Comparative analysis of aggregate agricultural productivity between low and high external input technology farms in Nigeria

The study compared the aggregate agricultural productivity between the Low External Input Technology (LEIT) and High External Input Technology (HEIT) Farms in Imo State of Nigeria. The state is divided into three agricultural zones, out of which two were randomly selected for the study. Using a multistage sampling technique, 80 LEIT farmers and another 80 HEIT farmers were randomly selected, giving a total sample size of 160 farmers. The result of Chow F- test showed that the LEIT farmers who used animal manure had a higher aggregate agricultural productivity than the HEIT farmers who used inorganic fertilizer. It is therefore recommended that policies geared toward more production and utilization of animal manure be put in place by the government.Keywords: Aggregate agricultural productivity, low and high external input technology farmsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5530-5534, 23 August, 201

Assessing the Validity of Sexual Behaviour Reports in a Whole Population Survey in Rural Malawi

Background: Sexual behaviour surveys are widely used, but under-reporting of particular risk behaviours is common, especially by women. Surveys in whole populations provide an unusual opportunity to understand the extent and nature of such under-reporting.Methods: All consenting individuals aged between 15 and 59 within a demographic surveillance site in northern Malawi were interviewed about their sexual behaviour. Validity of responses was assessed by analysis of probing questions; by comparison of results with in-depth interviews and with Herpes simplex type-2 (HSV-2) seropositivity; by comparing reports to same sex and opposite sex interviewers; and by quantifying the partnerships within the local community reported by men and by women, adjusted for response rates.Results: 6,796 women and 5,253 men (83% and 72% of those eligible) consented and took part in sexual behaviour interviews. Probing questions and HSV-2 antibody tests in those who denied sexual activity identified under-reporting for both men and women. Reports varied little by sex or age of the interviewer. The number of marital partnerships reported was comparable for men and women, but men reported about 4 times as many non-marital partnerships. The discrepancy in reporting of non-marital partnerships was most marked for married women (men reported about 7 times as many non-marital partnerships with married women as were reported by married women themselves), but was only apparent in younger married women.Conclusions: We have shown that the under-reporting of non-marital partnerships by women was strongly age-dependent. The extent of under-reporting of sexual activity by young men was surprisingly high. The results emphasise the importance of triangulation, including biomarkers, and the advantages of considering a whole population

Iodine-125 brachytherapy for brain tumours - a review

Iodine-125 brachytherapy has been applied to brain tumours since 1979. Even though the physical and biological characteristics make these implants particularly attractive for minimal invasive treatment, the place for stereotactic brachytherapy is still poorly defined

Household Food Security In Imo State: A Reflection Of Nigerian Situation

The main objectives of the study were to evaluate the food security status of households in Owerri agricultural area of Imo state, isolate the determinants of household food security and ascertain the coping strategies adopted by the people against food insecurity in the area. Six Local government councils in the area were surveyed. The sample size comprised 90 households who were randomly selected and interviewed. Analysis of the data showed that the main determinants of household food security in the area are income, household size, education, price of staple food, and sex of household head. The results of the analysis further showed that the per capita calorie intake of the people is 1990 kcal/day while the average household size and dependency ratio were found to be 9 persons and 0.77 respectively. As a result, it was concluded that there is food insecurity in the area. Key words: household, food security Journal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol.4(1) 2004: 42-5

Effects of agricultural production on external debt management in Nigeria

This study evaluated the effects of agricultural production on external debt management in Nigeria's for the period (1970-2003). Secondary data were used for the study. The results of the analysis showed that the coefficient of external debt, agricultural land area under cultivation, external debt service payment and loan maturity period were statistically significant at 10% level, while interest on external debt was statistically significant at 5% level. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) is 0.99 thus showing that 99% of the variations in external debt were explained by the independent variables. In relation to annual budgetary allocation of the federal government to agriculture, the coefficient of external debt was found to be statistically significant at 5% level. It is concluded that agricultural production impacted positively on Nigeria's external debt from 1970-2003. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(2) 2006: 92-9

Application of translog function to productivity estimation in Imo State, Nigeria

The objectives of the study are to evaluate the impact of technology on productivity, and identify the factors limiting the use of improved agricultural technologies in Imo state, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Owerri and Orlu agricultural zones of the state. The method of systematic sampling was used in selecting the sample. A total of 120 farmers were randomly selected from Owerri zone while 100 farmers were selected from Orlu zone. The Primary data used were collected between February and September, 2003. Analysis of the data showed that land and labour had significant negative impact on productivity, while planting materials and fertilizer had significant positive impact on productivity. The results also revealed that there are significant positive interaction between land and labour, land and fixed capital inputs, land and fertilizer, labour and planting materials, labour and fertilizer, fixed capital inputs and fertilizer, and planting materials and fertilizer in the state. It was concluded that improved agricultural technologies had significantly impacted on agricultural productivity in Imo state. Keywords: productivity estimation, translog function, NigeriaInternational Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 26-3

Economics and mulching in cocoyam production

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (4) 2007: pp. 303-30

Impacts of macro-economic and goverment policies on Nigeria's agricultural sector

This study examined the impacts of macro-economic and government expenditure policies on Nigeria's agriculture sector for the period, 1983-1996. Time-series data were used for the study. The period of review constituted the sample size. Data were collected on aggregate agricultural output, past real government expenditures on agriculture, economically active population in agriculture, area under agricultural activities, labour productivity in agriculture, and weather indices. Data were analyzed by applying the ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis technique to an agricultural output function. The result of the analysis showed that the intercept term, the coefficients of capital, rainfall and trend variable are statistically significant at 1% level, while the coefficient for area of land is statistically significant at 5% level. Aggregate agricultural output was found to be directly related to labour, capital and weather index and inversely related to area of land. The estimated policy impact elasticity indicates that public expenditures on agriculture during the period 1983-1996 have impacted positively on agricultural production in the country.Keywords: Macroeconomic, government policies, agricultural sectorJournal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol 3(1) 2005: 97-10

Bioefficacy of the essential oils from Ocimum basilicum, Cymbopogan nardus and Lavandula hybrida towards the Kolanut weevil Balanogastris kolae

No Abstract