Measurement of agricultural mechanization index and analysis of agricultural productivity of farm settlements in Southwest Nigeria

The levels of agricultural mechanization on some farms in two states in Southwest of Nigeria were measured and the productivity of each of the surveyed farms was analyzed. Factors that lead to profitability of farm activities and whole farms were deduced.  Structured questionnaire was used to establish the socio – economic characteristics, educational level, and technical knowhow of the farmers.  The inventory of the farm machinery was also established at each of the farm settlements visited.  Agricultural mechanization index was used to evaluate the level of agricultural mechanization while the level of productivity for each farm settlement was determined as an inverse of the work output of the explicit factors involved in production function (capital or machine and labour).  Profitability of activities was measured in terms of gross margin and of whole farms.  This was measured subjectively as net benefits of physical productivity (crop yield) and the returns from the resources used during production activities.  The results of the farm mechanization index revealed that the average level of mechanization in Ogun and Osun States was 31.3% and 28.6%, respectively and the average level of mechanization in the two States was 30.6% while the total productivity ranges between 0.0115 ha/kWh and 0.0951 ha/kWh.  The average physical productivity (crop yield) on maize ranges between 1.2 to 1.7 tons/ha and that of cassava was about 11.5 tons/ha in the two states.  The sustainability analysis of the schemes indicated that inconsistency in agricultural mechanization policy, lack of favorable conditions for full integration of agricultural mechanization, lack of essential infrastructure and financial credits among other variables explained the observed low spectrum in the scale of production.Keywords: agricultural mechanization, mechanization index, agricultural productivity, farm settlement, farm machinery, settlement, sustainability Citation: Olaoye, J. O., and A. O. Rotimi.  Measurement of agricultural mechanization index and analysis of agricultural productivity of farm settlements in Southwest Nigeria.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal. 2010, 12(1): 125-134.&nbsp

Determinant of Aquaculture Technologies Adoption among Fish-Farmers in Obafemi – Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the determinant of aquaculture technologies adoption among fish-farmers in Obafemi – Owode local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 224 fish farmers with an interview-schedule guide and field observation using simple random sampling and snow-balling sampling techniques during 2008 culture period. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were male (78.6%) within active age group of 41-50 years (47.0%), had primary education (51.0%), with household size of 7-8 persons (35.7%), farming as primary occupation (71.4%), fish farming experience of 3-4 years (40.0%) and belonged to fish farmers organization (51.4%). The major constraints in aquaculture were lack of access to appropriate land (31.4%), non-availability of micro-credits (97.1%), lateness in the supply of technological packages (75%), lack of infrastructural facilities (75%) and spatial factors to extension services and inputs (67.1%). The result of chi-square analysis showed that only sex (0.672, p<0.01) and extension agents (0.060; p<0.01) had significant association between socio-economic information variables and aquaculture technologies adoption. Based on the findings of this study, the following were therefore recommended: In an enterprise where a large proportion of the fish farmers were literate, adoption of disseminated improved innovation by extension agents will be embraced, high proximity to extension and communication services as well as aquaculture inputs will be enhanced if farmers formed themselves into cooperative societies, provision of rural infrastructures, as well as credit facilities should be provided by government.  Participatory development of technologies between researchers and farmers are essential factors for adoption of new fish farming technologies.   &nbsp

Theme: Renewable Energy and Sustainability Experimental and Numerical Study of Drying of Moringa Oleifera Leaves

Drying is a preservation technique to reduce the water content of the food product to a safe level and to minimize biochemical reactions of the degradation and also to increase the shelf life of the product. Moringa being an agricultural product of high chemical, nutritional and medical use is susceptible to degradation due to relatively high moisture content. Moringa leaf is sensitive to sunlight, therefore, forced convection drying method with two types of air velocities (2.2 and 1.2 m/s) was employed in its drying. A batch of moringa leaves of 200g by mass having an initial moisture content of 83% wet basis was dried to desired 14% wet basis  moisture content at average temperature of 40oC. Drying chamber and ambient temperatures, relative humidity, air flow velocity and rate of weight reduction were measured. The experimental and model results were statistically validated. Also numerical modeling of heat and mass transfer that occurred in the drying process was done using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3b that uses finite element approach. It took between 10 and 12 hours to dry moringa leaves to the desired moisture content at drying air velocity 2.2 m/s and 1.2 m/s respectively. The results predicted from the modelling when compared with the experimental data have a considerably agreement

Breadfruit starch-wheat flour noodles: preparation, proximate compositions and culinary properties

