Education and Knowledge Transfer: A Priority for the Future

This is an Executive Interview with Lucas Vokurda, Research Coordinator School of Agriculture and Technology, INHOLLAND University, Netherlandsresearch, capacity building, knowledge transfer, chain management, Food Security and Poverty, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

A Bayesian Approach for Validation of Election Results

Election process and results in many countries have resulted in both political and economic instability of that country. Fair and credible election process and results must be evidence-based and statistical proven. This study employed a Bayesian procedure for the validation of election results. Based on Nigerian 2011 and 2015 presidential election results, Bayesian credible intervals were obtained to assess the credibility of Nigeria presidential election results. The study explores Bayesian methods using a Bayesian model called beta-binomial conjugate model to compute posterior probability of electoral votes cast and confirm if these votes are within Bayesian credible intervals. The results obtained showed that election outcomes for the two major political parties in Nigeria 2011 presidential election are not within Bayesian credible bounds while 2015 presidential election results are within computed Bayesian credible bounds. Also, in contrast to frequentist approach, applied Bayesian methodology exhibited smaller variance which is an indication that Bayesian approach is more efficient. Thus, for election to be fair, credible and acceptable by the electorates, Bayesian approach can be used to validate electoral process and results. Keywords: Bayesian Methods, Bayesian Credible Intervals, Beta-Binomial Model, Empirical Bayes, Nigeria Presidential Elections

Nutrient standardization and characterization of cassava plant meal

The study standardized and assessed the nutrient profile of composite Cassava Plant Meal (CPM) with a view to determining its suitability as feedstuff for livestock. Three CPM products were developed from cassava (TMS) 30572 harvested at 24 months. The sun-dried unpeeled cassava root meal, cassava leaf meal and tender cassava stem meal were mixed at ratios 2:1, 2.5:1 and 3:1 while the ratio of the leaves to tender stems was 5:1 across the three CPM products. The tender cassava stem were harvested at 5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm from top of the plant, unpeeled cassava root meal and leaf meal were analysed for proximate composition. The proximate composition, minerals, amino acids, vitamins and fatty acids of CPM products and maize were determined using standard chemical procedures. Results showed that cassava tender stem harvested at 5 cm had the best (P < 0.05) nutrient composition with highest crude protein (7.24 %). The proximate composition of cassava fractions differed significantly (P < 0.05). The proximate composition showed that CPM products had comparable (P > 0.05) crude protein and nitrogen free extract values as maize. CPM products showed superiority (P < 0.05) in calcium over maize meal though maize meal was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in phosphorus (0.237 %) compared to CPM products. The proline, valine, tryptophan and isoleucine amino acids differed significantly (P < 0.05) across the CPM products and maize. CPM products are significantly (P <0.05) higher in vitamins and fatty acids than maize. In conclusion, Cassava plant meal product 1 had comparable nutrient profile as maize and Cassava tender stem meal harvested at 5 cm from top of the plant be included in the products. Key words: Cassava plant meal products, Maize, Nutrients

