Economic viability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) production in Ika South and North East Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the economic viability of okra (production in Ika South and North East Local Government Areas of Delta State. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the okra farmers, assess the profitability and viability of okra production and identify the constraints faced by okra farmers in the study area. Data were obtained from 113 okra farmers selected using multi-stage sampling procedure through the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results showed that 51.3% of the okra farmers were females and 90.3% were married with a mean age of 47 years and mean farming experience of 20 years. The average household size was 5 persons while the mean farm size was 2.03 hectares. The total revenue of the okra farmers was ₦235,642.161/ha while the total variable cost was ₦76,022.24/hagiving a gross margin of ₦159,619.92/ha. The total fixed cost was ₦2,735.11/ha resulting in a net return of ₦156,884.81/ha. The benefit-cost ratio of 2.99 and return on investment of 2.03 indicating that okra production in the study area was viable and profitable. The major problems identified by the okra farmers were difficulty getting funds, bad access roads to farms, difficulty in controlling weeds and pests and diseases. The study concluded that okra farming is profitable in the study area and as such efforts should be made by government to encourage farmers to invest in okra production and young people should be encourage into okra production in the study area.Keywords: benefit-cost ratio, economic viability, okra production, return on investment, gross margi

Effects of culture systems on growth and economic performance of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in concrete tanks

The effect of culture system on growth and economics performance of Orechromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in concrete tanks was investigated. Four outdoor concrete tanks measuring 2.5 x 2 m was used for the study for 24 weeks culture period. The culture systems included the use of algae only at the stocking rates of 4 fishes/m2 (T1), algae plus commercial feed at the stocking rate of 10 fishes/m2 (T2), and commercial feed only at the stocking rate of 20 fishes/m2 (T3). The tanks were stocked with O. niloticus fingerlings with mean weight of 1.160, 1.030 and 0.255 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Each treatment was replicated twice. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean comparison was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). All tests were carried out at 5% probability level. The result on growth performance show that the intensive system (T1) was significantly different in some growth parameters (P < 0.05) such as yield (0.115, 0.830 and 1.260 kg/m3 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), specific growth (1.975, 2.750 and 3.425% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), survival rate (90, 80 and 91% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), and feed conversion ratio (1.150 and1.030 for T2 and T3, respectively). Economically, the intensive system was more profitable with a gross margin of N 122, which was 40% more profitable than the extensive system (T1 with Gross margin of N 80), and 269% than commercial feed plus algae (T2 with Gross margin of – N 194). The cost of production (incidence of cost) showed that it cost more (N 447) to produce O. niloticus using commercial feed plus algae (T2) in concrete tank than the use of algae only (T1) (N 268) and the use of commercial feed only (T3) (N380).Keywords: Culture system, growth performance, economic performance, Oreochromic niloticusAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(27), pp. 4374-437

Assessment of Loan Repayment Capacity of Cooperative Farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study assessed loan repayment capacity of cooperative farmers in Bayelsa State between 2009 and 2014. It specifically examined the socio-economic profile of the cooperative farmers, estimated the rate of loan repayment by borrowers and determined the loan recovery strategies of the farmers’ cooperatives societies. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents in the study area. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to obtain data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, multiple regression, loan repayment indices, t-test and F-test. The result showed that 80% of the loans granted to the beneficiaries were repaid back while 19.84% of the borrowers had their loan outstanding. Farm size and years of cooperative membership were found to have a positive effect on loan repayment capacity. The amount of loan received and net farm income recorded positive t-value and was statistically significant. It was recommended that farmers be encouraged to join cooperative societies so as to take advantage of economies of scale

Effects of culture systems on growth and economic performance of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in concrete tanks

