U. E. Okon - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by U. E. Okon

African Journal of Business Management, Sep 30, 2013

The paper examines the various customer retention measurement metrics and constructs, using conce... more The paper examines the various customer retention measurement metrics and constructs, using concepts of customer service, customer satisfaction, behavioral intention and employee satisfaction. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, t and F statistics were used to test the hypotheses formulated based on information received from 164 respondents (clients) patronizing four Stock broking firms in Cross River State, Nigeria. Simple percentages were also used to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents tabulated in a bivariant frequency table. All the tested hypotheses in the research are supported. The paper identifies good customer service as imperative to client retention and organizational profitability.

Organic agriculture is being promoted all over the world to address environmental health problems... more Organic agriculture is being promoted all over the world to address environmental health problems resulting from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Despite the importance of organic agriculture, its adoption rate is still very low among farmers. Besides, organic farming policies in Nigeria to date are rare. Therefore, to encourage organic farming, this study examines the factors influencing vegetable farmers’ organic farming decisions in Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 396 respondents from South-South region of Nigeria. Logistic regression analysis was estimated to ascertain the factors. The results showed that socio-economic factors such as farming experience, educational level and gender of the household heads, membership of organization, household income, land tenure status and farmers’ perception on organic farming had positive and significant influence on their decision to adopt organic farming. Conversely, age of the household...

Increasing farm incomes is particularly important in urban farming because of it associated effec... more Increasing farm incomes is particularly important in urban farming because of it associated effect in combating poverty, food insecurity and employment generation. Policy makers and city planners in developing countries need to take urban farming into consideration. Informed decisions could only be meaningful if factors that influence income level of urban households as well as their decisions to re-invest these incomes are empirically determined. This study identifies some of these factors in urban smallholder farming in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was based on farm level data from 100 randomly selected farmers across six agricultural zones of the State and analyzed using simultaneous quantile regression and binary logistic model. The quantile regression estimates showed that socio-economic variables such as educational level, farmers’ age and membership of cooperative organizations, farm size and probability of establishing new enterprises were the major determinants of fa...

This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria.... more This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study employed multi-stage random sampling technique in selecting 240 cassava farm households who are registered in the Enugu State Fadama III project during 2019 farming season. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier profit function model. The results showed that majority (73.3%) of the household heads were male, with a mean age of 52 years. Most (78.5%) were married, with a mean farm size of 0.3125 ha. The years of formal schooling was 9years, personal savings was the major (83.1%) source of capital. The results further showed that profit efficiency ranged between 34.19 % and 99.98%, while mean efficiency was 73% which suggested that about 27% loss in profit was due to a combination of technical and allocative inefficiencies. Also, educational level and years of farming experience were the major significant factors which influence profit efficiency positively. There is scope for increasing profit efficiency in cassava production in the study area. Policy focus on cassava should be directed toward the identified efficiency factors.

American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research, 2019

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License AJBSR.MS.ID.001039.

Nigeria Agricultural Journal, 2016

This study investigated the determinants of soil management practice options among crop-based far... more This study investigated the determinants of soil management practice options among crop-based farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study employed multi-stage random sampling technique to select 90 crop-based farmers from six communities across the three agricultural zones in the State. Data were collected with the used of structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed by the use of descriptive statistics, multinomial logit model and factor analysis. The results obtained from the analyses showed that major causes of soil degradation in the study area include: increased deforestation or lumbering activities in the area, continuous cropping, short fallow period due to increased pressure on land, poor afforestation or tree planting practices of farmers and poor access to needed farm inputs such as fertilizers among others. The socio-economic attributes of the farmers that significantly (p≤0.01, p≤0.05) influenced their preference for soil management practice options include...

Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2014

The paper examine the various determinants of credit access and default using data from a sample ... more The paper examine the various determinants of credit access and default using data from a sample of 60 crayfish traders collected through a multi-stage random sampling in three selected markets in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using logit and multiple linear regressions that involve the use of Ordinary Least Square (OLS). Findings revealed a dominant age bracket and household size of 41-50 years and 6-10 persons with average household size of 6 persons respectively. Traders were also quite experience with high level of literacy. The result of the logit model revealed that only household size and interest rate charged on loan impacted positively on loan default. Findings further revealed that age of traders, educational level, availability of surety and marketing experience impacted positively on credit access in the study area. This suggested the need to pursue policies that would reduce interest rate and household size, enhances educational attainment and marketing experience of traders as well as the evolution of a more articulate and proactive loan monitoring procedure alongside the setting up a loan delinquent court to punish loan defaulters as the way out.

