Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nigerian agriculture'

This thesis attempts to analyze the military government's role in solving the country's agricultural problems. This analysis is essential because it was during the military's stay in power that Nigeria's potential as a selfsufficient and food exporting nation declined. Materials collected to analyze the above problems reveal that the military government's lack of adequate personnel to supervise and implement decisions taken on agriculture, unplanned schemes, and unresearched projects were partly responsible for the government's inability to solve Nigeria's agricultural problems. While it may be necessary to blame the military government for not being able to completely solve the country's numerous agricultural problems, the presence of global political and economic decisions seriously hampered measures taken by the military government.

Most scholars of female farmers of sub-Saharan Africa have come to agree that the transition from subsistence to market agriculture has hurt women's independent agricultural enterprises and incomes. Research conducted among a group of farmers known as the Kofyar of central Nigeria provides a case study which runs counter to this general consensus. Kofyar women have not suffered a loss of economic or social independence with the introduction of cash-cropping but have in fact embraced the new opportunities of the markets to produce crops for sale independently of their households. The Kofyar farming system as a whole is outlined, and the system of independent production is described within this context. The recent history of the Kofyar is sketched including, most importantly, their migration into an agricultural frontier, the adoption of yams as the primary cash crop, and the evolution of a complex set of mechanisms for mobilizing labor. The role of women in the cooperative labor network and in household labor is described and women's important contributions to all types of labor are linked to their access to labor for their own independent production. One of the basic arguments is that Kofyar women are prospering relative to other African women because their labor has been so crucial to the agriculture of the Kofyar both before and since the introduction of cash-cropping. The other basic argument for Kofyar women's relative success is that they are successfully exploiting the flexibility inherent in their farming system to maximize their own production. The use of intensive techniques such as intercropping and taking advantage of the flexibility in the timing of certain agricultural tasks on their major crops of groundnuts and yams are examples of this strategy. Women have, in other words, evolved a system of independent production which fits around rather than competes directly with male/household farming. The dissertation goes on to place women's independent farming within the broader social system by analyzing differences between women in marriage and childbearing statuses and histories. Regular differences in magnitude of independent production are found between women with contrasting social characteristics (e.g. age, marital status, divorce history, numbers of children). The portrait of the most prosperous woman is sketched. Kofyar women's activities are seen as an essential part of Kofyar development. The system in general has become more prosperous and women as important contributors to that prosperity are also benefiting as individuals from these changes.

The purpose of this study was to find out whether there was a shift in emphasis from agriculture to mining in the Nigerian economic development between 1958-1980. This shift in emphasis led .to a lower Gross Development Product (GDP), higher unemployment, decreases in food and agricultural production and reductions in both tax and export revenues.The data used in this thesis were extracted from secondary sources which include: First, Second and Third Federal Government of Nigeria National Development Plans, documents published by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Other sources include publications by organizations, both private and public, and textbooks. The above were the sources through which statistics for this study were compiled.The two most important economic indicators in Nigeria's economy are the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (output), and the expenditures (input), which were used for the analysis.In the analysis of the data, both the absolute and the percentage values for the GDP (output) and expenditure (input) were plotted for various sectors of the economy, ranging from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, electricity, building, distribution, transportation, and education to health were graphically expressed. The various values of each of the sectors were compared to that of agriculture. To substantiate the findings of the absolute values of the expenditure, the percentage values of the expenditure were also graphically expressed.The results of the statistical analysis used indicate the following:1) That agriculture is highly and positively correlated with the other sectors of the Nigerian economy;2) Manufacuring and transportation indicate a shift in emphasis from agriculture to these two sectors;3) There was no shift in emphasis from agriculture to the mining sector of the economy;4) There were also no shifts in emphasis from agriculture to the following sectors of the economy - education, health and electricity;5) Three other sectors - government, building and distribution expenditures - could not be expressed graphically because of the difficulty in aggregating data for these three sectors;6) The mining sector of the Nigerian economy was not a force before 1975 but, since 1975, it has grown at a faster rate than any other sector;7) While the mining and agriculture sectors indicate growth and they grew more than the amount invested in them, the other sectors - manufacturing, transportation, electricity, health and education - took more money in their expenditures than they put out in their GDP's.As a result of the above findings, there may have been other factors responsible for the decline of agriculture in Nigeria's economic development planning. These factors might include: lack of mechanization of farming techniques, bribery and corruption, land tenure system, lack of adequate manpower, the problem of inadequate overall planning and coordination, and the diversification in the Nigerian economy which resulted from the attempt to improve Nigeria's economy.
Department of Urban Planning

What will be discussed in this study is the impacts of the Federal Government Development Policies on agricultural output over the period 1975—1985. The writer attempted to examine the third and fourth National Development Plans; the Agricultural Policy on Marketing; the Import Policy; and the credits policy. These policies were discussed and analyzed. After that the trends of agricultural output were also discussed and analyzed. The result obtained from this study is that even though government had policy objects that addressed the need for rapid growth of agricultural output, the policy did not bring the growth needed for agricultural output.

This research recommended ways in which Nigeria could unlock constraints to commercialization and investment in the Nigerian agricultural sector for sustained economic growth, enhanced food security, increased competitiveness of products in the domestic, regional and international markets, sustainable environmental management and poverty alleviation.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agricultural financing has a wide and deep history in Nigeria, owing to the fact that the Nigerian economy has huge potentials for growth especially from its agriculture sector which is the second largest contributor to GDP. Since the establishment of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme over 30 years ago, the total sum of 647,351 loans amounting to over N34 billion have been disbursed to farmers as at 2009. The result from this study shows that the guarantee scheme has been effective in providing agricultural financing as well as stimulating agricultural production in Nigeria. More specifically, the study found that, out of the five variables used in the models to determine agricultural performance, the credit finance provided under the ACGS and foreign exchange rates was found to be statistically significant to agricultural output. The credit provided under the ACGS has a significant effect on aggregate output; it was also found that the crop and the fishery subsectors are significantly affected by the credit finance provided under the ACGS, due to their short gestation period. However, the livestock and forestry subsectors do not have an immediate significant relationship with the credit finance due to their long gestation period; rather, they have a significant relationship with the depreciation of foreign exchange rates. A major policy implication from the study is that the government should continue to promote and support the operations of the ACGS to encourage farmers to invest their best efforts in agricultural production in Nigeria for food production and for enhanced agricultural export.

