CONTRIBUTION OF FORMAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CASSAVA PROCESSING IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study was carried out to assess the contribution of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs) to income of cassava processors in Benue state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 234 cassava processors from 18 communities in the state. Data on credit sources and uses, processing activities and income were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the impact of the credit was assessed using the before and after comparison. The result shows that about a third of the processors had access to formal credits. The Nigerian Agricultural Bank ranked highest (83%) in terms of patronage. Commercial and microfi-nance banks«¤?? lending to cassava processing represented about 12% and 5% respectively of the total credit received. Majority (70%) of the processors received less than N100, 000 per year; an average of N63,152, which is about 12% of total amount, required. Credit financing from formal financial institu-tions was found to have significant effects on both the output of garri and flour processed and the profit from garri, flour and chips«¤?? processing. The credit use structure shows that over 65% of the credit was use to increase processing scale, through increase in the purchase of raw tubers and payment for processing labour

CONTRIBUTION OF FORMAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CASSAVA PROCESSING IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study was carried out to assess the contribution of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs) to income of cassava processors in Benue state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 234 cassava processors from 18 communities in the state. Data on credit sources and uses, processing activities and income were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the impact of the credit was assessed using the before and after comparison. The result shows that about a third of the processors had access to formal credits. The Nigerian agricultural bank ranked highest (83%) in terms of patronage. Commercial and microfinance banks’ lending to cassava processing represented about 12% and 5% respectively of the total credit received. Majority (70%) of the processors received less than N100, 000 per year; an average of N63,152, which is about 12% of total amount, required. Credit financing from formal financial institutions was found to have significant effects on both the output of garri and flour processed and the profit from garri, flour and chips’ processing. The credit use structure shows that over 65% of the credit was use to increase processing scale, through increase in the purchase of raw tubers and payment for processing labour

Fisherfolks’ Perception of the Agricultural Radio Programme Filin Mainoma in Kainji Area of Niger State

The study examined fisherfolks’ perception of the agricultural radio programme FILIN MAINOMA in Kainji Area of Niger State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 252 respondents from the study area. Primary data were collected using structured interview guide. Data collected wereanalysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and Chi-Square analysis (c2).  Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 25.50 years while majority (96.60%) was male. Also 63.10% had no formal education while 22.70% had primary school education. Also, Majority (99.20%) of the respondents was aware of and listened to the radio programme FILIN MAINOMA. All (100.00%) of the respondents had access to radio. Majority (98.80%) of the respondents opined that the message was interesting, 67.10% spent one hour listening to the radio programme in the morning every day. In addition, 38.90% of the respondents viewed fishing information on the radio programme as relevant, while 26.90% indicated that the format of presentation of the programme aroused their interest. Chi-Square analysis revealed that sex (c2 = 78.70, (p<0.05), df = 1), educational status (c2 = 2.41, df = 4), had significant association with the respondents perception of the programme. Also, correlation analysis results revealed a significant and positive relationship between the household size (r = 0.21, p<0.05), and year of membership association (r = 0.24, p<0.05), and respondents’ perception of the radio programme. The study concluded that FILIN MAINOMA had impact on fisherfolks cash per unit effort. The study recommended that the programme should be strengthened and sustained while other similar programmes can be initiated in other radio stations in the area

