Comparative Study of Training Needs of Forestry Workers in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria

The forest industry in the study area is in the verge of collapse due to the increasing scarcity of the major wood forest products. Rural societies in the states also depend on varied non timber forest products and services that are currently being jeopardised due to diminishing forest. Therefore, forestry workers in the study area need to possess the skills, knowledge, and adequate resources to help farmers within the forest area. The specific objectives are to:(a) ascertain the personal characteristics (sex, age, marital status, number of children) of respondents involved in forestry  activities in the study area.(b) examine training needs of forestry workers involved in forestry activities in the study area. The hypotheses to be tested is There is no significant relationship between the selected personal characteristics (sex, age, marital status, number of children) of respondents and their training needs in the study area. 50% of forestry workers were randomly selected from each state selected for the study. Major findings from the study revealed that: forestry workers were generally male across the states and categories. 50.0%, and 66.7% had spent 6-10 years in the service of Osun and Oyo States respectively; medium level (  = 3.0 – 3.99) in Osun and Oyo States, Vocational staff perceived they need training in most area. Professional needs training in problem solving approach (WMDS= 10) in Oyo State, and Tree/Shrub establishment (WMDS= 9.0) in Osun State. The implication of this study is that professionals and vocational staff need to improve their knowledge, skills and attitude in forestry activities. It is therefore recommended that Staffs should be given constant retraining to improve their performance and sustain forest benefits coordinated and funded by the governments

Assessment of Public and Private Extension Administration in Southwestern Nigeria

The delivery of agricultural extension and programme administration vis-à-vis their effectiveness has been of great concern in Nigeria. This study is evolved to evaluate the determinants of public and private extension delivery process in southwestern Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) respondents among the beneficiaries of each of the three selected organizations in the three purposively selected states in the study area. In all, two hundred and seventy (270) respondents were finally selected but two hundred and sixty four (264) interview schedules were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data collected. Descriptive tools include frequency counts and percentages, while Kruskal Wallis one-way analyses of variance were utilized to test the hypotheses of the study. Results revealed that Kruskal Wallis Ranking (X2-0.7.09, assyp.sig.of. 0.702) indicates that the attitude of farmers under the public and private extension administration were not significantly difference. Summary of correlation results of relationship between attitude and level of patronage of extension programme in public and private organizations also reveals negative r-value in public extension (-0.078, p<0.05) and the two private extension organizations, JDPM-RUDEP (-0.056, P<0.05) and FADU (-0.075, p<0.05) which imply inverse and non-significant relationships between the attitude and level of patronage of extension programmes of any organization. Extension works are more result efficient in private organizations than in public outfit, synthesis of public and private sectors is recommended in order to obtain durable, functional and result oriented extension works in Nigeria. Public and private organizations are also enjoined to be more up and doing and as well be flexible in their programme approach and working objectives in order to address the basic needs of their registered beneficiaries. Key Words:- Administration, Determinants, Public and Private Extension

Studies of harnessing quality attributes of condiment powder (IRU) processed from soy (Glycine max) and African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) seeds

This study harnessed the quality attributes of condiment powder (iru) processed from soy and African locust bean seeds using calabash and plastic as fermenting containers. The soy and African locust bean-condiment powders were comparatively evaluated with referencecondiment based upon storability for 8-weeks on moisture gain or loss and microbial counts, and 3-weeks colour evaluation were carried out. Sensory analysis was done using students of the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan. The design of the experiment was carried out using completely randomized design. The results revealed increase in moisture throughout the weekly storage study as the concluding 8-week showed highest in referencecondiment(14.78 %) and lower in soy-condiment powder (10.03 %) produced in plastic. Microbial count ranged from 4.74 to 5.07 log10 cfu/mL and no detection of fungi in all condiment powder samples. However, coliform was present only in control-condiment (0.73 log10 cfu/mL). Weekly storage studies on total viable count of soy and African locustcondiment powders ranged from 4.74-5.07 (week 0); 4.93-5.05 (week 1); 4.66-5.47 (week 2); 4.11-5.07 (week 3); 4.20-5.59 (week 4); 4.51-5.76 (week 5); 4.75-5.88 (week 6); 4.01-5.28 (week 7) and 4.48-5.62 (week 8) log10 cfu/mL. The degree of lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) on soy and locust bean-condiment powders produced in a plastic had optimum scores but lower in reference-condiment. General acceptability was highest in soy-condiment powder produced in plastic. Plastic container can be use for the processing of condiment powder without any adverse effect on the final product. Keywords: African locust bean, soy bean, containers, powdered condiment, moisture gai

