Comparative Study of the Academic Performances in Biology, Chemistry and Physics of Male and Female Students in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution

The study examines the academic performance of students in Biology, chemistry and physics in relation to their gender effect among the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) students of Federal College of Education, Zaria,Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 2,884 students comprising 1,349 males and 1,105 females registered in 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions were used for the study. The study adapts an ex-post-facto research design to analyze existing data without any manipulation. The study also used the final cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of students’ examination results in 2011/2011, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 respectively, obtained from the examination officers of each department for the analysis. Descriptive, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there was no significant difference between the academic performance of students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and overall science in the studied period except in Biology 2011/2012 session. There was also no gender disparity in the students’ performance in all the subjects and overall science. It was recommended among others that admission of students into Colleges of Education and other Nigerian tertiary institutions should be done without gender bias. Keywords: Effect, Gender, Academic performance, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, College of Education

Economic Impact of Galma Irrigation Scheme on the Farming Community in Dakaci, Zaria Area of Nigeria

Irrigation scheme is introduced for socioeconomic development of the community where it is based. One of such is the Galma Irrigation Fadama Project III around River Galma in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The project provides water to surrounding communities for farming. This study was carried out with a view to determine the socioeconomic impact of the irrigation scheme on farming community in Dakaci, Zaria Area of Kaduna State. The study used data acquired from questionnaire survey, interviews and other secondary sources. Relevant data which include method of land acquisition, sources of capital, size of farmland, source of labor, major crops grown, average annual crop yield and average annual income were collected. The data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the irrigation scheme to a large extent boosted crop yields and agricultural production in the area thereby improving the socioeconomic status of the farmers in the area. It is therefore recommended that more of such projects should be introduced to improve agricultural productivity. Moreover, there is the need for timely evaluation and assessment of such projects to maintain their proper functioning. In addition, government should refurbish the canals distributing the water to the farmlands, and also provide credit facilities to the farmers in order to improve their agricultural productivity which would help in ensuring food security for the nation at large

Economic Impact of Galma Irrigation Scheme on the Farming Community in Dakaci, Zaria Area of Nigeria

Irrigation scheme is introduced for socioeconomic development of the community where it is based. One of such is the Galma Irrigation Fadama Project III around River Galma in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The project provides water to surrounding communities for farming. This study was carried out with a view to determine the socioeconomic impact of the irrigation scheme on farming community in Dakaci, Zaria Area of Kaduna State. The study used data acquired from questionnaire survey, interviews and other secondary sources. Relevant data which include method of land acquisition, sources of capital, size of farmland, source of labor, major crops grown, average annual crop yield and average annual income were collected. The data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the irrigation scheme to a large extent boosted crop yields and agricultural production in the area thereby improving the socioeconomic status of the farmers in the area. It is therefore recommended that more of such projects should be introduced to improve agricultural productivity. Moreover, there is the need for timely evaluation and assessment of such projects to maintain their proper functioning. In addition, government should refurbish the canals distributing the water to the farmlands, and also provide credit facilities to the farmers in order to improve their agricultural productivity which would help in ensuring food security for the nation at large