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- ItemEFFECTIVENESS OF MICROFINANCE BANK INITIATIVES IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA(2025) L.K Olatinwo; Z.T Saka; 1O.J YusufThe low-income poor rural entrepreneurs, farmers inclusive, are often excluded from conventional bank benefits in terms of access to financial initiatives. The introduction of microfinance banks across Nigeria by the Government was to enhance financial inclusion to cater to these vulnerable groups. This study, thus, aimed to assess the effectiveness of microfinance bank (MFB) initiatives in promoting sustainable livelihood practices among rural communities in Kwara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design method was used to select 143 farmers following a multistage sampling procedure. Primary data were collected with structured interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results revealed that 61.0% of the farmers were males, educated (61.0%), with mean age of 34 years. The results also revealed that MFBs played a significant role in providing capacity-building and support services (Mean Score=4.23) which ranked highest in their effectiveness, while increase access to credit and small business was ranked least (MS=3.27). The findings further reveal that limited outreach and accessibility and insufficient long-term funding and investment were the most ranked challenges by the farmers in the study area. The regression analysis further highlighted that education (β = 0.273, p = 0.002) and marital status (β = -0.285, p = 0.003) significantly influenced the impact of rural finance, emphasizing the role of socioeconomic factors in shaping financial outcomes. The study concluded that improving outreach, tailoring financial products, enhancing financial literacy, and addressing infrastructure gaps could ameliorate the constraints facing rural finance programs in supporting sustainable livelihoods. The study therefore recommends the expansion of MFB services to expand outreach and enhancing financial literacy programs to maximize the benefits of these initiatives.
- ItemDeterminants of profitability in rice processing among women in Patigi, Kwara State, Nigeria(2025) Hussaina Ummikhanni MAHMUD; Zainab Tope SAKA; Oluwakemi Korede ODEDIRE; Mariam Ajoke IBRAHIMRice processing is a vital economic activity for women in Patigi, Kwara State, Nigeria, providing employment and income opportunities. Rice processing activities, excluding milling, are traditionally performed by women in the study area. However, these women rice processors face various challenges that affect their profitability. This study examines the determinants of profitability among women rice processors in the study area. Multistage sampling was used in selecting 80 women rice processors for the survey. The analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results from descriptive statistics revealed that most (75.6%) of the respondents were married, with a mean age of 36 years and 7years of processing experience. The results from regression analysis indicated that market access (0.031, p=0.002), cost of paddy per bag (-2.219E-5, p<0.001), and fixed costs (-1.746E-6, p=0.040) were statistically significant determinants of profitability, with an R squared value of 0.729 and an F-ratio of 18.061 (p < 0.001). Specifically, the results indicate that a unit increase in market access is associated with a 3.2% increase in profitability, and equally a decrease of a unit of paddy cost could increase profitability by 11.87%. The findings suggest that improving market access, reducing costs, and providing training and capacity-building programs can enhance the profitability of women rice processors in Patigi. The study thus recommends training on marketing strategies, access to market information systems, bulk purchasing, and adopting cost-saving technologies to promote the growth of the rice processing industry in Nigeria.
- ItemDETERMINANTS OF PROFITABILITY OF POULTRY FEED MARKETING IN ILORIN METROPOLIS, KWARA STATE(2025) Zainab Tope SAKA; Hussaina Ummikhanni MAHMUD; Nazeem Taiwo CALFOSThe poultry feed industry is crucial to the global food supply chain, with marketing playing a vital role in its success. However, the sector faces a lot of challenges which affects poultry feed profitability and sustainability. This study investigates the factors affecting poultry feed marketing in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State. A cross-sectional survey of 120 poultry feed marketers was conducted. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed in the study. The results showed that the majority of the poultry feed marketers were male (67.5%), with a mean age of 41years, had tertiary level of education (67.8%) and mean marketing experience of 8.7years. The regression analysis results also indicated that buying price, selling price and quantity sold were significant factors in profitability of poultry feed marketing the study area. The study concludes that higher input costs can erode profitability while higher output prices and sales volumes can enhance profitability. The study recommends that Poultry feed marketers should adopt effective input cost management strategies to minimize the impact of input costs on profitability and also aim at increasing their sales volumes in order to improve profitability and also reduce dependence on a single market or customer.
- ItemFarm Practical Training and Job Aspiration of Undergraduates of Agriculture in Universities in Kwara State Nigeria(Association of African Universities, Accra, Ghana, 2017) Yusuf, O. J.; Ayanda, I. F; Olooto, F.M; Salawu, L. O.; Subair, S. K.The study investigated whether Farm Practical Training (FPT) is significantly associated with job aspiration of Undergraduate students comparing results of empirical evidence between two Universities in Kwara State, Nigeria. Specifically, students preferred courses of study were identified, and their attitude towards FPT and job aspiration were determined. 120 final year students who recently completed the FPT were selected from the two Universities through multistage sampling. Average age of student was 23.5 years with standard deviation of 2.4. Less than half (40%) preferred agriculture as course of study, while 38% preferred science and 5% medicine. About 32% decided to stay on in agriculture after admission because it is deemed prestigious, 13% due to being last available opportunity to gain admission and 17% because of its entrepreneurial potentials. Many (69.8%) aspired for agriculture/farming related job, while 12% aspired to work in agro-allied industries. While many (45.8%) had favorable attitude towards the FPT, comprising 35.0% UNILORIN and 10.8% KWASU students, more (23.3%) of KWASU students had unfavorable attitude towards the FPT compared to 5% UNILORIN students in this category. There was no significant association between students attitude towards FPT and their job aspiration in both institutions (UNILORIN χ2=8.07, p=0.62; KWASU χ2=8.60 p=0.38). Although, most of the students aspired to work in agriculture/agro-allied industry, it could not be concluded from the findings of the studies that FPT did significantly influence their job aspiration.
- ItemUtilization of organic farming practices by arable crop farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria(2014) Bamigboye, E. O.,; Yusuf, O. J.; Kuponniyi, F. A.Organic agriculture plays a crucial role of enhancing the realization of sustainable environment and human health. The study investigated the utilization of Organic Farming Practices (OFPs) by arable crop farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Four rural local government areas (LGAs) Ilejerneje, Moba, Ise-orun and Emure were purposively chosen while 100 respondents were selected for the study. Findings indicated that 86% utilized OFPs, 62% have heard about OFPs through the custodians of indigenous knowledge practices. Bush fallow was the most practiced OFPs (86%) with Weighted Mean Score (WMS) of 1.99, followed by Mulching with refuse (74%, WMS=1.88). Reasons adduced for utilizing OFPs included easy practicability (78%), environmental friendliness of the practice (78%) and costliness of inorganic fertilizer (77%). Constraints that impend the practice of OFPs included problems of land tenure system and environmental degradation. There was a significant association between OFPs utilization and religion (χ2=68.63) and marital status (χ2=65.84). Pearson correlation test revealed a significant and positive relationship between OFPs utilization and age (r=0.168) and farm size (r=0.280). Regression analysis revealed that only age and farm size significantly influenced farmers' utilization of OFPs. A major challenge for extension therefore, is the need to improve on the existing practices.