Analysis of Marketing Efficiency of Cattle for Enhancing Food Security in North-East Nigeria

Allocation Efficiency of Agricultural Sector Resources in Supporting Food Security, Economic Equity, and Regional Self-Reliance in Bireuen Regency

This study investigates the efficiency of resource allocation in rice farming to support food security, economic equity, and regional self-reliance in Bireuen District. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative analyses using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) with qualitative methods comprising in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The data used is primary and secondary data. The results indicate that technical efficiency in rice farming remains relatively low, with average DEA and SFA scores of 0.88 and 0.86, respectively, implying a potential input reallocation of 10–15%. Key determinants of efficiency include farmers’ education, access to formal credit, participation in farmer groups, and proximity to markets. In contrast, limited capital, insufficient technology, and small landholdings (<0.5 ha) were identified as the primary sources of inefficiency. Qualitative findings corroborate the quantitative results, revealing that smallholder farmers are more vulnerable to inefficiency than larger-scale farmers (>1 ha). The study concludes that improving efficiency necessitates targeted policy interventions, including expanding access to microcredit, promoting mechanization, strengthening farmer group institutions, and stabilizing paddy prices. These measures are critical for enhancing food security, reducing economic disparities, and fostering sustainable regional self-reliance in Bireuen District.

Farming profitability as a mediator of government support for small scale farming and food security in Nigeria

The study sought to determine the extent to which profitability mediates the relationship between government support for small scale farming (SSF) and food security. The authors used the quantitative research method and the design was a cross-sectional survey. The study obtained the sample of the respondents from small-scale farmers in North East, North central and South West Nigeria using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. Convergent and divergent techniques served to assure of the validity of the instrument while composite reliability served as the reliability of the instrument. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results showed that government’s provision of subsidies for farm inputs and low-cost credits significantly influence the profitability of small-scale farmers and thus enhances food security. In addition, the profitability of farming mediates the relationship between government’s support for SSF and food security as the profitability of farming motivates people to farm with the expectation of profitable returns. The study makes a theoretical and empirical contribution to knowledge. The first limitation is the restriction of the contributors to members of cooperative societies. The study relied on members of cooperative societies to ensure objectivity as well as to facilitate accessibility to farmers in the area. The non-inclusion of farmers that are not members of cooperative societies is a constraint. A third limitation was the non-availability of records, kept by local farmers, of their activities especially as related to government support. However, the farmers’ experiences and answers were instrumental in getting the necessary information. Adequate provision of food will enhance food security and lead to zero hunger consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 2. This will help to eliminate frustration and the attendant social vices. The integration of the theory of how government support for agriculture affects productivity and the theory of net farm exit to explain how government support for SSF contributes to food security. Secondly, although some of the extant studies imply profitability, this study is about the first to use profitability to mediate the relationship between government support for SSF and food security. Lastly, the proposed model of government support for SSF and food security provides useful insights that can contribute to policymaking for the enhancement of agricultural productivity.

Technical Efficiency of Onion Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria

Onion production is an important source of food, income, and employment for many rural households in Nigeria. Despite its economic importance, productivity among smallholder onion farmers remains below potential due to technical inefficiency in the use of available production resources. This study examined the technical efficiency of onion farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 254 onion farmers using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the stochastic frontier production model. The results revealed that the respondents were relatively young and economically active, with a mean age of 38 years, an average household size of 6 persons, and an average farming experience of 10 years. The estimated mean technical efficiency was 0.658, indicating that farmers achieved only 65.8% of the potential output, leaving room for a 34.2% improvement through more efficient use of existing resources. The estimated sigma-square value (0.0027) was statistically significant, confirming the suitability of the stochastic frontier model, while lambda value (2.23298) indicated that the differences between observed and potential output were mainly due to technical inefficiency. The gamma estimate of 0.83 further showed that 83% of the variation in onion output was attributable to technical inefficiency. Education, farming experience and age significantly improved farmers’ technical efficiency, whereas limited access to extension services and credit reduced efficiency. The study concludes that onion production in Taraba State has considerable potential for increased productivity through improved resource-use efficiency.

Decomposition of Efficiency Gap between Potato-producing Households Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Model in West and North West Regions of Cameroon

Economic Drivers of Improved Indigenous Chicken Technology Adoption among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: Evidence from Moiben Sub-County

Indigenous chicken (IC) production is an important livelihood activity for smallholder farmers in Kenya, contributing to food security, nutrition, and household income. Despite rising demand for improved indigenous chicken (IIC) products, adoption remains low, averaging 24% nationally and 14% in Moiben Sub-County. This study examined the economic factors influencing both the adoption and adoption intensity of IIC technology among smallholder farmers in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Theory of the Firm, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 156 farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and a double-hurdle econometric model. The results showed that age and access to government or non-governmental organisation (NGO) programmes significantly increased the likelihood of adoption, whereas farming experience, access to market information, market outlets, and value addition reduced it. Adoption intensity was positively influenced by veterinary and extension services but negatively affected by distance to markets, market outlets, and participation in government or NGO programmes. These findings indicate that the determinants of initial adoption differ from those shaping post-adoption intensity. Strengthening market linkages, veterinary and extension services, farmer organisations, and post-adoption support programmes is recommended to enhance commercialisation, productivity, and the sustainable uptake of IIC technology in Kenya.

Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Food Security in North East Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between agricultural entrepreneurship and food security in North East Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, targeting farmers and agribusiness investors in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. A total of 5,000 questionnaires were distributed, of which 4,869 were valid and returned, representing a response rate of 97.4%. The data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation with the aid of SPSS version 25.0 at a 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that agro-processing entrepreneurship has a positive and significant relationship with food security, indicating that value addition and reduced post-harvest losses enhance food availability and accessibility. The study also found a significant positive relationship between agri-tech entrepreneurship and food security, suggesting that the adoption of modern agricultural technologies improves productivity and supports sustainable food production. Furthermore, agri-business entrepreneurship was found to have a significant positive relationship with food security, demonstrating that efficient agribusiness management, improved market access, and strengthened agricultural value chains contribute to enhanced food security in the region. The study concluded that agricultural entrepreneurship is a critical driver of food security in North East Nigeria. It recommended increased investment in agro processing infrastructure, expansion of access to modern agricultural technologies through extension services and innovation support, and the provision of affordable finance and market linkages to agribusiness entrepreneurs to strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food security.