The study examined the performance of microfinance providers on poverty alleviation among yam farm household in some selected Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to draw up respondents for the survey. Data were collected from 120 respondents using structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, poverty gap index, Foster-Greer-Thorbeck index, head count ratio, severity index, farm budget technique, and Gini coefficient. The results revealed that most (89.17%) yam farm household were males and married (87.50%). The average age of the respondents was 37.83 years; 75% were into poultry farming; 44.17% and 30.83% obtained credit from commercial and microfinance banks, respectively. Also, average income of the respondents before and after the loan was N38, 401.04 and N83, 329.21, respectively. The results also revealed even though credit had positive impact on the livelihood of the respondents in the area, the result of the Gini coefficient (0.6631) showed that there was inequality in income distribution among the respondents in the area. The study therefore, recommended that additional microcredit providers be established in the study area to increase its impact among the respondents especially in poverty alleviation. Also, integrated community development effort should be encouraged to provide rural infrastructures in the study area.

The study examines the economic analysis and technical efficiency of watermelon production in Niger State of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw up the sample and watermelon farmers in the area were the unit of the survey. Accordingly, 150 respondents were selected for the survey. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire. Information elicited for include socio-economic variables, farm information and management data, information on inputs and outputs and their relative prices, and information on constraints in watermelon production. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting techniques as well as stochastic frontier production function. The result of the analyses shows that the mean age of respondents was 41 years, 98% were males and most of them (88%) were married, and having average household size of 9 persons. A typical watermelon farmer in the study area realizes a gross farm income of N534,747.50/ha, and a net farm income of N459,769.56/ha and a return to investment of 6.13. The constraints to watermelon production in the study area include; inadequate capital for investment, high cost of inputs and their inadequacies, small farm size, poor market integration/pricing of produce, inadequate rainfall, problem of pests/diseases infestation, etc. It was concluded that watermelon is a profitable venture whose production can be increased if more land can be put under cultivation, ensuring that farmers have access to production inputs, provision of infrastructural facilities, land like good roads.