J.E Oboh

The study examined the contribution of small-scale poultry farming to poverty reduction in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. 120 small-scale poultry farmers were selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistic, the Foster Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) poverty model and probit regression model. The socio-economic analysis revealed that more than half of the farmers (55.83%) were
male while about 44.17% were females. The mean age of the farmers was 48 years, while the majority were married and had secondary education. The average farming experience was 9 years. Majority (70%) of the farmers were married. The mean monthly income was ₦111,763.00. Results of the FGT poverty analysis showed a poverty depth index of 0.1305 and a poverty severity index of 0.0413. The result obtained from the probit regression showed that household size had a positive and significant influence on poverty status at a 1% level. Major constraints identified included high feed cost, inadequate capital, disease outbreaks,
poor electricity supply, and limited market access. The study concludes that small-scale poultry farming contributes significantly to poverty. It is recommended that government and stakeholders enhance farmers’ access to affordable feeds, credit facilities, veterinary services, and reliable market outlets to strengthen the sector’s poverty-reducing potential

This study assessed the Human Development Index (HDI) of mango farmers in Esan South-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, with a focus on their socioeconomic characteristics, income sources, constraints, and the contribution of mango farming to household welfare. Using a two stage sampling procedure, 94 mango farmers were surveyed through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Likert-scale analysis, and the UNDP HDI methodology were employed for data
analysis. Results revealed a predominantly male (72.3%), middle-aged (mean 45years) farming population with moderate education (mean 9 years) and experience (mean 18 years). Mango farming was the primary income source (mean ₦297,414.89 annually), contributing 38.21% to household welfare, particularly in savings, food, and education. The estimated HDI was 0.665 (medium), with high longevity (0.862), low education (0.503), and medium standard of living (0.681). Major constraints included poor road networks (mean 3.81), high input costs (3.66), and postharvest losses (3.59). Findings align with studies showing that human development indices significantly influence agricultural output in Nigeria, where investments in health and education yield long-term productivity gains. The study recommends enhanced extension services, credit access, and infrastructure development to improve mango farmers’ HDI and livelihoods