Effects of Aspilia Africana on Conception Rates of Rabbit Does

. The study was conducted to investigate the conception rates of rabbit does fed Aspilia africana as forage using thirty (30) dutch breed rabbit does of average age of 6 months in a completely randomized design. The rabbits in all the treatment groups were fed the same concentrate diet 18.0% crude protein (CP) and 2620 kcal/kg Metabolizable Energy (ME) throughout the study and mixed forages which consisted of Ipomea batatas leaves, Centrosemapubescens, Musa sapientum leaves, and Panicum maximumfrom the commencement of the experiment until parturition. Introduction of the experimental forages followed immediately after parturition and consisted of three treatments (T1, T2 and T3). The treatment consisted of T1: mixed forages (Ipomea batatas leaves, Centrosema pubescens, Musa sapientum leaves, Panicum maximum) without Aspilia africana (control), T2: fresh Aspilia africana and T3: wilted Aspilia africana. The results of the study revealed no significant differences in gestation length, receptivity and conception rates of the does in the various treatment groups before the introduction of the test plants (Aspilia africana). During the period of administration of the test plant, the treated groups; T2 and T3 had significantly lower mean values for receptivity (T2 and T3 = 1) compared to T1(3), conception rates for T2 and T3were 0% and T1was 100%. The gestation length for the control was 30.5 days while gestation was not recorded for T2 and T3 since they did not conceive at all. The ovarian weight of the control T1 (0.20 g) was significantly higher than T2 and T3 both of which recorded 0.13 g for their ovarian weights. The study showed that Aspilia africana has anti-fertility properties

The Challenges of Human Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Way Forward

The increased interaction of societies on a global dimension evidently provides for the overall need for human security especially in the African continent where the number of conflicts is still overwhelming. This paper examined the challenges of human security in Sub-Saharan Africa with a view to suggesting the way forward. Anchored on a qualitative method and with reliance on secondary sources of data, it argued that there is need to better understand the nature of the rapidly evolving large-scale challenges that can have a major impact on individuals and populations. The paper further observed that it is imperative to strengthen the mobilization of wide range of actors involved in policy formulation that affects the unfolding dangers of human security in order to curtail them. It recommended the promotion of human capacity building in African states, assistance to states in the region to tackle HIV/AIDs and other contagious diseases, promoting the active participation of communities and representatives of civil society in the planning and implementation of development programs among others and concluded that though the challenges of human security in the continent are overwhelming, a proper implementation of these measures could ensure security for the vulnerable populations in the region

Mediated Instruction and Redundancy Remediation in Sciences in Secondary Schools in Uyo Urban

The study was on Mediated Instruction and Redundancy Remediation in sciences in secondary schools in Uyo urban. Two hypotheses were postulated. Quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study with a total of 200 students purposively sampled from two secondary schools. 50 students each were used as experimental and control groups in the two schools selected. A computer designed instruction on circulatory system developed on power point projection was used in treating the experimental group, while the expository pedagogical strategy was used to teach the control groups on the same lesson. Redundancy remediation achievement test (RRAT) was developed to test the ability levels of students in both the experimental and control groups. The RRAT‟ had a reliability coefficient of .85. The data were analyzed using t-test statistics. Data analysis revealed that use of mediated instruction significantly removed redundancy for science students also the use of mediated instruction influenced academic achievement of science students in secondary schools. Some of the recommendations include that science teachers should be trained to use ICT facilities in order to integrate it into the teaching learning situation and also that Internet facilities should be provided in all schools to ensure its utilization by both science teachers and students

Adoption of climate smart agricultural practices by rice farmers in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

The rise in population amidst climate change has exerted undue pressure on food production and security. Rice production has also been adversely affected by rising temperature and varying rainfall resulting in reduced productivity. In order to cope with the negative impact of climate change events on rice production, farmers need strengthen and improve their adaptive capacity. Therefore, a study was conducted to empirically estimate the factors affecting the adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices in rice production. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the representative rice farmers for the study. With the aid of oral interview and questionnaires, information were elicited from 90 farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and univariate probit model. Results revealed that majority (62.5 percent) of rice farmers were women, 75 percent were married, 67.5 percent were within economically active age and 85 percent had post primary education. Findings further showed that education level of farmers, family size, farm income and access to information on climate change were positively and directly related to rice farmers willingness to adopt climate smart agricultural practices at 1 percent and 5 percent levels of significance respectively. Result also showed that about 55.85 percent of rice farmers in the study location received information on climate change from village meetings, friends, relatives and other farmers. Agricultural policies that aimed at increasing incomes of rice farmers and creating awareness on climate change will be rational decision

GROWTH STIMULATING EFFECTS OF ASPILIA AFRICANA FED TO FEMALE PSEUDO-RUMINANT HERBIVORES (RABBITS) AT DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES

Background: In recent times, there has been a significant short fall between the production and supply of animal protein to meet the ever increasing population. To meet the increasing demand for animal protein, there is need to focus attention on the production of livestock whose nutritional requirement does not put much strain on the limited sources of feed ingredients to which men subscribe. An example of such livestock is rabbit. Rabbit is a pseudo-ruminant herbivore which utilizes much undigested and unabsorbed feed materials as sources of nutrient for maintenance and production. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding Aspilia africana as forage on the growth rates of female pseudo-ruminant herbivores (rabbits) at different physiological states. Method: Thirty (30) dutch breed rabbit does of 5 – 6 months of age were used for the experiment which was conducted in a completely randomized design for a period of four (4) months. The rabbits were divided into three treatment groups, ten (10) does per treatment group; which consisted of mixed forages (Centrosema pubescens (200g), Panicum maximum (200g) and Ipomea batatas leaves (100g) without Aspilia africana (T1; control), fresh Aspilia africana (500g/doe/day) (T2) and wilted Aspilia africana (500g/doe/day) (T3). Rabbits in all treatment groups received the same concentrate (300g/animal/day) throughout the period of the study and mixed forages from the commencement of the experiment till the does kindled. After parturition, fresh and wilted Aspilia africana were introduced in treatments 2 and 3 respectively, whereas the control group continued on mixed forages throughout the study. Conclusion: The result of the study revealed that the initial average body weight of the rabbit does was 1.74kg. At mating and gestation periods, the body weights of the does in T2 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the rest. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in the body weights of does at kindling between the various treatment groups. During the physiological states of lactation, weaning and re-mating, the control group (T1) had significantly lower body weight than those of the treated groups (T2 and T3). Furthermore, T2 had significantly higher body weight than T3. The study revealed that Aspiliaafricana; particularly the fresh leaves have greater growth stimulating effects when fed to pseudoruminants (rabbits), thereby enhancing body weights of does during lactation and weaning