Proximate compositions, culinary and sensory properties of noodles prepared from proportionate combinations of breadfruit starch and wheat flour were investigated. Breadfruit starch (BS) isolated from matured breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) was used to produce noodles in combination with hard red wheat flour (WF) at a ratio of 100% WF:0% BS, 80% WF:20% BS, 60% WF:40% BS, 40% WF:60% BS, 20% WF:80% BS. The protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and moisture contents of the Breadfruit starch-Wheat flour (BSWF) noodles prepared from the above blends ranged from 0.65 to 10.88%, 0.35 to 3.15%, 1.28 to 2.25%, 1.18 to 1.45% and 4.65 to 5.45%, respectively. The contents of protein, fat, ash and crude fibre increased as the percentage breadfruit starch decreased. However, values of moisture content did not follow the same trend, instead higher values were found for 100% BS:0% WF (5.35%) and 20% BS:80% WF (5.45%). The cooking yield of the BSWF noodles ranged from 21.02 (60% BS:40% WF) to 23.75 g (100% BS:0% WF), cooking loss ranged from 5.49 (20% BS:80% WF) to 9.19% (100% BS:0% WF), while swelling index ranged from 3.1 (20% BS:80% WF) to 3.4 (100% BS:0% WF). Throughout the study, noodles produced from blends of 20% breadfruit starch and 80% wheat flour showed superior proximate, culinary and sensory attributes

MICRO-ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKED PRAWN (Macrobranchium spp.) IN SELECTED MARKET LOCATIONS IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study is aimed at isolating and characterizing micro-organisms of Macrobranchium spp. gotten from markets in Abeokuta. Twelve different samples of whole smoked prawns (Macrobranchium spp.) were purchased from two different locations each in six major markets (Itoku, Omida, Iberekodo, Lafenwa, Panseke and Olomore) within the Abeokuta metropolis in Ogun State. Their microbial load was analyzed using Mac-Conkey agar (MA), Deoxycholate citrate agar (DCA), Nutrient agar (NA), and Mannitol salt agar (MSA) for bacteria isolation while Potato Dextrose agar (PDA) was used to isolate the fungi in the microbiology laboratory of the department of Microbiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Staphylococcus aureus and Citrobacter spp (22.22% each) dominated the samples while the fungal specie that occurred most frequently in the samples was Aspergillus niger (31.03%). The total bacterial counts for all the samples ranged from 9x102 to 1.0x103 cfu/g and fungal count were between 21%-90% in terms of frequency of occurrence. These microorganisms cause food spoilage and poisoning and the occurrence of such microorganisms may be as a result unhygienic handling of prawns during processing as some of the microorganisms may be post-harvest contaminants. Adequate cooking could help in reducing microorganism of smoked prawn.Â

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Propane Conversion Kit

The electricity demand in Nigeria is far beyond what is generated and supply is epileptic in nature. Erratic power supply has led to the use of generator to maintain constant supply of electricity at homes and offices. The incessant hike and artificial scarcity of petrol and diesel in Nigeria have led to looking for an alternative fuel that can be used to generate electricity and that is propane. This paper report on design, construction and testing of C1 conversion kit for 1.7 kVA generator. This enables generator to use both petrol and propane as source of fuel. The aim is to design a kit that is simple and affordable for people. The generator was tested with petrol and propane while carrying 288 Watt of load for 4 hour 15 minutes. The results show 4.3% CO2 reduction when petrol was used as fuel and 80.66% CO reduction when propane was used. An average of 0.21kg/h of propane was used as against 0.83kg/h of petrol for the same load. Propane gas is not only economical but also saver and environmental friendly. Moreover, the kit was simple to install and used. Keywords: Generator, Propane, C1 converter, economical, affordabl

Qualitative Assessment of Effects of Encroachment on Water Resources of Agba Dam, Ilorin Nigeria

The city of Ilorin in Nigeria has experienced high population growth and rapid urbanization. Agba Dam is one of the major sources of potable water in Ilorin, and currently been threatened by anthropogenic induced encroachment activities, with potential for significant derogatory effects on its quality. Therefore, this paper assesses the qualitative impact of encroachment on the water resources regime of Agba Dam, Ilorin, Nigeria. Field survey was carried out to scope proximal anthropogenic activities and to delineate historical and current extent of the encroachment area of the dam. Representative water samples were collected from locations within the dam catchment, and subsequently analyzed for alkalinity, dissolved carbondioxide, chloride, total iron, copper, sulphate, colour, calcium, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. In addition, historical physical and chemical data of water samples obtained from the dam were also acquired, and analyzed to determine temporal variation in the quality. The results show a reduction of 0.89 km2 or 63% in the historical buffer boundary of the dam. The values of the measured physico-chemical parameters were generally similar to that obtained for the historical values and therefore suggest limited impact of the anthropogenic activities on the water quality. However, slight increases were observed in the measured concentrations of the alkalinity, dissolved carbondioxide, chloride, iron, copper and sulphate, and this indicates possibilities of water quality alteration, with potential consequences for ecosystem and aquatic life if the trend is unabated. Keywords: Anthropogenic, Water quality, Agba dam, Ilorin Nigeri