Previous studies have shown a significant and positive relationship between agricultural output and long run economic development. Nigeria, with current extreme poverty rate of 48% is also characterized with high level of food insecurity. The country however, has about 99 million ha of arable land which supports numerous farming activities. Therefore, there exist an opportunity to increase agricultural output and achieve economic development. Further studies also showed that the percentage of agricultural loans to total loans in Nigeria have been declining over the last 15 years which suggests some form of neglect of the sector. This paper therefore examined the impact of agricultural loans and other relevant variables on agricultural GDP in Nigeria with a view to estimate a regression model that can explain variability in agricultural GDP. All the data used were secondary data collected from the annual statistical bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria (2018) and USDA, Economic Research Service (Nov. 2019). Ordinary Least Square regression model was used to estimate regression parameters and to show relationship between the variables. Analyzed results showed that agricultural GDP in Nigeria is statistically dependent on agricultural loan, government expenditure and available farm land. The result was statistically tested to be significant at >=95% level of confidence. Further results also showed that agricultural loan in Nigeria is statistically dependent on agricultural credit guarantee and Non-performing loan ratio. This was also tested to be significant at >=95% level of confidence.The study recommended that the results calls for more allocation of credit for agricultural purposes, more government spending to agriculture and more funding of the agricultural credit guarantee program by the government.

Nigeria, despite its significant agricultural potential, has struggled to reach high levels of agricultural productivity. The country has gone from a net exporter of agricultural products from the few years after its independence to a net importer of food at present. The Oxford Business Group estimates that the country now spends as much as $23.3 billion on food import every year. To put this into perspective, the country’s entire allocation for its 2017 national budget was $23.97 billion, which in effect means Nigeria spends as much money on importing food as it spends on defense, health care, education, debt servicing, and capital expenditures combined. This study argues that the rentier nature of the Nigerian state has been a major contributing factor that has led to its poor agriculture performance. Thus, the study put forward that increasing agricultural productivity via a food self-sufficiency strategy would be of the best interest to the Nigerian government. Using a Double Log regression model, the study found that gross fixed capital formation and employment in agriculture has positive and statistically significant relationships with agricultural productivity in Nigeria. However, government recurrent expenditure in agriculture and credit to agriculture has a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with agricultural productivity in the country. In all, this study suggests that productivity in Nigeria’s agricultural sector can be improved with increased capital formation and labor in the sector under a framework of a food self-sufficiency strategy.

Le crédit constitue, au Nigeria comme dans la plupart des pays en en voie d'industrialisation, un élément capital dans le processus de modernisation de la petite agriculture. Il est en même temps la pièce maîtresse du financement des objectifs de production agricole du pays. L'inadéquation et l'insuffisance du crédit bancaire nigérianes aux petits exploitants agricoles laisse une large place aux prêteurs traditionnels, souvent usuriers. Il est donc essentiel que s'instaure progressivement un système de crédit qui puisse affronter les prêteurs sur leur terrain. Cette étude, qui traite du crédit à la petite agriculture au Nigeria consacre une partie à l'évaluation des besoins de financement de quelques importants spéculations agricoles à partir des objectifs des programmes de développement. Elle examine l'organisation générale des réseaux bancaires du point de vue de l'allocation du crédit aux petits exploitants, afin de savoir dans quelle mesure les banques répondent ou non aux besoins exprimés par ces derniers. Elle se penche enfin sur les modalités des interventions en suggérant les améliorations qui pourraient être apportées au système actuel.

This study sought to determine: (a) the essential elements of a viable artificial insemination program for the Fulani Tribesmen in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and (b) to determine if the essential elements of a viable artificial insemination program exist in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study was conducted from April 15 to May 15, 1985, in the Artificial Insemination (AI) Subcenters of Zaria, Katsina, Kabomo, Kaduna, Ikara, Zonkwa, Kurmin-Biri, and Kauranjuli. The data presented in this study were collected by personal interviews with Fulani Tribesmen. The population of this study was from a partial list of Fulani Tribesmen who have had AI performed on their dairy cattle by the cooperative inseminators in the subcenters. The statistical analysis showed an overview of herdsmen reactions to each question. The use of additional statistical tests to determine the degree of significance was not appropriate because the respondents were not randomly selected. The writer did not know in advance the number of Fulani Tribesmen that constituted the total population of the AI system in the subcenters. Noneconomic analysis of this research study includes five linked essential elements of a viable AI program. These elements are: (1) high performance bulls with quality semen, (2) skilled dependable AI technicians, (3) healthy cows, (4) functional communication and transportation resources, and (5) cooperative and informed farmers. This study concluded that four of the five essential elements for a viable AI program currently do not exist for the Fulani Tribesmen in Kaduna State, Nigeria. As a result of this study, it was determined a viable AI program for the Fulani Tribesmen in Kaduna State, Nigeria, is not feasible under the present situation.

Innovation is important in agricultural development, particularly in the face of environmental and economic challenges. Therefore, recent thinking has been on agricultural innovation systems, with emphasis on interactions between multiple actors; so communication is central to the systems. Communication landscape has changed radically in rural areas of Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the past thirteen years through use of mobile technology. This research examines the role of mobile phones in agricultural innovation in Nigeria. Workshops, semi-structured interviews, survey and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 263 respondents from different actors within the agricultural sector in Kano State. The results indicate there are informal innovations in the area in addition to formal innovations introduced to the farmers; they are capable of developing innovations to satisfy their ecological and economic needs. There are variations in the use and adaptation of the innovations (formal and informal) across the localities, which show diversification of agricultural innovations and practices. Agricultural innovation also entails new forms of organisation and new forms of interaction, which fits into the role of mobile phones in changing marketing structure and processes, in addition to changing extension and farmers' ways of facilitating access and use of information. Mobile phones improve grains marketing considerably by increasing contact among farmers and grain traders. Market efficiency is achieved through enhancing exchange of goods and services in addition to increase in income generation and number of customers. There are significant differences in the information exchange between farmers that are beneficiaries of National Agricultural Questions and Answers Services (NAQAS) project and those that are not beneficiaries, mainly due to free services the beneficiaries are enjoying. The project needs to be expanded to cover more farming communities for facilitating information exchange among farmers and other agricultural stakeholders. Promoting grass root innovation is helpful in enabling farmers to meet their environmental and economic needs. In general, various innovation processes ranging from introducing, promoting and adapting formal and informal innovations to changing marketing structure and processes, as well as changing farmers' and extension agents' roles are enhanced through an overwhelming increase in access and use of mobile phones in Kano State, Nigeria.

The study is an investigation of the sustainability of agriculture in Nigeria using Rubber as case study. Edo and Abia states were sampled for the study with 300 questionnaires administered in 10 communities among rubber farmers. The study is an investigation of the socio-demographic distribution of the rubber farmers, perception of rubber farmers, and influence of government activities. Sources of information and the data were cumulated for Nigeria as a whole. The data were analyzed using statistical analysis. Findings indicated the distribution of rubber farmers on socio-demographic distribution, sources of funds, and the effects on agricultural sustainability in Nigeria. Farmers’ reaction to government activities and recommendations were stated alongside the challenges encountered by the farmers and were analyzed. concluded that provision of funds, basic infrastructural facilities, government increased participation, restructuring laws and policies relating to agriculture and provision of information on improved agricultural technology are needed for agricultural sustainability in Nigeria.

