Determinants of farmers’ adoption of agroforestry technology in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined the various forms of agroforestry technologies adopted by the farmers as well as assessed the factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technologies among farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents from the study area. Both descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages as well as inferential statistics such as Logistic Regression model were used in the study. From the study, it was discovered that adopters of agroforestry technology accounts for 42.47%, while non-adopters accounted for 57.53% of the sampled respondents. The result further shows the different forms of  agroforestry practices adopted by the farmers in the study area which includes boundary planting, multipurpose trees/shrubs, wind breaks and live fencing. The result of the analysis of the factors that influence the adoption of agroforestry technologies among farmers from the logistic regression analysis revealed that access to extension services, age, education, farming experience, farm size and gender were positive and significant factors in determining the adoption of agroforestry technologies among the farmers

Structure, conduct and performance analysis of honey markets in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study specifically investigated, marketing practices, channels of honey distribution and performance. Multi-stage sampling technique was used  to select respondents from the four (4) agricultural zones in Oyo State. These included Ibadan/Ibarapa, Saki, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones using honey  sellers as respondents. Two hundred and forty four (244) respondents were selected. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe socio-economic characteristic, marketing practices and channels of honey distribution. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between marketing performance and socio- economic  characteristics of respondents. The result showed that average age of the respondents was 46.5 years. Majority (84%) were married with averagehousehold size of 6 members. About 72.5 percent were males with average marketing experience of 7.5 years while an average year of schooling was 12.8. Conduct analysis revealed that majority (90.6%) of respondents claimed to brand their honey using customized containers and labels. Marketing efficiency was 173 percent which implies that the respondents covered the cost of marketing and made a margin above 100 %. Adulteration of honey and lack of access to finance were the major constraints faced by honey marketers. Furthermore, years of schooling (p=0.01), marketing experience (p=0.001), source of honey (p=0.005), credit access (p=0.01) and household size (p=0.005) were factors influencing marketing efficiency of the respondents. The study concluded that honey marketing was a profitable enterprise in the study area. The study recommended that timely and affordable loans/credit should be made available to the marketers so as to improve marketing efficiency. Keywords: Honey, marketing, efficiency, distribution and Oyo state

Structure, Conduct and Performance Analysis of Sheabutter Marketing in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study investigated the marketing practices, channels of sheabutter distribution and performance using multi stage sampling techniques to select three local government area for the study in Oyo State. The results showed about 91% of the respondents were female, the average age of the respondents was 35.5 years. Most (92.5%) of the respondents were married with average household size of 8 members. Marketing efficiency was 135% which implies that the respondents covered the cost of marketing and made a margin above 100%. Unavailability of sheabutter due to deforestation and credit unavailability were the major constraints faced by sheabutter marketers. Furthermore, Household size (p=0.005), marketing experience and member of organization (p=0.001), source of shea butter (p=0.01) and credit availability (p=0.005) were factors influencing marketing efficiency of the respondents. The study concluded that sheabutter marketing was a profitable enterprise in the study area. The study recommended that there should be proper awareness on the prospect of sheabutter business (either for local use or exportation) among young people; this will be an avenue to alleviate the scourge of unemployment in the country

Analysis of Meat Consumption Pattern in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The increasing awareness of the benefits of more nutritious, healthier and safer food products by consumers plays a vital role in the recent changes experienced in the food production chain, and meat products are no exception to this. The study investigated consumption pattern of meat in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained from 120 respondents with the use of structured questionnaire analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. According to the study, chicken, turkey and beef with percentage frequencies 96.7%, 81.7% and 76.8% respectively were the most consumed meat types, while quail, rabbit and guinea fowl with percentage frequencies 6.7%, 7.5% and 12.5% respectively were the least consumed meat types. Also, income of the respondent with t-value 41.08 and a positively signed coefficient at 1% level of significance was found to have a direct effect on the monthly expenditure on preferred meat type. The study recommend there should be awareness on the nutritional benefits of consuming meats of low saturated fats and calorie contents such as rabbit, quail and guinea fowl and also to teach them how to raise these animals domestically