Impact of Urban Housing Flood in Ondo, Nigeria

Urbanization is the awkward growth of the urban population caused by lack of provision of infrastructural facilities and poor economic statuses in the rural areas. The urge for better standard of living push people to urban centers from the said rural but the level of penury and economics status to meet basic end means of shelter, food and clothing in the order of priority denied the migrants accessibility to buildable land thus, overcrowding the existing housing stock, frustration from high cost of housing and rents among others tended the vulnerable to move and relocate to available marginal and flooding prone milieu with an unplanned urban built. The foremost factors of urban housing flood are caused by anthropogenic in nature while others are relevant to meteorological, climatological, and geomorphological tectonics. Flooding is a situation that results when land that is usually dry is covered with water of river overflowing or heavy rain. Flooding occurs naturally on the flood plains which are prone to disaster. It occurs when water in the river overflows its banks. It has not only left several people homeless but also has destroyed properties, disrupted business activities, expose residents to an impending cholera, diarrhea, malaria, skin infections and other water-borne diseases epidemic. The aim is to examine urban housing vulnerability to flood in Ondo, Nigeria through the relationship which exists between poor housing quality implications and flooding. Data were collected by direct observation, questionnaires and personal interviews from a sample population of 126 houses in the flooded prone area. This paper intends to look at the causes, impact of urban housing flood and suggest ways to prevent flood disaster in a sustainable way. This paper recommends: an awareness and re-orientation program for residents of flood prone area, plains and other related marginal lands in Ondo; a total clearance of all the encroaching buildings in the corridor and resettlement of all affected households is canvassed for sustainable urban development. The town planning authority should enforce restrictions of buildings on floodplains of the river because of their vulnerability to flood catastrophe. Given the increasing intensity of flooded plains, this study recommends the need for further study on the impact of other urban furniture flood in the urban center. Keywords: Flood, Housing, Urbanization, Ondo, Nigeria

Resource Use Efficiency of Millet/Cowpea Intercropping in Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability and resources-use efficiency of millet/cowpea mixed farmers production in Niger state Nigeria. The primary data for the study was obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 80 randomly sampled farmers in Kotangora Local Government Area of Niger State. Farm budgeting technique and exponential production function were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the estimated gross margin, net farm income, gross ratio, operating ratio and returns on investment are N57,542.42 per hectare, N54,240.40 per hectare, 0.37, 0.31 and 2.15. The regression result shows that seed and family labour were statistically significant at 1% level of probability, while farm size and hired labour were statistically significant at 5% level of probability. The allocative efficiency results show that seeds, family labour and agrochemicals were under-utilized. Farm size and hired labour were over-utilized. Efficiency and productivity could be improved if the farmers use more seed, family labour, agrochemicals, less of hired labour and land.Crop Production/Industries,

Growth response, carcass traits and cholesterol of growing-finishing pigs fed different fibre feedstuffs based diets

The study evaluated the growth response, carcass traits and cholesterol of growing finishing pigs fed different fibre feedstuffs made up of palm kernel cake (PKC), corn bran (CB), rice bran (RB) and brewers dried grain (BDG) for twelve weeks. Sixteen cross-bred (Large White ×Hampshire) growing pigs of average weight 31.25±1.88 kg were randomly distributed into 4 experimental diets of 4 animals per treatment with each animal serving as a replicate. Diet 1 contained 40% of Corn bran (CB),while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 40% of PKC, BDG and RB respectively. The design of the study was completely randomized  design. The growth response of the animals showed significant difference (P < 0.05) on the average final weight and daily weightgain. The average final weight ranged from 55.24 to 72.11 kg with PKC based diet having the highest value and RB based diet having the least. The average daily weight gain was highest for PKC based diet (0.470 kg) and lowest (0.281kg) for RB based diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged from 3.39 to 4.66. The carcass cholesterol which was significantly affected (p<0.05) by the dietary treatments ranged from 43.44 to 53.00 mg/100g) with PKC based diet having the least value. It can be concluded from this study that PKC was better utilized by growing/finishing pigs than the other fiber feedstuffs for growth, Carcass trait and low Carcass cholesterol.Key words: Carcass trait; Carcass Cholesterol; Growth; Fibre Feedstuff

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY'S TRADE POTENTIAL AND PERFORMANCE WITH EUROPEAN UNION: A PERSPECTIVE OF SELECTED FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMODITIES

Based on the impressive growth trend within the export-driven horticulture sector over the past 2-3 decades among the East African Community (EAC) member states, this paper aims at predicting the trade potential and performance of a selected fruits and Vegetables (FVs) within the European market. Within the gravity model framework, based on the Zero Inflated Poisson (ZIP) estimator, we use the out-of sample approach to predict potential trade flows of FVs by using highly disaggregated panel data. In light of ascertaining trade performance of EAC member states' FV commodities within the EU market, we use the Relative Difference index. Empirical results reveal that Asparagus from Kenya has room for trade expansion across all the EU-member states while Beans and pepper from Uganda also have a large un-exploited market within the EU market. Similarly, Beans from Tanzania also have room for trade expansion across many EU member states. Results further revealed that EAC member states exhibit poor trade performance within the EU-market in the various FV commodities, which suggests that there exists some barriers to trade between the EAC and EU. Thus, it is incumbent upon EAC member states to foster trade cooperation in horticultural commodities with the EU member states

