This study analyzed the economics of millet marketing at Laranto (Katako) market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state. A purposive and random sampling technique was used for this study to select 60 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using the following analytical tools; descriptive statistics, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), marketing margin and efficiency and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis. The result of the study revealed that most (87%) were male, the mean age was 41 years, 78% were married, most(55%) had primary school(≤6 years) education, most(47%) of the respondents had marketing experience of between 15-29 years, 63% had access to market information, and 47% were retailers/farmers. The marketing margin (profit) and efficiency were estimated at ₦3,650 and 0.34 respectively. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) estimate was 4,850 which is an indication of market concentration. The estimate of the coefficient of multiple determination (R 2 ) was 0.727, suggesting that 73% of the variation in the marketing margin of millet grains was accounted for by the variables in the regression model. The coefficients of marketing experience (0.087), market information (0.254), quantity supplied (0.642) and marketing costs (-0.488) were statistically significant at 5% level. The significant constraints associated with millet grain marketing identified by the respondents were; inadequate capital (91.7%), high marketing cost (83%), price fluctuation (80%), and poor storage facilities (75%). Based on the findings of this study, policy actions should be channeled towards ameliorating these constraints to improve profitability and reduce marketing costs in millet grain market chain.

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This study analyzed the determinants of microcredit disbursement to rural farmers from Abia State University Microfinance Bank, Nigeria. Snowballing and simple random sampling techniques were used in the selection of the beneficiaries. The data generated was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model. The study revealed that most (76.5%) of the beneficiaries were male with mean farm holding of 0.8 hectares. The mean age of the beneficiaries was 37 years. The mean annual farm income of the beneficiaries was ₦194,500. The beneficiaries had a mean value of 2 years' experience with microcredit utilization. Most (37.50%) of the beneficiaries had secondary school education. Most (99.4%) of the beneficiaries completed their documentation requirements. The estimated mean volume of microcredit received in the study area from ABSU microfinance bank was ₦43,000. The result also indicated that most (46.9%) of the microcredit loan applications were for the purpose of crop production only. The estimated value of the coefficient of multiple determination (R 2 ) was 0.693 implying that 69% of the variation in microcredit received by the beneficiaries can be explained by the combined effect of the independent (explanatory) variables included in the regression model, while the remaining 31% was as a result of excluded variables and error considerations. The study also revealed that farm income records, microcredit utilization experience, level of education and complete documentation are the key criteria recommended for microcredit loan applications.

This study assessed cost and returns analysis of groundnut production in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to determine the socio economic characteristics of groundnut producers in the study area, estimate the cost and returns of groundnut production, determine the input and output relationship in groundnut production and identify the constraints faced by groundnut farmers in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 150 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and interview technique and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results obtained from the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 38 years with males dominating (82%) the groundnut production enterprise in the study area. Greater (85%) percentages of respondents were married with majority (64%) of them having primary school education. The respondents had an average household size of nine (9) persons, a mean farming experience of 9.3 years and an average farm size of 3.0 hectares. The result also revealed that majority (72%) of the respondents did not belong to any cooperative/ farming association. The result indicates that majority (79%) of the groundnut farmers acquired their farmland by inheritance. Groundnut production in the study area is profitable. The average output obtained per hectare was 696 kg at the prevailing selling price of ₦280/kg. The total revenue (TR), gross margin (GM) and, net farm income (NFI) per hectare obtained were ₦194880, ₦139380 and ₦123730 respectively. The return on naira invested (RNI) by farmers in the study area was ₦1.70 indicating that for every one naira invested, ₦1.70 profit was gained. The result of the double log production function analysis shows that farm size, cost of fertilizer and cost of labour were statistically significant and influenced the profitability of groundnut production.  Major constraints to groundnut production in the study area include; high cost of inputs (64 %), high cost of labour (49 %), lack of organized market system (47%), land tenure (42%) among others. The study recommends that groundnut stakeholders and research institutes should work more on introducing new improved groundnut varieties. Government should subsidize groundnut inputs like recommended fertilizer and herbicides so as to motivate farmers to grow groundnut. Government should establish organized marketing systems where farmers will have proper and reliable linkages with buyers thereby reducing the undue exploitative tendencies of the middlemen.  Improved storage facilities should be provided so that farmers could store their produce to avoid spoilage and for sale during times of scarcity.

The study assessed compliance with forestry laws among rural farmers in rural forest communities of Plateau State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of the rural forest farm families in the study area, examine the level of awareness of forestry laws in the study area, ascertain the level of compliance with forestry laws in the study area and identify the perceived constraints to forestry laws compliance in the study area. The population of the study consists of all the farmers in the rural forest communities of Plateau State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total number of 216 respondents for the study. Data for the study was garnered using structured questionnaire designed in line with objectives of the study. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics and five point likert rating scale. Log it regression was used to test the hypothesis of the study. Findings revealed that the mean age of the farmers was 39 years with majority (61.0%) of them being male. The result also revealed that 85.0% of the respondents were married with majority (57.0%) of the respondents having non-formal education. The average household size of the respondents was 7 persons and average farm size of 2.5 hectares. The result further shows that only 49.0% of the farmers had contact with extension agents between 1 and 5 times in the last one year. Results indicate that farmers’ level of compliance with forestry laws in the study area was poor. The few forestry laws complied with in the study area were: law prohibiting the pasturing or grazing of cattle in the forest reserve (X=3.02), law prohibiting the erection of buildings or roads in the forest reserve (X=3.85) and law prohibiting kindling of fire in the forest reserve (X=3.54).Constraints to compliance with forestry laws includes; Perceived lack of fairness of tree tenure (79%), lack of alternative economic opportunities (87%), as a constraint to forest law compliance in the study area, lack of awareness of forest laws (71%), increased demand for agricultural land (42%), general lack of perceived legitimacy (33%), Corruption in government institutions (28%) and weak law enforcement (5%). The null hypothesis was rejected. The study recommends that, a zero tolerance policy on non-compliance with forestry laws should be put in place to checkmate indiscriminate exploitation of forest resources.