Economics of bio-fortified cassava varieties (BCVs) adoption and its gender implication among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Cassava bio-fortification is presented as a cost-effective approach, and it is predicted to provide some economic benefits to its adopter. On the other hand, gender-blind agricultural innovation delivery strategies impede short- and long-term impact among adopters. Due to a disregard for gender differences, many agricultural programs fall short of their objective. Recent studies in Nigeria are yet to adequately capture the gender differentials in the economic implication of BCVs adoption. This study, therefore, investigates the gender differentials in the economic implication of BCVs’ adoption among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 180 respondents for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgetary techniques. Descriptive statistics revealed a significant difference between the socio-economic characteristics of male and female cassava farmers. The results suggested that BCVs’ production is profitable and can serve as a panacea for the economic improvement of households. Study findings thus concluded that the adoption of BCVs is economically beneficial to cassava farmers and thus recommended that concerted efforts are made to ensure all farmers adopt BCVs for planting. The study proposes an integration of gender-responsive strategies to further enhance the delivery of BCVs in Nigeria

Sub-Saharan Africa ICTs Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth in the World of Big Data: Towards Addressing the Global Information Technology Report 2014-2015 on the Networked Readiness Index

In this paper we specifically address a number of the recommendations suggested by The Global Information Technology Report 2014 & 2015 (GITR 2014 & GITR 2015) with respect to Sub-Saharan Africa countries slow progress in developing its ICT infrastructure within the current world of Big Data and ICT for inclusive growth; warning that if care is not taking in terms of improving the framework condition for innovation and entrepreneurship there could be a digital divide between the developed and developing economies. In addressing this possible digital divide, we proffered a solution through a model we developed recently at Elizade University for auditing ICT infrastructure projects in a developing economy. We isolated and fully analyzed the Sub-Saharan Africa data from the GITR 2014 report, and present our model in this paper. We argue that the model will address the specific shortcomings of the region in terms of strengthening its ICT infrastructure, and will improve the framework for innovation and entrepreneurship

Relationship Marketing and Customer Satisfaction: a Conceptual Perspective

This article examined the existing body of literature on transaction and relationship marketing. The specific objectives were to develop a conceptual framework to establish the relationship between relationship marketing and customer satisfaction and to examine the components of relationship marketing on the present ever dynamic world of business. The study identified relationship marketing variables and their impact on customer satisfaction. The framework aimed to provide insights into the studies on relationship marketing factors such as trust, commitment, communication, and service quality influence on customer satisfaction. The model provided a basis for empirical studies on the factors of relationship marketing and outcomes of customer satisfaction in developing nations. The study recommends that relationship marketing dimensions such as building customer\u27s trust, commitment to customers, communication, and service quality should be properly managed and maintained by service providers in Nigeria. This helps in building customer satisfaction and in the long-run customer loyalty

ASSESSING RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY AND INVESTMENT IN COCOA ENTERPRISE: A CASE OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study determined resource use efficiency and investment in cocoa production in Osun state, Nigeria. Specifically, described the socioeconomic characteristics of cocoa farmers; determined the factors affecting cocoa production; determined the resource use efficiency in cocoa production; and estimated profitability of investment in cocoa production in the study area. The study was conducted in Osun state, south-western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used for selecting respondents for this study. A total number of 120 households were selected for the study.  Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Multiple Regression, Marginal value and budgetary analysis. The results for the entire respondents showed average values of 52 years for age, 26years for year of experience, 9 for household size, and 3.85 for farm size. Returns to scale (RTS) was 1.599. Years spent in formal education (p<0.05), farm size (p<0.05), volume of insecticide used (p<0.01), labour (p<0.01) positively and significantly influenced output of cocoa farmers. Resource use efficiency shows that family labour is 1.333, insecticide (2.575), fungicide (2.667), land (0.267), and hired labour (0.745). The estimated costs and return of cocoa farmers per hectare of land on the average in the study area were N 115,481.70 and N 156,518.30 per annum whereas the total revenue on the average was N272000, while the gross margin and net income were N166729.30 and N156518.30, respectively. The benefit cost ratio and labour efficiency ratio were 2.36 and 3.18, respectively. Following the findings of the study, the government and non-governmental agencies should ensure that farm inputs are made available to the cocoa farmers at the right time, quantity, quality and also at subsidized prices. 

GEOELECTRICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION IN CRYSTALLINE BASEMENT TERRAIN, SW NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER RESOURCES SUSTAINABILITY

This research involves the subsurface geological characterization for groundwater potential assessment within the campus of the Polytechnic of Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The study is directed towards groundwater resources exploration, development and management in the campus. Five 2D resistivity imaging traverses were conducted using Wenner array in addition to five VES surveys using Schlumberger array that provide layering information and geoelectrical parameters. Three geologic layers delineated from the 2D resistivity inversion models include predominantly clayey sand/ sandy clay top soil (overburden), partly weathered or fractured basement and fresh basement. Their inverse model resistivity values ranges 6.68 – 98.6 m , 68.0 – 929 2252 m and m with bottom depths ranges 3.8 – 6.4 m and 6.4 – 10 m respectively. 1D model inversion from VES results also delineate three lithologies classifying both topsoil and some part of the partly weathered basement as overburden with resistivity and thickness range 483 – 1746.9 m , 1.1 – 1.8 m; partly weathered or fractured basement 60.3 – 93.5 m , 8.4 -12.9 m and fresh basement 984.6 – 2078.9 m . The saturated portion of the partly weathered or fractured basement at depth will favour groundwater exploration and development in this area, while the relatively shallow overburden thickness would serve as the protective layer and recharge for the fractures

Seed Metrics for Genetic and Shape Determinations in African Yam Bean [Fabaceae] (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex. A. Rich.) Harms

The metric measures on seeds, their correlation and relationship are important for systematic breeding for seed yield and shape determination. Variations among eighty genotypes of African yam bean (AYB) for six metric seed characters (seed length, width and thickness and their ratios) were evaluated in this study. Paired comparison among the six characters revealed very high significance (P < 0.001), approving the six traits as unique parameters for evaluating AYB. They equally exhibited high and substantial genetic variance: the genotypic proportion of the total variation ranged between 90 and 97%, broad sense heritability (81 - 94%) and genetic advances (14 - 31%). Seed length and width had the highest joint inheritance of 99.04%, the least, 4.32% was between width and WT as depicted by coheritability. Positive and significant (P < 0.05) phenotypic and/or genotypic correlation existed between seed width and thickness, the three ratios and seed length with the ratios except WT. Non-significant negative correlation existed between seed thickness with LT and WT. There were very reliable and highly significant linear relationships between the seed traits except for length and width whose relationship was non-linear. Breeding concentration on any of these traits may simultaneously influence the others. The seed shape indices were the metric ratios and the flatness index; they described the common shapes of AYB seeds as: round/spherical, oval/ellipsoidal, oblong and rhomboi