Comparative Study of Training Needs of Forestry Workers in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria

The forest industry in the study area is in the verge of collapse due to the increasing scarcity of the major wood forest products. Rural societies in the states also depend on varied non timber forest products and services that are currently being jeopardised due to diminishing forest. Therefore, forestry workers in the study area need to possess the skills, knowledge, and adequate resources to help farmers within the forest area. The specific objectives are to:(a) ascertain the personal characteristics (sex, age, marital status, number of children) of respondents involved in forestry  activities in the study area.(b) examine training needs of forestry workers involved in forestry activities in the study area. The hypotheses to be tested is There is no significant relationship between the selected personal characteristics (sex, age, marital status, number of children) of respondents and their training needs in the study area. 50% of forestry workers were randomly selected from each state selected for the study. Major findings from the study revealed that: forestry workers were generally male across the states and categories. 50.0%, and 66.7% had spent 6-10 years in the service of Osun and Oyo States respectively; medium level (  = 3.0 – 3.99) in Osun and Oyo States, Vocational staff perceived they need training in most area. Professional needs training in problem solving approach (WMDS= 10) in Oyo State, and Tree/Shrub establishment (WMDS= 9.0) in Osun State. The implication of this study is that professionals and vocational staff need to improve their knowledge, skills and attitude in forestry activities. It is therefore recommended that Staffs should be given constant retraining to improve their performance and sustain forest benefits coordinated and funded by the governments

Assessment of Public and Private Extension Administration in Southwestern Nigeria

The delivery of agricultural extension and programme administration vis-à-vis their effectiveness has been of great concern in Nigeria. This study is evolved to evaluate the determinants of public and private extension delivery process in southwestern Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) respondents among the beneficiaries of each of the three selected organizations in the three purposively selected states in the study area. In all, two hundred and seventy (270) respondents were finally selected but two hundred and sixty four (264) interview schedules were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data collected. Descriptive tools include frequency counts and percentages, while Kruskal Wallis one-way analyses of variance were utilized to test the hypotheses of the study. Results revealed that Kruskal Wallis Ranking (X2-0.7.09, assyp.sig.of. 0.702) indicates that the attitude of farmers under the public and private extension administration were not significantly difference. Summary of correlation results of relationship between attitude and level of patronage of extension programme in public and private organizations also reveals negative r-value in public extension (-0.078, p<0.05) and the two private extension organizations, JDPM-RUDEP (-0.056, P<0.05) and FADU (-0.075, p<0.05) which imply inverse and non-significant relationships between the attitude and level of patronage of extension programmes of any organization. Extension works are more result efficient in private organizations than in public outfit, synthesis of public and private sectors is recommended in order to obtain durable, functional and result oriented extension works in Nigeria. Public and private organizations are also enjoined to be more up and doing and as well be flexible in their programme approach and working objectives in order to address the basic needs of their registered beneficiaries. Key Words:- Administration, Determinants, Public and Private Extension

Accessibility of youths to health care in Nigeria

The youths of Nigeria cover up to 60% of the entire Nigeria population. Youths are a symbol of a town or village with potentials to perform strenuous work and constitute essential human resources for development. Youths are not excluded from health issues facing the generality of the human population. This study examines the accessibility of youths to the various health facilities available, the cost of services provided and also the relationship between the health facilities available and the cost of services provided. The National baseline survey report of 2012 was used. Three States were randomly selected from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country. Majority of the respondents patronized public hospitals than other health institutions. Most youths claimed that the cost of services provided were moderate. There is a significant relationship between health care alternatives available and cost of services. There should be more sensitization for the youth to take their health seriously and patronize health facilities where adequate examination can be carried out.Key words: Youth, Accessibility, Nigeria

Training Needs of Vocational Forestry Staff in Ogun State Nigeria

Forests contribute in different forms to national and economic growths. Nigeria suffers the second largest net loss in forest reserve with 4.0 million hectares cleared annually. There is also inadequate training based on need assessment, and forestry personnel lack opportunities to update their knowledge. These concerns gave rise to this study with specific objectives to level of knowledge and level of skills of vocational staff in forestry activities. Data were collected using a simple random sampling technique in the selection of 50% of vocational staff totaling 143 respondents. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Majority of forestry vocational staff were between ages 41-50 years. Majority of vocational staff were school certificate holders and all staff considered themselves to be forest stakeholders. Thirty two percent of vocational staff attended Hammer procedure course. Vocational staff perceived their knowledge level and skill level as medium and that they needed little or no training in most of the area of needs. In conclusion, the study has shown that vocational staff in the study area needs to improve their knowledge, skills in forestry activities to meet up with the contemporary challenges

