SA Salau, F Ojo
The study examined perceived effects of climate change on grazing land, herds’ performance and examined the coping strategies of the pastoralists to climate change. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, tables and Chi square statistical tools. The result of the study showed that 37.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 51-60 years with an average age of 49.8 years. The results revealed that 67.5% of the pastoralists strongly agreed that the pattern of rainfall in recent time affects pasture availability. Consequently 47.5% and 52.5% of them reported a decrease in milk production and increase in herd’s mortality rate respectively due to the effect of climate change. A significance relationship was established between factors of climate change and milk production of the herd (calculated x2 = 52.00, tabulated x2 = 7.8147. p ≤ 0.05). It is therefore recommended that the pastoralists be trained in forage conservation techniques. They should also be encouraged to pool their resources to enjoy economics of scale by the extension workers. Grazing reserves should be developed by the government to fast track the disposition of the pastoralists to sedentary life.
Capability of Poultry Association of Nigeria for Extension Services Delivery to Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria
(2014) IF Ayanda
The findings revealed that 63.7% of the respondents were males within the age bracket of 40-50 years and were literate. Extension services delivery to poultry farmers by Kwara State Agricultural Development Project, government extension agency, was grossly inadequate to meet knowledge and skills required for cost-effective poultry production on account of high extension agent/farmers ratio. PAN in Kwara State has a meeting hall that is suitable for training and a chapter i n 9 out of the existing 16 local government areas (LGAs.) of the State. About 20% of the respondents possessed university degree in livestock husbandry/veterinary sciences. Majority (72%) preferred keeping of layers to any other class of poultry. Similarly , 87.1% and 69.2% of the respondents accessed information on Poultry management techniques and marketing during in-house trainings and farm visits sponsored by PAN. The association financed the trainings through the annual dues and levies paid by members which showed the level of preparedness of members to pay for extension services. It was concluded that PAN has optimum human and material resources for extension services delivery to its members. The number of trainings and farm visits organized by the association could be improved upon if PAN accesses other sources of funding.

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