Constraints facing agroforestry practices among farmers in New Bussa, Nigeria

The study examined agroforestry practices and its constraints among selected farmers in New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire, personal interview and observations from the total of one hundred and twenty respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected. Findings revealed that farming was male dominated with a mean age and family size of 41years and 10 persons respectively. More than half (69.2%) of the farmers were literate with mean years of experience in farming being 14years. The most common trees on the farmlands were Vitellaria paradoxa, Mangifera indica, Parkia biglobosa, Azadirachta indica, Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum and Vitex doniana. Majority of the farmers were aware (70.8%) of agroforestry practices mainly through conservation education (32.5%) and forest guards (20.0%) to conserve economic trees and improve farm produce. Medicinal herbs (98.3%), Source of income (81.7%) and Source of food (80.3%) were the major benefit accrued to farmers from agroforestry in the study area. Constraints to agroforestry practices in the study area included limited use of farm machineries (75%), poor access to credit facilities (70.8%), fast growing nature of trees (68.3%), Land tenure (65.8%), Marketing channel (62.5%) and increase in population (56.7%). The study thus, recommended that extension agents from public and non-governmental organizations should enlighten farmers more on agroforestry through workshops and community awareness campaign and assistance should be given to farmers in form of credit facilities, improved seeds or varieties, and soft loans for enhanced production.Keywords: Agroforestry, Awareness, Benefits, Constraints, Conservation, Economic tree

GIS-based landslide susceptibility assessment in Eyinoke Hilly Area of Okeigbo, SW, Nigeria

Many areas are exposed to different types of natural hazards including landslides, which can lead to loss of lives, injury to people, damage to property and disruption of economic activities. This paper assessed the landslide susceptibility and quantifies the hazard and risk related to landslides in Okeigbo, southwest, Nigeria using remote sensing imageries, geographic information system (GIS) and logistic regression model. The result revealed that slope, elevation, aspect, profile curvature, distance from road and land use influence landslide susceptibility. Current landslide and the most susceptible areas to landslides were within the areas with high slopes especially at slope angles of landslide occurred on slopes between 14 % and 25 % in the upper, steep and narrow ridge with elevation of between 413 m and 459 m. The landslide occurred northwest aspect class where there is increased land use activities characterized by deforestation and improper agricultural practices. It was further revealed that the landslide occurred about 200 m close to the road and potential areas were landslides can occur in the future are closely located within the 100-300 m buffer zones. Generally, Slopes have more influence than land cover for the susceptibility map. Although a smaller portion of the study area is presently located in the high hazard zone, intensive land use activities on the steep slope could expose the land to other triggering factors such as rainfall. A landslide susceptibility assessment and monitoring will assist in prediction, management future occurrences and general developmental planning in the area.Keywords: Landslide hazard, Vulnerability, Geographical information system; remotely sensed dat

Charcoal Production and Producers’ Tree Species Preference in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

A survey of charcoal production in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the demographic characteristics of the producers, examine and explore charcoal production methods and processes, identify the tree species used in charcoal production and explore their desirable qualities, as well as examining the sustainable charcoal production in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was employed in the study. Four villages; Yangba, Gada-Oli, Tamanai and Tunga-Boka, where charcoal production is prevalent were selected. Fifty (50) copies of questionnaire were purposively administered to charcoal producers in the four villages, with thirty four (34) copies retrieved. Descriptive statistics tools were used to analyze the variables of interest. Variables which were analysed include sex, age, educational status, marital status, methods of charcoal production, e.t.c. The results of the study revealed that earth mound kiln (65%) and earth pit kiln (35%) are the two methods of charcoal production employed by the producers in the study area. Prosopis Africana (73%) is the most preferred tree species used by charcoal producers in the study area for charcoal production.The study has revealed that commercial charcoal production is gradually becoming one of the major sources of sustenance and currently plays a major role in promoting entrepreneurial development in Borgu L.G.A of Niger State with earth mound kiln method (65%) mostly employed. There should be increased supply of wood for charcoal production through plantations and woodlots; unchecked harvesting of trees without replacement should be addressed as well as development and implementation of short and long-term plans for massive tree planting. Keywords: charcoal, tree, specie, borgu, preferenc

