The scope and direction of international agricultural trade among nations depend on a number of factors. This study, thus, sought to identify and evaluate the determinants of trade in live animals and animal products among member countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region. Panel data on values of bilateral merchandise imports of agricultural commodities (HS Codes 1-24) at 2-digits were obtained from the International Trade Centre (ITC) for the years 2001 to 2011. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and gravity model. The value of all agricultural commodities imports within the region for the period stood at 4.56 billion US dollars, which accounted for 6.38% of the total value for all commodities imports in the region. Imports of live animals and animal products constituted 18.46% of all agricultural products imports for the period. The results also indicated that regional characteristics such as importer and exporter's Gross Domestic Products (GDPs), geographical distance, contiguity and usage of common official language did significantly affect the trade in live animals and animal products. Intra-ECOWAS imports of these products were consistent with the gravity theory and the trade pattern followed the Heckscher-Ohlin's theory of trade. The study therefore recommends that effort be made to improve on infrastructural facilities and harnessing of the resource endowments of member-countries to promote greater trade within the region.

The study analysed the economics of yam production and marketing in Taraba State. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of yam producers and marketers, determined cost and returns of producers and marketers. A multi-stage purposive and simple random sampling was employed in the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, net farm income and regression analysis were used in analysing the data. The result of the analysis showed that the respondents have a mean age of 40 years for both producers and marketers. 77% were male for the producers while 66% were females for the marketer. 35% of the producers had a form of tertiary education, while 46% of the marketers had secondary education as the highest form of education. Both producers and marketers had N1.45 and 0.99 for wholesalers and retailers, respectively as the average rate of return on every naira invested while the producers had N1.25 indicating that yam production and marketing is highly profitable in Taraba State. The result of the simple regression indicates that seed, farm size, age and farming experience were significant at 5% while fertilizer and household size were significant at 10%. Major constraints faced by both producers and marketers include lack of capital, insecurity and poor road network amongst others. The study recommends that producers and marketers should form formidable cooperative to enhance possible assistance from the Governments, also Government should intervene by building more rural roads network for ease of accessibility for yam producers and marketer. Marketers can make use of local securities such as vigilantes and also seek government security officials both on the farm and at the market place.

The study analyzed the costs and returns of yam production in southern Taraba State; specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of yam farmers, determined the cost and returns of yam production and described the constraints faced by yam farmers in the study area. A multi-stage purposive and simple random sampling were employed in the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and net farm income were used in analyzing the data. The result of the analysis showed that the respondents have a mean age of 49 years and 83% of them were male. Majority (73%) of the farmers were literate and have a mean household size of 12.  About 69.8 % of the farmers did not participate in any cooperative association. Majority (85%) of the farmers had no access to extension service, 61% of them had no access to credit. The average hectare of land cultivated was 3 ha. Majority (57.2%) had 10 years and above farming experience. Yam farming was profitable with a return per naira investment of 1.30 and a net farm income of ₦365,367.5k. Insecurity, inadequate fund or access to credit, high cost of labour, lack of extension service and lack of improved yam sett were the major constraints faced by the farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should embrace cooperative association so they can take advantage of economies of scale purchase to reduce production cost. Also, extension services should be revived in the State.