Ifeanyi Maduike | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI, NIGERIA (original) (raw)

an examination of the forcasting capabilities by Ifeanyi Maduike

International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, 2020

The Prevalence of Farmers' Deterrence from loan applications has the technical potential to proli... more The Prevalence of Farmers' Deterrence from loan applications has the technical potential to proliferate, the level of financial exclusion in developing countries. Conversely, assessments of the determinants of the aforementioned practices remain limited. In contrast to erstwhile studies, this paper this fills the research gap by offering specific consideration to a divergent methodology in examining the prevalence of smallholder women farmers' deterrence from MFBs credit, while considering expressions of the premeditated decisions made by the farmers not to apply for loans. Cross-sectional data collected via the administration of questionnaire were further analysed using the loan deterrence indices model (LDI) and the censored Tobit regression (CTR) model. Evidence from results showed a high prevalence of loan deterrence by the farmers. Furthermore, we find that farm size, age of the respondents, household size, annual income, education level, proximity to bank, and accessibility to account officer are strong drivers of loan deterrence in SouthEast Nigeria. We recommend that MFBs should make loaning conditions "farmer friendly" by introducing more account officers, educating the farmers on terms and conditions to be met on loan contracts, extending credit to farmers irrespective of their age, farm size and annual income among others.

Environment and Ecology Research 11(6): 949-962, 2023

Abstract An examination of solid waste disposal in Southeast Nigeria was conducted, considering i... more Abstract An examination of solid waste disposal in
Southeast Nigeria was conducted, considering its
ecosystem disturbances and impacts on soil productivity. A
total of 416 respondents were selected using a multi-stage
and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected
using a structured questionnaire and interview schedules.
Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
charts, principle component analysis and a probit
regression model. Results show respondents produced
various forms of solid wastes such as kitchen/food waste
(100%), paper/cellophane (77%), textile (52.2%), and
plastic (98.3%). About (70%) of the respondents produced
solid waste at a maximal level, (21%) at minimal and (9%)
at moderate levels. Major hazards caused by poor solid
waste disposal include health issues (100%), land
pollution/soil productivity loss (99.5%), climate change
(99%), and air pollution (98.3%). Waste disposal in the
zone includes open burning (17%), dumping in gutters and
water bodies (9%), storage in tanks/landfills (17%), and
dumping at designated sites (22%). Solid waste disposals
could be improved via public awareness, government
policy formulation, and implementation. Age, gender,
distance to designated refuse sites, education, participation
in waste disposal training, and solid waste disposal laws
were significant determinants of solid waste disposal in
southeast, Nigeria. The study implies that inefficient solid
waste disposal disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity and
causes health-related issues. Good environmental policies
should be formulated and enacted to abate indiscriminate
dumping of solid wastes in undesignated locations and
sites in Southeast, Nigeria.
Keywords Solid Waste Disposal, Management,
Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Soil Productivity

International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, 7 (2), 2020

The Prevalence of Farmers’ Deterrence from loan applications has the technical potential to proli... more The Prevalence of Farmers’ Deterrence from loan applications has the technical potential to proliferate, the level of financial exclusion in developing countries. Conversely, assessments of the determinants of the aforementioned practices remain limited. In contrast to erstwhile studies, this paper this fills the research gap by offering specific consideration to a divergent methodology in examining the prevalence of smallholder women farmers’ deterrence from MFBs credit, while considering expressions of the premeditated decisions made by the farmers not to apply for loans. Cross-sectional data collected via the administration of questionnaire were further analysed using the loan deterrence indices model (LDI) and the censored Tobit regression (CTR) model. Evidence from results showed a high prevalence of loan deterrence by the farmers. Furthermore, we find that farm size, age of the respondents, household size, annual income, education level, proximity to bank, and accessibility to account officer are strong drivers of loan deterrence in South-East Nigeria. We recommend that MFBs should make loaning conditions “farmer friendly” by introducing more account officers, educating the farmers on terms and conditions to be met on loan contracts, extending credit to farmers irrespective of their age, farm size and annual income among others.

