Department of Agricultural Extension & Socio-Economics

The study analysed the economics of turmeric production in Zangon – Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study used multi-stage sampling for samples selection. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and linear regression models. Results of socio-economic characteristics indicated that 50% of the farmers were within the age group of 21 – 40 years, a high proportion (44.4%) of them were well experienced in farming and had moderately sized household sizes (71.2%), and majority (70%) of them were males and 72.2% were married. Results of profitability shows that turmeric production was profitable with average gross margin and profit of ₦93,297.95/ha and ₦76,297.95/ha respectively, and a return on investment of 0.49%. Results of output determinant shows that the coefficients of labour, fertilizer, and agrochemicals were each significant at 1% level of probability, while that of quantity of seeds was significant at 5% level of probability. The result showed a coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) of 0.892%. Furthermore, results of production constraints shows that the most important factors militating against turmeric production were poor production technologies and scarcity and inadequacy of inputs, each reported by 47.8% of the respondents. The study concludes that turmeric production in the study area was profitable and worthwhile. It recommends that turmeric farmers must access improved farming technologies and government should take proactive measures to improve the prices of turmeric output.

The research looked into the viability of small-scale fish farming in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The specific goals were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of small-scale fish farmers, determine the profitability of small-scale fish farming in the study area, determine the relationship between inputs used and quantities of fish harvested, and identify the constraints militating against small-scale fish farming in the study area. Samples were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques, and 60 farmers were chosen at random. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression models. The results of socioeconomic characteristics revealed that the majority of fish farmers (68%) were male, married (71.7%), well-educated, and between the ages of 31 and 50. (53.4%). Furthermore, the vast majority of fish farmers (88.4%) worked in occupations other than fish production. Small-scale fish production was profitable and worthwhile, with a gross margin of ₦6,407.83 ($170.33) per production cycle and a return on investment of 0.73. The linear regression results showed that the number of fingerlings stocked, the amount of feed fed, and the frequency of water changes all have a significant influence on the quantity of fish harvested at p≤0.01, p≤0.05, and p≤0.05, respectively. The most significant constraints working against small-scale fish production in the study area were the high cost of feeds and the inadequacy of fingerlings. The study suggests that farmers be trained in feed formulation in order to reduce production costs, and that individuals, firms, and other stakeholders investigate the enterprise of fingerlings production and marketing in order to increase profit and make fingerlings available to small scale fish farmers in the study area.

Analysis of market structure and conduct of date palm was conducted in Jigawa state, Nigeria using multi stage sampling technique which led to the random selection of 121 respondents. All the traders were male, mostly married and within the mean age of 39 years. Majority (42.6%) of the wholesalers had no formal education, with 12–21 years of marketing experience, while 43.3% of the retailers had only attended primary school with 2–11 years marketing experience. High inequality was observed at wholesale (0.75 & 0.78) and retail (079 &0.75) levels. Pest infestation, increased transportation cost and inadequate capital were the major constraints observed. Development of improved varieties that are pests and diseases resistant, provision of appropriate storage, Processing, credit and market facilities by all stakeholders, increased local production to boost marketable surpluses to offset demand and ensure all year-round supply of the product and reduced importation were recommended.