The effect of culture system on growth and economics performance of Orechromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in concrete tanks was investigated. Four outdoor concrete tanks measuring 2.5 x 2 m was used for the study for 24 weeks culture period. The culture systems included the use of algae only at the stocking rates of 4 fishes/m2 (T1), algae plus commercial feed at the stocking rate of 10 fishes/m2 (T2), and commercial feed only at the stocking rate of 20 fishes/m2 (T3). The tanks were stocked with O. niloticus fingerlings with mean weight of 1.160, 1.030 and 0.255 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Each treatment was replicated twice. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean comparison was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). All tests were carried out at 5% probability level. The result on growth performance show that the intensive system (T1) was significantly different in some growth parameters (P < 0.05) such as yield (0.115, 0.830 and 1.260 kg/m3 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), specific growth (1.975, 2.750 and 3.425% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), survival rate (90, 80 and 91% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), and feed conversion ratio (1.150 and1.030 for T2 and T3, respectively). Economically, the intensive system was more profitable with a gross margin of N 122, which was 40% more profitable than the extensive system (T1 with Gross margin of N 80), and 269% than commercial feed plus algae (T2 with Gross margin of – N 194). The cost of production (incidence of cost) showed that it cost more (N 447) to produce O. niloticus using commercial feed plus algae (T2) in concrete tank than the use of algae only (T1) (N 268) and the use of commercial feed only (T3) (N380).Keywords: Culture system, growth performance, economic performance, Oreochromic niloticusAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(27), pp. 4374-437

Rationale antibiotic usage in appendicectomy

Background: Surgical site infection is of great concern to the surgeon hence preventive measures such as prophylactic antibiotics in widely used for clean contaminated and contaminated surgical procedures. This study seeks to evaluate any advantage gained by administering antibiotic in uncomplicated appendicitis. Method: A prospective randomized trial done on 70 patients admitted with appendicitis without features of peritonitis. Records were taken preoperatively and updated at the point of discharge and first clinic visit. Results: Wound infection occurred in 1 of 34 patients (2.9%) who had no antibiotic appendectomy against 2 of 36 who had metronidazole and ciprofloxacin. Mean age of patients was 22.8 years, and a mean hospital stay of 4.6 days. Conclusion: Routine antibiotic therapy is not necessary for adult Nigerian patients undergoing appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis

Beneficiaries' perception of the effect of Ifad-community based natural resource management programme on their livelihood in Edo State, Nigeria

The study examined the beneficiaries’ perception of the effect of IFAD-Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRMP) on their livelihood in Edo State. CBNRMP is one of many effort aimed at improving the livelihood of rural dwellers, it is important to examine how far this has been achieved from the beneficiaries’ perspective. The main objective was to ascertain project beneficiaries’ perception of the effectiveness of the programme on their standard of living and assess their satisfaction. Data were collected from 82 CBNRMP beneficiaries randomly sampled from the three agro-ecological zones in the State. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were employed as instruments of data collection. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, means, percentages and satisfaction indices. Perception was rated using the scores from a Likert- type scale. The study found that most beneficiaries in the CBNRM programme were males (80.5%), small scale operators (average = 2.9ha) with their average age being 49 years (46.3%). About 50% of beneficiaries felt they benefited more regularly from the agricultural credit than other activities undertaken (X = 3.27). Respondents claimed that many of the trainings given and inputs provided were not regular. Most programme beneficiaries agreed that their participation in the programme positively enhanced their living standards in areas such as farm expansion (X =3.49), improved household feeding (3.44) among others. A grand mean satisfaction index of 3.05 indicated general satisfaction. It was recommended that the programmes be adopted to transform agriculture in Edo State in line with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda because of its effect on the livelihood of beneficiarie

Resource-use efficiency in okra production among smallholder farmers in Ika south and north east local government areas of Delta state, Nigeria

This study examined the efficiency of resource use among smallholder okra farmers in Ika South and North Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in the selection of 113 okra farmers for the study using questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and marginal analyses. The result shows that most of the okra farmers were female. The mean age of the okra farmers was 47 year, while majority (90.3%) of the respondents were married. The mean household size was 5 persons, while the average farming experience was 20 years. The average farms size was 20.3 hectares. Three functional forms were tested and the linear function was chosen based on the number and significance of the parameters. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) was 0.501which indicates that 50.1% of the variation in the output of Okra was accounted for by the independent variables in the model. The result of the marginal analysis showed that labour, farm size, fertilizer and planting material were underutilized as their ratios were greater than one, while herbicide on the other hand was over utilized. The study recommended that in other to increase the output of okra in the study area farmers have to increase the use of farm size, labour, fertilizer and planting materials since they are technically operating in stage 1 of the production process. Also, the use of herbicide should be decreased in other for these resources to be efficiently utilized.Key word: Resource-use. Okra production, multiple regression, marginal analysi