Willingness to establish private forest plantation among dwellers in some selected Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the willingness to establish private forest plantations among dwellers in Ife North, Ede South and Osogbo Local Government Areas of Osun State. One hundred and seventeen (117) questionnaires were administered randomly to selected respondents from nine (9) selected communities in the study areas, while ninety-three (93) copies of questionnaire were retrieved. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents from the study area. The willingness of the respondents to private forest plantation establishment showed that 64.5% of the respondents agreed on establishment of private forest plantation. Chi-square analysis indicated that a significant relationship exist between respondents’ sex, level of education, source of labour and secondary occupation on willingness to establish private forest plantation. Many of the dwellers faced some problems which influenced their willingness in establishing private forest plantations such as poor extension service, land tenure system, small land holding, non-availability of seed/seedlings, lack of technical know-how, Government policies, trees casting shadow on crops, etc. More dwellers can be encouraged in willingness to participate in private forest plantation through extension service to farmers, government institutions’ involvement at various levels of activities that will encourage individuals and organizations to establish private forest plantations. Government policies on land tenure system should be reviewed to encourage individual or private organisations to invest and actively participate more in forest plantation establishment.Keywords: Willingness, Private Forests, Plantation Establishmen

Perceived effect of improving labour condition and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study assessed perceived effect of improving labour conditions and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria through personal observation and interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty-two (52) staff of the Park. Majority (98%) of park staff agreed that improving working conditions is a necessary tool for employees’ commitment and loyalty in the service and 77% agreed that park authority play an important role towards improving working conditions and making on the job training accessible for the staffs. Most (75%) respondents acknowledged that the new salary (the most important working condition for job efficiency in the study area) is expressively satisfactory while majority (71.15%) also show their enthusiasm towards mode of dressing (use of paramilitary uniform) as they agreed that it bestowed more respect and honour to them in the society. Other areas of improved practices that are considerably satisfactory are training and development, promotion process and relationship with managers. However, only few respondents were pleased with current situation of safety at work, retirement plan and medical insurance though it is perceived from the study that medical insurance and relationship with managers are not too vital for job efficiency in the study area. Respondents further agreed that recent paramilitary training adopted in the National Park Service increases the employees’ morale since paramilitary training will improve employee physical fitness and confidence (4.23±1.26) as well as individual and organizational competences (4.06±1.03). From the study, there is high (70%) consensus that improving working conditions and paramilitary training has positive effect on job efficiency in the study area hence; there is improvement in the organization achievement.Keywords: Employee, Job Efficiency, Job Satisfaction, Labour Condition, Paramilitar

Distribution of metals in Labeo coubie (Ruppel, 1832) from a National Park river in Nigeria

This study assesses heavy metals distribution in body parts of Labeo coubie (African carp) fromRiver Oli, in Kainji Lake National Park as pollution index of the ecosystem. Fish parts samples (gills, muscles andvertebra bone) were prepared and specifically analyzed for the levels of Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd using Atomicabsorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of metals in the samples at different concentrations ranged from0.001±0.000 μg/g for Cd to 224.87±4.07 μg/g of Fe in the fish gill. There is significant (p<0.05) differences in the Pb,Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations across the different fish parts with gills accumulated the highest levels metals while Crlevels significantly (p<0.05) differed in the fish body parts and accumulated more in the muscles (10.75±0.15 μg/g).The mean concentrations of metal elements in the fish parts had shown some distinguish connection in its distributionswith Pb and Cu; Gills > Muscles > Vertebra bones, Fe and Zinc; Gills > Vertebra bones > Muscles while Cr wasdistributed in Muscles > Gill > Vertebra bones. However, it is revealed that Labeo coubie, a euryphagus fish probablyabsorb these metals through ingestion of contaminated food or absorption by the gills and bioaccumulate in differentfish parts. It is therefore established that River Oli is contaminated with heavy metals as presence of these metals infish is an indication of its immediate environment. Keywords: absorption, bioaccumulation, fish parts, heavy metals, pollutio

A survey of viral diseases of livestock characterized by skin lesions in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

A survey on the status of viral diseases of livestock characterized by skin lesions was carried out between November, 2016 and March 2017 in Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered and suspected cases of Lumpy skin disease (LSD), Goat pox (GTP), Contagious ecthyma (CE) and Bovine papilloma (BP) were investigated. Samples collected were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The questionnaires were administered to livestock farmers (n=109), butchers (n=11) and livestock traders (n=13). The results indicated that majority of livestock farmers (94.50%), butchers (100%) and livestock traders (100%) were familiar with these viral diseases of livestock. Farmers in the study area also indicated that they had observed LSD (64.5%) and BP (7.34%) in cattle; GTP (67.9%) and CE (59.5%) in sheep and goats in the last 12 months. Data collated from the questionnaire survey showed these viral diseases of livestock also affect trade price with reduction of about 50-75% of real value of affected animals. The PCR result of samples collected from clinically diagnosed cases of orf shows that 3 out 4 samples analyzed were positive. Likewise, 1 out of 3 samples collected from clinically diagnosed cases of GTP were positive by PCR. The PCR results validate the respondents‘ feedback on the presence these viral skin diseases of livestock in study area. This report provides baseline epidemiological data on the status of these diseases of livestock and further investigation is needed to better understand the impact of viral skin diseases of livestock in Kanam LGA.Keywords: Survey; viral skin diseases; Kanam; Nigeri

