Determinants of agricultural intensification among crop farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

This study was designed to examine the determinants of agricultural intensification among crop farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State of Nigeria. Primary data, collected from a random sample of 70 crop farmers with structured questionnaire, were analysed by simple statistical tools and the multiple regression model. Results showed that farm output, number of soil management practices, farming experience, and years of education positively influenced agricultural intensification; while household size negatively influenced it. Farmers in the study area applied at least six soil management practices with bush fallowing, which has a mean of 5.15 years, taking the lead. Farm size was small, with a mean of 1.40 ha; while household size was large, with at least six persons. It was recommended that the farmers should be encouraged to use appropriate soil management practices,while appropriate educational facilities should be provided to further enhance human capacity building and skills acquisition by the farmers. Policies and programmes for counselling farm households on family planning, birth control measures, and soil conservation techniques were recommended

The role of peptides in bone healing and regeneration: A systematic review

Background: Bone tissue engineering and the research surrounding peptides has expanded significantly over the last few decades. Several peptides have been shown to support and stimulate the bone healing response and have been proposed as therapeutic vehicles for clinical use. The aim of this comprehensive review is to present the clinical and experimental studies analysing the potential role of peptides for bone healing and bone regeneration. Methods: A systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Articles presenting peptides capable of exerting an upregulatory effect on osteoprogenitor cells and bone healing were included in the study. Results: Based on the available literature, a significant amount of experimental in vitro and in vivo evidence exists. Several peptides were found to upregulate the bone healing response in experimental models and could act as potential candidates for future clinical applications. However, from the available peptides that reached the level of clinical trials, the presented results are limited. Conclusion: Further research is desirable to shed more light into the processes governing the osteoprogenitor cellular responses. With further advances in the field of biomimetic materials and scaffolds, new treatment modalities for bone repair will emerge

Estimating cost inefficiency of food crops farmers in Imo state, Nigeria

This study used survey data on input costs and total cost of production by 90 proportionate randomly selected food crops farmers in Imo state, to measure farm level cost inefficiency using a behavioural approach. The farmers were cost inefficient. The mean level cost inefficiency was 0.59, and the level ranged from 0.91 – 0.44 by individual farms. Major determinants of cost-inefficiency were education, farm size, family labour use, extension and credit. Food crops production costs can still be reduced in Imo State through increased efficiency in input markets, price legislation and provision of subsidy. br> Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp.24-3

Effect of Soil Nursery Mixtures on the Growth of Pepper Seedlings in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria

This study was undertaken to determine the best nursery medium for raising seedlings of pepper in a tropical rainforest location of Owerri, south eastern Nigeria. The experiment was carried out in the teaching and research farm of the department of Agricultural Science, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. The design used was completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. A total of six different soil mixtures (treatment) were used in the study. Treatments comprised soil nursery mixtures in the ratio of 0:3:3, 1:2:3, 1:3:2, 2:3:1, 3:2:1 and 2:1:1 for poultry manure: top soil: river sand. Data was collected on percentage seedling emergence, plant height, leaf area per plant, dry matter weight per plant at 42DAP.Analysis of variance test was conducted on all data collected. Significant treatment means were separated by means of F-LSD. Results showed that treatment 3:2:1 significantly (p-0.05) produced highest values in all the parameters studied and is therefore recommended for raising pepper in this tropical rain forest location of Owerri, south eastern Nigeria

Economic Analysis of Small Scale Fish Pond Production in Oguta, Imo State, Nigeria

This study examined the socio-economic factors affecting fish farming enterprises along shores of Oguta Lake in Imo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the following research questions: what are the socio-economic characteristics of the small-scale farmers? What constitutes the attitude of farmers towards fish production along the shores Oguta Lake? What are the costs and returns of small-scale fishpond enterprises? What problems hinder the development of small-scale fishpond production? Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and likert scale were employed in data analysis. Gross margin analysis showed that average fish farmers made N176, 100 per production cycle of 10 months, an indication that fish farming is a lucrative venture in the study area. Majority of the farmers were male, married, educated and on full-time farming, with household size of 1 to 3 and average pond holding capacity of 0.1ha. The fish farmers showed positive response towards fish production at the bank of Oguta Lake. It was therefore recommended that government provide the traditional support to encourage the small-scale private operators, especially in the area of land acquisition, pond construction and input sourcing. Keywords: Fishpond, small-scale fish farming, land acquisition, Oguta Lake, Nigeri