… Science Reports. The journal of field …, 2010

This study analyzed the proitability level of waterleaf production in three selected agricultural... more This study analyzed the proitability level of waterleaf production in three selected agricultural zones of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained from a random sample of 60 waterleaf farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, proitability ratios and regression analysis. The result of the analysis shows that the majority (90%) of the farmers had some level of formal education. Labour had the highest percentage (58%) of total cost of production, suggesting that waterleaf production was labour intensive in the area. The average net income per hectare per waterleaf production cycle was N322,413 while the average total cost was N89,307,18. Labour cost constituted the highest percentage of total variable cost. The proitability index (0.78), rate of returns on investment (361%), rate of returns on variable cost (482%), and operating ratio (0.21) suggest that waterleaf production was proitable in the study area. The identiied major factors that enhance the output of waterleaf were the application of poultry manure, bigger household size (cheap labour), level of education of the farmer and level of capital. These observations underscore the need for the provision of credit facilities and some kind of adult education programme for the farmers. These will respectively ensure that they apply the right quantity of purchased inputs (like fertilizers, hired labour and capital) in their production process and improve their human capital.

The Journal of Environment & Development, 2011

This study identifies the determinants of households’ willingness to pay for an improvement in so... more This study identifies the determinants of households’ willingness to pay for an improvement in solid waste-collection services based on 381 households in Kampala. Employing the double-bounded contingent valuation method, households’ mean willingness to pay for improved solid waste collection service was estimated to be USh 2,439 per month. Both the decision to pay and the amount households are willing to pay for improved solid waste collection services are influenced by income, education, age, and home ownership. A socially acceptable fee which the majority of people are willing to pay should be set to avoid the free-rider problem.

Outlook on Agriculture, 2012

Farm enterprises differ in resource requirements (quantity, quality and timing). Enterprise choic... more Farm enterprises differ in resource requirements (quantity, quality and timing). Enterprise choice decisions are particularly important in urban farming because of the associated farmland constraints and expectations of abrupt urban expansion. Given its importance in combating food insecurity and generating employment for the urban poor, city planners must begin to take urban farming into consideration in developing city plans. Informed decisions can be meaningful only if the factors that drive urban farmers' enterprise choice decisions are empirically determined. This study identifies some of these factors in urban smallholder farming in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. The study was based on farm-level data from 160 randomly selected farmers across the six agricultural zones of the state, and analysed using the multinomial logit model. While marital status and household size were negatively and significantly related to the probability of the farmers choosing pepper over waterleaf, th...

This paper analyzed the relationship between ICTs and international remittances received by farme... more This paper analyzed the relationship between ICTs and international remittances received by farmers in Nigeria using two approaches. With the aid of the logit model, it determined the probability that a Nigerian farmer with access to ICTs received remittance from abroad. Secondly, the tobit model was employed to analyze the effects of access to ICTs on the monetary values of international remittances received. Preceding these analyses were descriptive statistics of the farmers access to ICTs and volumes of international remittances received. Empirical data for the analyses were drawn from the Nigerian General Household Surveys conducted in 2010/2011. This survey was particularly relevant because it elicited information from Nigerian farming households including data regarding their access to ICTs and remittances. Among several findings, the analyses showed that 73.06% and 3.92% of the Nigerian Farming population had access to mobile phones and the internet respectively. Also, a Nigerian farmer who owned a mobile phone is approximately 1.5 times more likely to receive remittances from abroad than a farmer who had access to mobile phones but did not own one. It was recommended that public investments in remittance and ICTs linked rural infrastructures are apropos. Telecommunication companies and financial institutions need to create a platform to enable easy access to ICTs which in turn enables access to remittances in the rural areas.

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies, 2021

This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria.... more This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study employed a multi-stage random sampling technique in selecting 240 cassava farm households who are registered in the Enugu State Fadama III project during the 2019 farming season. Data were collected using copies of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (stochastic frontier profit function model). Results showed that the majority (73.3%) of the household heads were male, with a mean age of 52 years. Additionally, the majority (78.5%) of the respondents were married, mean farm size of respondents was 0.3125 ha, mean duration of formal schooling was 9 years, and personal savings was the major (83.1%) source of capital among respondents. The results further showed that profit efficiency ranged between 34.19 and 99.98%, while mean efficiency was 73% with the 27% loss in profit attributed to a combination of technical and allocative inefficiencies. Also, educational level and years of farming experience were the major significant factors which influence profit efficiency positively. Findings from this study could be relevant for policy formulation by government.

Livelihood choice decisions among farm households towards climate variability are perceived as ba... more Livelihood choice decisions among farm households towards climate variability are perceived as basic strategies in reducing poverty, food insecurity and vulnerable situations. This study applies a multinomial logistic model to explain the number of livelihood activities that are adopted by farm households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The analysis was based on secondary (rainfall and temperature) and household data from 220 randomly selected households across the six agricultural zones of the State. The results showed that whilst household size, marital status and land size was negative and statistically significantly related to the likelihood of the household choosing livestock production. The choice of forestry activities over crop production was positive and statistically significantly related to land size and precipitation, but negatively related to age. The household’s level of education was positively and significantly related to the odd of their choosing livestock production o...