This study aimed to analyze variables that may be responsible for the successes and failures of the Nigerian military government's agricultural policies. Inquiry was conducted into the political and administrative apparatus utilized by the military for implementing agricultural policies. We also analyzed the usefulness and effectiveness of such policies and how they affect the general well-being of the Nigerian population. Agricultural policies such as The Green Revolution; Integrated Rural Development; Operation Feed the Nation; and the Land Use Decree were examined in the study. Data for the study came from both primary and secondary sources. Our findings revealed that although the military government's efforts at upgrading agriculture in Nigeria had been significant, the government spent less for domestic agriculture. There was also extensive bureaucratic corruption and poor technological orientation for rural farmers; the national bourgeois elements collaborated with multinational companies in diverting monies allocated to agriculture for other purposes. We offered extensive recommendations, including the need for effective leadership and the creation of a socioeconomic and financial environment necessary for the stimulation of agricultural production. We also recommended that further research be conducted seeking to find the reason why production levels in African agriculture have been so low. We offered propositions that could be hypothesized and rigorously tested in future research.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This project aimed at enhancing the net benefit in production systems. It took a holistic approach to evaluate the potential interactions of herbaceous legumes in relation to weed dynamics, soil fertility and livestock management in the crop-livestock system in Nigeria. The project was carried out between 2000 and 2002 in two localities. These were the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) at Zaria in the northern Guinea savannah and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan in the derived savannah. The main experiment was carried out in the northern Guinea savannah, while the secondary experiments were simultaneously conducted in the derived savannah and the northern Guinea savannah. The experimental design for the three experiments reported in this thesis is a splitsplit plot, fitted into randomised complete block design (RCBD), with four replications. Main plot treatments were herbaceous legumes, namely Vigna unguiculata, Arachis hypogaea, Glycine max, Aeschynomene bistrix, Centrosema pascuorum, Stylosanthes guianensis and natural vegetation. Sub-plot treatments were management systems (1) M1, 'residues left in the field'; (2) M2, 'residues taken out of the field' and (3) M3, 'residues fed to livestock, manure/urine/refused feeds returned'. Sub-plot treatments were administered in a sequence following rotational fallows of herbaceous legumes and natural vegetation. However, plots in the secondary experiments were not subdivided before the cropping of maize in 2002, and for logistical reasons only two sub-plot treatments, M1and M2, are featured in this experiment. Herbaceous legumes were established at the start of the rainy season, approximately in June, in 2000, 2001 and 2002. All herbaceous legumes received single super phosphate (SSP) at 20kg ha" P20S at planting, while minimum hand weeding was done to maintain pure legume stands during the establishment phase. Forage biomass was higher in the derived savannah than in the northern Guinea savannah. Similarly, higher forage yields were observed after two consecutive years of legume fallow and natural vegetation, compared to the first year plots. Grain yield for Glycine max was consistently higher than for the other two grain legumes in 2001 and 2002. Chemical analysis of herbaceous legumes and natural vegetation showed that crude protein values ranged between 11.2% to 17.3% for legumes; that was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 8.6% value found for natural vegetation. Moreover, all herbaceous legumes and natural vegetation, except Arachis hypogaea, had dry matter digestibility values of more than 30%. Maize grain and stover yields on herbaceous legumes fallowed plots were evaluated and compared with those for natural vegetation. Results in 2001, i.e. after a one-year fallow with legumes, indicated that the dry matter of maize grain and stover yields in the Stylosanthes guianensis plots were higher among the forage legumes. Arachis hypogaea gave the highest grain and stover yields among the grain legumes in the northern Guinea savannah. Results in 2002, i.e. after a two-year fallow, also showed that the productivity of maize planted on Arachis hypogaea and Glycine max fallowed plots were consistently higher across the three management systems tested in the Centrosema pascuorum, Glycine max, Aeschynomene histrix, Vigna unguiculata and least weight gain was recorded for the natural vegetation. Objective functions in linear optimisation, or linear combinations in algebra, used to link dynamic processes in livestock production (Iiveweight gain) with the dynamic processes in soils (soil nitrogen), weeds (weed biomass), herbaceous legumes (legume biomass) and crop production (maize grain and stover yields) under varying management systems took the form: Management system 1, Y, = f (XI, Xz, x4); Yr= 0 Management system 2, Y, = f (x" x2); Yz = 0 Management system 3, Y, = f (XI, Xz, xl); Yz= f (XI, Xz, X4. x5) Where (1) (2) (3) Y1 = Crop in kg; Y2 = Livestock weight gain in kg; X1= Weed in kg; X2 = Soil N g kg-1; X3 = Livestock compost in kg; N= Herbaceous legumes in kg; X5 = Maize stover in kg, for the three management systems considered in this experiment. Deductions from these equations showed that Aeschynomene histrix performed better under M1, i.e. when legumes residues were left on the field. Natural vegetation performed better than the herbaceous legumes under M2, i.e. when legumes residues were exported out of the field. However, the presence of manure in M3 enhanced soil fertility in the system and improved the overall productivity across all the legumes and natural vegetation. Overall rankings, conducted by pooling all components in the system, indicated that Glycine max performed best among the legumes, followed by Stylosanthes guianensis and Arachis hypogaea, which ranked second and viithird respectively. In relation to the specific legume groups, Stylosanthes guianensis performed better than the other two forage legumes, while Glycine max also performed better than the other two grain legumes tested. We can see from these on-station research results that there are indications of positive opportunities for improving overall productivity and resources. This can be done through integrating and complementing crop and livestock production, to provide a sustainable intensification of agriculture.