A SPATIAL MEASUREMENT AND RECOGNITION SYSTEM USING AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT

In this paper, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is designed to determine the lateral dimensions of an arbitrary enclosed space and to predict its area and shape. The robot operates in two modes, navigation and measurement modes. It uses the ultrasonic sensor to guide around obstacles in the navigation mode and also to calculate the area, in measurement mode, by determining the x-y dimensions. Communication with the robot is achieved by means of a Bluetooth connection to an android mobile phone. Extracted information from measurement times are found to be useful in tracking the path of the autonomous mobile robot

Immunoglobulin Levels in HIV Patients And Abo Blood Group: Is There A Relationship?

This study aims at determining relationship between the ABO blood group and the level of immunoglobulin classes in patients infected with Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). One hundred and fifty three (153) confirmed HIV-1 positive subjects were enrolled in the study. These comprise of 62 (40.5%) males and 91 (59.5%) females. Sex and age-matched HIV-negative control were also recruited. The subjects comprise of adults aged 18-55 years with 36 years as the mean age. The study was conducted at the CDC-UNTH ART clinic Enugu after obtaining ethical approval from the relevant authority.The total protein, globulin, albumin IgG, IgM and IgA were assayed for both the HIV-positive patients and control subjects. The standard tube technique for both cell and serum grouping was used in determining the blood groups of the patients and control group under the study. The total protein, albumin and immunoglobulins levels were all determined using the Roche/Hitachi 902 automated  analyser .The assay principle of the total protein and albumin was colorimetric assay while that of immunoglobulins was turbidimetric.  Globulin assay was determined by finding the difference between total protein and albumin values. Descriptive statistics which include means, standard deviation (SD), frequency and percentage were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables. Differential statistics which include chi-square was used to test association between categorical variable while two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means of continuous variables. All analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 18.0.The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG ,IgM and IgA for the HIV-positive subjects were 84.92g/l, 40.13g/l, 44.96g/l, 19.31g/l, 1.56g/l and 2.41g/l respectively. The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG, IgM and IgA for the control group were 75.94g/l, 30.19g/l,45.80g/l, 18.78g/l, 0.88g/l, 2.12g/l respectively. Our work did not establish any statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between ABO blood group and HIV infection. There is no significant difference in the mean levels of total protein, globulin, IgG,  IgM and IgA  across the blood groups (A,B,AB and O). We recommend the inclusion of IgM, IgG, IgA, globulin and total protein assays as baseline study in addition to the well established CD4+ cell count and viral load assay in assessing the Immune status of people infected with HIV at baseline. More study is recommended. KEY WORDS: HIV, infection, Immunoglobulin, ABO Blood group

Water Withdrawal Trends, Cost and Uses in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Water is an essential component of life. Globally, there is a drawback in its availability and this is increasing and duplicating itself thereby intensifying the struggle for scarce water resources. This study assessed the water resource availability, access, water withdrawal trends, and presents the outcome of a survey of water use pattern in a semi-urban settlement in Southwest Nigeria. The study employed the use of a detailed questionnaire and oral interview for the collection of data. The water use pattern extends to various water consumers such as residential, institutional, commercial and industrial. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that 70% of the settlement depend on groundwater alone, while 30% on surface water. The findings in the study revealed that the rate of patronizing commercial water seller is very high compared to the government approved tariff rate of 66.7% price margin, and there is an increasing demand on water from the various settlements considered. The outcome will enable better investment and management decisions in water withdrawal and usage in the near future as this must be based on estimates of future needs and the available resource potentials