Assessment of the use of cocoa production management practices among cocoa farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Cocoa is an important cash crop that contributes significantly to earnings from agriculture in the Nigerian economy. Developing an enterprise in this cash crop requires the use of proper management practices. This study investigated the socioeconomic profile of the cocoa farmers; the types of management practices used among the farmers; and the constraints faced by farmers on cocoa management practices in the study area. Both purposive and simple random techniques, in a four-stage sampling procedure, were used to select one hundred and sixty cocoa farmers for the study. Descriptive statistical tools such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data; while Chi-Square analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The results showed that the respondents were predominantly male and married with majority of them having above primary school education, and mean age of 54.10 years. The mean household size was 7 persons, farm size ranged from 1.5 to 23 acres (mean = 7 acre). Planting of plantain (M=3.84), pruning (M=3.59) and regulated cutting of trees (M=3.37) were ranked high among the management practices used by the farmers. Non-availability of planting material (M=3.88) and problem of pest and diseases (M=3.74) were perceived as the major constraints facing the cocoa management practices. Chi-Square analysis showed that Level of education was significantly related to the management practices used by the cocoa farmers at r≤ 0.01. The study concluded that even though the farmers were in tune with the use of cocoa production management practices, nonetheless, there were some limiting factors such as non-availability of planting materials and pest and diseases affecting the cocoa production in the study area. It was therefore recommended that extension training for farmers should be geared towards pre-planting and post-planting management practices as well as access to adequate planting materials.Keywords: use, management practices, cocoa farmers, assessmen

Comparative Economic Analysis of Rainy and Dry Season Maize Production among Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The study focused on the comparative Economic Analysis of Rainy and Dry Seasons’ maize production among farmers in Ekiti State of Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to analyze the economics of rainy and dry seasons maize production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and ten farmers who produce maize during rainy and dry seasons in the study area. Instrument of data collection was via well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The results of the analysis show that the mean age of the farmers was 39.2 years and greater proportion of the respondents (87.3%) were married. The average household size was 7 persons and majority of the respondents (84.5%) were male. The mean age of farming experience was 17.3 years and large proportions of the respondents (80.9%) were literates. The result further reveal that production efficiency of maize during the rainy season was higher than that of the dry season in the study area with the total annual revenue of N2,016,442.12 and N1,806,592.43 respectively. The results of the regression analysis shows that f-statistics for both rainy and dry season maize production were 8.380 and 37.851 respectively with probability values of 0.000 indicating that farmers socio-economic characteristics such as age, income, level of education, jointly had influence on maize yield. The major constraints to maize production during the rainy season were disease and pests infestations and dry season maize production witnessed poor weather conditions. An inadequate credit facility was the main problem confronting rainy and dry season maize production. The study therefore recommends that maize producers should be encouraged at all seasons through the provision of improved farm inputs subsidized rate, repairs of bad roads by the government, provision of credit facilities through farmers cooperative group will also enhance production efficiency of maize in the study area

Modified Block Method for the Direct Solution of Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

The direct solution of general second order ordinary differential equations is considered in this paper. The method is based on the collocation and interpolation of the power series approximate solution to generate a continuous linear multistep method. We modified the existing block method in order to accommodate the general nth order ordinary differential equation. The method was found to be efficient when tested on second order ordinary differential equation

One-Step Implicit Hybrid Block Method for The Direct Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

A one-step implicit hybrid block solution method for initial value problems of general second order ordinary differential equations has been studied in this paper. The onestep method is augmented by the inclusion of off step points to enable the multistep procedure. This guaranteed zero stability as well as consistency of the resulting method. The convergence and weak stability properties of the new method have been established. Results from the new method compared with those obtained from existing methods show that the new method gives better accuracy

Eye care practices among commercial drivers in a developing country

Objective: Vision is regarded as the most important source of information during driving. The need for good eye care practices among the commercial drivers therefore cannot be overemphasized. This study aimed to determine the eye care practices of commercial drivers in a developing country and their association with involvement in road traffic crash (RTC).Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 328 registered commercial drivers in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling method was used to select the participants while semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio-demography, eye care practices and involvement in RTC.Results: Data was analysed using SPSS version 18. The level of significance was set at p-value of less or equal to 0.05. Most (75.8%) of the commercial drivers had clear knowledge on good eye care practices. Majority, 79.6% of them had poor eye care practice. Only one-fifth of the drivers who practice good eye care had been involved in RTC in the last five years (p = 0.548). There was no statistically significant association between good eye care practices and involvement in RTC.Conclusion: Good eye care practice especially regular eye check at the hospital can help in early detection of poor visual function to enable prompt intervention. The consequences of RTC could be very fatal, it is therefore imperative for commercial drivers to always exhibit good eye care practices bearing in mind the major role of vision in driving.Keywords: Eye care practice, Commercial drivers, Road traffic crash, Developing countr

Farmers’ perception of the activities of lower Niger Basin Authority in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Owing to the huge amount of naira invested into the irrigation sub-sector by the Nigerian government, the study assessed the perception of farmers on the activities of Lower Nigeria River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) in Ilorin East local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study and the data were collected by means of a well-structured questionnaire coupled with interview schedule. A two stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and six (106) respondents from the list of registered farmers who had participated in the scheme. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used in analyzing the data. Findings of the study indicated that 98.1% of the famers had a positive perception on the effectiveness of the scheme. Also, 92.5% of the respondents reported flexibility in the payment schedule in participating in the LNRBDA irrigation scheme while 81.1% of the respondents paid for irrigation services install mentally. It was also found that 99.1% of the respondents experienced increased production output as a result of the use of irrigation facilities. There is a significant relationship between age, farm size and the perception of farmers on some of the activities in the scheme (pvalue < critical p-value of 0.05). The study concludes that farmers’ participation and perception in LNRBDA irrigation scheme in the study area is highly encouraging and there is association between age, farm size and the perception of farmers on effectiveness some of the activities of LNRBDA in the study area. It is therefore recommended that government should continue to enhance and strengthens the performance of LNRBDA in the study area.Keywords: Perception, Lower Niger Basin Authority, farmers, Irrigation, Scheme, Productio