Training Needs of Vocational Forestry Staff in Ogun State Nigeria

Forests contribute in different forms to national and economic growths. Nigeria suffers the second largest net loss in forest reserve with 4.0 million hectares cleared annually. There is also inadequate training based on need assessment, and forestry personnel lack opportunities to update their knowledge. These concerns gave rise to this study with specific objectives to level of knowledge and level of skills of vocational staff in forestry activities. Data were collected using a simple random sampling technique in the selection of 50% of vocational staff totaling 143 respondents. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Majority of forestry vocational staff were between ages 41-50 years. Majority of vocational staff were school certificate holders and all staff considered themselves to be forest stakeholders. Thirty two percent of vocational staff attended Hammer procedure course. Vocational staff perceived their knowledge level and skill level as medium and that they needed little or no training in most of the area of needs. In conclusion, the study has shown that vocational staff in the study area needs to improve their knowledge, skills in forestry activities to meet up with the contemporary challenges

An agro-economic appraisal of the response of okra to leaf defoliation: Growth and marketable yeild

The leaves, shoots, immature pods and dry seeds of okra are used extensively in vegetable food preparations in the tropics. The fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins, which are essential for body functions. The soft and succulent nature of the leaves make them vulnerable to attack and subsequent damage by a range of leaf eating insects, animal pests and man. Such damage results in remarkable yield loss and reduced market value. Identification of the critical stages of attack and extent of loss taking place at each stage of development of the plant could aid in planning strategies for prevention and/or control. Thus, two field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of leaf removal on the growth and marketable yield of okra. The treatments on leaf defoliation at different stages of development consisted of removal of leaves at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) as early vegetative stage, 6WAS (at floral budding stage) and 8 WAS (at early fruiting stage). The treatments on the degrees of defoliation included the control (no leaf removal), removal of a quarter (D25), half (D50), three quarter (D75) or total removal (D100) of every fully expanded leaf. Different proportions of every leaf were removed with sharpened scissors. Each treatment was replicated four times. The experiment was 3 x 5 factorial with randomized complete block design. Current market price was used to value the yields. The removal of up to a quarter of each leaf did not affect the fruit yield significantly but the yield was significantly reduced by 39, 79 and 86% when ½, ¾ of each leaf andcomplete leaf were defoliated, respectively. In money terms, the losses were N26,390($175.93), N52,780($351.87), and N57,876($385.84) per hectare, respectively for these various defoliation levels. Removal of okra leaves during the early fruiting stage led to 82% marketable yield reduction. Complete leaf defoliation was detrimental to fruit yield. The results suggested that okra could tolerate 25% defoliation as might occur from leaf eating insects, human predators or foliage pathogenic infections but beyond this level, it would be detrimental. A programme of control of leaf predators in okra management should therefore commence prior to orat the early fruiting phase in order to realize yields of good value. Further research on commercial uses of okra and the economics of pest control on okra fields is recommended.Key words: Agro-economic, Defoliation, Fruiting, Yield, Commercia

An Agro-Economic Appraisal Of The Response Of Okra To Leaf Defoliation: Growth And Marketable Yield

