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The research was carried out to identify the possible constraints and development of strategic policies in expanding and improving cassava production and processing amongst cassava value chain actors in Cross River State, Nigeria. Data generated from the research the 150 cassava producers and processors (cassava value chain actors) through the use of well- define structured interview schedule was collated. The Multistage sampling procedure was adopted in selection of farmer respondents. The multivariate analytical technique was used in analyzing generated data employing the statistical application software of Genstat version 12. The eigen value, percentage variations and loading values contributing to low cassava output were used in achieving the objectives. The results showed that the major constraints to cassava production and processing were agronomic, technical/institutional and financial constraints. The major policy strategies should include a global, national, regional and community strategies all geared towards the evolution of industry analysis for improving cassava productivity in the study area through the development of the traditional farming systems, making good planting material accessible to farmers and on time and at lowest possible prices; the provision of credit facilities to the resource poor cassava –based farmers in the area with no collateral; the establishment of cassava product based cottage industries in the area for cassava value chain development; provision of adequate cassava processing equipment and the formation of cassava farmers’ multipurpose cooperative societies to enhance farmers’ access to benefit from world bank assisted programmes; have free access to basic information and production facilities. The study, therefore, recommended that cassava product based cottage industries be established in the study area in order to encourage both producers and processors in the value addition chain. This will also provide employment and likewise encourage the restive youths in the region to venture into agriculture as a business for economic returns, growth and development of the area. The identified constraints with the higher loading values for each of the principal multivariate should be strengthened using appropriate development strategies/policies to ensure food security and increased farm income for cassava – based farmers in the region.

Formal agricultural loan is an important tool in agricultural development and key to agricultural modernization. This is because this source of loans enables farmers to have access to production inputs as well as adopt modern farm technologies. For agricultural development to be achieved and sustained, agricultural loan is required especially in the rural areas where majority of the populace are engaged in agriculture. The study set out to analyse the determinants of agricultural loan access from formal sources in Cross River State central agricultural zone, Nigeria and proffer policy recommendations based on the findings. A three-stage random sampling technique was employed to get a total of 100 respondents with the use of a detailed structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression model were used to analyse the data. Result of the analysis showed that socio-economic characteristics of farmers such as: age, gender, occupational status, household size, educational level, farming experience, farm size, farm income, off- farm income, and labour use by respondents determined farmers access or otherwise to loan from formal sources and result of the logit regression model showed that age, education, farm size, collateral, farm income and cooperative membership all affected access of loan from formal sources positively, while farm experience do not determine access of loan from formal sources. The following recommendations were made: farmers in the area should be encouraged by government to enhance their educational level, more farmland should also be made available to increase their farm size and cooperative society’s membership should be encouraged by government.

Rapid rate of urbanization as a result of provision of improved infrastructural facilities in the cities has resulted in massive rural-urban migration of young people to cities in Nigeria and in other parts of the World. This has led to over-population and food insecurity among the urban people. Feeding over-populated towns has been a considerable challenge to governments of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Several strategies had been employed by the past Nigerian governments. The practice of urban mixed-cropping, whereby the urbanites grow two or more crops simultaneously in small plots or using available materials like worn-out tyres, plastic pots, sacks and wheelbarrow among other things, has helped to improve urban household food security, enhance household income and provide job opportunities, among others. Urban mixed-crop farmers are facing many constraints like agricultural land scarcity, conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses and difficulty in acquisition of micro-credit from banks which hinder their effectiveness. It was recommended that land reforms by governments should put into effect increased access by landless urban mixed-crop farmers to available unused government land to cultivate. Also, banks and extension agencies should extend micro-credit and extension services to urban mixed- crop farmers in Nigeria and in other countries in the world.