Agricultural Economics and Extension Research Studies, 8 (2), 2020

This study revealed the place of cutting edge technology as a risk management strategy to ensure ... more This study revealed the place of cutting edge technology as a risk management strategy to ensure better
productivity in poultry enterprise in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo state Nigeria.
Multistage sampling procedure was used in sample selection. Primary data were collected using
structured questionnaire while secondary data and information were collected using explorative
literature gathering approach. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools as appropriate.
Results revealed that 52.5% of the respondents were females, with mean age of 47 years, and mean per
capita daily income of N128. Most of the respondents were literate and smallholders with a mean level
of education of 15years, farming experience of 15years too and mean farm size of 300birds/run. The
study further showed that only 28.6% of the respondents have known and used just 9.82% of the potential
technologies meant to enhance efficiency in risk management in broiler production. Among the notable
risk factors in broiler production were high costs of operation, incidence of pest and diseases, lack of
power/storage facilities, lack of credit facilities among others. Some of the cutting edge technologies
found to be useful in mitigating the above risk factors include, sensors, alarming devices, imaging
technologies and analysis and mathematical modelling etcetera. It was concluded that the high poverty
rate due to poor risk management capacity observed in the area could be ameliorated if farmers would
make use of the available cutting edge technologies identified in the cause of this study. Therefore, it
was recommended that extension education should be intensified on increasing the awareness of farmers
about these technologies. Finally, government should concentrate on the provision of social overhead
capital to facilitate the operation of private investors (farmers) by making these technologies readily
available and affordable.
KEY WORDS: Cutting edge technology, Risk, Poultry, Production, Sensors, Efficiency

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 17 (1): 1587 – 1593, 2014

FUTO International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (FIJEDS), 1 (3):170 – 181, 2017

This study examined rural youths’ access to institutional credit as a poverty reduction strategy ... more This study examined rural youths’ access to institutional credit as a poverty reduction strategy in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the factors influencing the amount of credit obtained from the credit institutions. Data were collected from 82 loan beneficiaries and 71 non-loan beneficiaries selected from Microfinance banks and Cooperative Societies, with the aid of two sets of questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages, means, the ordinary least square multiple regression model. The results obtained showed that the mean age of the youths studied was 29.2 years. Credit utilization by purpose for which fund was borrowed was 92.5% for Microfinance bank loans and 93.5% for Cooperative Society loans. The factors that influenced the amount of loan obtained by the youths from the formal credit institutions include account holding (or membership) with institution, credibility of the borrower, business experience and provision of guarantor, which were significant at 1% α-level. Therefore, it was recommended that Federal and State governments and the Apex Bank should develop credit programmes that make the rural youths their primary focus, taking into cognizance the numerous challenges in the rural areas and the youths’ peculiar characteristics and tendencies.

Keywords: Access, Utilization, Institutional Credit, Youth Enterprises

International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Management and Development, Vol. 3: 112 – 121, 2014

Risk is a likelihood of a negative outcome which is capable of distorting business ideas especial... more Risk is a likelihood of a negative outcome which is capable of distorting business ideas especially when such risks are poorly managed. This paper specifically examined rice farmers' profile, risk sources, risk management strategies and determinants of choice of risk management strategies. Multistage sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Ordered Probit regression. The results showed mean age of 48.7 years with 19.4 years mean farming experience. Majority (78.33%) of the farmers were males while 60% attained primary level of education.All the respondents indicated Input/output price fluctuation as a major source of risk. It also showed that 96.67% and 71.67%of them identified illness/death and farm theft as other sources of risk. Similarly, improved variety, use of agrochemicals, use of fertilizer, mixed cropping and cooperative marketing were mostly identified as risk management strategies in the study area. The likelihood ratio statistics as indicated by χ 2 (48.50) were highly significant (P<0.0019) and this also suggested that the model has a strong explanatory power. Gender, age, extension contacts, education and farming experience were major determinants of risk management strategies. It therefore recommended the provision of accessible and affordable formal educationin order toenhance farmers' skills and productivity in rice production.

The increased incidences of farming risks have been a challenge among smallholder farmers in Nige... more The increased incidences of farming risks have been a challenge among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This study set out to assess risk management strategies among arable crop farmers in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The proportion of risk in arable crop production and the factors that influence risk in arable crop production in the study area were specifically estimated. Primary data used for the study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire from eighty-four farmers in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that majority of the arable crop farmers (52.4%) were females. The average age and household size were 54 years and 5 persons respectively. Educational level, age, farming experience, farm size, household size and farm income were the Original Research Article Ibeagwa et al.; AJAEES, 33(3): 1-10, 2019; Article no.AJAEES.47860 2 factors influencing the estimated output of the farmers due to the prevalence of risk in arable crop production. The study recommended the continuous education of arable crop farmers in the area so as to increase their capacity to deal with risk on their farms.

