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The vulnerable group is susceptible to various economic and social challenges. Understanding their livelihood is a prerequisite to addressing these menaces. Therefore, this study assessed the livelihoods of the vulnerable group and the factors responsible for their diversification in rural southwest Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, the Simpson index, and the Tobit regression model. Results revealed that food crop production, cash crop production, livestock and fishing, forest and forest products, artisanship, remittances, wages and salaries from non-agriculture, and trading were the different means of livelihood among the rural vulnerable group. All the vulnerable groups derived income from farming. Cash crops, food crops, and livestock and fishing contributed 26.1%, 22.7% and 17.9% to household income, respectively. Thus, agriculture contributed the most (66.7%) to their total household income. This is followed by wages and salaries from non-agriculture (12.1%), trading (9.3%), artisanship (8.1%), remittance (2.2%) and forest and forest products (2.0%). The vulnerable group had a low level of livelihood diversification. Educational level, farming experience, total income, access to credit, age, and distance to the market were responsible for their level of livelihood diversification. This calls for government and non-governmental intervention to support the vulnerable group by providing financial assistance (credit or grants), farming inputs, and education to improve their livelihood and enhance their livelihood diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The growing level of food insecurity and poverty in developing nations, especially among rural households, requires more effort and measures to curb it. Engaging in vegetable production by rural households can play a significant role in alleviating poverty, improving their nutritional status and livelihood. This study, therefore, investigates the effect of vegetable production on rural farmers’ income and households’ livelihood in Nigeria. Methods and Results: Data collected from 400 vegetable farming households were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results revealed that vegetable farming is a femaledominated venture (89.4% females). The regression results revealed that vegetable output had a positive and significant effect on rural households’ income. Other factors that influenced farmers’ income were household size, access to credit and farm size. Furthermore, vegetable production had positive effects on rural households’ livelihood by providing employment, income, basic needs, food, paying for school fees, improving their nutritional status and standard of living. Pests and diseases, poor storage facilities, postharvest loss, inadequate credit facilities, high cost of inputs, poor knowledge of irrigation, poor transportation and poor extension services were the severe constraints faced in vegetable production. Conclusions: It can be inferred that vegetable production contributed immensely to rural households’ economic status, livelihood and wellbeing. Although, the venture was faced with some challenges. Therefore, the provision of accessible and affordable credit facilities by banks, government and non-governmental organizations to the farmers is important as this would encourage them, curb most of the constraints and increase their income. Significance and Impact of the Study: Understanding the effects of vegetable production on the income and livelihoods of rural dwellers will enhance participation. Therefore, the outcome of this study would allow policymakers to intervene in its production in view to lower poverty and malnutrition, and improve rural households’ wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technical inefficiencies of crop production system in terms of large-scale irrigation schemes are major problems attributed to the underperformance of crop farms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate and compare farm-level technical efficiencies of four major crop productions system including, pepper, okra, garden egg, and tomato under the large-scale Kampe-Omi irrigation scheme, Nigeria. The data development analysis (DEA) approach was used to study the hypothesized determinants affecting the efficiencies of crop farms using an ordinary least squares regression model. The results showed that the selected pepper, okra, garden egg, and tomato crop farms were fully efficient at 20, 10, 16.92, and 40% under constant return to scale (CRS), and at 13.33, 30, 10.77, and 25.71% under variable return to scale (VRS), respectively. DEA revealed a considerable variation in technical inefficiency among the selected crop farms under the irrigation scheme. The significant determinants of technical efficiencies of the four crop farms include farmers' age, family size, experience, alternative income, education, credit accessibility, and contact with extension agents. The outcomes of this study are useful for improving production efficiencies while serving as a convenient guide for both farmers and irrigation scheme managers of selected crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey marketing is an important off-farm economic activity for women's livelihood and sustenance. Despite this, there is scant information in the literature about the economic performance of women honey marketers. Therefore, this study investigates the economic performance of women marketers, its drivers, and its challenges. Data collected from 120 women honey marketers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross profit, net profit, benefit-cost ratio, return on capital invested, operating ratio, marketing margin, and multiple regression. We found that honey marketing was a profitable venture, as indicated by the high gross profit (USD 262.08), net income (USD 257.03), marketing margin (56%), benefit-cost ratio (1.72), and return on capital invested (0.72) per 58.14 liters sold. Honey marketing also had a low operating ratio of 0.57. Thus, women honey marketers performed economically well. The significant factors that enhanced the profitability of honey marketing were education, experience in honey marketing, credit, and membership in an association. While age, purchasing costs, and transportation costs reduced honey marketing profitability. Inadequate capital and credit, price fluctuations, a poor road network, high transportation costs, adulteration, and poor marketing information were the major severe constraints faced in honey marketing. These call for the provision of credit, training, and education to honey marketers by the government to enhance the profitability of the enterprise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]