Adding value through the mechanization of post-harvest cassava processing,and its impact on household poverty in north-eastern Zambia

This article investigates the impact of adopting a mechanized cassava processing system on household poverty levels in Zambia. An Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure was used to compare poverty levels among households using a mechanized cassava processing system against those households using a nonmechanized process. Based on the FGT poverty measure’s specifications, a significantly lower poverty status of 49% was found among households using the mechanized process when compared to the 58% found among households using the nonmechanized process. The significant factors contributing to these differences in poverty levels include whether households are using a mechanized process or not, the number of years’ schooling among household members, the number of years’ farming experience, household income and membership of associations. The study concludes that the mechanization of cassava processing, particularly if done on the right scale, can transform primary production activities, in turn leading to higher incomes and reduced poverty levels in rural villages. Thus, policies should be introduced aimed at encouraging the promotion of mechanized post-harvest cassava processing technologies among rural households, so as to enhance crop productivity and household income levels, as well as reduce poverty among rural households.     

The value of education in small‐scale agriculture: Some evidence from Ogun State,Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the value of education in Ogun State agriculture using the production function framework. The results indicate that education contributes substantially to agricultural production in the State. The allocative effect of increased education was found to be more important than the worker effect while the input‐selection component of the allocative effect was more important than the input‐allocation component. Thus involvement in farmers’ education or a successful policy at luring educated persons into agriculture can be expected to bring about increased agricultural production in the State and, by extension, the entire country.     

Immigration and Chinese food preferences in the Greater Toronto Area

This paper presents important socio‐economic characteristics of Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the impact of these characteristics and acculturation on their expenditure on and consumption of ethnic vegetables. These consumers purchase ethnic vegetables based on attributes such as quality, traceable production, versatility and language. The factors that predict expenditure on ethnic vegetables among Chinese Canadians are as follows: the percentage spent on food out of total monthly income, years spent in Canada and acculturation. The estimated demand per month for Chinese ethnic vegetables in the GTA is $CAD21 million. Meeting this demand with ever more locally produced vegetables will reduce ‘food miles’, enhance niche market production and facilitate greater agricultural sustainability in Ontario.