CREDIT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AND EFFECT ON AGRICULTURAL LOAN REPAYMENT PERFORMANCE: THE CASE OF PROSPECT MICROFINANCE BANK, AKWA- IBOM STATE, NIGERIA, 2018

The study assessed the effect of credit management techniques on agricultural loan repayment in A... more The study assessed the effect of credit management techniques on agricultural loan repayment in Akwa Ibom
State Nigeria using the Prospect Microfinance Bank (PMB) as a case study. The specific objectives were to
examine the socio-economic characteristic of the farmer borrowers; examine the credit management
techniques as used by the bank; the extent to which the customers divert loans and their loan repayment
performance in terms of default and ascertain the determinants of loan repayment performance of the bank.
Descriptive statistics, loan diversion and repayment indices as well as the ordinary least squares (OLS)
regression techniques were used in the data analysis. The results of the analysis showed that; the mean age
of the PMB customers was 43.5 years, about 51% of the loan beneficiaries were females while 49 were
males. Again, 57% of them had a household size of 5 persons, with an average of 5 years in their businesses.
The average amount of loan collected was N246, 750, out of which N53, 736.73 was used for unintended
purpose representing about 22% approximately as loan diversion index. Rate of repayment and default
were34% and 64% respectively while level of education and loan duration has positive significant effects
on the loan rate of repayment. The result of OLS indicated that age, and interest rate had significant negative
effect on the loan repayment at 5% probability level. The study recommended that, PMB should ensure that
loan recipients should provide adequate sureties and guarantors to minimize default rate and the recipients
should use the facility for the intended economic purposes to ensure repayment.
Keywords: Credit management techniques, and repayment performance

The study evaluates consumers' behaviour on retail price of rice in Imo State of Nigeria. Data we... more The study evaluates consumers' behaviour on retail price of rice in Imo State of Nigeria. Data were drawn from the three agricultural zones in Imo State, namely Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe. A functional market in each zone was randomly selected. A multi stage sampling technique was used for the study. Primary data were obtained by means of interview schedule (questionnaire) administered to consumers of rice at retail shops. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques and ordinary least square (OLS) method of multiple regression analysis. Empirical result reveals that the mean weekly budget share for rice was N1345.20 but the actual weekly expenditure was N1638.89. The differential of 21.8% increases in expenditure from the budget share of rice could be attributed to variability in prices of rice in the market. About 63.3% of rice consumers have a weak bargaining index of 0.67 indicating that consumers' influence on the food product is weak. It could be deduced from the result that quantity demanded of rice (Qty) has negative relationship with its own price but consumers' bargaining power has a positive effect on price. There is need for consumers to be encouraged to form co – operative societies through which they can buy food products in bulk to reduce retail price thereby reducing the price margin between their budget share and actual expenditure in view of the fact that their bargaining power is weak. This will also reposition them to play a key role in price formation and sharing market information in order to increase their bargaining power as majority of retailers are only interested in profit maximization to the detriment of consumers. Consumers of rice should be ready to make adjustment on their weekly budgets of rice because of price variability.

This study investigated the effects of farm inputs on productivity of farmers in Imo State, Niger... more This study investigated the effects of farm inputs on productivity of farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 123 respondents for this study. Information on the objectives of this study were elicited from the sampled respondents through a well structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as the mean, frequency distribution, percentage and multiple regression model. Majority of the respondents were males (52.0%), with an average age of about (56 years) and had up to 20 years farming experience. Also majority of the farmers (50.4%) in the area had secondary education with a mean household size of 4 persons and cultivated less than 3.0 hectares of farm land. Again the Cobb-Douglas function produced the lead equation with the independent variables been significant at both 1% and 5% critical level. All the explanatory variables were positively correlated except farm machinery and household size and were not significant at 5% alpha level. About 84.0% of the total variation in total factor productivity was explained by the explanatory variables investigated. Majority of the respondents indicated inadequate capital (91.1%) and poor access to farm inputs (89.4%) as their major production constraints. Similarly, a call on the government to address the challenges of these farmers were recommended to enable the farmers increase output and consequently enhance productivity.

