To develop policies in addressing women problem in respect of their participation in cassava processing, the determinants and the level of their interest have to be adequately explored and understood. The study examined value addition to cassava in term of net return and factors influencing women interest in cassava processing in Ilesa West Local Government Area in Osun State. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 4 wards and 40 respondents were randomly selected within the L.G.A. using a structured questionnaire. The result shows that rate of investment on cassava processing was ₦0.39 indicated that for every ₦1 spend on cassava processing; ₦0.39 will be realized as profit. It is evident from the study that cassava processing is a profitable agricultural activity in the study area. The socioeconomic variables such as age, years of experience, income and membership in cooperative society contributed significantly to women interest in cassava processing in the study area. Years of experience and income are the main socio factor responsible for their interest in cassava processing. The major constraints to cassava processing in the area are heat from firewood. It is recommended that government through its research agencies should make available and affordable improved processing technology that is simpler to use for cassava processing more accessible.

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This study highlights the factors causing loan default among farmers in Kwara state. A total of 3100 agricultural loan defaulters (from the members of Kwara State Apex farmers’ cooperatives union) were obtained for this study. The study frame was stratified into four, based on the existing ADP zones. A proportionate sampling technique was used in selecting the 400 agricultural loan defaulters. Data collected with questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that high-interest rate was the reason why farmers default agricultural loan. The view of the agricultural loan desk officers was that miss utilization of loan causes default among farmers. It was concluded that interest rate, family commitment and delay in disbursement were the cause of default from the view of the farmers while miss utilization, political approach and change in business were the what causes default from the points of agricultural loan desk officers. To reduce the incidence of loan diversion, efforts should be made to monitor borrowers regularly so as to ensure they use the loan they received for the agreed and intended use. Getting regular account statement from borrowers and as well as regular visiting the borrowers' enterprise can also enhance this.

The paper examined the incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among farming household in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data was collected  with aid of questionnaire from a total of 440 farming households comprising of (220 beneficiaries and 220 non-beneficiaries of BOA) were randomly selected using four multistage sampling techniques. The data generated was analysed using FGT index. The result for the  incidences of food insecurity as indicated by head count ratio shows that 39.55% and 48.18% of food insecure farming households  beneficiary and nonbeneficiary respectively were not able to meet their recommended daily allowance (RDAs) which is 2,250 kcal valued at N278.40/person equivalent to 0.87 USD. The coefficient of food insecurity depth (gap) shows that 19% of beneficiary and 44% of non-beneficiary food insecure farming households are below the recommended daily calorie requirement. The severity of food insecurity shows that 3.6% of beneficiaries’ food insecure farming households are most food insecure in the study area as compared with 19% non-beneficiaries’ food insecure farming households. High incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among non-beneficiary food insecure farming households, indicated that BOA has impacted on beneficiary farming households by increasing their food security status. Therefore, this study recommends financial policies that ensure financial support to farming households most especially non-beneficiary in the study area.

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