UTILIZATION OF “RADIO FARMER” PROGRAMME OF IMO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BY RURAL FARMERS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the utilization of ‘radio farmer’ programme of Imo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) by rural farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the demographic characteristics of the farmers; examined rural farmers’ access to agricultural technologies disseminated through the “radio farmer” programme; assessed the extent to which the technologies were utilized by the farmers as well ascertained problems likely to constrain the effective utilization of the ‘radio farmer’ programme by the farmers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and fifty (150) farmers for the study. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to collect data from the respondents. Frequency distribution, percentage counts, mean score analysis and Ordinary Least Square multiple regression were used in data analyses. Result revealed that majority (86%) of the farmers had formal education. 88% had access to the ‘radio farmer’ programme. Majority (91.7%) of the farmers were using the ‘radio farmer’ programme to access information on improved agronomic practices. Result further showed that all the technologies disseminated through the “radio farmer” programme were utilized, though, at varying degrees: Snail farming (M= 2.5), dry season vegetable production (M= 3.0), poultry production (M= 2.0), rabbit keeping(M= 2.4), mushroom production (M=2.1), bee-keeping (M=2.4), yam minisette technique (M=2.3), etc. Majority (97.5%) of the farmers perceived the radio farmer programme as an effective channel of disseminating agricultural innovations. The demographic attributes of the farmers had a strong direct relationship (R2= 0.72) with the utilization of the radio farmer programme. However, time of broadcast was identified as a serious problem militating against the utilization of the ‘radio farmer’ programme (M= 2.3).It was therefore recommended that portable radio receivers which can be carried about should be provided for the farmers to enable them listen to the programme anywhere anytime. Keywords: utilization, radio farmer programme, Imo State ADP, rural farmers, agricultural technologies, 

An evaluation of enhanced geotextile layer in permeable pavement to improve stormwater infiltration and attenuation

This paper reports on an evaluation of the properties of a novel structure known as OASIS® which was designed at Coventry University as an enhancement of the commercially available geotextiles when incorporated in the permeable pavement system (PPS). The impact on the hydraulic behaviour of a PPS was analysed through the study of infiltration rate, throughout the PPS and time required to reach the steady-state stage behaviour of the water within the PPS, under extreme rainfall intensities of 100 mm/hr, 200 mm/hr and 400 mm/hr, corresponding to a 100-year return period rainfall over a duration of 15 min in different parts of the world. The result indicated that the novel structure provides an extra benefit when incorporated in PPSs, delaying peak flow of a rainfall event by retaining and storing great volumes of water within its structure. These additional benefits are especially important under extreme rainfall events

Assessment Of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (Tnf- Α) And Creatinine Levels In Echis Ocellatus Bite Victims In Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess tumour necrosis factor-alpha and creatinine levels in Echis ocellatus bite victims. A total of 50 subjects were recruited. Out of this number, 40 were victims of E. ocellatus bite and the remaining 10 were non-victims of snake bite who served as the control group. Blood samples were collected from the victims within 24 hours of the snake bite and EchiTAb-G antivenom administered within the same period. Another batch of blood sample was collected 48 hours post-administration of the anti-venom. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were estimated by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique while creatinine levels were determined using kinetic-spectrophotometric procedure. The mean serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and creatinine were significantly increased in E. ocellatus bite victims compared with the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mean serum level of TNFalpha was significantly lower in E. ocellatus bite victims, post-administration of anti-venom, compared with the pre-administration of anti-venom (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in the mean serum level of creatinine in E. ocellatus bite victims, post-administration of anti-venom, compared with the pre-administration of anti-venom (P>0.05). Moreover, the mean serum level of creatinine was found to be significantly increased in E. ocellatus bite victims, post-administration of anti-venom, compared with the control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the mean serum level of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in E. ocellatus bite victims, post-administration of anti-venom, compared with the control group(P>0.05). A positive correlation existed between tumour necrosis factor-alpha and creatinine levels in E. ocellatus bite subjects (r= 0.782). Echis ocellatus bite is a risk factor for renal damage indicated by an elevated serum creatinine, thus health authorities should make EchiTAb-G anti-venom freely available in health facilities and administered as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of renal damage in Echis ocellatus bite-prone areas