Postharvest Practices and Economic Outcomes in the Cocoa Industry: Insights from Licensed Buying Agents in Southwest Nigeria

1. Introduction Cocoa production is integral to Nigeria’s agricultural economy, particularly in the Southwest region, which accounts for a significant share of the nation’s output. This region benefits from favorable agroecological conditions, such as loamy soils, tropical climate, and a structured farming economy, which collectively make it conducive to high-quality cocoa cultivation [23][15]. Despite these … Read more

Assessing Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Safer Vegetables in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction The demand for vegetables has increased dramatically worldwide, in part because of urbanization (see, [29]) and the widespread perception that vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that promote health and vitality [26].For optimum health and vitality, 400g or more of vegetables should be consumed each day [27]. For the nutrition of … Read more

MicroRNA: One Of The Stress Fighters Plays Crucial Role In Resilience Of Rice To Changing Climatic Conditions

INTRODUCTION In the present century of global climate change, environmental factors (abiotic as well as biotic) are adversely affecting the growth, development, and productivity of crop plants. Abiotic stresses including drought, flooding, low light, heat, cold, salinity, etc., resulting from unpredicted climate change, pose significant constraints to crop production and the nutritional quality of the … Read more

Profitability and Efficiency of Cassava Production in Ekiti State, Nigeria

1. Introduction Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a staple crop that plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic systems. Renowned for its resilience and adaptability, cassava serves as a primary carbohydrate source and a key contributor to food security, particularly in the southern regions of the country. Nigeria is recognized as the world’s leading … Read more

Assessing Technical, Economic, and Allocative Efficiencies of Maize-Rice-Based Farmers Across Scale Economies in Southwest Nigeria

1. Introduction Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, playing a vital role in its gross domestic product (GDP) and serving as the primary source of employment for the majority of the population [15] [29] [3]. In Southwest Nigeria, maize-rice cropping systems hold particular importance, as both maize and rice are not only … Read more