The study assessed the quantity and value of food crop outputs of the gender categories in the st... more The study assessed the quantity and value of food crop outputs of the gender categories in the state, estimated the quantity and energy content of food stuffs consumed as well as required by each gender headed households, estimated the extent and magnitude of food security and insecurity in the area among the gender categories and examined the determinants of food security in the area among household categories. The samples were drawn from a stratified population which was divided into two gender-headed household categories so as to ensure a homogenous population. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule from 3 communities which were selected using purposive sampling method. 2 villages were selected from each of the communities. 10 respondents which comprises of 5 males and 5 females were randomly selected from each village, thus giving a sample size of 60 respondents (30males and 30females) used for the study. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression was used to correlate the food security status and socioeconomic features of the various gender-headed households. The result shows that the male-headed households produced 5077.17 kg of food crops output as against the female-headed households' 2733.27 kg. Also the male-headed households required 1183.50kilocalories (Kcal) energy worth of food crops daily to be food secure but consumed 2246.90kcal. This implies that they are food secure since the Kcal consumed was greater than required. The female-headed households, on the other hand, required 1161.90kcal daily but consumed 684.72kcal. This implies that the female-headed households are less food secure than male-headed households in the state. Those factors found to affect the food security status of households in the area should be emphasized for effective policy intervention strategy.

The scarcity of food is as a result of the rapid increase in the population growth in which limit... more The scarcity of food is as a result of the rapid increase in the population growth in which limited food is being chased by large number of people. Food production on the other hand is being produced at the subsistence level in which the farmers fail to harness the economic potentials. However, lack of information on the economic rational of food products is a great concern to policy makers, therefore this study was designed to provide information on the economic analysis of intercropping oil palm with food crop by small holder farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in this study. This involved a purposive selection of two zones from the state and the selection of 2 LGA each from the selected 2 zones. A total of ninety (90) respondents were randomly selected for the research work. The result showed that majority of the farmers (33.3%) in the area are in their early adult age, 55.6% had primary education and (88.9%) had a wide range of farming experience. The result of the regression analysis of the equation of best of fit (semi log) had coefficient of multiple determination of 80.8%. The F-value of 29.784 which is higher than the tabulated value and the mean and standard deviation of 0.03634 ± 0.7046 with the positive variables supports the acceptance of the semi log function as the lead equation. The results revealed that labor and maize output price were significant at 1% level, though negative. Farming experience was also significant at 1% level, Cassava output price and planting material showed positive effect at 10% and 5% levels of significant. The net return showed the revenue generated from cassava and maize were N96000 and N18000 per hectare. This study recommends that intercropping of cassava with oil palm should be encouraged as a profitable enterprise, cost of labor should be reduced to encourage young farmers and more attention should be giving to the production of maize. INTRODUCTION Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis jacq) belongs to the family Arecaceae. Oil palm is believed to have originated from Africa and America, but Malaysia and Indonesia are now the highest in production. Oil palm is a perennial crop that originated in the tropical rain forest of west Africa and later spread to South America and Asia in the 16 th and 17 th century respectively (Oil World,2000). At present, the palm exists in the wild, semi-wild and cultivated places in three main areas of the equatorial tropics-Africa, SouthEast Asia and South and Central America. It is one of the most productive oil crops and its products (palm oil) ranks high in the list of the world's leading agricultural commodities. Yusof (2007) observed that palm oil is now the major source of sustainable and renewable raw materials for the world food, oleo-chemical and bio-fuel industries. Despite the rapid pace of urbanization taking place in Nigeria, half of Nigerians (approximately 70 million individuals) still live in rural areas; most of them engaged in smallholder semi-subsistence agriculture. Agriculture remains a crucial sector in the Nigerian economy, being a major source of raw materials, food and foreign exchange; employing over 70 percent of the Nigerian labor force, and serving as a potential vehicle for diversifying the Nigerian economy. Intercropping of oil palm with food crop is a prevalent practice among the smallholder farmers. A wide variety of food crops are intercropped with oil palm by this group of farmers. These farmers are predominantly characterized by their traditional and elementary ways of farming. Smallholder oil palm farmers in Nigeria practice intercropping as a dualistic economy.

