VALUE ADDITION ANALYSIS OF LOCUST BEANS (PARKIA BIGLOBOSA) IN AKOKO NORTHWEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the value addition of locust beans in Akoko Northwest LGA of Ondo State. Primary data were collected for the study and a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the respondents using a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were employed to analyse the data. The result revealed that majority (60.00%) and (66.70%) of the producers and processors respectively were above 50 years of age, whereas about 90.00% of the marketers were below 50 years of age. Similarly, majority (91.10%) of the respondents were married female with about 75.60% having one form of education or the other. The producers made an average net income of ?21,843.97 at a selling price of ?635.24 while the processor made a net income of ?16,648.02 at a selling price of ?946.90 per kg and the marketer made a net income of ?22,950.00 at a selling price of ?1,200.00 per kg. This implies that while a producer made a gain of 52 kobo on every ?1 invested in the business, the processor and marketer made 21 and 24 kobo respectively on every ?1 invested in the business in the area. Result further revealed that while lack of modern technology was the first and most severe problem of the producers, lack of capital was attested to be the most militating problem of the processors and lack of organised market was the most militating challenge of the marketers. Keywords: Value Addition, Locust Beans, Costs, Returns, Gross Margin, Nigeria.

THE OPERATIONS OF SAVINGS AND LOANS AND THE PERFORMANCES OF BUSINESSES IN ACCRA

Savings and Loans operations in Ghana represent significant development and performance of most businesses and therefore maintaining these Savings and Loans operations is important. However, there seems to be paucity of studies on the operations of savings and loans companies’ effects on the performances of businesses in general and Greater Accra in particular. This research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by analyzing the operations of savings and loans companies’ effects on the performances of businesses in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study will be guided by three research objectives. Study methods include the use of questionnaire for data analysis. A total of 40 respondents (20 staff of Savings and Loans companies and twenty (20) small business operators (men and women) who took part in this study were randomly purposively selected. The results indicate that small businesses in Accra township sourced start-up capital from savings and loans companies, personal savings and support from friends and families. It also emerged from the study that the business operators that were unable to receive entire amount requested from the financial institutions attributed it to failure to meet the credit requirements, failure to provide the required collateral security and the absence of active account with the financial institutions. Again the study found that credit received by the business operators in Accra township was utilized for the expansion of business. The study further found that business operators in Accra township are confronted with several challenges in accessing credit facilities from Savings and Loans Companies. These challenges include bureaucracy, lack of opportunity to take second loan, high risk and uncertainty, high level of interest rate on credit, low level of knowledge about credit sourcing and shorter repayment period. It is recommended that to enhance small and medium business operators in Accra township access and acquisition of credit facilities from Savings and Loans companies should be efficiently utilized. Keywords: Operations, Savings and Loans, Performance, Businesses, Accra.

CO-INTEGRATION AND ERROR CORRECTION MODELING OF AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT: THE CASE OF CASSAVA IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Cassava is an important food crop in Nigeria providing households food security and income. Cassava production has received government and stakeholders’ intervention dating back to the 1970s. Nevertheless, increased and sustainable production of the crop is under threat by exogenous factors of climate change and variability. This study investigates this concern by assessing the effects of climate change on cassava output in Ondo state, Nigerian using Co-integration and Error-Correction Modelling (ECM). Time series (1971-2010) data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Abuja, Nigerian Meteorological Agency Oshodi, Lagos. The results of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test revealed that all variables (cassava yield and climate variables; rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity) all have unit root problems (non-stationary) but become stationary after the first difference 1(1). The results confirmed a long-run equilibrium relationship between all identified variables as the absolute values of the variables are greater than their critical values at a 5% level of significance for both trace statistics and maximal-eigen values. The ECM result shows that rainfall exerts a positive effect, while temperature and relative humidity exert negative effects on cassava production. This indicates the sensitivity of cassava to climate change in the study area. Thus, increased and sustained production of cassava for household’s food security income would be attainable by designing programmes and policies geared toward reducing the effect of climate change. Keywords: Co-integration, Error-Correction Modeling, Cassava Output, Climate Variability, Nigeria.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SYSTEM OF NIGERIA AND THE GAMBIA

This study focuses on the analysis of Nigeria and The Gambia National extension policies and system. The study discussed three main themes (mission and goals, approach and functions, and clienteles). The study found that both two countries does not adopt legislated or formal national extension policy rather implied policies which were garnered, feasible, for the two countries through their government publications and published researched studies from academic and recognized developmental institutions. Generally, the analysis found that the two countries extension missions and goals focused on improving profitability of agricultural business and increasing output volumes; market share in achieving to enhancing quality of life and agricultural development. In terms of approaches and functions, the study observed that public sector extension in the two countries is undergoing transformation including decentralization and outsourcing extension services in the context of adopting a pluralistic system of extension delivery. While up to six models of extension are a commonly applied in the two countries, the dominant context is pluralism around public, private and NGO-based services. The dominant clientele was stated to be women and small- and medium-scale farmers. However, main barriers limiting women’s participation are still insufficiently addressed. The study concludes that it is important for the two countries authorities, perhaps supportively, to develop and establish formal extension policies that will manifest their vision, mission, goals and methods to provide a stable agenda within which targeted clientele and be purposively supported in the pursuit of sustainable agricultural development. Keywords: Extension, Extension Policy, Nigeria, The Gambia, Mission and Goals, Approach and Function, Clientele.

THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES MODE OF OPERATION IN HORTICULTURAL SCHEMES IN WEST COAST REGION IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH OF THE GAMBIA

The study assesses agricultural extension services mode of operation in horticultural farms for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared test correlation and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews were also analyzed and presented appropriately. It was found that the variables on the influence of extension services (availability of AES, extension visit, farm size, marital status, experience in farming, education, farm group, transportation, post-harvest technology training and distance to market) are significantly associated with the horticultural smallholder farmers post-harvest losses. It means that there is a significant relationship between extension availability and post-harvest handling at p < 0.05 level of significance. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, development and investment programmes in extension, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production, government policy aimed at training and developing farmer capacity in appropriate monitoring systems of extension services, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. The study proves the need to improve the living conditions of services for extension services and availability of extension officers at a regular base with appropriate knowledge and skills. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, mode of Operation in horticultural Schemes, West Coast Region, Kombo Central, North, The Gambia.

HORTICULTURAL FARMERS’ ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION INFORMATION ON POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH, WEST COAST REGION, THE GAMBIA

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages and frequency distribution tables. The results show that the current horticultural post-harvest loss management and access to relevant information from the extension agents is inadequate, no/uneasy access to available market, poor road conditions, inadequate available facilities for post-harvest produce, and low support services from the authorities. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production and post-harvest handling information, and special extension agents training on post-harvest practices. Provision of storage and processing facilities in the vicinity of the farms as crucial, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. Keywords: Agriculture Extension Services, Post-Harvest Technology, Smallholder Farmer, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Horticulture Crop Produce, Kombo Central and North

EFFECTIVENESS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES TO MINIMIZE POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCE WEST COAST REGION OF THE GAMBIA

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in West Coast Region of The Gambia. The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of horticultural crop produce. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interview supported by secondary data using official documents. The sample population consisted of three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents using a minimum sample calculation of Taro Yamane in which ten extension officers (10) and two extension agent heads (2) as key informants for a period of three months from September to November 2017. This study employs cluster, purposive and simple random sampling procedures to draw its population. The data was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to run percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared correlation test and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews and FGDs were also analyzed and presented appropriately. The findings of the study showed that extension services are not very much effective or proactive to post-harvest loss reduction in this region. The study recommends there is the need for continued research, development and investment programme in both extension and post-harvest technologies, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, special extension agents training on post-harvest practices among others. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, Effectiveness, Post-Harvest Losses, Horticultural Crop Produce, Smallholder Farmer, The Gambia

EXAMINING THE KEY SUCCESS FACTORS IN AFRICA BASED ON 3 ASPECTS: ADAPTATION, EFFICIENCY AND STRATEGIC POSITIONING FROM A SURVEY ON ENTREPRENEURS IN BURKINA FASO

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the different types of factors in the African business context and in particular in the context of Burkina Faso, that can help companies to be successful. It is about the identification of the key successful factor among some main factors such as adaptation, efficiency and strategic positioning The data is from a survey on entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso, who attended the Africallia business meeting in 2018. The results show that the adaptation to the context is one of the main factors for business success. Thus, the suggestion is that companies should adapt to the African context in order to improve their profit, performance and thus gain a tremendous success. Keywords: Success Factors, Business, Companies, Adaptation, Efficiency, Strategic Positioning, Africa.

INDUSTRIALIZATION IN TANZANIA: THE NEED FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION

The objective of this study was to examine industrialization in Tanzania and the need to include the disadvantaged people in the development process. This study used a documentary review methodology. The study found that although industrialization is key to economic growth, if not properly managed, it tends to marginalize the poor people. This calls for social inclusion policy measures. The study, therefore, recommends that, if industrialization is to benefit the disadvantaged, agriculture, which employs the majority of the people, should be industrialized. Further, since the benefits of industrialization may not necessarily accrue to the poor, the above need to be accompanied by conscious efforts of the government and the private sector to provide social and economic services to the disadvantaged poor. Keywords: Industrialization; Social Inclusion; Butter & Bread vs. Yeast & Bread; Economic Growth vs. Economic Development

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HOTELS) IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WA MUNICIPALITY IN GHANA

Hotel industry is one of the lucrative ventures which provide a lot of services to people. It has globally aided many countries in terms of revenue generation. A country’s revenue system can work effectively if the hotel industry pays their tax rate allocated to them. The hotel industry provides services like accommodation, food, entertainment and health and fitness to people. The objective of the study was to find out the role of the hotel industry in the development of Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region of Ghana. All the workers of the selected hotels in Wa Municipality constituted the sample. Four hotels were selected for the study by the use of systematic and simple random sampling. Sixty (60) respondents were selected for the study. The study found out that the hotel industry of Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region of Ghana provide jobs for people, provide accommodation for visitors, support revenue generation of Wa Municipal Assembly. The study further found out that the hotel industry in Wa is faced with challenges such as energy crises, high tax rate, high water and electricity bills. The study recommends that the government of Ghana should reduce the tax rate of the hotel industry, reduce the electricity and water bills of hotels, and provide a good regulatory framework to enhance their operations.