Despite the increase in food availability world-wide, majority of the rural population are still ... more Despite the increase in food availability world-wide, majority of the rural population are still food insecure. Empirical evidence abound that food insecurity has a life-long detrimental impacts on productivity and income generating potential of populations. This study aims to analyze the food security status of rural farm households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 343 food crop farmers in the area. Primary data were obtained through survey and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index and binary logistic regression model. The results showed that about 78% of the respondents were married, with mean household size of 6 persons. Most (58%) of the respondents were male, with mean educational level of 11 years. About 91% applied fertilizer, while 60% adopted soil conservation practices. The results further indicated that educational level (p> 0.10), marital status (p>0.05), use of fertilizer (p>0.10) and ...

High level of vulnerability of urban farmers to economic shocks occasioned by variability in clim... more High level of vulnerability of urban farmers to economic shocks occasioned by variability in climate often hampers their effective participation in economic activities. Lack of information on the vulnerability status of urban households often limit their effective participation in economic activities. This study assessed the vulnerability status of urban farmers in South-south region of Nigeria. Data for this study was obtained from two hundred and eighty nine (289) households that were randomly selected from three States in South-south Nigeria and analyzed using vulnerability index analysis. The results indicated that the vulnerability of urban farmers in the area is caused by lack of access to formal credit (0.95), lack of access to land (0.86), low asset value (0.82), loss of primary income earner (0.81), loss of productive asset (0.73), low farm income (0.71), high dependent population and low level of education (0.69). Also, households that were totally dependent on farm income...

Advances in Social Science and Culture, 2019

The increased pressure on the world natural resources has resulted in unsustainable use of natura... more The increased pressure on the world natural resources has resulted in unsustainable use of natural resources, environmental instability and soil degradation. This study investigated the drivers of agroforestry practices in Eket agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected by the use of structured questionnaires. Simple random sampling was adopted in the selection of 102 farm households from Eket agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit model. The result showed that the average year of formal education was 11.86, with the mean age of 44.46. Also, the mean score of 2.61 suggest that majority of the respondents were aware of agroforestry practices. The probit analysis indicates that factors such as marital status, farming experience, educational level and land ownership status had positive and significant effects on their decision to adopt agroforestry practices. Conversely, total household income had a negat...

In the past few decades policy makers and donor agencies have been focusing their poverty reducti... more In the past few decades policy makers and donor agencies have been focusing their poverty reduction strategies in the rural areas of the developing countries but with little progress. There is every indication that rapid urbanization in developing countries particularly in Nigeria increases poverty. As such, urban dwellers in many developing countries have adopted many coping strategies. This paper examined the factors influencing choice of livelihood strategies by urban farmers in Nigeria. Results showed that socio-economic characteristics such as farm size (p < 0.01), gender (p < 0.01) and farming experience (p < 0.05) are the key variables influencing farmers’ choice of agricultural wage employment, while age of household heads (p < 0.05) and years of formal education significantly influenced choice of non-agricultural wage employment category. Capacity building, social and institutional support aimed at increasing household assets as well as promoting urban farming i...

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing income generating activities amon... more The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing income generating activities among urban farm households in South-South Nigeria. From a sample of 289 urban farm households, the results showed that majority (66%) of the respondents were male, with mean age of 44 years. Non-agricultural wage income (36%) and crop production income (26%) were major income generating activities. About 39%, 22%, 21%, and 32% of the respondents owned refrigerators, tricycles, cars, and other equipment, respectively. The ordinary least square results indicated that variables such as land size and asset value positively and significantly (p < 0.01) influenced livestock production income. Household size had negative and significant (p < 0.05) influence on crop production income. Also, older farmers fail to generate income in any of the category. Policies aimed at boosting households’ asset and encouraging urban households to participate in farming and other non-farm activities will redu...

African Journal of Business Management, Sep 30, 2013

American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research, 2019

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License AJBSR.MS.ID.001039.

Nigeria Agricultural Journal, 2016

Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2014

… Science Reports. The journal of field …, 2010

The Journal of Environment & Development, 2011

Outlook on Agriculture, 2012

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies, 2021

This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria.... more This study analyzed the profit efficiency of smallholder cassava farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study employed a multi-stage random sampling technique in selecting 240 cassava farm households who are registered in the Enugu State Fadama III project during the 2019 farming season. Data were collected using copies of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (stochastic frontier profit function model). Results showed that the majority (73.3%) of the household heads were male, with a mean age of 52 years. Additionally, the majority (78.5%) of the respondents were married, mean farm size of respondents was 0.3125 ha, mean duration of formal schooling was 9 years, and personal savings was the major (83.1%) source of capital among respondents. The results further showed that profit efficiency ranged between 34.19 and 99.98%, while mean efficiency was 73% with the 27% loss in profit attributed to a combination of technical and allocative inefficiencies. Also, educational level and years of farming experience were the major significant factors which influence profit efficiency positively. Findings from this study could be relevant for policy formulation by government.

Advances in Social Science and Culture, 2019