This study investigated the efficiency of resource use and Returns to Scale among broiler farmers... more This study investigated the efficiency of resource use and Returns to Scale among broiler farmers in Imo State. Data were collected through a multi-stage sampling from 50 broiler farmers in the State with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Efficiency Index, Elasticity of Production technique and the Ordinary Least Square Regression model. The results from this study showed that 68% of the respondents engaged in farming as their primary occupation with mean age of 47.1 years and mean farm size of 563 birds. The farmers made an average Net Revenue of N291,192.10 with 66Kobo Return on Investment. Medication (significant at 1%), farm size (significant at 5%), feed and other inputs (significant at 1%) were the major factors affecting broiler output. The farmers operated at increasing Returns to Scale with 1.1408 Elasticity of Production (EP). It was concluded that broiler enterprise among the Fadama II farmers in Imo State is profitable but there is inefficiency in resource allocation. It was therefore recommended that the farmers either keep labour constant and increase their farm size or keep the farm size constant and decrease their use of labour input for increased profitability of their enterprises.

This paper scrutinized the suitability of the credit review system used by selected banks, evalua... more This paper scrutinized the suitability of the credit review system used by selected banks, evaluated the recovery strategies used by these banks and examined the determinants of loan default among smallholder farmers in Imo state, South-East Nigeria. Data used in this study were gathered through a survey of 80 loan beneficiaries and 27 experienced bank officials from the three Agricultural Zones in Imo state. The results showed that loan beneficiaries had mean farming experience and farm size of 7 years and 1.08 hectares respectively. Collateral and account performances were the major evaluation criteria of the credit officer's application form. Nevertheless, it is clear from the result that most of the banks made their highest recovery by taking necessary legal actions on their clients which happens to be the third stage of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recommended loan recovery plan. It is also clear from the result that even after applying the whole strategies, there are still some outstanding amounts for these banks to recover. The results of logistic regression model showed that borrower's socioeconomic characteristic (household size, educational level and farming experience) and microcredit loan's characteristics (interest rate) are among the factors that contribute to loan default problem among small holder farmers in Imo State.

Developing Country Studies, 2013

Yo ou ut th hs s' ' L Li iv ve el li ih ho oo od d i in n O Ow we er rr ri i N No or rt th h L Lo... more Yo ou ut th hs s' ' L Li iv ve el li ih ho oo od d i in n O Ow we er rr ri i N No or rt th h L Lo oc ca al l G Go ov ve er rn nm me en nt t A Ar re ea a o of f I Im mo o S St ta at te e, , N Ni ig ge er ri ia a

The Nigerian aquaculture sector has been witnessing substantial increases in production for over ... more The Nigerian aquaculture sector has been witnessing substantial increases in production for over 2 decades. However, estimates of future supplies, which are necessary inputs in the articulation of plans for increased production, cannot be objectively determined using conventional forecasting tools due to poor data culture. Therefore, such plans whose aims include improving food and international trade balance sheets have to be hinged on trend-based forecasting models. The determination of which trend model is most accurate for a commodity is a matter of experimentation. This work examined aquaculture output forecasts using linear, grafted and exponential functions with the aim of identifying the model that is most reliable for forecasting it. Data on aquaculture output from 1950 to 2015 were sourced from FAOSTAT. Ordinary Least Square Regression framework was used to fit the data for linear, grafted (mean), and exponential functions. Structural parameters from the three models were econometrically plausible and hence were used in forecasting. Comparison of their forecasts through the observation of their deviations from the observed data indicated that the grafted function provided more reliable estimates. The forecasting accuracies of the linear, grafted and exponential functions were 50.71%, 98.55% and 17.52% respectively. ANOVA result confirmed the suitability of the grafted function in forecasting aquaculture output. Visual observations of the forecast errors indicated more even distribution of errors from the grafted function around zero. While the variant of the grafted model experimented with here is reliable for Nigerian aquaculture, its reliability in forecasting other commodities is not guaranteed. Fig. 5: Plot of Forecast errors from Exponential Function. Source: Constructed based on FAO data on Nigerian aquaculture from 1950 to 2015