Nigeria

This study employed the stochastic frontier cost function to measure the level of economic efficiency and its determinants in small-scale sweet potato production in Imo State, Nigeria on gender basis. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 sweet potato farmers (64 females and 56 males) in the State in the year 2008. The parameters of the stochastic frontier cost function were estimated using the maximum likelihood method.

This paper aims at making a point that reducing gender disparities would promote agricultural productivity in the country. The study was carried out through a survey of 140 small-scale plantain farming households in Remo Division of Ogun State, Nigeria. This comprised of 62 female-farmers and 78 male-farmers heading households. The female-headed households suffered less access to credit facilities and farm land; however, they experienced averagely higher productivity and farm revenue.

Igberi and Awoke an empirical record on the production and marketing of cassava in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study collected data through multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques. Two hundred forty farmers were interviewed (120 men and 120 women) and data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of the data shows that income level, access to markets, equipment and appropriate technology, level of education, access to education, access to extension services, and technology are all challenges to cassava production.

Sweet potato is a food crop that is increasingly being recognized as having an important role to play in improving household and national food security, health and livelihoods of poor families in sub-Saharan Africa. A baseline survey was conducted in six states in Southwest Nigeria on traditional processing methods of sweet potato flour for amala (a stiff paste meal), consumption status of sweet potato amala and level of awareness of orange-fleshed sweet potato variety.

Throughout sub-Saharan Africa there are a number of initiatives aiming to improve the effectiveness of staple crop value chains as part of a broader discourse around markets and poverty reduction. Staple crops, such as cassava, are often considered as an entry point for targeting market interventions to the rural poor, particularly women. However, initial findings from fieldwork in Nigeria and Malawi show a much more complex picture of the role of cassava and cassava markets in men and women's livelihoods, which varies by location, ethnicity, and life-stage of individuals.

This study was conducted to analyse the determinants of sweetpotato production on the livelihood strategies of the male and female sweetpotato producers in Ebonyi State. A multi-stage randomized sampling procedure was used to collect cross sectional data in 2014. Data collected from 120 Sweetpotato producers were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordered probit analyses. The results of the study showed that the mean age of male and female farmers was about 30 and 40 years respectively.

The study analyzed the influence of personal and socio-economic characteristics of small scale farmers on sweet potato production in south east agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Specifically the study identified the personal and socio-economic characteristics of sweet potato farmers in south east agroecological zone of Nigeria and also determined the influence of these personal and socio-economic characteristics of farmers on sweet potato production in the zone and its implications for extension and food security.

The study was designed to investigate into the level of cassava commercialization, extent of gender effects and other
factors on household commercialization index (HCI) of cassava in both rural and peri-urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study
used a stratified random sampling technique to select 50 cassava farmers each from Etche and Ekwerre LGAs of the state (i.e. 100
farmers in all). A set of structured questionnaire and interview schedule was used to retrieve information from the farmers. Data

Improving the effectiveness of agricultural markets for economic growth and poverty reduction has been a central focus for development initiatives, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Staple crops with low input requirements and drought tolerance, such as cassava, are being promoted for market development due to their accessibility for poor smallholder farmers. Narratives often equate commercialization of cassava to benefits for women, as cassava is commonly labelled a 'women's crop'.

The study was conducted to assess the determinants of sweet potato marketing efficiency in Nasarawa State and FCT. Multistage sampling method was used for the study. One hundred and twenty sweetpotato marketers were randomly selected from the eight markets of Nasarawa State and FCT. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression model were used in analyzing data. The result revealed that the study area was dominated by male sweetpotato marketers.