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is uitgevoer om die potensiële wisselwerking van kruidagtige peulplante met onkruiddinamika, grondvrugbaarheid en veebestuur te evalueer. Die hoofeksperiment in die "Northern Guinea Savannah" is vanaf 2000 tot 2002 uitgevoer by die "National Animal Production Research Institute" (NAPRI) in Zaria, Nigerië. Die twee sekondêre eksperimente is gelyktydig in Zaria en by die "International Institute of Tropical Agriculture" (liTA) naby Ibadan in die "Derived Savannah" uitgevoer. Die eksperimentele ontwerp was 'n dubbel gesplete perseelontwerp gepas in 'n volledig ewekansige blokontwerp met vier herhalings. Die hoofkomponente was die kruidagtige peulplante naamlik: Vigna unguiculata, Arachis hypogaea, Glycine max, Aeschynomene histrix, Centrosema pascuorum, Stylosanthes guianensis en natuurlike plantegroei. Die gekose peulplante is potensieel aangepas vir uiteenlopende omgewings en word dikwels na verwys as "'n mandjie van opsies". Subperseel behandelings was (1) peulplant gevestig en gelaat op die land - M1; (2) peulplant gevestig, geoes en weggeneem uit die land M2 en (3) peulplant gevestig, geoes, vir vee gevoer, mis/urine/vermorste voer terug na die land - M3. Die dubbel gesplete perseel behandelings is toegedien in 'n sekere volgorde nadat die peulplant rusoes/braak toegepas is. In die eerste jaar is die kruidagtige peulplante geplant op die hoofperseel van 25m by Sam. In die tweede jaar is die hoofperseel verdeel in twee persele waar onderskeidelik peulplante en mielies gevestig is terwyl daar in die derde jaar 'n verdere verdeling was wat gelei het tot verskillende gewasrotasiestelsels, nl. Peulplant-peulplant-mielies, peulplant-mielies-peulplant en peulplant-mielies-mielies. Parameters wat insluit planthoogte, -wydte en persentasie grondbedekking van die kruidagtige peulplante is tweeweekliks gemeet op vier 1M2 persele wat ewekansig oor elke hoofperseel versprei is in beide gebiede waar die studie uitgevoer is. Resultate het getoon dat die kruidagtige peulplante wat getoets is potensiële kandidate is vir insluitings in gewas/weiding rotasiesteiseis. Alhoewel voerproduksie hoër was in die "derived savannah" as in die "northern Guinea savannah", het die prestasie van die peulplante in die noordelike savannah gevarieer met die gewasproduksiestelsels. Hoër opbrengste is gerealiseer na twee opeenvolgende jare van oesrus met peulplante vergeleke met die eerste jaar waar daar geen residuele effek van die peulplante was nie, en die laaste jaar wat deur 'n mielie-oes voorafgegaan is. Biomassa opbrengste na twee jaar van aanhoudende verbouiing was die hoogste vir S. guianensis en die laagste vir A. hypogea. Ruproteien inhoud van die kruidagtige peulplante het gewissel van 170 g kg-1 DM in A. hypogea tot 62.4 g kg-1 DM in A histrix. Graanproduksie deur G. max was deurlopend hoër in 2001 en 2002 vergeleke met die twee ander graanproduserende peulplante nl. V. unguiculata en A. hypogea. Die voerproduksie in 2002 was heelwat hoër as die vorige jaar. Rotasie effekte op mieliegraan en oesreste na peulplante is vergelyk oor die dubbel gesplete persele (areas met verskillende oesruslengtes) om die ximplikasies van hulle residuele effek op grondvrugbaarheid verbetering en onkruid dinamika te bepaal. Mielie-opbrengs na een jaar van rusoes toon hoër waardes op persele wat onder kruidagtige peulplante was vergeleke met natuurlike plantegroei. Net so was die opbrengs deurlopend hoër op persele waar daar graan peulplante was as waar daar voer peulplante was. Oor die algemeen was die waardes hoër vir G. max, gevolg deur A. hypogea, A. histrix, C. pascuorum, V. unguiculata, S. guianensis en die laagste vir natuurlike plantegroei. In terme van die bestuurstelsels, het persele wat kompos ontvang het (M3) beter as die ander twee bestuurstelsels presteer (2.6 Mg ha" mieliegraan). Produksie van mieliegraan en oesreste na twee opeenvolgende jare van mielieverbouing was die hoogste na G. max (7.2 Mg ha" mieliegraan), gevolg deur die A. histrix perseel en die laagste op S. guianensis persele. Algemene waarnemings oor die twee subpersele wat met mielies beplant was in 2002 het getoon dat mielies beter presteer het op persele wat twee opeenvolgende jare met peulplante beplant was. Onkruidsamestelling en verspreiding is in beide die peulplante en natuurlike plantegroei gemeet. Grond vir saadbankontledings is op diagonale transekte in 0.5m by 0.5m kwadrate gemonster. Grondmonsters is ge-analiseer vir pH, totale stikstof, organiese koolstof, fosfor, kalsium en magnesium. Hierdie parameters is gebruik in 'n meervoudige regressie ontleding om hulle effek op onkruidspesievoorkoms te bepaal. Onkruidgetalle in lande na In rusoes het In deurlopende hoër vlak van besmetting getoon op die natuurlike plantegroei persele as op die peulplant persele. Die prestasie in terme van onkruidonderdrukking was in dalende volgorde: S. guianensis, C. pascuorum, V. ungucuilata, G. max, A. hypogaea en A. histrix. Die onkruidsamestelling het verskilonder die verskillende behandelings en dit het ook met tyd verander in dieselfde behandelings. In Bykomende eksperiment met die peulplante is uitgevoer om hulle effek op inname en groei van skape, asook die effek op kompos wat gemaak is van vermorste materiaal en uitskeidings van die skape, te bepaal. Droë materiaal verteerbaarheid was hoog vir S guianensis, G. max en A. histrix terwyl die laagste syfer verkry is by A. hypogea (177.6 g kg-1 DM). Ramme wat met kruidagtige peulplante gevoer is het beter presteer as die wat met natuurlike plantegroei gevoer is. Ramme wat met A. hypogaea gevoer is, het In gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GOT) getoon van 85.7 g daq", gevolg deur S. guianensis, C. pascuorum, G. max, A. histrix, V. unguiculata en laaste natuurlike plantegroei. Bykomende ontledings was gemik daarop om objektiewe funksies af te lei om dinamiese prosesse in vee (massatoename) met dinamiese prosesse in grond (grond N), onkruid (onkruidmassa), kruidagtige peulplante (peulplantmassa) en mielies (mieliegraan en oesreste massas) onder verskillende bestuurstelsels te verbind. In In poging om objektiewe funksies xiivan die verskillende komponente van die studie te bepaal, is die volgende lineêre funksies vir die drie bestuurstelsels oorweeg nl. Bestuurstelsel1. Yl = f (Xl, xz, x.); Yz= 0 Bestuurstelsel 2, Yl = f (Xl, Xz); Yz= 0 Bestuurstelsel3, Yl = f (Xl, X2, Xl); Yz= f (Xl. Xz. x.. les) Waar (1) (2) (3) Y1 = Oesopbrengs in kg; Y2 = Daaglikse massatoename in kg; X1 = Onkruidmassa in kg; X2 = Grond N in g kg-1 ; X3 = Kompos in kg; X4 = Kruidagtige peulplante in kg; X5 = Mieliereste in kg. Onder bestuurstelsel 1, het A. histrix beter as die ander gewasse presteer, terwyl natuurlike veld beter presteer het onder bestuurstelsel 2. Dit is 'n aanduiding dat bestuurstelsel 2 nie volhoubaar is nie. Die derde bestuurstelsel verteenwoordig volle integrasie van gewas en vee produksiestelsels. Die teenwoordigheid van mis in die stelsel het grondvrugbaarheid verbeter en algemene produktiwiteit verbeter. Hierdie resultate dui aan dat daar geleenthede is om algemene produktiwiteit te verbeter deur integrasie en komplementering van gewas- en veeproduksiestelsels om volhoubare intensifikasie van landbou te bereik.