CRIME RATE PREDICTION USING THE RANDOM FOREST ALGORITHM

  An act that creates crimes punishable by law is characterized as a crime. Rape, fraud, terrorism, kidnapping, burglary, murder, and other crimes are common in Nigeria. Examples are cybercrime, bribery and corruption, robbery, money laundering, among other crimes. Crime is a harmful and widespread social issue that affects individuals all around the world. The rate of crime has risen dramatically in recent years. To cut down on crime, at any rate, law enforcements must take preventative actions. To protect society against crime, modern systems and new technologies are required. Although accurate real-time crime study is on aid in reducing crime rates, they are nonetheless useless. As crime occurrences are dependent on, this is a difficult subject for the scientific community to solve. Therefore, this paper proposes machine learning algorithm to indicate the frequency and pattern of crimes based on the data collected and to show the extent of crime in a particular region. Various visualization approaches and machine learning algorithms are used in this study to anticipate the crime distribution over a large area. In the first stage, raw datasets were processed and visualized according to the requirements. Then, to extract knowledge from these massive datasets, machine learning methods were deployed and uncover hidden patterns in the data, which were then utilized to investigate and report on crime patterns, It is beneficial to crime analysts. Investigate these crime networks using a variety of interactive crime visualizations. As a result, it is helpful in crime prevention

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS UNDER SAWAH SYSTEM OF INLAND VALLEYS IN NIGERIA

This study investigated the physico-chemical and geochemical properties of soils under sawah in Nigeria. It was found that soils under sawah were majorly sandy loam to sandy clay loam having acidic reactions, low exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na. These soils were deficient in available P, SiO2, S, Total Nitrogen and Total Carbon while SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 dominated total elemental composition, accounting for a cumulative average of 96.16%. Except total elemental TiO2 and K2O which showed average values >1%, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O and P2O5 showed average values <1%. Soils under sawah exhibited intermediated to extreme weathering degree with majority of the soil sampled falling into the category of extreme weathering. With extreme degree of weathering, rapid loss of mobile species such as basic cations from soil is imminent which may account for the results observed in this study. Thus, combination of conservative agricultural practices is recommended.   &nbsp

Approaches for Improving Cocoyam Production and Utilization Among Rural Farmers in Ogun and Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was informed by the need to establish the approaches for sustainable production of cocoyam which due to production, utilization and preservation challenges has witnessed decreasing producers’ patronage; however it commands important economic and health values for rural farmers. The study identified the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, various uses of cocoyam, factors affecting the effective production of cocoyam and approaches for improving cocoyam production. Multistage, purposive and random sampling methods were used to select 350 respondents. Data were collected by means of structured interview schedule, and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means bar charts, Chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. Results showed that majority (66.0%) of the respondents were female, 72.8% were between the age of 31 – 55 years with mean age of 48 years, above half (52.8%) of them had one form of formal education or another, 48.3% were married and 100.0% had farming experienced about cocoyam production. Cocoyam was majorly inter-planted with cassava 89.1%, maize (81.7%), vegetable (61.1%) and least pepper (25.7%). Major constraining factors as indicated by the respondents included high cost of hired labour, lack of fund, incidence of pest and disease, low soil fertility, lack of extension service and unavailability of organic fertilizer. Major approaches for improving cocoyam production were the provision of adequate credit facilities, formation of cooperative societies, availability and regular visit by extension agents and use of resistant varieties. Chi-square result shows that there is significant relationship (p < 0.05) between marital status (χ2 = 8.499), level of education (χ2 = 7.020) sex (χ2 = 6.835), religion (χ2 = 8.115) ethnicity (χ2 = 4.885) and the factors affecting cocoyam production and its potential. The study concluded that rural farmers inter-planted cocoyam with other crops as cover against crop failure, scarcity of specific crop, and due to food security at all time. It is therefore recommended that there is an urgent need for cocoyam production to be taken as one of the essential crops to focus on in the process of nation’s food security attainment. Keywords: Cocoyam, Approaches, Production, Utilization, rural farmers, Ogun State. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-24-03 Publication date: December 31st 201

Feasibility of Private Integrated Agricultural Extension Services in Ogun State, Nigeria