Contagious ecthyma in three flocks of goats in Jos-south LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a debilitating disease of sheep, goats and other ruminants caused by Orf virus (ORFV). Suspected outbreaks of CE were reported in three flocks of goats in Jos-South, Plateau State, Nigeria with proliferative lesions on the muzzle, oral commissures, perineal area and legs. Scab samples were collected from all the flocks and the affected animals placed on antibiotics. The samples collected were homogenized and the DNA extracted using QIAamp® DNA Mini kit (QIAGEN, Hilden Germany). The extracted DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying two gene fragments: A32L and B2L of the ORFV. Two flocks were West African Dwarf (WAD) breed of goats with 100% morbidity and 100% mortality recorded, while the third flock was Kano Brown breed with 6.7% morbidity and no mortality. A32L and B2L fragments of the ORFV genome was amplified by PCR from samples collected from the flocks. Contagious ecthyma was therefore confirmed based on classical clinical presentations and laboratory confirmation by PCR. Amplification of A32L and B2L gene fragments of the ORFV and 100% mortality in WAD breed of goats is the first report in Nigeria associated with CE. Further studies should be carried out to understand the role of breed, the epidemiology and economic impact of CE in Nigeria for the utilization of an appropriate control strategy.Keywords: A32L gene, B2L gene, Contagious ecthyma, Goat, Orf virus, polymerase chain reaction, Nigeri

Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND: Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent with the estimates of the numbers of deaths in the GBD. The present iteration of the GBD, GBD 2017, improves on previous assessments and provides timely estimates of the mortality experience of populations globally. METHODS: The GBD uses all available data to produce estimates of mortality rates between 1950 and 2017 for 23 age groups, both sexes, and 918 locations, including 195 countries and territories and subnational locations for 16 countries. Data used include vital registration systems, sample registration systems, household surveys (complete birth histories, summary birth histories, sibling histories), censuses (summary birth histories, household deaths), and Demographic Surveillance Sites. In total, this analysis used 8259 data sources. Estimates of the probability of death between birth and the age of 5 years and between ages 15 and 60 years are generated and then input into a model life table system to produce complete life tables for all locations and years. Fatal discontinuities and mortality due to HIV/AIDS are analysed separately and then incorporated into the estimation. We analyse the relationship between age-specific mortality and development status using the Socio-demographic Index, a composite measure based on fertility under the age of 25 years, education, and income. There are four main methodological improvements in GBD 2017 compared with GBD 2016: 622 additional data sources have been incorporated; new estimates of population, generated by the GBD study, are used; statistical methods used in different components of the analysis have been further standardised and improved; and the analysis has been extended backwards in time by two decades to start in 1950. FINDINGS: Globally, 18·7% (95% uncertainty interval 18·4–19·0) of deaths were registered in 1950 and that proportion has been steadily increasing since, with 58·8% (58·2–59·3) of all deaths being registered in 2015. At the global level, between 1950 and 2017, life expectancy increased from 48·1 years (46·5–49·6) to 70·5 years (70·1–70·8) for men and from 52·9 years (51·7–54·0) to 75·6 years (75·3–75·9) for women. Despite this overall progress, there remains substantial variation in life expectancy at birth in 2017, which ranges from 49·1 years (46·5–51·7) for men in the Central African Republic to 87·6 years (86·9–88·1) among women in Singapore. The greatest progress across age groups was for children younger than 5 years; under-5 mortality dropped from 216·0 deaths (196·3–238·1) per 1000 livebirths in 1950 to 38·9 deaths (35·6–42·83) per 1000 livebirths in 2017, with huge reductions across countries. Nevertheless, there were still 5·4 million (5·2–5·6) deaths among children younger than 5 years in the world in 2017. Progress has been less pronounced and more variable for adults, especially for adult males, who had stagnant or increasing mortality rates in several countries. The gap between male and female life expectancy between 1950 and 2017, while relatively stable at the global level, shows distinctive patterns across super-regions and has consistently been the largest in central Europe, eastern Europe, and central Asia, and smallest in south Asia. Performance was also variable across countries and time in observed mortality rates compared with those expected on the basis of development. INTERPRETATION: This analysis of age-sex-specific mortality shows that there are remarkably complex patterns in population mortality across countries. The findings of this study highlight global successes, such as the large decline in under-5 mortality, which reflects significant local, national, and global commitment and investment over several decades. However, they also bring attention to mortality patterns that are a cause for concern, particularly among adult men and, to a lesser extent, women, whose mortality rates have stagnated in many countries over the time period of this study, and in some cases are increasing

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4 (62.3 (55.1�70.8) million) to 6.4 (58.3 (47.6�70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization�s Global Nutrition Target of <5 in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2 (30 (22.8�38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0 (55.5 (44.8�67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic. © 2020, The Author(s)