Rice (Oryza sativa Linn) stands out as the major food crop for about a half of human race. It ranks third after wheat and maize in terms of worldwide production. In many parts of West-Africa, Oryza glaberrima Steud is the variety popularly grown. Hybridization between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima for desirable qualities led to development and production of new varieties of rice. After harvesting rice is usually processed before it can be distributed to consumers. One of the most popular processing operations commonly practiced in Nigeria and other African countries is parboiling involving soaking of raw rice in water, followed by steam heat treatment and drying. Scientific studies in how variety and parboiling conditions influence rice final qualities are not available. The main purpose of this work was to study the effect of variety, steeping temperature and time on thermophysical properties of parboiled rice.In this study, water absorption characteristics of some rice varieties (Bisalayi, FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 and FARO 44) from Nigeria was studied at 30, 45, 60 and 75oC by measuring the weight gain by grains as a function of time during soaking. Differences in moisture content among the selected varieties of paddy during soaking were significant (P < 0.05) at all temperatures considered in this study. Results showed 60oC to be the optimum soaking temperature of paddy. Optimum soaking time to reach saturation moisture at 60oC soaking water temperature for FARO 44, FARO 52 and Bisalayi was 7 h, while it took 6 and 8 h for FARO 60 and FARO 61, respectively, to attain saturation.Using the experimental moisture data, a non-linear regression procedure was applied to an analytical solution to Fick's second law of the diffusion for an infinite cylinder. The predicted values of instantaneous moisture contents were in good agreement with the experiential data. The predicted moisture content during soaking of rice was found to correlate positively with the measure values of moisture content with R2 values between 0.981 – 0.990. Water absorption rate was found to increase with soaking temperature, while water saturation time decreased with temperature. Average values of diffusion coefficients of moisture during soaking of paddy rices were estimated. It was found that FRAO 44 and FARO 52 varieties have lower diffusivity than other varieties (namely Bisalayi, FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 and FARO 44) used in the study. The activation energies of the diffusivity through different varieties of rice grains were calculated using Arrhenius-type equation for diffusion dependence on temperature and were determined as 41.96, 38.69, 40.16, 34.05 and 42.12 kJ/mole for Bisalayi, FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 and FARO 44 for the respectively rice variety above.The physical and thermal properties of the four popular improved parboiled rice varieties (FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 and FARO 44) and one popular local parboiled rice variety (Bisalayi) from Nigeria were determined at different steaming times 5 – 20 min. Results showed that steaming time has effect (P < 0.05) on both the physical and gelatinization properties of rice. The improved rice varieties used in this study show better hardness and were less discolored than the local variety. For all the rice varieties studied, no residual gelatinization enthalpy was observed at the different steaming times, showing that steaming completely gelatinized rice starch.
Le riz (Oryza sativa Linn) est connu comme étant la principale culture vivrière pour environ la moitié de la population humaine. Le riz occupe le 3e rang en importance après le blé et le maïs en termes de production dans le monde. Dans de nombreuses régions de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Oryza glaberrima Steud est la variété de préférence. L'hybridation entre Oryza sativa et Oryza glaberrima a conduit au développement et à la production de nouvelles variétés de riz aux qualités désirables. Après la récolte, le riz est habituellement préparé avant d'être distribué aux consommateurs. L'étuvage du riz est un des traitements les plus populaires couramment pratiqués au Nigeria et d'autres pays africains impliquant un temps de trempage des grains de riz paddy dans l'eau, suivi d'un traitement thermique à la vapeur et du séchage. Peu d'études se sont penchées sur l'influence des paramètres d'étuvage et des variétés de riz sur la qualité finale du produit. Le but principal de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact de la variété de riz, de la température et du temps sur les propriétés thermophysiques du riz étuvé.Dans la présente étude, les caractéristiques d'absorption de l'eau de certaines variétés de riz du Nigeria (Bisalayi , FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 et FARO 44) ont été étudié à 30 , 45 , 60 et 75°C en mesurant le gain de poids des grains pendant le trempage en fonction du temps. Les différences de teneur en eau parmi les variétés de riz paddy durant le trempage étaient significatives (P < 0.05) pour toutes les températures étudiées. Les résultats démontrent que 60°C serait la température de trempage optimale pour le paddy. Le temps de trempage optimal pour atteindre la saturation en eau à une température de trempage de 60°C était de 7h pour les variétés FARO 44, FARO 52 et Bisalayi et un temps de 6h et 8h pour FARO 60 et FARO 61 de façon respective. A partir des données expérimentales de teneur en eau, une procédure de régression non linéaire a été appliquée pour une solution analytique de la deuxième loi de Fick pour la diffusion d'un cylindre infini. Les valeurs prédites de la teneur en eau instantanée sont en accord avec les données expérimental. Un efficient de corrélation variant entre 0.981 – 0.990. Il a été trouvé que le taux d'absorption de l'eau augmente avec la température de trempage, tandis que le temps de saturation diminue avec la température. Les valeurs moyennes des coefficients de diffusion d'humidité pendant le trempage du paddy ont été estimées. Il a été constaté que les variétés FARO 44 et FARO 52 présentent une plus faible diffusivité que les autres variétés (à savoir Bisalayi, FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52) de l'étude. Les énergies d'activation de la diffusivité au travers des différentes variétés de grains ont été calculées en utilisant l'équation de type Arrhenius pour la dépendance de la diffusion en fonction de la température. Les énergies d'activation étaient respectivement 41.96, 38.69, 40.16, 34.05 et 42.12 kJ/mole pour Bisalayi, FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 et FARO 44.Les propriétés physiques et thermiques des quatre variétés de riz améliorées les plus populaires (FARO 61, FARO 60, FARO 52 et FARO 44) et d'une variété populaire de riz locale (Bisalayi) du Nigeria ont été déterminées à différents moments entre 5 et 20 min durant l'étuvage. Les résultats démontrent que le temps d'étuvage a un effet (P < 0.05) autant sur les propriétés physiques et de gélatinisation du riz. Les variétés de riz améliorées utilisées dans cette étude ont montré une meilleure dureté et étaient moins décolorées que la variété de riz locale. Pour toutes les variétés de riz étudiées, aucune enthalpie résiduelle de gélatinisation a été observée aux différents moments durant l'étuvage, ce qui démontre que l'étuvage a déjà complètement gélatinisé l'amidon du riz.

