Assessment of Processors and Marketers of Sheabutter (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.) in Zuru Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria

The study examined the processing and marketing of Shea butter in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria to identify the  socioeconomic characteristics of Shea butter processors and marketers, the average cost and return of Shea butter processors and marketers and the determinant variables of profitability among the Shea butter processors. The study covered five District Areas of Dabai, Manga, Rafin Zuru, Rikoto and Senchi. Four villages from each of the districts were purposively  selected. Four respondents were randomly selected from each of the villages giving a total sample size of 80 respondents while structured questionnaires were administered and retrieved. The data collected were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, profitability and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study indicated that, average age of Shea butter processors and marketers was 45years with 71.2% married. Majority of the respondents (68.8%) had a family size of 1-10 members, while 43.7% of Shea butter processors and marketers had attained at least one form of formal education or the other. About 46.3% of Shea butter processors made ₦1 – ₦300 profit per week. The total profit made by the processors and marketers of Shea butter were ₦33,150.00 and ₦41,130.00 respectively, while the average profit made were ₦414.38 and ₦514.13 per week. Rate of return in Shea butter business is 30.19. The benefit cost ratio is 1.30, indicating that revenue from the business is able to cover the total cost. The regression co-efficient with respect to the variables used had a very low co-efficient of multiple determination R2 (0.243). The major problems of Shea butter processors in the study area include long time processing, inadequate capital and transportation cost. Since Shea butter business is profitable; women in the rural areas should therefore be encouraged by the Local, State and Federal Government to enhance their enterprise.Key Words: Shea butter, Non-timber Forest Products, Processors, Marketin

Livestock: An alternative mosquito control measure

A survey was conducted to investigate the indigenous methods or measures adopted by urban livestock owners in the control of mosquito in Sokoto metropolis. Fifty (50) respondents who were engaged in urban livestock production were conveniently sampled, In addition, five (5) locations (Sidi farm, Kara market, Sokoto Cinema, Gidan Ashana, U/Rogo) where animals were kept overnight in large flocks/herds were purposively selected. Data was collected on size and type of animal kept, methods of mosquito control, strategies for eliminating breeding sites, methods of protecting animals from mosquito bite etc. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test was used to analyse the data collected. Results showed that the majority of the respondents raised cattle, goats and sheep due to economic benefit obtained from them. Respondents were small scale cattle and average goat and sheep farmers that generally kept their animals tethered at night. It was observed that the population density of mosquitoes was higher in the animal pen than the human room and among the preventive measures employed by the respondents, most used smoke to repel mosquitoes from both animal pen and human room. It can therefore be concluded that there exists a link between human and livestock population particularly in diverting the vector host (mosquito) away from the humans. The livestock are prevented from mosquito bite by smoke, spray and clean environment

Antibacterial potentials of aqueous extract of Enantia chlorantha stem bark

The antibacterial potentials of aqueous extract of Enantia chlorantha stem bark at varying concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg/ml was investigated by measuring the zones of inhibition produced after incubation on nutrient agar. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus substilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhymurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used as test organisms. The results revealed that the zones of inhibition on the bacterial isolates increased (P < 0.05) as the concentration of the plant extract increased. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration produced by the extract on the gram positive bacteria were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the gram negative bacteria. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Enantia chlorantha stem bark possessed antibacterial activities on the clinical isolates with more antibacterial effect on the gram-positive than the gram-negative bacteria. The identified alkaloids might be responsible for the antibacterial activities

Resource-Use Efficiency in Rice Production Under Small Scale Irrigation in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State

The study was conducted in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State to appraise the efficiency of the resources used in rice production under small scale irrigation. The specific objectives of the study were to determine resource use efficiency, describe socio-economic characteristics of irrigated rice growers and identify constraints to irrigated rice production among respondents. Data were collected using purposive simple random Sampling techniques involving three villages and sixty rice farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and production function analysis. Data were fitted to two functional forms based on the OLS techniques. The Cobb-Douglas (power function) production function gave the best fit in terms of R2 value and number of significant variables. The results revealed that 90.0% of the variation in dependent variable is explained by the independent variables. All the co-efficient carried positive signs. The result revealed that fertilizer, labour and land were being used inefficiently hence below optimum economic level. This was attested by the high ratios (greater than unity) of MVP/MFC of all the variables. For optimum resource allocation to fertilizer, labour and land about 85.7%, 83.3% and 69% increase in MVP is required respectively. The estimated elasticity of production summed up to 0.815 meaning decreasing return to scale. Major problems include lack of adequate fertilizer, capital and access to land. Agricultural Policies should be directed toward provision of farming input such as fertilizer and effective extension services for efficient resources utilization

Urine Burn Dermatitis in a Two Year-Old Sudanese Ewe

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 238 - 24

Phytochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Root and Leaf Extracts of Calotropis procera

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of water, methanol and ethanol extracts obtained from root and leaf of Calotropis procera were investigated. Antibacterial growth inhibition was determined using Ditch method against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyrogenes. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and cardiac glycosides, balsams and volatile oil and steroids with higher amount in water extracts. The concentration of the phytochemical constituents were in the order of water &gt; methanol &gt; ethanol. Water extracts showed broad spectrum activity against the tested organisms at concentrations of 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/ml. Methanol and ethanol extracts did not show a significant effect against the tested organisms at 120 mg/ml as compared with those of tetracycline. The result of this study validates the use of water extract of this species in ethnomedicine and could provide a lead in the isolation of antibacterial agents from water extracts of Calotropis procera

Factors influencing Consumer Preference for Fresh Beef in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

A total of 90 Household heads (15 from each of the six electoral wards of Sokoto metropolis) were randomly selected and interviewed to identify factors that affect preference for fresh beef and to determine the nature of the relationship. Factors identified were; household size, educational level, occupation, expenditure on beef, and expenditure on beef substitutes. A quadratic regression model was found to best explain the relationship between preference and the factors identified. Household size, level of education and expenditure on beef substitutes were significantly related to preference for fresh beef (P&lt;0.01), However, occupation and expenditure on beef did not influence preference (P&gt;0.05). As expected expenditure on beef substitutes tends to decrease preference for beef. Beef has been found to be preferred over other sources of meats.Keywords: Consumer, Preference, fresh beef, Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeri

Severe gastric impaction in an 8-Year-old Nigerian local dog

An 8-year old male, neutered Nigerian indigenous dog was presented to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sokoto because of chronic intermittent vomiting, off feed and progressive wasting. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed hard mass in the abdominal cavity. Survey abdominal radiography (lateral view) revealed impacted material along with electrical wire in the stomach. Standard gastrotomy was successfully performed to evacuate the gastric foreign body.Keywords: Dog, Foreign Body, Gastrotomy, Pica, Radiograph

Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa.

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context