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Measuring the Technique Efficiences of Fadama Farmers in the Derived
Savannah Zone of Nigeria
By A. I. Adeoti and J. K. Olayemi, Department of Agricultural Economics,
University of Ibadan
ABSTRACT
This study examined the technical efficiencies of farms under fadama
irrigation. The effect of selected socio-economic characteristics of
farmers on the technical efficiency of individual farms was also examined.
A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to get the required
sample. The data collected was analysed using the stochastic production
frontier model. The result shows that farm size, family labour and
irrigation water are highly significant variables that affect output levels.
Others are hired labour and fertilizer. The mean technical efficiency of
the farms is 0.84. The sources of inefficiency are age, literacy status,
pump ownership and the residency status of farmers. It is recommended
that farm sizes be increased by increasing farmers’ access to lands far
away from perennial streams. This can be achieved by drilling tube wells
instead of boreholes. Farmer literacy levels also need to be improved.
TRIP GENERATION MODELLING IN VARYING
RESIDENTIAL DENSITY ZONES
An Empirical Analysis of Akure, Nigeria
By Enos Okoko and J.O. Fasakin, Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology,
Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. e-mail: enookoko@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on the development of predictive trip rate models for
three residential density zones in Akure. The systematic sampling
technique was used in selecting respondents from each of these zones, and
altogether, 2000 commuters were selected for the study. The responses
that were collected from the respondents were subjected to statistical
analysis and the variables that significantly influenced trip- making in
each of the residential density zones were identified using a stepwise
regression technique. Predictive trip rate models were also developed for
each of the residential density zones in Akure town. The study noted,
among other things, that the medium density zone had the highest mean
trip rate, followed by the high residential density zone, and lastly by the
low residential density zone. This observation was subjected to a
statistical analysis and it was found that the observed differential in trip
rate values was not statistically significant. The paper concludes that
residential density types in Akure do not significantly influence trip
generation rates. It recommends, inter alia, the introduction of efficient
and affordable public transport system in all parts of the town to
accommodate the high trip rates generated in the various density zones
in the town.
EFFECT OF SMALLHOLDERS’ LAND-USE INTENSITY ON FOOD CROP PRODUCTION IN ODOGBOLU LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE
By A .S. Oyekale and T. G. Onasanya, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
ABSTRACT
In this paper, an attempt an attempt is made to study the effect of intensive
land use on revenue generation from food crop production in Odogbolu
LGA, Ogun State. The data were collected using structured
questionnaires. Descriptive analysis shows that aged farmers have the
lowest land use intensity. The female farmers also continuously cultivate
their farmland more than their male counterparts. The ordinary least
squares (OLS) regression technique is used to show the relationship
between total revenue, and land-use intensity, among others. The results
show that land area, seed cost and fertilizer/tractor cost significantly
affect the returns from farming. Intensive land-use does not have a
significant effect on farm revenue. It is recommended that use of soil
conservation practices should be promoted among the farmers to
conserve the soil and increase returns from farming.
PRIVATIZATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA:
Lessons from International Experience
By Elias A. Udeaja, Department of Economics, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
One of the major issues in the privatization debate in Africa centres on
the employment of labour and distributional consequences of the
privatization of public enterprises. Since its inception, the most persistent
and organized public opposition to privatization has come from labour
movements. Workers normally react against threatened jobs or the
possibility that their benefits might be jeopardized under a new
management. This has led to several strikes or threatened strikes against
privatization. This study proffers policy recommendations on how to
manage labour problems in the process of privatization in Nigeria by
drawing lessons from international experience.
URBAN FARMING IN NIGERIA:
The Economics of the Participation of Household Labour
By Gabriel S. Umoh, Department of Agricultural Economics/Extension, University of Uyo, Uyo
ABSTRACT
Urban farming is an emerging phenomenon in Nigerian cities. This study
analyses the economic role of the participation of household members in
urban farming in Uyo metropolis, Nigeria. Simple proportion, the gross
margin analysis and the ordinary least square method were used to
analyze the data collected. The results show that an urban farmer could
realise N=15,335.60 per hectare as gross margin. Labour inputs made up
41.9 per cent of the variable cost items while other inputs contributed
58.07 per cent. Most of the urban farming activities were undertaken by
adult women. Adult males participated more in land preparation and
young males were mainly involved in planting, fertilizer application, and
weeding. Hectares of land, labour and fertilizer were more important
determinants of urban farm output than other inputs. Efficiency estimates
revealed inefficiency in the use of all classes of household labour in urban
farms.