Identifying sources of efficiency among resource poor indigenous vegetable farmers in Uyo, Nigeria

Indigenous vegetables have historically played an important role in farming and consumption systems in Nigeria. Vegetable production like any other farming activity requires the use of inputs as efficiently as possible to optimize production. To identify the sources of efficiency among indigenous vegetable farmers, the stochastic frontier production function which incorporates a model for the technical efficiency effect was employed. Data from 100 indigenous vegetable (waterleaf) producers were obtained through two-stage sampling procedure with the aid of questionnaire. Using the maximum likelihood estimation analysis, asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe efficiency sources. Results revealed that the average resource use efficiency is 0.81 (81%) leaving an inefficiency gap of 0.19 (19%), indicating that about 19% higher production could be achieved using the same input mix. Land, labour, waterleaf cuttings were evaluated and identified as the most critical efficiency sources. Age, access to credit facilities, and market were identified as the most important explainers of inefficiency. To derive the benefits of economies of scale, indigenous waterleaf producers should increase their farm sizes devoted to waterleaf cultivation either by land consolidation or acquiring new farm plots. Keywords: Sources, efficiency, indigenous, waterleaf, Nigeria

Analysis of Domestic Water Consumption Pattern by Farming Households in Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the domestic water consumption pattern of farming households through the use of cross-sectional data collected from 100 households in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study utilized both exploratory statistical techniques and econometric procedure in data analysis. Findings revealed that though, the number of commercial borehole subscribers outnumber that of Akwa Ibom Water Company (AKWC), households still have high preference for water from AKWC. Result further revealed that household size, household income, storage facility, multiple usage and body mass index are major domestic potable water consumption shifters and were fairly inelastic. Findings also revealed a low per caput of 0.03399 cubic meters (33.99 liters) of water per person per day, which showed deficit of about 16 litres of water per day when compared with the WHO standard

Environmental and Management Stressors: Implications for Reproductive and Productive Performances of Farm Animals in the Tropics

This review  examined environmental and management stressors of farm animals and the effects they have on reproductive and productive performances of livestock. Stress is revealed by the inability of an animal to cope with its environment, a phenomenon that is often reflected in a failure to achieve reproductive, productive and genetic potentials. Identification of environmental and management factors/stressors of farm animals is a major step to minimizing and treating stress in livestock. Environmental stress is not limited to climatic factor but extends to nutrition, housing and any stimuli that demand a response from the animal to adapt to new circumstances. Understanding of stressors that impact domestic farm animal productivity and management practices that can relieve stress within the environment will enhance animal comfort and help animal farmers maintain a secure, productive and low-cost food supply. Furthermore, a better understanding of the environmental and management stressors of farm animals and the effects on animal's reproductive and productive performances will enable farmers to establish and maintain suitable environments and employ proper management practices to our farm animals

EFFECTS OF NUTRITION ON HAEMATOLOGY OF RABBITS: A REVIEW

This review examined the effects of nutrition on haematology of rabbits. The physiology of farm animals is influenced by several factors, one of which is nutrition. The nutritional status of an animal is dependent on dietary intake and effectiveness of metabolic processes. Dietary contents affect blood profile of farm animals. Haematological studies represent a useful process in the investigation of the extent of damage to the blood. Examination of blood provides the opportunity to clinically investigate the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of an animal. And changes in haematological parameters are often used to determine stresses due to nutrition. Reports by different researchers indicated that different diets fed to rabbits had different effects on haematological parameters, some of which were detrimental while others improved their haematological indices as they remained within the normal range of values for rabbits

Degradation of Phenol in Aqueous System by Solar Photocatalysis, Photolysis and Adsorption Processes

Phenol degradation in aqueous solutions using chitosan prepared from Crassostrea gigas (Sea oyster) shells as adsorbent was investigated using photocatalysis and adsorption processes at ambient temperature. Photolysis was carried out to study the effect of light on the degradation of phenol at ambient temperature while adsorption process was carried out without utilizing solar illumination. Effect of initial concentrations of phenol (50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/l), TiO2 loading (4, 8, 16 and 20 %), and composite mass (adsorbent + TiO2) (1, 3, 5 and 8 g) were investigated using UV-Visible spectrophotometric technique. The results obtained indicate that phenol removal increases with time and concentration of the catalyst (TiO2) and decreases with increase in initial concentration of phenol and composite mass. Combination of UV irradiation with TiO2 loading gave a degradation efficiency ranging from 98.13 - 98.92 % while UV irradiation with composite mass gave a degradation efficiency ranging from 84.80 - 98.51 %. The efficiency of the processes of degradation of phenol followed the trend: photocatalysis>photolysis> adsorption. The kinetics of the degradation fitted the Langmuir and pseudo-second–order models. Keywords: Adsorption, Crassostrea gigas, Photocatalysis, Photolysis, Titanium dioxid