Agricultural extension service in Nigeria has remained a responsibility of government in the past four decades. However, the persistent poor funding of the extension service has reduced the effectiveness of extension services to farmers. This informedfarmers desireforprivate organizations and religious bodies to assist inproviding services to them, even though this impliesfinancial contributionfrom thefarmers. However, the ability and willingness offarmers to befinancially responsiblefor extension services provided is in doubt. This provided the basisfor the study, which aimed at determining thefeasibility ofprivate integrated agricultural extensfoq services in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were obtainedfrom 240 small-scale farmers, 61 extension workers/specialists, 10 subject matter specialists and 6 agro-allied industries through the use ofstructured interview schedule and questionnaire. Results ofthe study showed that majority (75.8%) of the farmers were willing to pay for andpatronize private integrated agricultural extension services (PIAES). Farmers (80%) in Ogun State have access to Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme extension service, but still do not have the desired impactfrom the service. Extension specialists/workers and subject matter specialists (93.4%) are willing to establish PIAES in Ogun State. Farmers' access to OGADEP extension service has no significant relationship with their willingness to pay for and patronize PIAES (r=.003, a>.05). Farmers’ access to input service has significant relationship with their willingness to pay for andpatronize PIAES (r=.421, a<.05). Private integrated agricultural extension service is feasible in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that provision ofinput services should be added to the present extension service provided by OGADEP and experienced extension specialists, workers and subject matter specialists shouldbe encouragedby government and farmers' groups to establish PIAES

Feasibility of Private Integrated Agricultural Extension Services in Ogun State, Nigeria

Agricultural extension service in Nigeria has remained a responsibility of government in the past four decades. However, the persistent poor funding of the extension service has reduced the effectiveness of extension services to farmers. This informedfarmers desireforprivate organizations and religious bodies to assist inproviding services to them, even though this impliesfinancial contributionfrom thefarmers. However, the ability and willingness offarmers to befinancially responsiblefor extension services provided is in doubt. This provided the basisfor the study, which aimed at determining thefeasibility ofprivate integrated agricultural extensfoq services in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were obtainedfrom 240 small-scale farmers, 61 extension workers/specialists, 10 subject matter specialists and 6 agro-allied industries through the use ofstructured interview schedule and questionnaire. Results ofthe study showed that majority (75.8%) of the farmers were willing to pay for andpatronize private integrated agricultural extension services (PIAES). Farmers (80%) in Ogun State have access to Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme extension service, but still do not have the desired impactfrom the service. Extension specialists/workers and subject matter specialists (93.4%) are willing to establish PIAES in Ogun State. Farmers' access to OGADEP extension service has no significant relationship with their willingness to pay for and patronize PIAES (r=.003, a>.05). Farmers’ access to input service has significant relationship with their willingness to pay for andpatronize PIAES (r=.421, a<.05). Private integrated agricultural extension service is feasible in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that provision ofinput services should be added to the present extension service provided by OGADEP and experienced extension specialists, workers and subject matter specialists shouldbe encouragedby government and farmers' groups to establish PIAES

Diagmal: A Malaria Coactive Neuro-Fuzzy Expert System

In the process of clarifying whether a patient or patients is suffering from a disease or not, diagnosis plays a significant role. The procedure is quite slow and cumbersome, and some patients may not be able to pursue the final test results and diagnosis. The method in this paper comprises many fact-finding and data-mining methods. Artificial Intelligence techniques such as Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic were fussed together in emerging the Coactive Neuro-Fuzzy Expert System diagnostic tool. The authors conducted oral interviews with the medical practitioners whose knowledge were captured into the knowledge based of the Fuzzy Expert System. Neuro-Fuzzy expert system diagnostic software was implemented with Microsoft Visual C# (C Sharp) programming language and Microsoft SQL Server 2012 to manage the database. Questionnaires were administered to the patients and filled by the medical practitioners on behalf of the patients to capture the prevailing symptoms. The study demonstrated the practical application of neuro-fuzzy method in diagnosis of malaria. The hybrid learning rule has greatly enhanced the proposed system performance when compared with existing systems where only the back-propagation learning rule were used for implementation. It was concluded that the diagnostic expert system developed is as accurate as that of the medical experts in decision making. DIAGMAL is hereby recommended to medical practitioners as a diagnostic tool for malaria