Analysis of Asset Ownership and Labour Inputs among Farming Households in Ilaro Agricultural Zone, Ogun State

This study focused on analysis of asset ownership and labour inputs among farming households in Ilaro Agricultural Zone, Ogun State. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and oral interview. A total number of 80 farmers were sampled for the study. The respondents were selected by multistage sampling techniques. Descriptive analysis was used to analysis the socio- economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area. Multiple regression analysis was done to determine the effect of analysis of asset ownership and labour inputs among farming households. Also, stochastic frontier production function was used to access the effect of socio economic factors on asset ownership. The findings revealed that 33.8% of the respondents had formal education up to tertiary level and 85% had farming as their main occupation. The stochastic frontier analysis result revealed that increase in educational level, farm experience will decrease the technical inefficiency; and positive coefficient variables will also increase the technical efficiency of the asset ownership. Based on the finds of this study, the following recommendations were made: there is need to design a policy to ensure that farmers have good access to fertilizer through adequate supply and efficient distribution so as to increase productivities. This could be achieved through the expansion of domestic production and the development of rural infrastructure, especially rural roads that can facilitate accessibility at lower cost of the farmers. Also policy attention should also be directed towards providing labour saving technology to ease farm operation. Keywords: Asset, Ownership, Farm, Labour, Capita

Production Differential and Resource-Use Efficiency in Cassava Production in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was focussed to examine production differential and resource use efficiency of traditional and modernfarms, small and large scale farms as well as mono and mixed crop cassava farmers in Nigeria, using as a casestudy farmers in Ogun State, which is one of the highest producers of cassava in the south-west geo-politicalzone. It considered possible causes of the technical inefficiency The study was necessitated because effortsaimed at increasing cassava output cannot be properly directed unless the current levels of factor productivityand technical efficiency of the farms are known, and likely causes of sub-optimal usage of resources areidentified. The study was basically an application of the stochastic frontiers production function to the inputoutputdata collection procedure on selected cassava farmers to estimate the levels of technical efficiency byfarm size, technology used, and cropping systems. The finding implied that the current level of output fromcassava farms can be increased by about 38% for all farms (aggregate), if all farm inputs are effectively utilized.The cassava output (tonnes/ha) was significantly higher for mono crop and large-scale farmers than in mixedcrop and small-scale farmers respectively. Mixed crop farmers who are mainly small holders and who producedother crops in addition to cassava tubers on their farms were however found to be technically more efficient withhigher net farm incomes and returns on investment than mono crop and large-scale farmers, respectively (p ≤0.05). It is also recommended that government should intensify efforts to encourage the small-holders to improveupon their production practices. However, in the long run, large scale enterprise cannot be ruled out; so, theimpediments to large scale cassava production and the factors which make small scale operation less efficient orproductive as compared to the large scale farms should be tackled. Suffice to add that the establishment of largescale farms could ease-off the intensive labour input and thereby making mechanisation more economical.Keywords: Input, Output, Differential, Production, Resource

Technology Differentials and Production Efficiency in Cassava-Based Production in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was undertaken to analyse technology differential and production efficiency of traditional and modern farms cassava farmers in Nigeria, using as a case study farmers in Ogun State, which is one of the highest producers of cassava in the south-west geo-political zone. It considered the different net incomes of various farm categories and the relative levels and possible causes of the technical inefficiency as well as the nature of returns to scale between traditional and modern, small and large scale, and between mono and mixed crops cassava farmers. Ogun State is divided into four agricultural zones namely: Ilaro zone, Abeokuta zone, Ikenne zone and Ijebu zone. Two cells were randomly selected from each block. Data were collected during the field survey from 400 cassava farmers, selected through a multi-stage selection process using systematic random sampling technique. The translog stochastic frontier production function was fitted on the data. This was done using the stochastic frontiers version 4.1. Results of the study showed that cassava-based food crop production in Ogun State is characteristically carried out on smallholders production basis with a few of the farmers cultivating more than three hectares. Budgetary Analysis result revealed that traditional and modern farms made net farm profits of about (N220,760.35 and N222,030.85). The estimated small and large farms’ net farm profits was about N213,174.87 and N247,737.57 respectively. Also, mono and mixed crop farm generated net farm income of about N293,132.48 and N294,556.96 per annum, respectively. The finding implied that the current level of output from cassava farms can be increased by about 38% for all farms (aggregate), if all farm inputs are effectively utilized. It is thus recommended that a well monitored credit policy be put in place to enable the farmers acquire the necessary production inputs to boost their output. It is also recommended that government should intensify efforts to encourage the small-holders to improve upon their production practices. Keywords: Technology, Efficiency, Differential, Budgetary, Stochasti

Antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of sida acuta burm.f. (malvaceae)

Purpose: The antimicrobial activity of the 90 % ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Sida acuta Burm. F. (Malvaceae) was investigated in other to verify its claimed ethno medicinal use in the treatment of microbial infections. Method: The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against standard strains and clinical isolates of some aerobic bacteria and a fungus using the Agar well diffusion method. Commercial antibiotics were used as positive reference standards to determine the sensitivity of the strains. Results: The extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against standard strains and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, clinical isolates of Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecalis. The MIC values obtained using the Agar-dilution test ranged from 5.0 mg/ml. – 10.0 mg/ml. Neither the concentrated extract nor its dilutions inhibited Esherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the crude extract of the aerial parts of Sida acuta has a narrow spectrum of activity and suggest that it may be useful in the treatment of infections caused by Gram positive aerobic bacteria. Keywords: Sida acuta, ethanol extract, antimicrobial activity. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (4) 2007: pp. 809-81

