Preface

This book, *Agricultural Economics*, discusses pertinent aspects of agricultural economics and rural development. It is divided into three sections. The first section consists of four chapters that examine case studies of agricultural/rural development-related projects and activities. Chapter 1 examines the impact of off-season summer tomato cultivation on the income and food security of growers. The study reveals a positive impact of off-season tomato cultivation on growers' income. Consumption expenditure and food security status of tomato growers are also observed to increase significantly in comparison to non-growers. Chapter 2 discusses the effect of the Agropolitan project in Malaysia on rural development and poverty eradication. The study finds that the Agropolitan project led to a significant increase in income and a move out of poverty for participants. Chapter 3 discusses government activities on social protection and safety nets in Bangladesh. Chapter 4 uses a qualitative content approach to examine the value chain of brandy production. This study finds that contract farming is beneficial to both processing companies and smallholder farmers. The second section reviews factors affecting the efficiency of vegetable production and the basics of good business plans for small-scale agribusiness investors in Nigeria. Chapter 5 looks at three frontline crops in Nigeria: tomato, pepper, and onion. The study recommends that increased awareness of stakeholders on optimum levels of resource use is germane to increasing agricultural productivity of these vegetables. Chapter 6 provides a synthesis of planning small-scale entrepreneurial skills to guide the current and prospective micro investors to harness wide ranges of agribusiness value chains in Nigeria. The third and final section includes Chapter 7, which deals with farmers' knowledge of a novel method of livestock production called organic livestock farming. The chapter highlights the need to improve farmers' knowledge of this novel method through the strengthening of an extension service system.

> **Dr. Ifeoluwapo O. Amao and Dr. Iyabo B. Adeoye** National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria

Section 1 Case Studies
