The continuous importation of fish portends a colossal loss of foreign exchange reserved to Nigeria which requires urgent attention to boost fish production. It is against this backdrop that this study analyzed the profitability analysis of catfish production in Edo State, Nigeria. It specifically describe the production characteristics of the catfish farmers, estimate the input and output quantities of catfish, determine the profitability and identify the constraints associated with catfish production in the study area. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select a total of 468 catfish farmers from the study area. Data collection was achieved through the administration of structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and 4-Point Likert-type scale. The results revealed that the farmers in the study area used more of personal savings (58.12%), family land (59.40%) and local feed (82.48%). Stocked more at juvenile stage (70.30%) and produced average output of 4859.51kg per production cycle. The results also showed the average total cost incurred and revenue realized were N 543.67 and N 752.56 per kg fish respectively. The catfish production was profitable with average gross margin, net profit and return per naira invested of N224.35, N208.90 and N1.38 per production cycle respectively. The major constraints faced by catfish farmers were high cost of food (3.96), lack of capital (3.65) and lack of inadequate power supply (3.51) are very serious constraints among others. Since the catfish production was profitable, the farmers should be encouraged to combat these constraints and expand their holdings to boost production.

Aims: To examine the effect of oil spillage on cassava farm land, yield and land productivity. Place and Duration of Study: Niger Delta region of Nigeria between January and October, 2012. Methodology: Delta State was purposively chosen from the Niger Delta region for the study. A random sampling technique was employed to select 17 cassava farmers each from three (3) oil spillage communities (Otor-Udu, Olomoro and Uzere) and three (3) nonoil spillage communities (Egini, Aradhe and Ellu), giving a total sample size of 102 respondents for the study. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Likert scale, t-statistic and regression analysis. Results: The results showed that the major significant effects of oil spillage on cassava production perceived by the farmers included crop failure, poor yield, rotting tubers, and stunted crop growth with mean scores of 4.80, 4.78, 4.75 and 4.75 respectively. Others included increased soil temperature and toxicity (mean: 4.73), reduction of soil fertility (mean: 4.70), degradation of farm land (mean: 4.70) and low land productivity (mean: 4.70). The results further indicated that the cassava farm size, yield and land productivity in oil spillage affected communities were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those of the nonoil spillage communities by 0.61 ha, 6119 metric tonnes (MT) and 1447 MT/ha respectively. These represent significant reduction of 36, 48 and 20% of these variables in the oil Research Article

The high incidence of poverty in

The study focused on economic analysis of suya production in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria. Its specific objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of suya producers, estimate the costs and returns of suya production, examine the relationship between gross income of suya production and the inputs affecting it, and identify the constraints limiting suya production. A total of 33 suya producers identified in the study area using snowballing sampling technique were used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, budgeting and multiple regression analyses. The results showed that suya production in the study area was on a small-scale level with initial average capital investment of about N9,809.00. However, the suya production was profitable with gross margin and net profit of N 518.00 and N 508.00 per kilogramme (Kg) of meat respectively. Every naira invested in the business yielded a net return of 58k. The regression results showed that about 71% of the variation in the gross income from Suya production was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by the costs of meat, charcoal and labour. Costs of meat and charcoal positively influenced the gross income while labour cost affected it negatively. Major problems identified to militate against suya production were high cost of input (91%), lack of credit facility (82%), inadequate capital (70%) and disruption of the business by frequent heavy rainfall (61%). In view of the profitability of suya production, entrepreneurs were encouraged to invest in it.ª¤?

ABSTRACT:The study focused on the production cost efficiency and profitability of Abakaliki rice in Ihialia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.. A random sampling technique was employed to select a total of 100 Abakaliki rice farmers from the study area. Data collection was achieved through the administration of structured questionnaire assisted with personal interview. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and stochastic frontier cost function. The results of the study showed that the Abakaliki rice production was profitable with average gross margin, net profit and return per naira invested of N141,607.22/ha, N126,056.33/ha and 3.54 respectively. With the exception of depreciation and output of rice, all the variables under consideration had positive and significant effect on the total cost of rice production. They were all significant at 5% level of probability. The farmers had cost efficiency ranging from 1.001 -1.122 with the average of 1.048. Majority (90%) of them had efficiency range close to the frontier (1.001 -1.100). Since the Abakaliki rice production was profitable and there was high level of cost efficiency, the farmers should be encouraged to expand their holdings and boost rice production. ©JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v19i2.21 KEY WORDS: Cost efficiency, stochastic frontier, Abakaliki Rice, inefficiency factors.