Mechanical Properties of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Seeds in relation to an Oil Expeller Design

Mechanical properties are very important in the design of machines and the analysis of the behaviour of products during agricultural processing. In this research work, the mechanical properties of Moringa were determined as design parameters for the development of an oil expeller for the crop. The properties were the applied force, deformation, stress, energy and Young Modulus. They were determined at peak, break and yield.The average force at peak, deformation at peak, stress at peak and energy to peak were found to be 58.535 N, 5.0990 mm, 49.26 N/mm2 and 0.1344 N.m respectively. The average force at break, deformation at break, stress at break and energy to break were found to be 58.420 N, 5.1241 mm, 49.12 N/mm2 and 0.1357 N.m respectively. The force at yield, stress at yield and energy to yield were found to be 39.000 N, 33.66 N/mm2 and 0.0224 N.m respectively. The Young's modulus was found to be 195.32 N/mm2. These parameters would provide important and essential data for the efficient design of the oil expeller.Keywords: Moringa, Mechanical Properties, Oil, Oil Expeller

Using bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) as a field drainage material in Nigeria

Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), one of the most widespread member of its genus, was used as field drainage material in Akure, Nigeria. Pre-determined sizes of bamboo with uniform lengths and diameters were installed as sub-drains in agricultural field for drainage purposes, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Soil properties such as the moisture content, bulk density, specific gravity and classification were determined. Though, with low efficiency, R-value ~0.2, the use of bamboo for agricultural land drainage looks promising. Further work on variations in drain holes diameter, slope, envelope materials and treatment of bamboo to increase its efficiency and also prolong its lifespan would be considered. Finally, it was concluded that the use of bamboo has enormous potential for alleviating many environmental problems facing the world today.Keywords: Bamboo, drain outflow, drainage, outflow rate

Physical Properties of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Seeds in relation to an Oil Expeller Design

Physical properties are very important in the design and manufacturing of processing machines. In this research work, the physical properties of Moringa were determined as design parameters for the development of an oil expeller for the crop. The properties were: length, width, thickness, arithmetic and geometric diameters, surface area, sphericity, aspect ratio, moisture content, bulk and true densities, porosity, one thousand seed weight, angle of repose and coefficient of static friction. The average moisture content was found to be 7.31 % wet basis. The average seed length, width and thickness were found to be 8.45, 7.82 and 6.41 mm respectively. The average arithmetic and geometric mean diameters were 7.560 and 7.490 mm respectively. The average surface area was 177.19 mm2; while the mean sphericity and aspect ratio were 0.889 and 0.9257 respectively. The average true and bulk densities were 971 and 662 kgm-3 respectively and the porosity was 68.18%. The mean angle of repose was 21.44o. The average static coefficient of friction on six different surfaces viz glass, stainless steel, mild steel, galvanized steel, rubber and plywood was found to be 1.027, 1.111, 1.376, 1.234, 2.199 and 1.607 respectively. It was found to be highest on rubber and lowest on glass. These parameters would serve as inputs for the efficient design of the oil expeller for Moringa seeds.Keywords: Moringa, Physical Properties, Oil and Oil Expeller

Perception of Commercialization of Agricultural Extension Service among Farming Household Heads in Kwara State, Nigeria

Public extension service delivery system has been unable to satisfactorily respond to the challenges of agricultural development, poverty eradication and rural transformation in Nigeria, resulting in continued calls for alternative systems, including commercialization of extension service. Because of their strategically significant role in farming household decision-making, this paper studied the perceptions of heads of rural household heads on commercialization of extension service in Kwara State. A four-stage systematic random sampling technique was used to select 460 respondents, while a structured questionnaire was used in data elicitation. The questionnaire also consisted of ten positively presented perceptions of commercialization on a 5-point Likert-type scale that was used to calculate Extension Commercialization Perception Coefficient (ECPC) for each respondent. Data analysis revealed that respondents were generally negatively disposed to commercialization (X=2.29). Furthermore, most respondents believed that farmers should be encouraged to support commercialization and that charges, if at all, should be based on farming income. Correlation analysis showed that education (r = .719, p = .002), farming income (r =.684, p =.005), and farm size (r =.676, p =.003) were positively significant correlates of ECPC among respondents. Also significant were income and size of personal farm. It is thus imperative that any form of commercialization of extension service be preceded by farmer empowerment and proper orientation to insure widespread acceptability.Key Words: women farmers, perceptions, extension, commercialization