Agriculture has been the backbone of the economy in Nigeria providing employment and source of livelihood for the increasing population and accounting for over half of the GDP of the Nigeria economy at independence in 1960. However, the role it plays in the regional and economic development of the country has diminished over the years due to the dominant role of the crude oil sector in the economy. With the increasing food demand in Nigeria, the country has available input natural resources and potential for increasing the volume of crop production towards meeting the food and nutritional requirement of the rapidly increasing population and guarantee food security in the country. The study was undertaken to analyse the effect of different factors and policies on the changes in trend of crop production and investigate the possible effect of water resources development on increased volume of agricultural crop production in Nigeria.

The study revealed that there are opportunities for water resources development in the country through irrigation to supplement the water requirements and needs of farmers for agricultural production activities in many areas in the semi-arid and arid regions. Available data shows that there are available land and water resources that could be developed to support the production of food and agricultural development with opportunity for increased productivity.

However, while the water resources are unevenly distributed in the country, there is need for the efficient use and management of the available water resources and increasing the productive use especially in the northern region of the country where there is increasing incidence of drought and competing need for water among the different sectors of the economy. The study also made possible recommendations for policy formulation to address the current problems facing the agricultural sector in conjunction with the requirement for the development of the water resources.

Nigeria, like all other rice consuming nations, has experienced a surge in domestic demand for rice since 1970. However, local rice production has not been sufficient to meet local demand, leading to this demand continually being filled by imports. The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated subsidies programs intended to improve Nigerian rice farmers' technical and cost efficiency levels. This quantitative study evaluated the impact of these policies on the technical and cost efficiency levels of paddy rice farm households in Nigeria. Farrell's (1957) efficiency theory and production theory served as the theoretical frameworks. Data were collected from a cross-section of 300 paddy rice farmers drawn from 3 states in Nigeria. The study used 2 estimation techniques: parametric technique (SF) and the non-parametric technique (DEA). The results showed that paddy rice production in Nigeria was still profitable but low and the estimated average technical and cost efficiency levels from the DEA approach were 0.721 and 0.295, respectively. Evidence suggests that the formulation and implementation of subsidy programs on farm inputs were relevant in the variations of technical and cost efficiency levels across the rice farm households. The study findings support the continuity of the subsidy policies to encourage increased rice production; they also suggest that governments should address the issues of post-harvest losses, degrading irrigation facilities, and ineffective rural development policies. The positive social change implications of this research include providing information to inform government policy changes designed to more effectively address rice importation and pricing, positively impacting the standard of living for rural farmers and communities in Nigeria.

In the aftermath of the global food crisis, great debates have arisen on the future of African agriculture. The crisis has once again raised the question of food security on the continent. Previous approaches aimed at increasing the agricultural productivity of farmers have failed. This has necessitated a call for a change of approach in which smallholders, who are the bulk of Africa’s food producers, will play a pivotal role. The main challenge facing the continent is how to balance the quest for food self-sufficiency and the demands of sustainability. This thesis is a concrete contribution in the quest for productive yet sustainable food systems in Africa. It surveys and analyses the sustainability of fadama (floodplains) farming systems of Northern Nigeria. Strong emphasis is placed on the socio-economic, institutional and demographic drivers affecting productivity and sustainability of fadama agriculture. Findings reveal a delicate interaction and negotiation across the formal and informal boundaries where traditional agricultural practices, based on an understanding of the particular physical reality and exploitation of natural synergies, are combined with inputs typical of conventional agriculture. African agriculture thus stands poised at crossroads; whether to abandon tradition in favour of entirely ‘modern’ methods and export markets as often advocated for in certain circles or depend on time tested indigenous knowledge systems and grassroots-defined development vision which combines popular livelihoods with respect for nature’s systems. Drawing on Bruno Latour, the metaphor of ‘hybridisation’ is used to justify a negotiated compromise between official discourses, which promote the use of chemicals and grassroots reality which relies on nature’s systems. Agroecology is offered as a model to overcome this agricultural dualism (inputs vs. tradition) through combining compatible elements of the two systems for greater productivity and sustainability. However, the key question of how agricultural hybridization should take place remains unresolved in this thesis for whereas it appears feasible in certain areas such as knowledge and institution sharing, in others such as the use of external inputs, the two systems appear irreconcilable.

Health is a vital human endowment which detennines the amount and quality of time available for the maximization of individuals' and households' potentials in life. By utilizing the datasets obtained from the first two completed panel waves of the ongoing Nigerian Living Standard Measurement Study, Integrated Survey on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA), this study investigates the effects of ill-health disability on agricultural households' production, labour market productivity and welfare. Using the health infonnation in the LSMS-ISA panel dataset, different measures of household members' health status were constructed. These are: ill-health disability experience, ill-health disability days and categories of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) indexes (physical ability, participation difficulties, and sight and hearing impainnents). Endogeneity issue between ill-health disability, labour market outcomes and welfare were addressed with Instrumental Variable (IV) estimation methods. Likewise, possible bias arising from self-selection of individuals into labour market participation and healthcare utilization were addressed and corrected. In the first part of the thesis, panel data time-varying Stochastic Frontier Production (SFP) model was employed to examine the influence of ill-health disability on agricultural production through the dual pathway of reduction in households' labour capacity and the efficiency of agricultural inputs used in production. The results revealed that ill-health disability significantly lowers the value of agricultural output produced, but increases the inefficiency of agricultural production. The efficiency of agricultural production could be improved by about 50 percent of the current level through agricultural households' health improvement, encouragement of participation male heads and more members of the household in production and increasing the number of cultivated agricultural plots. The second part examines the influence of ill-health disability on working-age household members' participation, labour supply and earnings in wage employment using sample selection and IV estimation models. We found that increased days lost to ill-health disability pushes the individuals, particularly the males and rural ones into wage employment, but with poorer returns. Moreover, good physical and mental health enhances individuals' wage employment participation, labour supply hours and earnings. However, wage employed individuals with basic and physical difficulties in ADL worked more hours in a year compared to their counterparts without disability. Using IV estimation and poverty dynamics models, the third part of this thesis investigates the consequences of ill-health disability on agricultural households' welfare indicators and poverty dynamics. Findings showed that ill-health disability experience imposed significant costs on households' economic resources. Ill-health disability impairs households' welfare through: increased out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure; reduced adult-equivalised monthly food consumption expenditure; and increased households' likelihood of poverty, either persistently or transitory. Lastly, findings from healthcare demand and utilization behaviour of ill-health affected households' members revealed that urban individuals' healthcare consultation was more at hospitals or clinics, but at chemists and pharmaceutical stores for the rural ones. Thus, there is need to carefully investigate issues limiting effective utilization of fonnal healthcare services for curative purposes in rural areas of the country.

