Analysis of the Midline Impact of Fadama III Agricultural Development Project on Poverty Alleviation among Beneficiaries in Benue State, Nigeria

Assessment of the poverty alleviation among beneficiaries of Fadama III agricultural project was studied at midline of implementation in Benue State, Nigeria. The study focused on determining the average income of project beneficiaries and comparing with non Fadama III households based on their crop, livestock and off-farm activities as well as comparing the quality of life of Fadama users with non-users. A sample size of 314 households in 20 LGAS had a breakdown of 192 Fadama Community Associations (FCA) and 2727 Fadama User Groups (FUGs). Data was collected by ten enumerators deployed to the study area as research assistants using well-structured electronic questionnaires administered via pre-programmed computer templates for the households and community surveys. STATA software was used in cleaning raw data, matching households and community data as well as in analysis of results. The impact of Fadama III on income distribution by a Lawrence curve on income inequality, for the treatment group and the gini coefficient in the Laurence curve was 0.37830 while the concentration coefficient was 0.35921. For non-Fadama group, the non-Fadama III beneficiaries, the gini coefficient in the Laurence curve was 0.25562 while the concentration coefficient was 0.401243. Our current results show that the Fadama III treatment group displayed the lowest gini coefficient and thus confirm the highest impact of the Fadama III project on the income distribution among members of the beneficiary population studied. This study recommends that the Fadama III project should be sustained as a model for promoting poverty alleviation among rural communities in Nigeria

Additional variability in engineered Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) exposed to alpha-spin nano particles

Field study was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Federal University of Lafia, between August and October 2017 to investigate the effect of alpha nano spin on nine advanced varieties of cowpea obtained from Institute of Agriculture Research (IAR), Zaria and one local variety from Nasarawa Agricultural Development Program (NADP), Lafia which served as the control. These seeds were exposed to alpha-spin nano-particles at four different periods; 20 mins, 40 mins and 60 mins termed as T1, T2 & T3 respectively while the untreated seeds 0 mins were termed T0 (control). The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Data were collected on agronomic traits, yield components and grain yield, which were subjected to Analysis of Variance and Principal Component Analysis. Laboratory studies were also carried out to determine the pattern of Dry matter accumulation at two weeks interval for six weeks. Results of harvested seeds revealed that Sampea 5, inoculated at 40 mins treatment produced black seeds colour from brown seed colour parent. Results also showed a significant difference among treatments and varieties for mean plant height, the mean number of leaves, mean number of pods and mean pod length. Total dry matter accumulation of leaves, 100 disc leaves and stems over time varied among treatments and varieties. The first three Principal Components (PCs) accounted for 83.1% of the total variation implying their high selection stability. The detailed results are presented and discussed in this paper as a measure of the future selection of useful variants of the improved cowpea for sustainable cowpea production

Managing the Menace of Late Blight Disease of Potato Using Field Resistance in Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans is the most destructive of all potato diseases and is recorded as responsible for the famous global famine in the middle of the 19th century in Ireland. It affects leaves, stems and tubers in the field and can absolutely destroy the crop producing up to 100%25 crop loss. Jos Plateau is noted for favourable cultivation of potato which is an economic crop grown in over 250,000 hectares of land area annually. However, this prospect is hindered by the ravaging late blight which has led to colossal losses in the past three years. Reports from current production suggests great loss has already been recorded this year%253B so far about 30%25 of the total harvest is lost due to the severity of the disease. Though farmers attempt to control late blight by spraying fungicides, the use of resistant varieties in combination with other control measures such as proper cultural management and growing potato outside the blight danger period is still the best approach and feasible to small scale farmers. A research was carried out in Kuru (a location in Jos-Plateau well noted for late blight attacks). Sixteen (16) advance varieties and clones from CIP were used to screen for their resistanc

Potential role of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of “lost crops of Africa”: the case of fonio (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua)

Fonio (Digitaria spp), considered as one of the lost crops of Africa, remains an important food crop for millions of people in Africa. The intimidating challenge today is to produce enough fonio to meet the growing demand for its products. Research has an important role to play in enhancing fonio production in Africa. This paper discusses the innovative research techniques of agricultural biotechnology that are particularly relevant to facilitating the genetic improvement of fonio for higher productivity. The paper considers the potential role of biotechnology applications like DNA markers in understanding the evolution, origin, distribution and diversity of fonio in Africa; somaclonal variation in generating genetic variability in fonio; and genetic transformation in circumventing fonio breeding barriers to introduce alien genes of agronomic importance into fonio. Key words: Fonio, Digitaria exilis, Digitaria iburua, lost crops. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (12), pp. 580-585, December 200

Promising Use of Alpha-Spin(r) Nano Particles Bombardment for Selection of Useful Variations in Moringa Oleifera Seedlings in Nigeria

The germination and some morphological development parameters such as number of branches, plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and number of leaflets was observed for Moringa oleifera treated with alpha spin nanoparticles in Lafia, Nigeria. The treated seeds were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) after four levels of treatments at 10minutes, 20minutes, 30minutes, 40minutes and 60 minutes. These along with control treatments were replicated three times in the field and allowed to undergo normal cultural practices as at when due. Data was collected for germination, plant height, number of branches, total number of leaves, stem girth and number of leaflets. The data was analyzed statistically using GENSTAT statistical software and treatment means were separated by the least significant differences (LSD) at 5%25 probability from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effect of the treatments on germination at the level of 10 minutes and 15 minutes exposure was not significantly different from the control but there was observed difference when the exposure increased to 30 minutes and 1 hour. Similarly the other growth parameters responded to the treatments by showing a significant difference in the treatments at 30 minutes and 1 hour exposure to the treatments. These results are discussed with a view to obtaining genetically diverse and useful variants

Open Institute of the African BioGenome Project: Bridging the gap in African biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics

Africa, a continent of 1.3 billion people, had 326 researchers per one million people in 2018 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022), despite the global average for the number of researchers per million people being 1368 (Schneegans, 2021; UNESCO, 2022). Nevertheless, a strong research community is a requirement to advance scientific knowledge and innovation and drive economic growth (Agnew, et al., 2020; Sianes, et al., 2022). This low number of researchers extends to scientific research across Africa and finds resonance with genomic projects such as the African BioGenome Project (Ebenezer, et al., 2022). The African BioGenome project (AfricaBP) plans to sequence 100,000 endemic African species in 10 years (Ebenezer, et al., 2022) with an estimated 203,000 gigabases of DNA sequence. AfricaBP aims to generate these genomes on-the-ground in Africa. However, for AfricaBP to achieve its goals of on-the-ground sequencing and data analysis, there is a need to empower African scientists and institutions to obtain the required skill sets, capacity and infrastructure to generate, analyse, and utilise these sequenced genomes in-country. The Open Institute is the genomics and bioinformatics knowledge exchange programme for the AfricaBP (Figures 1 & 2). It consists of 10 participating institutions including the University of South Africa in South Africa and National Institute of Agricultural Research in Morocco. It aims to: develop biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics curricula targeted at African scientists, promote and develop genomics and bioinformatics tools that will address critical needs relevant to the African terrain such as limited internet access, and advance grassroot knowledge exchange through outreach and public engagement such as quarterly training and workshops

Bridging the gap in African biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics:Open Institute of the African BioGenome Project:

The Open Institute of the African BioGenome Project empowers African scientists and institutions with the skill sets, capacity and infrastructure to advance scientific knowledge and innovation and drive economic growth

GC-MS Characterization of Unsweetened and Sweetened “Kunun-zaki” Beverage and Pulp

Aims: To characterize unsweetened and sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink/pulp using GC-MS. Study Design: The experimental groups were divided into four: unsweetened “kunun-zaki” drink, sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink, unsweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp and sweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp respectively. Place of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State and Central Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: The processes involved sorting, cleaning, soaking, decanting, washing, milling, gelatinization, fermentation, and sieving. Unsweetened “kunun-zaki” beverage was made from millet, sorghum, soybean, dried sweet potatoes, germinated rice, ginger, and cloves. The same process was followed for the sweetened variety, with addition of dried dates. After sieving to collect “kunun-zaki” beverage, the remnant was the pulp. Hydrodistillation and Soxhlet apparatus were used to extract the essential oils, and fatty acids respectively. Fatty acid methyl esters of the samples were then analysed using GC-MS. Results: The GC chromatogram identified three constituents in unsweetened “kunun-zaki” drink. The dominant constituents were 9,12-octadecadienenoic acid (z,)- (73.36%), and n-hexadecanoic acid (19.31%). Eleven compounds were identified in sweetened “kunun-zaki” drink. The most abundant was 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- 54.062%, followed by n-hexadecanoic acid (17.278%). Twenty-one peaks corresponding to eighteen compounds were detected in unsweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp. The dominant constituents were gingerol (20.262%), 1H-3a,7-methanoazulene,2,3,4,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,6,8,8-teramethyl-,[3R-(3α,3aβ,7 β,8aα)]- (19.925%),  2-Butanone,4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- (15.59%), and cedrene (10.977%). For sweetened “kunun-zaki” pulp, four compounds were detected. The dominant compounds being 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (z,z)- (68.664%), n-hexadecanoic acid (18.654%), and oleic acid (10.199%). Conclusion: The results showed safe fatty acid profile of all samples for different health status. Other components showed bioactivities with significant health benefits. This study identified compounds which validate the medicinal claims of “kunun-zaki.” This is the first documentation of GC-MS profiling of “kunun-zaki” parts

Mutagenic Action of Sodium Azide on Germination and Emergence in Landraces of Phaseolus vulgaris L.on the Jos Plateau Agro-Ecological Zone

Abstract: Phaseolus vulgaris (Common beans) landraces are one of the most cultivated legumes for human consumption on the montaneclimate of the Jos Plateau and is renowned for the production of reasonable quantities of the beans in Africa