Technology Adoption among Cassava Producers in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State

The main objective of this research work was to find out the adoption of technology among cassava producers in the study area. A multistage random sampling procedure was adopted to collect primary data from 80 cassava farmers who were randomly selected from some selected communities in the study area. Descriptive statistics, logit regression analysis and budgetary analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The result revealed that majority of the respondents have low formal education, as about 68% of the farmers only attended primary school, 67% of respondents fall within the age bracket of 31 to 50 years which is the normal age group for the working population, also revealing that majority of the respondents (farmers) are males with about 78% of entire respondents being males, the research also revealed that 91% of the farmers are married with an average income of N34,153.21. Furthermore, the regression analysis showed that age of farmers, farm size, hired labour (mandays) and cropping patterns showed significant influence at different levels on the probability of adopting improved technologies in cassava production as age had a positive and significant influence on the probability of adopting improved technologies. This influence is significant at 10% level. The coefficient of farmer’s age and education is positive meaning that as farmers age increase by one unit, the probability of adopting improved technologies will also increase. The budgetary analysis revealed that the average total revenue is N34,153.52, the average farmer’s net income is N22,094.99 and gross margin is N25,818.77 with the profitability index as 0.6469. Based on the problems identified, it has been recommended that the government should provide incentives for the farmers as well as increasing the rate of visit of extension agents in the study area so as to boost their level of adoption of technologies on cassava farming. Keywords: Farming, Technology, Profitability, Adoption, Incentive

A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems

Technology is transforming societies worldwide. A major innovation is the emergence of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), which have the potential to revolutionize cities for both people and nature. Nonetheless, the opportunities and challenges associated with RAS for urban ecosystems have yet to be considered systematically. Here, we report the findings of an online horizon scan involving 170 expert participants from 35 countries. We conclude that RAS are likely to transform land use, transport systems and human–nature interactions. The prioritized opportunities were primarily centred on the deployment of RAS for the monitoring and management of biodiversity and ecosystems. Fewer challenges were prioritized. Those that were emphasized concerns surrounding waste from unrecovered RAS, and the quality and interpretation of RAS-collected data. Although the future impacts of RAS for urban ecosystems are difficult to predict, examining potentially important developments early is essential if we are to avoid detrimental consequences but fully realize the benefits

Towards a supertree of Arthropoda:a species-level supertree of the spiny, slipper and coral lobsters (Decapoda: Achelata)

While supertrees have been built for many vertebrate groups (notably birds, mammals and dinosaurs), invertebrates have attracted relatively little attention. The paucity of supertrees of arthropods is particularly surprising given their economic and ecological importance, as well as their overwhelming contribution to biodiversity. The absence of comprehensive archives of machine-readable source trees, coupled with the need for software implementing repeatable protocols for managing them, has undoubtedly impeded progress. Here we present a supertree of Achelata (spiny, slipper and coral lobsters) as a proof of concept, constructed using new supertree specific software (the Supertree Toolkit; STK) and following a published protocol. We also introduce a new resource for archiving and managing published source trees. Our supertree of Achelata is synthesised from morphological and molecular source trees, and represents the most complete species-level tree of the group to date. Our findings are consistent with recent taxonomic treatments, confirming the validity of just two families: Palinuridae and Scyllaridae; Synaxidae were resolved within Palinuridae. Monophyletic Silentes and Stridentes lineages are recovered within Palinuridae, and all sub-families within Scyllaridae are found to be monophyletic with the exception of Ibacinae. We demonstrate the feasibility of building larger supertrees of arthropods, with the ultimate objective of building a complete species-level phylogeny for the entire phylum using a divide and conquer strategy