Although settlement patterns are a central topic of archaeological research, there is a paucity of general theory on the determinants of agrarian settlement. What passes for a theory of agrarian settlement in archaeology is a borrowed model which does not recognize the relationship between population density and agricultural intensity. This dissertation argues that the rules determining where farmers settle are inextricable from how they farm. Ethnohistoric and ethnoarchaeological data are used to investigate the relationship between agricultural change and the determinants of settlement location in the case of the Kofyar, a population of farmers colonizing a frontier area in the central Nigerian savanna. As they moved into an area with a low ratio of population to productive land, Kofyar agriculture was extensified in accord with the Boserup (1965) model. With potentially greater travel costs associated with domestic water than with farm plots, streams exerted a strong attraction to early settlements. With increasing land pressure, the attraction value of farmland eclipsed the attraction to water. Contrary to Boserup's theory that agricultural responses to land pressure cross-cut environments, analysis of settlement histories of over 1000 households shows that responses vary with soil type. Farmers on high-quality sandstone-derived soils tend to intensify cultivation, while farmers on inferior shale-derived and igneous-derived soils tend to abandon their farms when yields begin to decline. The location of Kofyar compounds with respect to each other is closely related to the labor demands of agricultural production. The restricted range of distances between residential compounds reflects the reliance on inter-household collaboration in agricultural production.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Nigeria, like many African countries is caught up in the uncertainty of the effectiveness of agricultural intervention in achieving food security, poverty reduction and improved quality of life. This ambiguity is more pronounced especially in rural areas where majority of the poor and those involved in agriculture reside. Indeed, issues relating to resource utilization and productivity in the agricultural sector and how they affect livelihoods and food security of smallholder households remain underexplored. The study examines the contribution of small-scale irrigation agriculture towards ensuring food security and poverty alleviation among smallholder households. It assesses the productivity, food security and livelihoods status of smallholder households in the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, North West Nigeria, the relationship that exist between the phenomena, as well as factors influencing them. It also explores smallholder households’ differentials on the basis of their efficiency, food security and income status, and what other factors determine the smallholder typologies. The research was situated within three bodies of theoretical work; political ecology, political economy of food and agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. This was done with a view to providing a nuanced understanding of both the micro and macro processes and factors influencing agricultural production, food security and livelihoods of smallholder households. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods research design was adopted for the study. This involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of research to drive the research agenda. Systematic random sampling technique was used to collect data for the quantitative aspect and purposive sampling was used to select participants for semi-structured interviews for the qualitative research. A total of 370 questionnaires were administered but 306 questionnaires were successfully completed and returned, representing an 83% response rate. Also eight respondents were interviewed for the study. While thematic content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data, quantitative data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

This thesis examines soil fertility management strategies in dry season irrigated vegetable production (DSIVP) in peri-urban areas of Jos, Nigeria. Farmers have developed a complex strategy of mixing inorganic fertilisers with organic manure and town refuse ash (produced by open burning, and sorting for non-combustible components). The thesis aimed to gain insights into the sustainability (in terms of nutrient supply) of the local agricultural system, acquire an understanding of past and present fertiliser practices and the rationale behind them, provide an appreciation of the role played by urban waste ash and the risks attached to its use, and place the problem of soil fertility in a wider context of farming problems. An inter-disciplinary approach was adopted so the methods used are: chemical analysis of soil and inputs (i.e. refuse ash), questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews (with farmers and PADP, JMDB, FUA etc.) and participant observation. The thesis observed that farmers have in-depth, but informal, empirically-derived knowledge about fertiliser application, which explains their past success in soil fertility maintenance. The tremendous increase in DSIVP in the last decade, though, has brought about a scarcity of organic amendments; farmers are increasingly reliant on inorganic fertilisers, probably over-applying them. Although this is not an immediate threat to the stability of the system, it may lead to soil acidification in the near future. Urban waste ash can counteract soil acidification (high pH and base cations), but certain batches can be contaminated by heavy metals, and indeed there is some indication of accumulation in the crops of the study farms. The problem of soil fertility needs to be addressed, however, farmers' short-term concerns (particularly access to credit facilities) need to be solved first. It is imperative that the Nigerian Government should take note of these issues and rapidly take steps to solve them.

This study examined the effectiveness of the Fadama III, National Program for Food Security and International Fund for Agricultural Development programs in reducing poverty and income inequality in Yobe State, Nigeria. Agricultural funding in the state has increased by 670.7% between 2004 and 2013. Despite this trajectory, the state ranks among the worst in Nigeria in terms of poverty and income inequality according to UNDP report, reinforcing the need to investigate the impact of agricultural funding on the state’s welfare. Previous studies in this area have been on a country-wide basis and have not disaggregated the funding sources. This study disaggregating the funding sources of Yobe State in order to establish the effectiveness of each funding source. Field survey data from the fund beneficiaries and secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics, and the World Bank provided empirical evidence. The first-best resource allocation theoretical framework was applied to understand the impact of funding sources on the welfare effect of the beneficiaries. The Ordinary Least Square, analysis of variance, and t test revealed that agricultural funding significantly and positively impacts on recipients’ standard of living, asset base, and agricultural output, without any significant impact on income. Results indicate that FADAMA III is the most effective in improving the overall welfare of beneficiaries. It is recommended that other funding programs should adopt the models of FADAMA III, and should also require counterpart funding in order to maximize the benefit for a larger segment of the population. These findings may bring positive social change by reducing poverty, expanding economic opportunities, and improving quality of life, leading ultimately to sustainable peace and economic prosperity in Yobe State.

While extensive research has been carried out to examine the yield growth brought about by innovations in agricultural technology, not enough work has been done to document the economic impacts of these innovations on areas besides yields and income. This study presents two papers which contribute to our understanding of the health and environmental impacts of agricultural innovation, â Expected economic benefits of meeting nutritional needs through biofortified cassava in Nigeria and Kenya,â and â Projected farm-level impacts on income of conservation agriculture in the Andean Region.â The first paper is motivated by the public health consequences of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which affect more than two billion people worldwide and can lead to increased incidence of illness, disability, and mortality. Through the use of the disability adjusted life years concept (DALYs), economic surplus analysis, and benefit-cost analysis, the authors determine the economic impact of a staple crop biofortification project. The study finds that biofortified cassava in Nigeria and Kenya is a cost effective means of reducing health problems associated with vitamin A and iron deficiency. The second paper considers the significant livelihood challenges faced by rural communities in the Andes, including poverty, food insecurity, and natural resource constraints. Through the development and implementation of a linear programming model, the study analyzes the economic impact of a conservation agriculture project in central Ecuador, and finds that certain experimental cropping activities designed to decrease soil degradation may contribute to increased incomes for farm households.
Master of Science

This thesis presents a reassessment of historical change in Nigeria and its relationship with economic performance. Situated within the context of recent debates on the country's agricultural 'crisis', it finds the contributions structured within the political economy tradition to be analytically deficient and factually inaccurate. Using Marx's method of historical analysis, a more coherent and e£fective study of social change is presented which refutes the stagnationist slant evident in Radical Political Economy perspectives. Transformations in the structure of property relations and the level of productive forces are highlighted in various contexts, as well as the contradictions they embody. A case study, based on extensive fieldwork is used to assess the implications of the depicted changes for rural reproduction. A process of social differentiation is revealed which confers cumulative advantages to a segment of the peasantry. The sources of this differentiation and the relationship it expresses and generates, linked to wider histc>rical processes, together portendithe emergence of capitali~m. The dynamic consequences of capitalist transformation in Nigerian agriculture- the potential provided for accumulation and productivity increases, are however found to be retarded by powerful forces exogenous to the agrarian structure. An assessment of the macroeconomic contours of capitalist development in Nigerian agriculture identifies the constraining features to agricultural growth to consist mainly of internal factors aqd policies, rather than structural constraints deriving from international trade relations. A brief examination of contemporary debates on economic policy reforms is found to provide an insufficient basis for unguarded optimism regarding the potential for long-term agricultural growth.

