In this paper, stochastic frontier production model was used to analyze the resource use efficiency of part-time food crop farmers in Idah, North Central Nigeria. The result shows that farm size, labour and planting materials are significant determinants of farm output in part-time food crop farming. Analysis of inefficiency factors reveal the significant inefficiency variables to include; level of education, household size and farming experience. The result also shows that over 72% of part-time farmers were above average in resource use efficiency; maximum efficiency is 0.98, while minimum efficiency is 0.36 with mean efficiency of 0.65. The study also revealed that rising age and household size contribute to resource use inefficiency in part-time food crop farming, while level of education and years of farming experience increased resource use efficiency among the sample farmers. Implications are that policies that would encourage relatively younger and educated persons and provide them easy access to improved seeds and fertilizers will go a long way in enhancing resource use efficiency in part-time food crop farming.
This study examines the accessibility of women to three main production inputs namely: Farm inputs (fertilizers, modern technology, improved seed etc), Credit facility and Contact with extension agents. Structured interview schedule, personal observation and analysis of records were used to collect information for the study. The findings revealed that women in the study area were engaged in farming activities such as crop production and rearing of livestock. Traditional technology is still the practice among women farmers. Majority of the women sampled were small-scale farmers with low level of income and education. Women interviewed complained of lack of access to farm inputs, credit facilities and contact with extension workers, the situation which has constrained them from investing in agricultural production. The study recommended that women farmers should be given incentives, particularly in the area of production inputs (credit facilities, fertilizer, and improved seeds among others) and educational opportunities.
The inclusion of fishery subsector as one of the priority subsectors in the agricultural transformation plan of Nigeria stems from the increasing demand-supply gap for fish; which continues to constitute a colossal loss of foreign exchange in Nigeria. In view of the foregoing, this study was carried to examine the programs of the fishery subsector transformation plan in the achievement of self-sufficiency in fish production which is the principal goal of the fisherysubsector transformation plan. Secondary data were employed in this study. Despite the laudable programs of the fishery transformation plan namely: (i) fish farm estate development program (ii) fish seeds and feed mill development program (iii) fish pen and cage culture development program(iv) fish post-harvest management and marketing program, the exclusion of fishery extension program in the programs of the fishery transformation plan was identified as a major weakness of the fishery transformation plan that could mar the achievement of the goal of achieving selfsufficiency in fish production. Therefore, it is recommended that fishery extension program should be included as a component of the fishery transformation plan of Nigeria so as to facilitate the delivery of fishery extension services to fish farmers, fish marketers, fish feed millers and other actors in the fish value chain.
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