Economic Analysis of Irrigated Irish Potato Production in Plateau State
The study examined the economics of irrigated Irish potato production in Plateau State. A multistage sampling technique using purposive and systematic random sampling was used to obtain data from a sample size of 120 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Gross Margin Analysis, Benefit –Cost Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis. Results reveals that majority of the farmers were educated (64.17%) adults (58.33%) with long years (97%) of experience in Irish potato irrigation farming, and owned an average of 0.7 hectares of irrigated farm land each. Cost and Return analysis revealed that costs of seeds, labor and chemical fertilizers made up the highest (89.40%) portion of the average total variable cost of production. Results also revealed that irrigated Irish potato production in Plateau State is a profitably lucrative enterprise with a robust economic viability as shown by values  of Gross Margin ( N 655,637.88), benefit–Cost Ratio (2.64) and Sensitivity Analysis ratio (2.16). The study recommends expansion in irrigated Irish potato farm lands in addition to adoption of technologies that will minimize cost of seeds, labor and chemical fertilizers. Keywords: Gross Margin, Benefit, Cost, Sensitivity, Profitability.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN NORTHERN GHANA THROUGH INDIGENOUS RURAL ENTERPRISES
Women in Northern Ghana are engaged in unpaid family labor which makes them financially handicapped yet they remain a major force behind the upkeep of their households as their husbands do little about the development of the households. This study sought to identify the most lucrative indigenous rural enterprises that can financially empower women in Northern Ghana to promote development of their households. Twelve communities in the Nadowli District were purposively sampled. Ten households in each of the selected communities were randomly selected for the study. The study revealed that most of the women were illiterates and as a result were not absorbed into formal employment. They earned incomes from indigenous rural enterprises which were far lower than their expenditures. The indigenous rural enterprises identified were dawadawa processing (fermented dried seeds of the African locust bean Parkia biglobosa, usually pressed into balls to prepare condiment very rich in protein and used as a natural sauce for preparing stews, soups, barbecue etc.), shea butter extraction, charcoal burning, pito brewing, and groundnut production. A combination of dawadawa processing and groundnut production was found to be the most lucrative venture followed by a combination of dawadawa processing, groundnut production and charcoal burning, then dawadawa processing and sheabutter extraction. The single most lucrative indigenous rural enterprise was dawadawa processing followed by pito brewing. Very few women, however, were found to be engaged in these lucrative enterprises. It could be concluded that the women could not raise enough revenue from their economic activities due to their inability to identify the most lucrative combination of indigenous rural enterprises.
Women and fascism
This seminal book challenges the common assumption that fascism is a misogynist movement which has tended to exclude women. Using examples from Germany, Italy and France, Durham analyses the rise of women in fascist organizations across Europe from the early twenties to the present. Unusually, however, the author focuses on British fascism and in doing so he offers valuable new perspectives on fascist attitudes to women. Offering interesting examples of women training in armed combat, and more generally as voters and members of fascist organizations, he highlights women's relationship to fascist policies on birth rate, abortion and eugenics.