ANALYSIS OF MULTIMEDIA CHANNELS OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO FISH FARMERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Fish farmers in Nigeria lack adequate information and their production capacity is low. The study ana- lyzed the multimedia channels of information available to fish farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi- stage sampling techniques was used to select 120 fish farmers in the study area. Primary data were obtained with interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Most of the farmers (97.5%) were male and married. Many (43.3%) had primary education while 30.9% had no formal education. Majority (76.1%) had radio sets while 45.3% and 28.3% had television and phone respectively. Farmers’ accessibility to information was high in radio (79.2%) and extension agents (73.3%) but low in television, flyers, trainings, phone, internet and fellow farmers. Most of the farmers (85.0%) preferred extension agents, radio (71.6%) and television (68.3%) as their source of information on fish farming. Majority (80.0%) preferred Yoruba as the language of broadcast and pub- lications, 16.7% preferred English while 3.3% preferred Igbo. Most (83.3%) of the farmers regarded lack of electricity as the foremost constraint to their access to information on media. Other constraints identified were non-relevance of information to farmers’ felt needs (73.3%), feedback problem (60.0%), inadequate fund (40.8%) and illiteracy (23.3%). Chi-square analysis showed a significant association 2 at p ≤ 0.05 between farmers’ choice of information channels and age (π=19.60), educational level 2 2 2 2 (π=39.82), years of farming (π = 20.48), income (π = 34.03), and media related constraints (π = 6.92). The study established that age, educational level, years of farming, annual income and con- straints experienced by the farmers played significant roles in their choice and use of information channels, and that, farmers have more access to extension agents as channel of information. It was recommended that more information on fish farming should be provided through the multimedia and be based on farmers’ felt needs. More extension workers should be employed and trained while phone-in radio and television programmes should be regularly aired and viewing centres and radio groups established in strategic locations

The Use of Fibre Waste as Complement in Concrete for a Sustainable Environment

One of the many challenges faced in developing world is the issue of waste management. Organic fibres forms major percentage of waste produced from agricultural products and should be of great concern. Fibres have been used to reinforce composites concrete to obtain lighter weight, reduce shrinkage effects which serve to reduce environmental waste. Natural fibre is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable, thereby eliminate pollution, promote biodiversity and conservation of natural resources and thus environmentally friendly.This paper focuses on utilization of some fibres as solid wastes for making economically-friendly and affordable green environment. Three fibres: Jute, Oil palm and Polypropylene fibres were used as complement in concrete and its suitability, durability and influence on the properties of concrete were assessed. The percentages of fibre used were 0.25 and 0.5 of cement content by weight. A total of 84 concrete cube specimens were prepared for standard tests which include compression test, slump test and compaction factor test. The compression test was carried out at concrete ages of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. As the percentage of the fibre increases, the tendency for fibre to ball up becomes higher in water. The test results showed that for Jute and Oil palm fibres, the optimum fibre content was 0.25% and for Polypropylene fibre, the optimum fibre content was 0.5%. They all yielded increase in strength when compared to the control specimen and has proven to reduce reasonable environmental waste pollution. Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Fibre, Concrete strength, Jute, Waste reductio

Use of Lactobacillus plantarum

Kunun-aya is a traditional nonalcoholic beverage in the northern part of Nigeria, normally prepared from cereals. In this investigation Lactobacillus plantarum, isolated from fermenting kunun, was applied as starter culture during production of kunun-aya from varying combinations of sorghum and tigernut. The quality attributes of the product indicated increase in ash and protein contents of product inoculated with starter culture (PISC) over the uninoculated control sample (UCS). The highest values of 4.43% and 6.95% were recorded for ash and protein, respectively, in the product from fifty percent each of sorghum and tigernut (50SOR/50TIG). Titratable acidity was higher in PISC compared to UCS; the 50SOR/50TIG sample had the highest value of 0.92. The PISC recorded reduced counts of Salmonella, coliforms, and Staphylococci. The SCIS were preferred by panellists in the sensory attributes of appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and general acceptability. It was concluded that the use of L. plantarum as starter culture in the production of kunun-aya was advantageous as a result of enhanced nutritional, sensory, and microbial qualities recorded compared to UCS. Reduction in Salmonella, coliforms, and Staphylococci in PISC may be of public health significance. This on quality improvement of the traditional beverage has not been previously reported