The leaves, shoots, immature pods and dry seeds of okra are used extensively in vegetable food preparations in the tropics. The fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins, which are essential for body functions. The soft and succulent nature of the leaves make them vulnerable to attack and subsequent damage by a range of leaf eating insects, animal pests and man. Such damage results in remarkable yield loss and reduced market value. Identification of the critical stages of attack and extent of loss taking place at each stage of development of the plant could aid in planning strategies for prevention and/or control. Thus, two field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of leaf removal on the growth and marketable yield of okra. The treatments on leaf defoliation at different stages of development consisted of removal of leaves at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) as early vegetative stage, 6WAS (at floral budding stage) and 8 WAS (at early fruiting stage). The treatments on the degrees of defoliation included the control (no leaf removal), removal of a quarter (D25), half (D50), three quarter (D75) or total removal (D100) of every fully expanded leaf. Different proportions of every leaf were removed with sharpened scissors. Each treatment was replicated four times. The experiment was 3 x 5 factorial with randomized complete block design. Current market price was used to value the yields. The removal of up to a quarter of each leaf did not affect the fruit yield significantly but the yield was significantly reduced by 39, 79 and 86% when ½, ¾ of each leaf and complete leaf were defoliated, respectively. In money terms, the losses were N26,390($175.93), N52,780($351.87), and N57,876($385.84) per hectare, respectively for these various defoliation levels. Removal of okra leaves during the early fruiting stage led to 82% marketable yield reduction. Complete leaf defoliation was detrimental to fruit yield. The results suggested that okra could tolerate 25% defoliation as might occur from leaf eating insects, human predators or foliage pathogenic infections but beyond this level, it would be detrimental. A programme of control of leaf predators in okra management should therefore commence prior to or at the early fruiting phase in order to realize yields of good value. Further research on commercial uses of okra and the economics of pest control on okra fields is recommended

Training Needs of Vocational Forestry Staff in Ogun State Nigeria

Forests contribute in different forms to national and economic growths. Nigeria suffers the second largest net loss in forest reserve with 4.0 million hectares cleared annually. There is also inadequate training based on need assessment, and forestry personnel lack opportunities to update their knowledge. These concerns gave rise to this study with specific objectives to level of knowledge and level of skills of vocational staff in forestry activities. Data were collected using a simple random sampling technique in the selection of 50% of vocational staff totaling 143 respondents. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Majority of forestry vocational staff were between ages 41-50 years. Majority of vocational staff were school certificate holders and all staff considered themselves to be forest stakeholders. Thirty two percent of vocational staff attended Hammer procedure course. Vocational staff perceived their knowledge level and skill level as medium and that they needed little or no training in most of the area of needs. In conclusion, the study has shown that vocational staff in the study area needs to improve their knowledge, skills in forestry activities to meet up with the contemporary challenges.Keywords:- Vocational staff, Training needs, Forestry Activities, Knowledge level, Skill leve

Awareness On Genetic ‘Erosion\' Of Some Economic Genes In Nigerian Local Chicken

Insufficient animal protein consumption has been identified as a major nutritional stress among teeming Nigerian populace; however, studies have shown that some genes in domestic chicken could be exploited to improve meat and egg production in poultry. The study sampled 1037 adult local chicken in Atiba and Oyo East local Government areas of Oyo State to investigate the frequency of occurrence and influence of four adaptive genes (Polydactyly, Ptilopody, Frizzle and Naked neck) on body weight of adult chicken. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Result shows that frequency of occurrence was lower than expected (75%) for these dominant genes: Polydactyly; 5.0%, Ptilopody 2.12%, Frizzle 1.74% and Naked neck 0%. Polydactyly and Ptilopody gene carriers were heavier than other phenotypes while frizzled were smaller than normals. The gene frequencies of the dominant genes were significantly different to the expected mendelian frequency. It is clearly demonstrated that these major genes are at the brink of extinction considering their frequency of occurrence in the study area. Conclusively, there is a need for preservation and awareness on the contribution of these genes to rural poultry production. Keywords: Genetic, Erosion, Genes, Local chicken. African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol. 5 2007: pp. 32-3

Trend analysis of food crops production in Nigeria (1990-2005)

There is an increase in the pressure to improve the quantity of food produced in relation to rapid increase in population growth. This study examined the trends in the output of five food crops grown in Nigeria between year 1990 and 2005, the growth rate of crop production, and recommends policies for sustainable increase in food production in Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained from Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER), and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Regression analysis was used for data analysis. The result shows that the physical output of food crops in Nigeria portrayed a clear trend over the period reviewed. Out of all the crops studied cassava constituted 62.27% of the total output of the crops within the period under review, followed by maize (14.3%), and then millet (11.96%); rice was 6.54%. the lowest contribution of 4.92% came from beans. The neglect of the agricultural sector has negative effect on the production of food crops and therefore needs effective policies to boost it. These policies will in turn ensure the much expected positive growth rate. Key words: Trend analysis, food, crops, agricultur