Contribution of Mushroom Production to Rural Income Generation in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the economics of mushroom production in Oyo State. Data for the study were obtained from Ido, Surulere Local Government Area and Akinyele Local Government Area. A total of 202 respondents were selected for the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and costs-returns analysis. The result shows that majority (71.7%) of mushroom farmers are within 31 - 50 years of age. Majority (67%) of the farmers was male and married (79.2%). Furthermore, about all (95.0%) of the farmers had <1-5 years of experience in mushroom production. The costs-returns analysis revealed that mushroom production is a profitable venture. Profitability indices indicate that for every N1 of sales made, 32kobo profit is realized (ROS). RRI values shows that every N1 invested in mushroom production yields 49kobo in returns and every N1 spent on variable cost leads to 79kobo gain for the farmer. These results clearly show that mushroom production is profitable in all ramifications and should therefore be encouraged and financially supported for large scale production. The study therefore recommends articulation of sound policy by government to cater for financial inclusion and export oriented markets for mushroom. This will drive employment creation, poverty alleviation and increase in foreign earnings for the country

Ethnomedicinal Uses and Therapeutic Activities of Piper Guineense: A Review

The use of medicinal plants in most developing countries as therapeutic agents for the maintenance of good health is a widespread practice. One of such plant products is Piper guineense, which is a West African spice used in many folklore medicines and has a number of verified pharmacological activities. Proximate analysis reveals that the plant contains crude protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals while preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotoscopy of the methanol leaf and seed extract of Piper guineense revealed the presence of several constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes; sesquiterpenoids and monoterpenoids, saponins and secondary metabolites such as Aromadendrene, 1,6,10- Dodecatriene,7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene and piperine, piperidine amongst other secondary metabolites. Studies have revealed that Piper guineense possess several pharmacological and therapeutic properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, aphrodisiac, anti-parasitic, antiinflammatory, anti-convulsant, molluscicidal, oestrogenic and oxytocic properties. This paper provides a review on the morphology, physicochemical and phytochemical constituents, ethnomedicinal and scientifically proven therapeutic activities of Piper guineense

Socio-economic status of women in group membership in selected areas of Kwara State, Nigeria

This paper examines the socio-economic status of women in group membership in selected areas of Kwara State, Nigeria with a view of discussing the benefit they enjoyed from this group. It has been reported that women farmers have been disadvantaged in term of access to land and credit availability among others. The study was conducted in selected villages in Kwara State. Cluster random sampling was used for this research. Data collected from the study were subjected to Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. It was found that the average age of members in the women groups is 31 years (84%). All the women are married (100%). However, majority of the women have no formal education (86%). Most benefits enjoyed by the members of women groups are loans and credit secured (91.8%), provision of assistance during hardship (80.6%) and boosting of income (50.7%). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the variables (age, educational level, credit secured and income) together explained 30.3% of the total variation in group membership (R2 = 0.303). The Pearson correlation result revealed a significant relationship between age (r = -0.424, P<0.05), educational level (r = -0.440, P<0.05), credit secured (r = 0.359, P<0.05), income (r = 0.430, P<0.05) and group membership. From the results, it is recommended that the women groups should be strengthened and supported by the government through credit availability and training for the group leaders on group dynamics more than what they are experiencing presently. Moreover, the extension agents should advice and frequently follow up and visit the women group

Indigenous knowledge approach for rice pests and diseases control by rice farmers in Niger State, Nigeria for sustainable environmental management

Rice farming is an indigenous occupation particularly in the study area and the farmers encounter a myriad of problems which modern technology has not adequately addressed. Rice farmers in the area are predominantly male (90.0%) and mostly (76%) between 30 and 69 years of age, with few (32%) having some form of formal education. Majority (67%) of the respondents have less than 5 acres of rice farm. Birds and rodents are the most common pests while yellow mottles, brown spot and rice blasts formed the predominant diseases. Indigenous control methods for rice diseases are the use of fallow periods, timely planting, crop rotation and planting of resistant varieties. For rice pests, destruction of their abodes, regular weeding, use of traps, positions, locally prepared concoctions, as well as planting of resistant varieties, formed the indigenous practices. [JEXT Vol.1(1) 2000: 28-35

Agroforestry farming systems: environmental and socio-economic benefits of its practice

Environmental degradation is a global problem but agroforestry seems a potent weapon for tackling this hydra-headed problem. This paper highlighted types and causes of degradation and various systems of agroforestry practices. The need for extension in agroforestry was discussed. Environmental and socio-economic benefits of agroforestry practices were also listed. [JEXT Vol.1(1) 2000: 36-43