DETERMINANTS OF FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND INCIDENCE OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN IJEBU DIVISION OF OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This study examined the determinants of food security status and incidence of food insecurity among faming households in Ijebu Division of Ogun State. A sample of 120 farming households was drawn using multistage sampling procedure and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics, food security index and logit model. The study showed that majority of the household heads fall within the age range of 20-60years and the incidence of food insecurity increases with increase in age of household head. Food insecurity incidence was higher among female headed households. Further revelation showed that majority of the respondents are married and the food insecurity incidence is highest among the married respondents. Household heads with no formal education had the highest food insecurity incidence while those with tertiary education had the lowest food insecurity incidence. Household food insecurity incidence increases with increase in household size. Household food insecurity incidence increases with increase in the farming experience of the household head. Food insecurity incidence of households whose heads are cooperative members was found to be lowest. Using the food security index, the survey related that 59.2% of the respondents were food secure while 40.8% were food insecure. The logit model revealed that the socio-economic characteristics of the farming households such as age (10%), education (10%), household size (1%) and farming experience (5%) are the significant factors influencing the food security status of the farming households in the study area. Effort should be made at improving programmes and policies that will ensure a proper family planning especially in the rural area which will reduce the number of children to that which the household can adequately cater for. Nutrition-oriented programmes should be organized in attempt to improve the food substitution knowledge of the farming households.Â

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

Consumption and Savings Pattern among Food Crop Farmers in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examines savings and consumption patterns among food crop farmers in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The primary data used for the study were obtained through structured questionnaires using random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square Regression model were used to analyze the data. Descriptive analysis showed that 58.3% of the household heads were males, 64.2% of them were married, and 26.7% fell within the age bracket of 30 and 49 years, indicating that the majority of them are within agile and productive ages. Most of the respondents (70.9%) had tertiary education and the average household size was below 5 persons. Furthermore, the consumption pattern shows that N22,973.39 was expended on food items while N144,407.88 was spent on non-food items and N68,475.62 was incurred on agricultural purpose, and N13,602.33 was saved.  The result of the Ordinary Least Square Regression model showed that the age of respondents, level of education and marital status of the household heads were significantly influenced by household’s monthly food expenditure (consumption) in the study area, while, monthly income and amount of food expenditure were major determinants of savings. The study recommends among other things enlightenment programmes that will educate the rural dwellers on the need to eat good quality food and need for savings. Keywords: Saving, Consumption, Loan Repayment, Multistage, Polic

EFFECTS OF COOKING CONDITIONS ON THE TEXTURE PROFILE, SENSORY AND PROXIMATE QUALITIES OF PRESSURE COOKED BAMBARA NUTS

This study evaluated the effects of pressure cooking on the textural attributes of Bambara nuts using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).The  study optimized cooking condition {Weight of Bambara (250 – 1000g), cooking time (20 -90 min) and post cooking resident time (2-12 min)} for the pressure boiling on the textural and qualities of Bambara. Five out of the eleven optimised solutions (Desirability Index range of 0.919 to 0.936) were compared with samples from conventionally boiled Bambara for proximate and sensory (colour, texture, aroma and Overall acceptance) qualities.  Data were analysed using RSM, analysis of variance and PPMC. Models for hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, fracturability and sensory texture with adjusted R2 values of 83.41%, 80.99%, 67.37% ,  93,75%  and  88.96%  respectively adequately explained the textural and sensory qualities of boiled bambara. The range of values for moisture, fat, ash, crude protein and carbohydrate were 47.88, 2.24, 1.98, 24.30, 20.91 % to 50.58, 2.58, 2.19, 25.49, 21.87% respectively.  Boiled Bambara produced at verified optimisation solutions (527.62g, 82.55, 10.43 min and 591.69g, 82.96, 9.52 minutes) were not significantly different (p >0.05) from that produced by conventional  method (weight and Cooking time: 500g and 125 min.) in spite of the relatively longer cooking time  of the later.   &nbsp

The United Kingdom Diabetic Retinopathy Electronic Medical Record Users Group, Report 1: baseline characteristics and visual acuity outcomes in eyes treated with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for diabetic macular oedema

Aims: To describe baseline characteristics and visual outcome for eyes treated with ranibizumab for diabetic macular oedema (DMO) from a multicentre database. Methods: Structured clinical data were anonymised and extracted from an electronic medical record from 19 participating UK centres: age at first injection, ETDRS visual acuity (VA), number of injections, ETDRS diabetic retinopathy (DR) and maculopathy grade at baseline and visits. The main outcomes were change in mean VA from baseline, number of injections and clinic visits and characteristics affecting VA change and DR grade. Results: Data from 12 989 clinic visits was collated from baseline and follow-up for 3103 eyes. Mean age at first treatment was 66 years. Mean VA (letters) for eyes followed at least 2 years was 51.1 (SD=19.3) at baseline, 54.2 (SD: 18.6) and 52.5 (SD: 19.4) at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Mean visual gain was five letters. The proportion of eyes with VA of 72 letters or better was 25% (baseline) and 33% (1 year) for treatment naïve eyes. Eyes followed for at least 6 months received a mean of 3.3 injections over a mean of 6.9 outpatient visits in 1 year. Conclusions: In a large cohort of eyes with DMO treated with ranibizumab injections in the UK, 33% of patients achieved better than or equal to 6/12 in the treated eye at 12 months compared with 25% at baseline. The mean visual gain was five letters. Eyes with excellent VA at baseline maintain good vision at 18 months