The study investigated the economics of cassava processing in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire administered to 60 cassava processors. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Profit function, independent sample t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed that majority of the processors were within the age group of 31–40 years with mean year of experience of 34 years. They were mostly women with an average of 8 persons per household. Traditional technologies mostly were employed by the cassava processors. The profitability analysis showed that cassava processing into garri (fried cassava granules), chips and fufu/akpu (cassava dough) are profitable, (t =23.55, 11.95, 12.37: P≤ 0.01). Moreover, the result of the ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference (F=44.48:P≤0.01) in the profit level of cassava processed into garri, chips and fufu/akpu. The result of the post-hoc of ANOVA shows that among the three cassava products studied, garri had the highest profit. The cassava processors encountered many set-backs like poor equipment, high cost of transportation, inadequate capital and poor road network even though processing is a viable and profitable venture. Modern processing technologies should be developed and disseminated to processors while adequate infrastructural facilities and credits should also be provided.

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The ripple effects of the petrol crisis on the Nigerian economy is multi-faceted: price distortions, volatilities, dutch-disease, corruption, and inefficiencies. This study assessed the effects of partial fuel subsidy removal on agricultural sector and Nigerian economy. The study made use of secondary data obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletins, Petroleum Product Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), National Bureau of Statistics, Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA), and FAO. Johansen co-integration model and t-test were the analytical tools used. After appropriate robustness checks and ensuring data stationarity, the study found that partial fuel subsidy removal had significant positive influence on the country's GDP, significantly reduced inflation rate, and also reduced life expectancy of Nigerians. Specifically, a percentage increase in petrol price significantly increases GDP by 9.8%; a percentage increase in petrol price increases the prices of rice and maize by 0.75% and 1.50% respectively. The study concludes that increased petrol price had positive effects on GDP and adverse effects on the prices of crop produce. Government should diversify and develop other economies and provide adequate infrastuctural facilities to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. Organic and low-input methods of farming should be adopted to reduce the need for fuel inputs to the food system at all levels.

The importance of agricultural marketing in national development cannot be over-emphasized. The study examined the structure of soyabeans markets in Benue and Enugu States, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using questionnaire admininstered to 207 marketers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression model, HHI, Gini coefficient and lorenz curve. The result showed that the major determinants of soyabeans marketed were price of soyabeans, transfer and handling costs, education and quantity of credit. The study also found that Benue soyabeans markets were by dominated rural assemblers while they were not found in Enugu markets. Soyabeans markets were characterized by many buyers and sellers with little or no barrier to entry and exit. However, the seeds were homogenous. High values of HHI (2,017.18 and 1,081.97) and gini coefficient (0.84 and 0.81) were got for wholesalers and retailers implying high concentration of sales in the hands of few wholesalers and retailers. Soyabeans marketing did not exhibit competitive market behaviour. Education of marketers, provision of credit facilities as well as construction and rehabilitation of roads should be carried out. Increased household utilization could improve the competitiveness of soyabeans markets. Again, MIS should be established for better dissemination of information and improved decision making.

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