Availability and utilization of drug information center, drugs and therapeutic committee and standard treatment guidelines in the management of HIV/AIDS patients at public hospitals in a north-central state, Nigeria

Introduction: Nigerian National Drug Policy has targets with regards to institutionalization of Drug Information Center (DIC), Drugs and Therapeutic Committee (DTC) and Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs). Inadequate availability and utilization of these supporting policies/documents affect quality of healthcare.Objective: This study examined the availability and utilization of DIC, DTC and STGs in the management of HIV/AIDS patients at public hospitals in a North-Central State, Nigeria.Methods: This qualitative multi-center study involved in-depth interviews of eligible 10 prescribers and 7 dispensers who provided healthcare to HIV/AIDS patients in eligible public hospitals with the aid of structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, verbally transcribed, analyzed and developed into ethnographic summary.Results: Among the prescribers, STGs was the most available and utilized supporting policy/document. Less than 50% of the prescribers had DTC and DIC available in their institutions, less than 50% utilized DTC while only one prescriber utilized the available DIC. Only 10% of the prescribers had and utilized all three (STGs, DTC and DIC). Also, STGs was available to and utilized by all the dispensers. However, only 14.3% of the dispensers had DTC and DIC available in his institution and utilized them. Reasons for utilization/non-utilization of DIC, DTC, and STGs were awareness of availability, patient workload and documentation workload.Conclusion: Availability and utilization of STGs are optimal. However, availability and utilization of DIC and DTC in the management of HIV/AIDS patients in Public Hospitals are below optimal. There is need for improved availability and institutional mechanisms to ensure their utilization.Keywords: Availability, Utilization, Drug Information Center, Drugs and Therapeutic Committee Standard Treatment Guidelines, HIV/AIDS Patient

Adoption of agricultural entrepreneurship skills among arable crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study analysed the adoption of Agricultural entrepreneurial skills among arable crop Farmers in Kwara State. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; examined the level of adoption of the skills disseminated; assessed the perceived effect of the adopted Agricultural entrepreneurial skills, and identified constraints to the adoption of the skills. A four-stage sampling procedure produced 165 arable crop Farmers on whom an interview schedule was administered. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The results show that the respondents’ mean age, household size, farm size and years of farming experience were 45 years, seven persons, 2.72ha, and 20 years respectively. The level of adoption was low (45%), and significantly influenced by age (r=-0.323), household size (r= 0.306), level of education (r=0.255), frequency of extension visits (0.599) and membership of farmer-groups (0.485) at P<0.05. Inadequate access to inputs, markets, and start-up capital were the most severe challenges faced by the farmers. The study concluded that the level of adoption of the skills was low and influenced by some socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. It is recommended that stakeholders in the rural development processes should explore a multidimensional approach to resolve the identified challenges. The frequency of extension visit should be increased, and farmer-groups strengthened to play more visible roles in extension.Keywords: Agricultural entrepreneurship, Skills, Adoption, Arable crops, Agricultural Development Projec

Assessment of Cassava processing technologies usage among rural women in Kwara State, Nigeria

Technology usage has been identified as a major driver of increased productivity, waste management and economic efficiency. However, there seems to be some barriers to technology usage among rural women cassava processors Nigeria. This study therefore analysed the characteristics and constraints to technology usage among rural women processors in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 respondents from six districts, namely Igbaja, Idofin, Oke-Ode, Omupo, Ora and Share. Primary data were used for the study and the data were collected by means of an interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools, such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages, were used in analysing the data, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed the level of usage of cassava processing among rural women in the study area is moderately high. Major constraints to the adoption of cassava processing technologies includes: high cost of machines and maintenance, low level awareness and training, as well as inadequate finance. PPMC analysis showed that educational level and cassava processing experience was significantly related to the usage of improved cassava processing technologies in the study area with p≤ 0.05. Based on findings, training and effective monitoring by relevant stakeholders, adequate financing, sensitization and enlightenment campaigns will further boost cassava processors knowledge and attitude towards cassava processing technologies and automatically increase usage by the respondents

Assessment of women involvement in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) processing and preservation in Ijebu-Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the activities of women in processing and preservation of catfish in Ijebu-Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. A three-stage random sampling technique was employed to select a total of 120 respondents for the study. The data collected were analysed with both descriptive statistics and correlation model. The mean age of the respondents was 54 years with a mean of nine years of catfish processing and preservation experience. The annual mean income was N107, 587.50. Findings also show that respondents’ levels of involvement in processing and preservation methods such as smoking and salting were high. There was a positive and significant relationship between respondents’ age (r= 0.003; p=0.034), annual income (r= 0.012; p=0.030), household size (r= 0.232; p=0.011) and their level of involvement in catfish preservation at 5% level of significance. The results of correlation analysis also show that a significant relationship exists between respondents’ perceived benefits and their level of involvement in catfish processing and preservation. The study concludes that, although the level of involvement of women in catfish preservation methods was high, low income was realized from the venture when compared with the minimum wage of N18,000 that government workers earn in the study area. It therefore recommends upgrading the methods and facilities used for the preservation and preserving catfish