Participation and performance of root crops scientists on cassava research and development in south eastern Nigeria

The study was conducted among cassava crops research scientists in Abia State Nigeria in order to evaluate their participation and performance in cassava research. The study described the socio economic characteristics of the researchers ascertain their level of participation in different research activities, identify their achievements in cassava technology development and the constraints militating against cassava research in the area. Data for the study were collected by the means of structured questionnaire from sixty two scientists at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike. Data collected were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables, percentages, means and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that 64.25% of respondents were young scientists between the age of 31-40 years and 90.32% of them have their M.sc and PhD in Agriculture, 87.09% and 80.65% of respondents were involved in problem identification and research planning activities. Mean  x̄ of 2.74, 2.68 and 2.58 showed high participation of respondents in cassava research activities. The study also showed the researchers agreement to the various technologies developed on cassava by researchers. Mean of 2.0 and above showed an agreement. Hundred(100) percent of the researchers indicated fund as the major constraint to cassava research in the study, followed by lack of motivation by government (96.77%), high cost of research (93.54%) and weed control problem (90.32%). It was recommended that researchers should increase their participation in research activities. Fund and motivational aids should be made available to researchers for a reliable research outcome.Keywords: Participatory, Performance, Root/tuber Crops, Scientists, and Cassav

Modalities for the Implementation of Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) by Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP), Nigeria

The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the modalities for the implementation of the special programme for food security in Enugu State by Enugu State Agricultural Development Project. The area of study was Enugu state ADP Agricultural zones. Survey research design was used and the instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Five research questions were formulated in line with five specific objectives of the study. Similarly, three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 420 farmers and 18 extension staff involved in the special programme for food security in Enugu State. A representative sample of 210 farmers and 18 extension staff were randomly selected from the population. The data collected were analysed using mean scores for answering research questions while t-test was used in testing the null hypotheses. The following findings were made: (1) farmers and extension staff established that livestock and fishery activities were promoted by ENADEP through group formation, supervision, provision of inputs, credit facilities etc; (2) the measures adopted by ENADEP in increasing crop production and profitability include farmer group formation, supervision, use of demonstration farm, etc; (3) the various ways irrigation scheme was carried out include development of tube well, micro earth dams, etc (4) the implementation of special programmes for food security by Enugu State ADP was hindered by some constraints such as lack of land, capital, communication facilities, etc; (5) some alternative ways of overcoming the constraints include implementation of Land Use Decree of 1978, provision of communication facilities at zero interest rate, etc. The following recommendations were made: government should establish adult or evening schools and standard markets for the farmers’ benefits and finally, the monthly allowances of ENADEP Staff and their mobility facilities should be improved considerably. Keywords: food security, farmer improvement, extension services, agriculture, agricultural development programm

In Vivo Anti-Trypanosomal Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Carissa Spinarum (Wild Karanda) in Mice Infected with Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei Spp.

Carissa Spinarum plant has been implicated as a medicinal plant for joints, muscle, chest pains by the massai people of Kenya, also as an antiviral supplement for HIV treatment in Tanzania. Acute toxicity of the ethanolic leaf extract and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) using four (4) microorganism (proteus, e.coli, staphylococcus aureus spp & enterobacter spp) was evaluated in mice using Lorke’s method & serial dilution method respectively. The ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated for in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity against federa strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in albino mice. Four days suppressive, curative effect against established infection and prophylactic models of anti-trypanosomal studies were carried out. The median lethal dose of the extract was determined to be ? 100mg ? kg body weight. The extract (12.5, 25, 50mg / kg) exerted some dose dependent suppressive effects at the different levels of infections tested, with no significant curative effects recorded. However, further antitrypanosomal property can be explored for the management of trypanosomiasis. Keywords: Carissa spinarum, antitrypanosomal, albino mice, trypanosome brucei brucei speci

Investigation of livestock for presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

The study investigated the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in livestock to ascertain their reservoir role and also screened for other pathogenic trypanosomes of animals in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state, Nigeria. A total of 460 livestock comprising (cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs) selected at random were bled, examined using the buffy coat and Giemsa stained thin film and packed cell volume estimated. Questionnaire was filled for each animal on demography, awareness and management practices. An overall prevalence of 2.17% with Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, T. vivax and a mixed infection of T. brucei and T. congolense observed microscopically awaiting characterization. Interviews revealed high awareness (82.8%) of tsetse and trypanosomiasis described as bush disease and abortion in four cows. The PCV values were within the normal range, however, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in sheep aged 7months to 4years in two communities. Therefore, the study indicated the presence of T. brucei and other trypanosomes suggesting that animal trypanosomiasis is still a problem to animal health and wellbeing in the study area. The study recommends effective integrated chemotherapy and vector control including livestock rearing under intensive management system to boost livestock production and productivity

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources. Here, we discuss the implementation of transformative strategies, such as expanding the regional workshop model of AfricaBP to involve multiple countries, institutions and partners, including the proposed creation of an African digital database with sequence information relating to both biodiversity and agriculture. This will ultimately help create a critical mass of skilled genomics and bioinformatics scientists across Africa.</p

Aquaponics: closing the cycle on limited water, land and nutrient resources

Hydroponics initially developed in arid regions in response to freshwater shortages, while in areas with poor soil, it was viewed as an opportunity to increase productivity with fewer fertilizer inputs. In the 1950s, recirculating aquaculture also emerged in response to similar water limitations in arid regions in order to make better use of available water resources and better contain wastes. However, disposal of sludge from such systems remained problematic, thus leading to the advent of aquaponics, wherein the recycling of nutrients produced by fish as fertilizer for plants proved to be an innovative solution to waste discharge that also had economic advantages by producing a second marketable product. Aquaponics was also shown to be an adaptable and cost-effective technology given that farms could be situated in areas that are otherwise unsuitable for agriculture, for instance, on rooftops and on unused, derelict factory sites. A wide range of cost savings could be achieved through strategic placement of aquaponics sites to reduce land acquisition costs, and by also allowing farming closer to suburban and urban areas, thus reducing transportation costs to markets and hence also the fossil fuel and CO2 footprints of production

Prevalence of trypanosomosis in trade cattle at slaughter in Kaduna, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 23(1) 2002: 107-11