A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems

Technology is transforming societies worldwide. A major innovation is the emergence of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), which have the potential to revolutionize cities for both people and nature. Nonetheless, the opportunities and challenges associated with RAS for urban ecosystems have yet to be considered systematically. Here, we report the findings of an online horizon scan involving 170 expert participants from 35 countries. We conclude that RAS are likely to transform land use, transport systems and human–nature interactions. The prioritized opportunities were primarily centred on the deployment of RAS for the monitoring and management of biodiversity and ecosystems. Fewer challenges were prioritized. Those that were emphasized concerns surrounding waste from unrecovered RAS, and the quality and interpretation of RAS-collected data. Although the future impacts of RAS for urban ecosystems are difficult to predict, examining potentially important developments early is essential if we are to avoid detrimental consequences but fully realize the benefits

Lumbering Activities and Market Equilibrium Analysis of Timber Industry in South Western Nigeria

The local lumbers, without restraints, are continually exploiting the Nigerian forests. This trend causes a massive reduction in the economic, recreational, water purification and other benefits derivable from the forest and forest products. The overall implication of this is that there is a shortfall in the market supply of wood and wood products in South Western Nigeria. This situation poses some challenges to the government, private operators and other stakeholders in timber industry. This study therefore, investigated the implications of the activities of the lumbers and the market equilibrium structure of wood industry in the region. Both the stochastic production frontier and market equilibrium analyses were done. Fuel, credit and trucks’ carrying capacities significantly determined the quantity of output of the lumbers. The estimates of the sigma square, d2 (0.3811) and gamma, g, (0.9001) were positively significant at 1% level. The log likelihood function was large (24.6672) indicating a good fit. Estimated demand elasticity indicated that N1.00 increase in market price produced 14.14 %, 52.73% and 55.12% decrease in the quantities demanded for 2x3x12, 3x4x12 and 2x6x12 wood sizes. To further increase the output level of wood products in the region therefore, it is necessary to stabilize fuel prices and make the product available to the lumbers at the required time and quantities

Poverty Incidence In Rural Farming Communities In Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the incidence of poverty and foodcrop productivity in selected spatial rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) respondent small scale farmers were drawn, using a purposive sampling technique, from the four divisions in the state. Information was obtained from these farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire and data were collected between February and November, 2005. These information contained data on the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers cultivating mainly maize, cassava, cocoyam, vegetables and plantain. Their access to agricultural land, labour supply, credit use and other facilities were also included. Both Tobit Regression and Foster-Greer- Thorbecke analytical models were used for the analysis of data. Results indicated that only age, farmers' farm size, production cost and farming experience were statistically important determinants of the incidence of poverty and farmers' foodcrop production levels. The Incidence of poverty was highest for farmers between 30 and 39 years of age (0.74) and those between 40 and 49 years of age (0.79).It was then concluded that the farm settlement schemes, most of which are now moribund, should be rehabilitated and explored for the challenge of providing cultivable agricultural lands for the rural farmers. With increased farm size, farmers can produce more and thus enhance their farm income, alleviate their poverty status and the welfare of their family members. Keywords: Small-scale farmers; Rural areas; Foodcrops; Poverty incidence; FGT modelJOAFSS Vol. 4 (1) 2006: pp. 1-

Microsoft Word - 361-368 akanni 06054.doc

Abstract Within the past three decades, the supply of fish in the Nigerian markets is steadily on the decline. This is largely due to the low catch levels of the traditional fishing techniques and other related factors. This study investigates factors that are responsible for the low catch in artisanal fisheries. A total of 222 sets of questionnaire from 120 operators of the manual propulsion fisheries (MPF) and 102 fishermen operating the motorized fisheries (MF) were analyzed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit model, stochastic catch frontier measures. The weekly average catch for the MPF operators was 26.1kg, which represents only 41.0% of the 64.1kg the MF operators caught. The fishermen's level of education, fishing distance, fish catch level, available credit facilities, number of contact with extension agents and gender determined the use or otherwise of the motorized fisheries technology. The mean economic (EE), technical (TE) and allocative efficiency (AE) indexes for the artisanal fisherfolks (MPF) are 0.5425, 0.6450 and 0.6317, respectively and 0.6000, 0.7971 and 0.7049, respectively for the MF. However; the technical efficiency of the MF operators can be improved through a better fishing education and timely provision of credit facilities to acquire the needed fishing equipment and materials