Agricultural marketing plays a vital role in economic development and livelihood of people in developing countries. Marketing of agricultural products which provide income to most farmers and marketers in Nigeria has been characterised with a lot of deficiencies which have constrained sustainable development and economic growth. This study, therefore, analysed carrot and cucumber marketing including constraints to their effective marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Data collected, primarily, were analysed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and Likert type rating technique. The result shows that vegetable marketing was dominated by females (65%) who were still in their economically active age and did not belong to a cooperative society. Half of them perform a retail marketing function, 30% perform both retail and wholesale functions while 20% perform wholesale function. Vegetable marketing contributed to marketers’ income by providing N25,667.7 (USD 66.93) per month on average. The marketing margins were 26.30% and 20.18% for cucumber and carrot, respectively. The high cost of shop rent, high transportation cost, low capital, price fluctuation, poor credit facilities and a low supply of vegetables due to seasonal variation were the major constraints faced by vegetable marketers. Vegetable marketers, therefore, need support by providing affordable credit facilities and building of modern market stalls by the government. This would give them a conducive and hygienic environment. Also, vegetable marketers should form a cooperative society where they can pool resources and get financial assistance. This would lead to efficient marketing of the product.

Purpose This paper aims at providing the evidence about how carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems could contribute to the decrease of atmospheric CO2 rates through the adoption of appropriate cropping systems such as agroforestry. Design/methodology/approach Stratified randomly selected plots were used to collect data on tree diameter at breast height (DBH). Composite soil samples were collected from three soil depths for soil carbon analysis. Above ground biomass estimation was made using an allometric equation. The spectral signature of each plot was extracted to study the statistical relationship between carbon stock and selected vegetation indices. Findings There was a significant difference in vegetation and soil carbon stocks among the different land use/land cover types (P < 0.05). The potential carbon stock was highest in the vegetation found in sparsely cultivated land (13.13 ± 1.84 tons ha−1) and in soil in bushland (19.21 ± 3.79 tons ha−1). Carbon sequestration potential of the study area significantly increased (+127174.5 tons CO2e) as a result of conversion of intensively cultivated agricultural lands to agroforestry systems. The amount of sequestered carbon was found to be dependent on species diversity, tree density and tree size. The vegetation indices had a better correlation with soil and total carbon. Originality/value The paper has addressed an important aspect in curbing greenhouse gases in integrated land systems. The paper brings a new empirical insight of carbon sequestration potentials of agroforestry systems with a focus on drylands.

This study examined the effect of interest rates on access to agro-credit by farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study employed survey research methodology which covered the three agricultural zones in the study area. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and 4-point likert scale rating. It was shown that, majority (40%) were aged between 31 and 40 years and about 41.20% had no formal education while 16.7% had secondary certificate. The study further revealed that about 48.3% of the respondents had farming experience of 20 years and above and majority (41.67%) sourced a total amount of between N100, 000 and N400, 000 from formal or informal sources. Age, level of education, interest rate, credit awareness and farm income were the major determinants of (p<0.05) credit sourced by the farmers in the study area. Majority of the farmers obtained their credit more from informal sources than formal sources. Inability to receive the amount applied for, risk of repaying the money and problem of getting guarantors were among the major problems under informal sources while high interest rate and inadequate collateral security were for formal sources. Recommendation was made for government to reduce the high interest rate charged on credit facilities.

The study analysed the profitability of plantain marketing during on and off season in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria. Samples of 60 respondents were randomly selected from four communities within Nsukka Local Government Area to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of plantain marketers, identity the marketing channel of distribution performed, estimate the profitability of plantain marketing in and off season, identify the problems hindering plantain marketing. Data were analysed using, descriptive statistics and cost and return. The result showed that 70% of the respondents were female, within the age bracket of 40-50 years, implying that female of this age range is likely to be more energetic and willing to take risks involved in plantain marketing. Majority of them were married (86.7%) and (60%) have post primary education. Majority (51.7%) of the respondents claim that between January to March is the on-season period with gross margin of N17, 239 while (53.3%) believe off- season is from July-September with gross margin of N23, 775. This shows that it is more profitable to market plantain off- season. Major constraints include seasonality of product, lack of finance, pest and diseases attack, product breakages, lack of market information, price fluctuation and poor access road while cost of transportation, deterioration of product and high market fees are seen as minor constraints. Based on the findings of the study the following  recommendations were made; Storage facilities for plantain should be made available to ensure all year-round production, availability and accessibility of the product.

With the increasing technological advancement and adoption in palm production, this study examined the economic viability of palm oil  production in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state. Specifically, the study determined the socioeconomic characteristics of palm oil producers, different production techniques adopted, costs and return and the constraints that mitigate palm oil production of the farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire from 50 palm oil producers selected randomly from the population. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and gross margin model. In addition to the use of traditional production techniques, producers were identified to be using machine for their production (modern technique) and a combination of both. The gross margin analysis showed that the enterprise is viable and profitable. The study identified inaccessibility of palm fruits, high cost of harvesting, unavailability of human labour, and long duration of processing as the major constraints to palm oil production. The study recommended among others that producers need to form groups in other to be able to purchase modern machines as this will help in their production and also improve the rural infrastructures as it will help to reduce the transportation and the high cost of production challenges faced by farmers especially palm oil farmers/producers in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.