Comparative Analysis of Poverty Status Among Adopter and Non-Adopters of Improved Maize Varieties Farmers in Nigeria

This study analysed the poverty status (incidence, depth and severity) among adopters and non-adopters of improved maize varieties (IMVs) in Nigeria so as to know the effect of adoption of IMVs on the adopters’ poverty alleviation. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to elicit the primary data. A total sample size of 227 (115 adopters and 112 non adopters of Improved maize varieties) randomly drawn from 36 villages across the 3 Agro-ecological zones (AEZs) was used for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Foster Greer Thorbecke index. The result of descriptive statistics shows that the respondents sampled were in their productive age with the mean age of 51.04, 58.45 and 54.75 for adopters, non-adopters and pooled respectively. Analysis of poverty status revealed that the percentage of non-poor farmers was greater among the adopters of IMV while non-adopters had higher percentage of poor farmers with pronounced incidence, depth and severity of poverty. Strengthening the efforts by government, policy makers and agro allied company that make production inputs available and accessible to the practicing farmers without bureaucratic bottleneck and increase in the sensitization campaigns by extension agents to encourage adoption of improved maize varieties based on its positive effects of reducing poverty among farmers are suggested. Keywords: Adoption, Improved Maize Varieties, Poverty status, Maize farmers,  Descriptive statistics,  Foster Greer Thorbecke index

Comparative economic analysis of irrigated and rainfed spinach (Amaranthus cruentus) production in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam.Econometric Trend, Cocoyam

Thalassorama: Economic Viability of Small-scale Marine Capture Fisheries in the Bonny Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Small-scale, costs, earnings, returns, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, Production Economics, Public Economics, Q,

Evaluation of the efficiency of constructed activated carbon for the treatment of abattoir wastewater

In Sub-Saharan Africa, effluents from abattoirs that contain dissolved suspended particles which could be either organic or inorganic are discharged untreated into rivers and lakes. Activated carbon filters can be employed in the process of removing these organic compounds from effluent, thereby making the water suitable for discharge or use in other processes. 5 liters of abattoir wastewater was used for this study, during which two different synthesized activated carbon from sawdust ACC and ACH were employed as filters for the treatment of abattoir wastewater, and thus physico-chemical, heavy metal and microbial analysis were conducted. Activated carbon used was synthesized by means of physicochemical activation of waste sawdust and later heated at 250oC, the material was chemically activated using a base calcium chloride, ACC and an acid phosphoric acid, ACH, respectively. It was found that the maximum percent removal of turbidity, pH, Alkalinity, BOD5, COD, TSS and Chloride ions were 88%, 16.4%, 0%, 89.5%, 95.2%, 96.9% and 81.9% for ACC and 99.8%, 20%, 22.9%, 92.2%, 96.2%, 97.9% and 80.8% for ACH. An increase in DO was observed at 51.1% and 53.3% for ACC and ACH respectively. It was concluded that the constructed ACC has better performance than that of ACH for most However, ACH presented better performance especially for the removal of dissolved solids. There is a need to dope activated carbon with nanoparticles for the treatment of abattoir wastewater

Analysis of ill-health and technical efficiency of maize farmers in selected local government areas of Osun state, Nigeria

Several farmers have died or incapacitated as a result of preventable and curable health challenges. These challenges no doubt have had negative impact on farmers’ welfare, agricultural production, efficiency of the farmers and the economy of developing countries like Nigeria. Though it is a known fact that ill-health is devastating but the extent of the devastation may not be known with certainty until it is scientifically proven through research. The study therefore investigated the effect of ill-health on the technical efficiency of maize farmers in Osun, State, Nigeria. 220 farmers were interviewed while the tools of analysis included descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier and cost of illness procedure. The results revealed that aches (34.32%) and malaria (22.53%) were the most prevalent illness in the area while the perceived causes of illness included stress, poor financial base and, inadequate medical facilities. Meanwhile, the main sources of treatment included consultation with herbalists, local/self medication and hospitals. The main challenges in seeking for good health comprised inadequate medical personnel, inadequate finance and, long distance of the clinics/hospitals from their farm/residence. Time cost accounted for the largest proportion of the economic cost of illness. In addition, access to health care services, number of days absent from farm due to illness and amount spent on drugs all had significant effect on the technical efficiency of the farmers. With a mean of 0.64, none of the farmers operated at the frontier level of technical efficiency. Based on the results, it is therefore recommended that extension personnel should educate the farmers on the need for adequate rest always and use of treated mosquito nets at night.Keywords: Efficiency, ill-health, self-medicatio

Breeding Record of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus (Timminek, 1823) at Emi Abumo Woro, Kogi State, Nigeria

The hooded vulture Necrosyrtes monachus is a critically endangered species and recently published evidence suggests that its population is experiencing an extremely rapid decline, owing to indiscriminate poisoning, trade for traditional medicine, hunting, persecution, electrocution, habitat loss and degradation. As a result of these threats, the species is gradually disappearing from its range and thus, the sighting of vultures or their nests is becoming very rare. This paper thus, presents a report on the sighting of the Hooded Vulture and its nest at Emi Abumo Woro Village, Kogi State, Nigeria. This is an evident and equally an indication that Emi Abumo Woro village harbours the remnant of this rare and critically endangered bird species. Materials and Methods: Two vultures and a nest were sighted on 3rd March, 2018, during a bird survey of the area. The nest was sighted on a Baobab tree Adansonia digitata, located in a fork on the main trunk, at a height above ground of 12.8 m. The nest was accessed using a ladder to determine its content. Results: The content of the nest were two eggs, which were photographed. On 17th March, 2018, when the nest was revisited, one of the eggs had disappeared and could not be accounted for. Fifteen other vultures were seen flying within the nest environment. The nest was revisited on 2nd April, 2018 and it was observed that the one remaining egg had been hatched and the vultures had disappeared to an unknown destination. The nest was a statant-cupped shaped nest of large size and the nest materials were mostly sticks and leaves of the nesting tree, which were used in lining the nest. Conclusion: This study reveals that the Hooded Vulture still exist in some parts of Nigeria and that Emi Abumo Woro village presents a good breeding site for this vulture. It is therefore very important to take some measures towards conserving the vulture and its breeding site

Effects of selenium yeast on blood glucose and antioxidant biomarkers in cholesterol fed diet induced Type 2 diabetes mellitus in wistar rats

Selenium is an antioxidant that prevents oxygen radical from damaging cells from chronic diseases that can develop from cell injury and inflammation such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible protective effect of selenium yeast on cholesterol diet induced type-2 diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress in rats. Twenty male wistar rats were divided in to four groups of five animals each: Group 1: (Negative control) received standard animal feed only, Group 2: received cholesterol diet (CD) only, Group 3: received CD and 0.1 mg/kg selenium yeast orally, Group 4: Received CD and 0.2 mg/kg selenium yeast orally for six weeks. At the end of the study period, the animals were sacrificed and the serum samples were collected and evaluated for estimation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level in the groups co-administered CD and selenium yeast when compared to CD group only. Antioxidant enzymes status recorded significant (P < 0.05) decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx activities in CD and selenium yeast administered when compared to CD group only. In Conclusion, Selenium yeast administrations prevent free radical formations which are potent inducer of diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Cholesterol diet; Diabetes Mellitus; Selenium yeast; SOD; CAT; GP

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam