Low savings in the economy could lead to ineffective mobilization of funds for domestic investment. This could be part of the reason why Nigeria depends heavily on external borrowing for its developmental and investment projects. There is little or no documented evidence from available literatures of savings culture of farmers in the area. The dearth of such conclusive evidence has left gap which this study tried to fulfill by investigating the intervening variables. Purposive sampling was used to select four and two wards from Sabongari and Gagi wards. The choice of the selection was based on the preponderance of smallholder farmers in these locations. Two (2) villages were randomly selected from each ward. A random selection of twenty (20) farmers from each village gave a total of 120 respondents for the study. Data were elicited through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression technique. On the whole, age, farm income, non-farm income, interest rate and the distance were significant in determining the amount of saving by smallholder farmers in the study area. Thus, these factors have to be considered in designing strategies aimed at improving the savings of smallholder farmers. IZVLEČEK DETERMINANTE VARČEVANJA MED MALIMI KMETI V OKROŽJU SOKOTO SOUTH, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Agricultural products including rice, yam and cowpea play significant roles in the food consumption of urban dwellers. However, increase in crop production cost has continued to threaten urban food price in Nigeria. This study analyzed the determinants of demand for food commodities among urban households in Minna metropolis. Data were collected from 110 household heads of urban residences, which were selected through a three-stage random sampling technique. Data collected for the study were analyzed using multiple regression technique. The results showed that rice, yam and cowpea were price in-elastic. The cross-price elasticities for rice, yam and cowpea were -0.132, 0.028 and 0.005 respectively. The computed own price, cross price and income elasticity of demand for rice were –0.308, -0.132 and 0.018 respectively. For yam, the computed values were -1.262, 0.028 and 0.289 respectively. While for cowpea, these values were -0.530, 0.005 and 0.002 respectively. For the income elasticity, rice and cowpea were proven to be normal goods and yam as a luxury good. The social protection strategies in form of food aids policy should be put into action to minimize the inflationary pressure on food items in the urban areas.

Honey marketing is an important off-farm economic activity for women's livelihood and sustenance. Despite this, there is scant information in the literature about the economic performance of women honey marketers. Therefore, this study investigates the economic performance of women marketers, its drivers, and its challenges. Data collected from 120 women honey marketers were analysed using descriptive statistics, gross profit, net profit, benefit-cost ratio, return on capital invested, operating ratio, marketing margin, and multiple regression. We found that honey marketing was a profitable venture, as indicated by the high gross profit (USD 262.08), net income (USD 257.03), marketing margin (56%), benefit-cost ratio (1.72), and return on capital invested (0.72) per 58.14 litres sold. Honey marketing also had a low operating ratio of 0.57. Thus, women honey marketers performed economically well. The significant factors that enhanced the profitability of honey marketing were education, experience in honey marketing, credit, and the quantity purchased. While age, purchasing costs, and transportation costs reduced honey marketing profitability. Inadequate capital and credit, price fluctuations, a poor road network, high transportation costs, adulteration, and poor marketing information were the major severe constraints faced in honey marketing. These call for the provision of credit, training, and education to honey marketers by the government to enhance the profitability of the enterprise.

The study examines risk and its management strategies among smallholder onion farmers in Sokoto State. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire designed to pull together information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers in the area such as age, level of education, experience, family size, membership of farmer association, extension contact, risk preference of the farmers etc. Data was also collected on risk sources and risk management strategies.  The primary data used were obtained from structured questionnaire administered to 120 randomly selected farmers. The analytical techniques that were used in the analysis of data were descriptive statistical tools such as means and percentages, Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent with a Purely Hypothetical Risky prospect (ELCEPH) technique and the 5-point Likert scale. The result showed that majority of the farmers are risk averse having a positive Arrow-Pratt absolute risk aversion coefficient.