Analysis of Meat Consumption Pattern in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The increasing awareness of the benefits of more nutritious, healthier and safer food products by consumers plays a vital role in the recent changes experienced in the food production chain, and meat products are no exception to this. The study investigated consumption pattern of meat in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were obtained from 120 respondents with the use of structured questionnaire analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. According to the study, chicken, turkey and beef with percentage frequencies 96.7%, 81.7% and 76.8% respectively were the most consumed meat types, while quail, rabbit and guinea fowl with percentage frequencies 6.7%, 7.5% and 12.5% respectively were the least consumed meat types. Also, income of the respondent with t-value 41.08 and a positively signed coefficient at 1% level of significance was found to have a direct effect on the monthly expenditure on preferred meat type. The study recommend there should be awareness on the nutritional benefits of consuming meats of low saturated fats and calorie contents such as rabbit, quail and guinea fowl and also to teach them how to raise these animals domestically

Households' Preference and Utilization for Selected Spices in Ibadan Metropolis in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study assessed households' preference and utilization for selected spices in Ibadan metropolis in Oyo state of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 150 respondents using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, likert scale and linear regression. Result showed that most of the respondents (80.67%) were females while majority were within the age range 26 and 40 with mean household size of 4 persons. A substantial proportion of the respondents (40%) consumed spices because of its taste. Onion was the most preferred spice in terms of taste, small chilli pepper was the most preferred in terms of market price and locust bean was the most preferred in terms of flavour. The likert scale revealed that onions were consumed more regularly than other selected spices. The result of the linear regression indicated that income, expenditure on food, gender, education and reason for consumption of spices have a positive significant relationship with consumption of spices. Based on the findings, it is recommended that nutrition policy in Nigeria should lay more emphasis on increasing consumers' awareness of the health benefits of the selected spices to encourage their consumption. Keywords: Households, Preference, Utilization, Spices, Regressio

Households’ Consumption Pattern of Snail (Archachatina species) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The present study investigates household consumption pattern of snail meat in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multistage random  sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaires to a total of 120 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive  statistics and inferential statistics. The socioeconomic factors analyzed showed that age group between 31 and 40 (45.0%) consumed snail more  while age group between 51 and 60 (11.70%) consumed less snails. The majority of respondents were Married (60.8%) and possess secondary education (54.2%). Most of the respondents (95.8%) consume snail meat but most of them consume snail meat on a seasonal basis unlike beef and fish. Furthermore, fried form of snail meat is mostly (65%) preferred when compared to cooked form (24.2%). The regression analysis shows that the consumption of snail meat depended on the price, household size, educational level, household income, nutritive value, occupation and its availability. Problems associated with snail meat consumption in the study area include Price, income level, unavailability and cultural belief. Based on the findings, this study recommends that extension workers should engage the public on the need to get involved in the rearing of snails to make it readily available all year round and thus make it more affordable for all sundry. Keywords: Snail meat, Consumption, Nutritive Values and Oluyole Local Government Area

Determinants of profitability in catfish farming in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This study analysed the profitability of catfish farming in Ilorin west Local Government Area of Kwara State. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 120 catfish farmers using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Gross margin analysis and linear regression. Result shows that more than half (54.17%) of the catfish farmers were males while majority (63.34%) of the farmers were within the age group 31- 50 years. The mean age and household size of farmers in the study area were 38 years and 5 persons respectively. Most of the catfish farmers (45.83%) utilized concrete pond type while average fish pond size was 205 square metres. Major source of finance for farmers is from their personal savings. The gross margin analysis shows that gross margin for the catfish farmers was ₦22,013,583.1 while the average gross margin was ₦183,446.52 perproduction cycle indicating that catfish farming is profitable. The result of the linear regression reveals that pond maintenance,  transportation and feed cost are negative and have significant effects on income generated from catfish business while pond size and education is positive and significant at 5%. Since catfish business is a profitable venture, the study recommends that the Nigerian government should use this as a means to empower unemployed youths and rural households to reduce poverty level as well as dependence on fish importation in the country. Keywords: Catfish farmers, Profitability, Production, Gross margin, Personal saving