February 2015

To conserve or convert wetlands: Evidence from Nyando wetlands, Kenya

Wetland resources of Nyando Wetlands support important economic and ecological activities. However, it is faced with multiple pressures from different anthropogenic Activities within the wetlands and upstream. The Nyando wetlands are facing increasing threats of reclamation for agriculture. This is bound to intensify as population pressure increases. The question therefore is; should Nyando Wetlands be conserved or...

Author(s): Francis O. Oduor, Phillip O. Raburu and Samuel Mwakubo

February 2015

Technical efficiency of maize production in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined the technical efficiency of maize production in Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected for this study using a multistage sampling technique to select 100 maize farmers from the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and stochastic production frontier. The socio-economic characteristics of respondents as evident from the data analysis revealed...

Author(s): Idris Akanbi Ayinde, Raheem Olatunji Aminu and Shakirat Bolatito Ibrahim

February 2015

Economic impact of climate change and benefit of adaptations for maize production: Case from Namibia, Zambezi region

The aim of this research is to examine the impact of climate change in maize farmers’ livelihood in Zambezi region, Namibia and benefit of adaptation. Trade-off analysis–multidimensional (TOA-MD) model was presented as a method for evaluation with a combination of simulated baseline production and future simulated yield using Decision Support Systems for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) in maize production...

Author(s): Teweldemedhin M. Y., Durand W., Crespo O., Beletse Y. G. and Nhemachena C.

February 2015

A comparative analysis of technical efficiency of smallholder tobacco and maize farmers in Tabora, Tanzania

The study presented here considers the relative efficiency of planting tobacco and maize in the tobacco-producing Tabora region of Tanzania. The study used a 2013 survey that was conducted among smallholder farmers in the Tabora region. The aim was to investigate whether farmers are better off planting tobacco or maize. The paper briefly reviews the importance of agriculture in general and tobacco planting in particular...

Author(s): Asmerom Kidane, Aloyce Hepelwa, Ernest Tingum Ngeh and Teh-wei Hu

February 2015

Competitiveness of cocoa-based farming household in Nigeria

Nigeria is the third largest producer of cocoa in Africa producing about 6% of the total World production. The objective of this study is to assess the competitiveness, comparative advantage and effect of government policies on cocoa production in Ondo State, Nigeria. The analysis was conducted for sole and intercropped cocoa production systems. Primary and secondary data were utilized for the study and were analyzed...

Author(s): Amao Oyetoun Dunmola, Oni Omobowale and Adeoye Iyabo