The commercialization of agriculture is seen as a cornerstone of processes of development and modernisation and the incorporation of rural farmers into this economy shows their importance as a major pillar in the economy. In Nigeria, cash crop production is highly significant for farmers in terms of raising their income and improving their economic status. It tends to be the case that within Nigerian contexts, broadly speaking, there continues to exist patriarchal forms of social organization and normative gender relations. In Yorubaland, even though the word ‘farmer’ as a term for involvement in agriculture is gender-neutral, the societal job demarcations, coupled with cultural expectations, makes the word ‘farmer’ become synonymous with ‘male’ and women are seen as farmers’ wives. Little attention or recognition is paid to women farmers within agricultural production and their economic contribution to national economies through commercial agriculture, with little or no gender-segregated data on agricultural outputs. This thesis examines the impact of women’s involvement in the commercialization of cash crop production on gender relations at inter and intra household levels, focusing on Yekemi. It examines the effects of men migrating from Yekemi on cash crop production; the phenomenon of a shift in gender roles in the Yekemi community; the causative factors; the reactions of men to the shift; and the future prospects and lessons of the shift. An ethnographic approach was used, involving observations, interviews, visitations, walking the land and focus group discussions to gather detailed data about the change in status quo in gendered power relations. This study reveals the power dynamics associated with female cash crop farmers. It shows that Yekemi, though a traditional rural setting, has overcome some of these traditional gender divisions and gender segregation in agricultural labour. I discovered that women in Yekemi empower themselves through their involvement in agricultural commercialization of cash crop production, which incurs recognition of their status as farmers in the village and ability to exercise agency in decision making within their households. From the findings the thesis concludes that if participation in agricultural commercialization could be responsible for sustained economic independence and shifts in gender power dynamics beyond traditional norms in Yekemi, this could be seen as a critical example for use elsewhere. It could have significant implications for other female farmers and help to develop ways to empower rural women to gain a more visible and recognized foothold within commercial agriculture.

The decline in agricultural productivity in Nigeria is linked to a host of factors ranging from unsustainable growth policies, inadequate funding and infrastructures, low levels of value added through processing, low commodity prices, unstable markets, poor extension services and low rates of literacy. It is now well recognised that there is a need to diversify Nigerian agriculture as well as improving production performances. This study investigates the potential of cassava root tuber (CRT), as a means to promote agricultural growth. It assesses cassava production, profitability, efficiency, marketing structures and channels, constraints in production, the potential to add value by processing cassava into gari (a fermented, roasted, and dried granule) and its marketing at the farm level. These were supplemented by a critical review of policies and programmes, including trend analysis of cultivated area, production, yield and prices of major crops including cassava at the national level covering the period 1970–2009. The study surveyed 315 cassava producers (including 278 gari processors), 105 marketers involved in cassava marketing and 30 stakeholders from three regions in the Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the sample. In addition, profitability of CRT and gari and their marketing were assessed by benefit-cost analysis. Furthermore, productivity and efficiency of CRT and gari and their determinants were analysed using non-parametric DEA followed by Tobit regressions. Results indicate that cassava production and processing is profitable in all regions and for all farm size categories. The BCR is estimated at 2.83 and 1.22 for CRT and gari, respectively. However, the yield level of CRT and gari is very low, estimated at 7.7 t/ha and 4.7 t/ha, respectively. Also, efficiency levels are very low and vary by farm size as well as regions, with large scale producers relatively more efficient. Marketing of cassava in any form is profitable and efficient (Marketing Efficiency>1 in all cases) and profitability varies widely across regions. Provision of water was identified as the main constraint in processing, followed by shortage of electricity and poor marketing infrastructure. The review of past policies and trend analysis revealed inconsistent policies and fluctuations in agricultural productivity, but also showed increases in total production mainly driven by expansion of the area cultivated during later years, for cassava in particular. The policy implications include: (a) increased provision of modern technologies, use of improved varieties and modern technology; (b) land reform policies to consolidate farm size; (c) investment in elements of marketing infrastructure; and (d) improvements in extension services. Despite inconsistencies in policies, cassava stood out as a robust and resistant crop which provides confidence that targeted investment in the cassava sector will contribute to development of Nigerian agriculture.

SME internationalisation is growing apace, signifying the global importance of SMEs to local and global economies. A key form of SME internationalisation is export. This research provides an empirical basis to understand how aspects of institutional factors could affect export performance of the Nigerian agricultural sector's SMEs. Nigeria is one of the fastest growing ' frontier' countries with growth rates 'second only to the BRICs and SMEs are playing a key role in this growth phenomenon. The agricultural sector is critical to growth in the Nigerian economy, in terms of both job creation and innovative outcomes, much of which- is achieved as a result of their ability to exploit their products. The study ,!assesses the relationship between entrepreneurial oriel1tation, networking capability, institutional environment factors and exploit performance of Nigerian agricultural sector SMEs using correlation analysis; the result affirms that there is a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, network capabilities, institutional environment factors and export performance of agricultural sector SMEs in Nigeria. The study investigates the role of institutional environment factors using regression analysis; the result shows that institutional environment factors have a significant and negative effect on the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and networking capabilities to Nigerian agricultural SMEs' export performance. Our results suggest that the ability of agricultural SMEs to be proactive, innovative, take risks, manage its networking capabilities and institutional environment factors have a direct impact on exploit performance of Nigeria Agricultural SME's. The institutional environment factors like government policies, procedures and regulations lessen the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and networking capabilities on Nigerian agricultural SMEs' exploit performance. This analysis aims to alleviate the findings on SMEs' internationalisation literatures. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on SMEs' internationalisation, international business and entrepreneurship. The study provides insights for the 1 government policy makers, administrators and Nigerian exploit promotion institutions; on the interventions necessary to progressively promote agricultural sector SMEs' export performance. This research offers guidance for future research on agricultural SMEs' internationalisation.

Climatic fluctuation is putting Nigeria’s agriculture system under serious threat and stress. The study of the effect of climate change on agricultural productivity is critical given its impact in changing livelihood patterns in the country. Descriptive and co-integration analysis are the techniques used to analyze the Time series data used in this work. The finding demonstrates that the rate in agricultural productivity is persistently higher between 1981 and 1995, followed by a much lower growth rate in the 1996–2000 sub period. There was variation in the trend pattern of rainfall. Temperature was not relatively constant either. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test for unit root revealed that agricultural productivity is not stationary and likewise the annual rainfall but became stationary after the differencing. Annual temperature on the other hand is stationary at its level. Temperature change was revealed to exert negative effect while rainfall change exerts positive effect on agricultural productivity. However previous year rainfall was negatively significant in affecting current year agricultural productivity. It is recommended that if agricultural productivity was to be increased and sustained, environmentally and agricultural sensitive technologies and innovations that can prevent climate fluctuation should be encouraged.