This paper explores the nexus between agricultural production, renewable energy, foreign direct investment (FDI), and carbon emissions in Africa, where there is limited evidence on the topic. Relying on panel data covering thirty-one African countries obtained from the World Bank World Development Indicators and FAOSTAT databases, we answered the question of whether agricultural production (proxied by livestock production, fertilizer consumption, and land under cereal cultivation), the use of renewable energy, and FDI increase or reduce carbon emissions. Using the panel autoregressive distributed lag model for analysis, our results show that net FDI, fertilizer consumption, livestock production significantly increased carbon emissions, both in the short run and long run. Meanwhile, renewable energy use consumption significantly decreased carbon emissions, both in the short run and long run. Specifically, a 1% increase in net FDI increased total carbon emissions by 0.003% in the short run and by 0.01% in the long run. Renewable energy consumption significantly decreased carbon emissions, both in the short run and long run. A 1% increase in renewable energy consumption decreased total carbon emissions by 0.16% in the short run and by 0.22% in the long run. Additionally, fertilizer consumption and livestock production significantly increased carbon emissions in the short run and long run. A 1% increase in fertilizer consumption increased total carbon emissions by 0.01% in the short run and by 0.04% in the long run, while a 1% increase in livestock production increased total carbon emissions by 0.20% in the short run and by 0.56% in the long run. The findings call for investment in renewable energy technologies and consumption while advocating for large-scale uptake of climate-smart agriculture, and environmentally friendly targeted foreign direct investments on the continent.

Profitability of rice production in different production systems in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was evaluated. Rice is critical for food security in Nigeria, hence, farmers need to make appropriate choices of rice production systems to optimize production and ensure an adequate domestic supply. This study used 2015 survey data from rice farming households. Rice farmers in swamp, lowland and upland rice production systems showed variability in profit. Swamp production systems had the highest return per hectare (29.37%) followed by lowland production systems (20.10%) and upland production systems (13.03%). Poor access to production credit and climate change were constraints to rice production in the area. Rice production using the swamp production system is profitable and would ensure increased production and higher returns to the farmers. It is recommended that farmers should form cooperative groups to enable them to pool resources together to boost their production.

This study analyzed the interrelationships between participation in MFRMs and dietary diversity of poultry farming households in Southeast Nigeria. We used cross-sectional data from poultry farmers in Southeast Nigeria and employed instrumental variable and seemingly unrelated regression models to estimate the impact of MFRM participation and major linkages to poultry farm households’ dietary diversity. The results show that participating in MFRMs, relative to traditional markets, improved poultry farmers’ dietary diversity. Moreover, dietary diversity was positively related to higher poultry farm incomes, higher value of own poultry products consumed, and larger area of vegetable cultivated using poultry droppings as manure. Furthermore, increased poultry farm income, higher value of own poultry products consumed, and larger area of vegetable land cultivated using poultry droppings as manure increased the dietary diversity of the farm households. In contrast, a higher share of poultry production revenue controlled by men reduced household dietary diversity. These findings make clear the potential of improving farming households’ nutrition outcomes by promoting participation in MFRMs and the major impact pathways.

Land is a vital resource for agricultural productivity and economic growth. Inequalities in access and rights to land by male and female farmers could hamper agricultural productivity. The study assessed the gender gap in land rights and access to agricultural production in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo state, Nigeria. The study identified the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area; determined the farmer's access to land; ascertained the land rights of the farmers; determined the socio-economic factors influencing access to land in the study area. It was hypothesized that there were no significant differences in the access to land by male and female farmers. Ninety-six (96) male and female farmers were sampled, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages, Ordinary Least Square Regression and t-test. Results showed that the mean farm size of male and female farmers was 0.2842 hectares and 0.1842 hectares. All male farmers had the right to land, while a few female farmers had the right to land. The result showed that age, income and education significantly affect male and female farmers’ access to land and that there were significant gender gaps in access to land. The study recommended the provision of agricultural credits to enable farmers to acquire land for agricultural production.

Bio-fortified maize is a viable intervention for addressing micronutrient deficiencies and enhancing food security, particularly among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This study examined the preferences and utilization of bio-fortified maize among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 120 maize farmers, and data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Binary Probit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicate that the majority (58.80%) of farmers were male, with an average household size of six persons. The mean farming experience was 28 years, with an average farm size of 1.56 hectares. Awareness of bio-fortified maize was high (97%), with radio (53.3%) and extension agents (51.7%) being the primary sources of information. The findings show that 60.83% of the farmers utilize bio-fortified maize, mainly for household consumption and market sales. Farmers preferred bio-fortified maize for its high yield (mean = 3.39), resistance to pests (mean = 2.97), and health benefits (mean = 3.68). Factors such as age, years of formal education, farm size, farm income, and extension contact significantly influenced utilization decisions at 1% level of significance. Major constraints to utilization included high labour costs (62.93%), poor storage facilities (62.07%), inadequate capital (61.20%), and limited access to bio-fortified seeds (28.45%). The study concludes that farmers were aware of bio-fortified maize and utilized it in the study area. It is recommended that market linkages should be strengthened and production constraints addressed to further optimize the use of bio-fortified maize, thereby increasing the nutritional outcomes in rural communities.