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The results of the analysis showed that over the period growth rates of cassava production are 63.1, 5718 and 122.1 percent and the compound rates of growth of cassava area are 87.7, 610 and 6.69 percent for the pre-Structural Adjustment Programme, Structural Adjustment Programme and post-Structural Adjustment Programme periods respectively. Cassava productivity during post-SAP periods experienced relatively lower instabilitycompared to other two periods. However, stagnation was confirmed during the pre-SAP and SAP period. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the growth of cassava production in the post Structural Adjustment Programme period implies that the policy reforms in the period has favoured the effective increased in the growth of cassava production over that of other periods in Nigeria. Therefore, SAP programme despite growth in the production itdoes not significantly favors the productivity of cassava in Nigeria. The study, therefore, suggest consolidation of various initiatives and programmes by the Federal Government in the expansion and promotion of cassava toachieve higher yield in order to curb the widespread of food insecurity in the country.

This research presents empirical analysis of economies of scale and cost efficiency of small scale maize production in Niger State of Nigeria, using multi stage sampling technique to elicit farm level survey data from 120 farmers in the study area via interview and administration of validated pre-tested questionnaire. Cobb-Douglas Cost stochastic frontier function was used to analyze the data collected. The results shows that there is a relative presence of economies of scale among the farmers meaning that an average farm in the sampled area produce at a minimum cost considering the size of the farm which is an indication that they operates in stage II of production surface (stage of efficient utilization of resource). This was further collaborated by the mean cost efficiency of 0.96 obtained from the data analysis which shows that an average farm in the sample area was about 96 percent close to the frontier cost, indicating that they are relatively efficient in allocating their scarce resources. The result ofthe analysis indicate that presence of cost inefficiency effects in the maize production as depicted by the significant estimated gamma coefficient of about 0.98 and the generalized likelihood ratio test result obtained from the data analysis.

This study attempts a proper empirical identification of their poverty status and the reasons for their poverty, through a profile of poverty incidence, manifestations and causes of rural poverty in Niger State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed in enumerating sixty farming household from four communities via administration of pre-tested questionnaire; viz., Kuta, Gwada, Mutum-daya. Data collected were analysed using both Descriptive, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) model and Probit regression model.. For poor farmers, results indicated that the incidence of poverty was more among older farmers, and less among younger farmers. Results of the analysis of the FGT model showed that 36.6 percent of the farming households were poor. Based on the indices of the poverty depth, poor farmers required N 39.86 to escape poverty. However, there were some socio-economic factors which exacerbate poverty. Since livelihood status remained below the required levels for large parts of the rural populace during this research, identified poor households should be targeted for safety nets. Furthermore, the study therefore, suggests that poverty alleviation programs must focus on those factors which aggravate poverty, in order to employ several specialized approaches to tackle these multifarious problems.

The study applied a stochastic frontier profit function to measure profit efficiency of Egusi melon farmers’ in Bida LGA of Niger State, Nigeria, there by examining the opportunities available to the farmers in the LGA. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 125 Egusi melon farmers’ from Bida LGA. The average profit efficiency of 87 percent indicates that an estimated 13 percent of the profit was lost owing to a mixture of both technical and allocative inefficiencies in Egusi melon production. In other words, profit efficiency among the sample farmers can be increased by 13 percent through improved use of existing production resources, given the current state of technology. From the inefficiency model, it was found that education, farm experience, access to credit, membership of cooperative, soil management techniques and extension contact were positively significant factors influencing profit efficiency. Consequently, investments in farmers’ education through effective extension delivery programmes and provision of credit will help farmers’ to increase their profit efficiency.

The results revealed that there was a high literacy level among sample farmers (95.4 percent) which is enough to support information on technology use. On an average total cost of 403139 was incurred while total revenue of 631316 was realized with a gross margin of 356906 and net income of 228177 per hectare per annum. The rate of return on investment of 0.56 implies that for every one naira invested, a return of 1.56 and a profit of 0.56 were obtained with production efficiency index of 1.56 reaffirming the ingenuity of the considerable level of profitability achieved in the enterprise. This showed that fish production in the study area was economically rewarding and profitable. It is capable of creating employment, augmenting income and improving the standards of living of the people. The government participation in fish farming is solicited to boost the quantity of fish available for consumption.

This study investigates the profitability of small scale maize production in Niger state of Nigeria using farm budgeting technique. The results showed that 67 percent of the farmers were male, 76 percent were within the economically active age brackets, while 68 percent had non-formal education. The cost and return analysis indicated that maize production was profitable with an average net farm income of N48, 109.00 per ha, and a gross ratio of 0.39; a production efficiency index (2.50) per farmer further adjudged the profitability of the enterprise, that is, the returns cover the cost of production almost three times. As maize is one of the most important staple foods of great socio-economic value in the study area, an improvement in the understanding of the level of profitability can greatly aid policy makers in enhancing policies that will promote profitability in production of the crop. In addition, improved access to farmlands, acquisition of formal education, improving rural financial markets and strengthening the existing extension services were recommended to improve profitability in maize production in the area.