Browsing by Author "Kassali, R."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE OF RICE WHOLESALING AND RETAILING IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.
    (Department Of Agricultural Economics And Extension, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2016-03-03) Kassali, R.; Fakokunde, A. O.; Ojo, T.O.
    The study analysed the marketing of rice in its functions of wholesaling and retailing in Osun State of Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of rice marketers; analyze the performance of rice marketing firms and identify major constraints in rice distribution in the study area. A three-stage sampling technique was employed to select a total of two hundred and ten (210) respondents from whom data were collected using a well structured pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents while performance was assessed using budgeting and the operational efficiency approach. The majority of rice marketers had secondary and post-secondary education with an age distribution of 30-50 years and the rice market was found to be female dominated across all the three groups. The experience in business was 10 years and above for wholesalers and wholesale-retailers and 5 years and above for retailers. Rice marketing system could be said to be relatively efficient. It is more efficient for retailer compared to wholesaler and wholesaler-retailer. The major problems encountered in the rice marketing system were poor finances and bad road network. Policy measures that would improve competition and efficiency should therefore be encouraged. Finances should be provided to rice marketers so as to improve on the performance of the industry.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    FARM CHARACTERISTICS, PROFITABILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN RESOURCE USE AMONG COCOA FARMERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
    (Department Of Science And Laboratory Technology, Nasarawa State University Keffi., 2016-04-09) Kassali, R.
    Cocoa is an important cash crop in Nigeria with great potentials both in terms of employment and foreign exchange earnings. This study analysed the profitability and resource use efficiency in cocoa production in Osun State. Sixty (60) cocoa farmers were randomly selected and data were collected on farm characteristics, inputs, output and market prices. Descriptive statistics, budgeting and efficiency analysis were the analytical techniques adopted. Results indicate that the majority of farmers (73%) cultivated farm size of less than 2 ha, with 23% only planted to cocoa. Most cocoa trees had less than 30 years of age, comprising high yielding hybrid varieties only or in combination with old varieties. Cocoa production is profitable with a rate of return of 1.67. The age of cocoa trees had influence on yield, profit and rate of return to cocoa farm, with optimum values achieved between 16 and 30 years. Current farm size, yield and age of trees were below optimum. In terms of resource use, only chemical inputs were utilized efficiently. It is recommended that farmers should increase investment on cocoa farms including size and adopt more of the high yielding varieties of cocoa to improve output.