DEMAND FOR RECREATION IN IBADAN METROPOLIS:
A Case Study of Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, Nigeria
By M. A. Y. Rahji, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
ABSTRACT
The study examined the determinants of recreation demand in Ibadan. Of
the variables considered, average travel cost, household income and
distant to the park indicated negative relationship at the one (1) per cent
and 5 per cent levels respectively with the number of trips. The education
of household head turned up positive. It is significant at the 10 per cent
level. The result also indicated over-dispersion. The hypothesis that the
factors proposed as influencing the demand for recreation have
significant impact was accepted. On the basis of the findings in this study,
price represented by the travel cost needs a revision. The management of
the park should evolve a pricing policy that will accommodate more
users. The management should focus on target groups by providing such
facilities that appeal to their sensibility. The consumer surplus of x6.32
and the expected surplus of x18.00 attest to benefits accruing to the
users. It is thus recommended that more of such centres be established.
IMPACT OF POVERTY AND A DEGRADED ENVIRONMENT ON CHILD HEALTH IN IBADAN METROPOLIS
OYO STATE, NIGERIA
By Olaleye O. Adeniyi, Department of Economics, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study uses the logistic regression analytical technique to examine the
impact of economic poverty and a degraded neighbourhood environment
on child health. These are measured in terms of the incidences of malaria,
diarrhoea, and acute respiratory infections in the last four weeks before
the survey. The study is based on a survey of 553 households in Ibadan
conducted by the author between January and April 2003. The economic
model of the household, based on a reduced form of the health demand
function, guides estimates of the study.
The study identifies poverty, neighbourhood environmental
conditions, maternal education and the cost of gari and rice as major
determinants of urban child health in Ibadan. It also measures the impact
of these variables on child health and concludes that any policy that
would reduce child morbidity in Nigeria must include improvement in the
environment, poverty alleviation and investment in education, especially
female education.
CONCENTRATION IN NIGERIA’S BEER- BREWING SECTOR:
A Review
By Caroline Ogunba, Department of Economics, University of Ado-Ekiti
ABSTRACT
The beer brewing industry (BBI) has long become an immensely
important segment of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, when viewed in the
light of economic variables like value-added, fiscal impact and import
substitution. This paper investigates, measures and reviews competition
arising from concentration in the BBI. The simple N-firm concentration
ratio of the proportion of total industry size is adopted. Two industry size
parameters; the firm’s output, estimated in the volume of sales, and the
firm’s inputs (specifically labour) are employed, rather than the firm’s
assets.
The result of the analysis shows clearly that the beer-brewing
industry in Nigeria is highly concentrated. The two largest firms, Nigerian
Breweries Ltd. and Guinness PLC, have consistently dominated the
industry since 1949, both in terms of their output (sales volume) and their
inputs (labour). Barriers to the entry of other firms have been proven to
be high. Product differentiation has also been shown to be prevalent and
effective in the industry. These structural traits have negative implications
for performance in the crucial matter of price/cost relations or profits,
without evidently bestowing offsetting advantages on other dimensions of
market performance. Public policy to create a less concentrated seller’s
side structure is however not recommended due to the existence of scale
economies in beer production.
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA
Problems and Prospects
By Michael O. Filani, email: mofilani@yahoo.com, Dickson ‘Dare Ajayi, email: ajayidd@yahoo.com, Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Kolawole T. Gbadamosi, email: kt_bad@yahoo.com, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
ABSTRACT
Serious national efforts towards the development of the automotive
industry in Nigeria took place in the early 1970s, with initial joint venture
agreements between Peugeot and Volkswagen companies. By 2001, there
were over 20 different enterprises manufacturing different types of
vehicles, from boats to trucks, including motorcycles and bicycles and
automobiles established in Nigeria. The capacity utilization of the
majority of these companies is, however, very low, largely due to the high
cost of importing the components needed to assemble vehicles. The
authors suggest that government policy should promote the development
of a wholly made-in-Nigeria automobile, and that this would in turn
stimulate the establishment of ancillary companies to supply the
necessary components.
FISCAL POLICY AND GROWTH:
Empirical Evidence from Nigeria
By ‘Tunde Adeoye, Economic Development Department, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the impact of fiscal deficits on the growth of the
Nigerian economy. A derivative of the Denison growth accounting model
is used to analyze the relationships between public expenditure and
economic growth in Nigeria. The regression results suggest that public
sector investments crowd out private investment, thereby negatively
impacting on the growth of the economy. The findings from the study
reveal that a majority of the public funds is spent on unproductive
activities. Hence, the relationship between investment expenditure and
output growth in Nigeria appears to be fragile. The study therefore
concludes that fiscal policy will be an effective tool for promoting
economic growth if it focuses on productive activities.
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