Trend Analysis of Climate Change Factors and Yield of Yam in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The main objective of this study is to conduct trend analysis of change of climatic factors 1971-2009 and yield of yam1999-2009 in Bayelsa state. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in the random s election of local government areas, communities and rural farming households for the study. Annual mean time series data of temperature and rainfall were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). Annual mean time series data on yield of yam were collected from Bayelsa State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). Data were analyzed using trend analysis and growth model for the prediction of change in climatic factors and yield of yam. Finding reveals that the projected future values witnessed an increasing trend in temperature and rainfall, while statistical yield data recorded a decreasing trend in yield of yam in the state. It is recommended that increased awareness be created and disseminated through agricultural extension services and advocacy on the challenges of climate change. Climate change adaption and mitigation measures as they specifically relate to yam production in Bayelsa State should as a matter of priority guide policy makers in the state in particular and Nigeria in general. Emphasis must be renewed for increased yam production in the state to forestall hunger and food insecurity situation.Keywords: Climate Change, Trend, Yield of yam, Temperature, Rainfall, Bayelsa State

Examination of Poverty Gender Gap among Households in Ukwuani Local Government area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to estimate poverty gap among female and male headed farm families in Ukwani local government area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select seven out of the 10 communities that make up the LGA. From each of these selected communities 10 respondents were selected from a list of farm families drawn with assistance of extension officers covering the area. This gave a total sample size of 70 respondents. The study was conducted in 2012. Various methods were employed in analyzing the data, including descriptive statistical tools and inferential statistics such as t-test and ordinary least square regression analysis. Results of the study indicate that the farmers were characteristically smallholders with about 50% of males and 83% of female household heads having not more than 1.50 hectares of farm. On the poverty levels of the households, it was found that the core poverty and moderate poverty lines for male, female and all households were N4078, N2217 and N3376 and N8146, N5435 and N6752 respectively. This implies that poverty was wide spread among the farm households especially the female headed ones. A test analysis to determine the effect of selected socioeconomic characteristics of the household heads on their levels of poverty indicates that four variables were significantly related to the household poverty levels, namely level of formal education, family size, farm size and household monthly income (P ≤ 0.05). A number of recommendations were made including the need for family planning among the rural households so that they produce only the number of children they can take care of to guarantee them minimum acceptable standard of living.Key words: gender gap, poverty, households, Delta State, male headed households, female headed household

Estimating Production Technical Efficiency of Irvingia Seed (Ogbono) Species Farmers in Nsukka Agricultural Zone in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study estimated the production technical efficiency of irvingia seed (Ogbono) farmers in Nsukka agricultural zone in Enugu State, Nigeria. This is against the backdrop of the importance of efficiency as a factor of productivity in a growing economy like Nigeria where resources are scarce and opportunities for new technologies are lacking. Primary data were collected using a set of pre-tested questionnaire from 200 irvingia seed producers who were selected through multistage random sampling from four Local Government Areas in Nsukka agricultural zone. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Stochastic Frontier model. Results showed that irvingia seeds are produced by ageing farmers who managed only small number of trees. Frontier estimates showed that farm size (number of trees) fertilizer and labour significantly influenced irvingia seed productivity while farmer’s education, farming experience and access to credit reduced production inefficiencies in irvingia farms. With a mean technical efficiency of 67.8%, there is ample opportunity to improve irvingia seed productivity in the area using the current production systems. Thus, directing efforts towards proper farmer education on relevant agro-forestry practices and extending credit to farmers are important policy strategies for increased irvingia seed production.Keywords: Technical efficiency, irvingia seeds, stochastic frontier, Nsukka agricultural zon

Phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites: Eco-environmental concerns, field studies, sustainability issues and future prospects

Environmental contamination due to heavy metals (HMs) is of serious ecotoxicological concern worldwide because of their increasing use at industries. Due to non-biodegradable and persistent nature, HMs cause serious soil/water pollution and severe health hazards in living beings upon exposure. HMs can be genotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic in nature even at low concentration. They may also act as endocrine disruptors and induce developmental as well as neurological disorders and thus, their removal from our natural environment is crucial for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites. To cope with HM pollution, phytoremediation has emerged as a low-cost and eco-sustainable solution to conventional physico-chemical cleanup methods that require high capital investment and labor alter soil properties and disturb soil microflora. Phytoremediation is a green technology wherein plants and associated microbes are used to remediate HM-contaminated sites to safeguard the environment and protect public health. Hence, in view of the above, the present paper aims to examine the feasibility of phytoremediation as a sustainable remediation technology for the management of metals-contaminated sites. Therefore, this paper provides an in-depth review on both the conventional and novel phytoremediation approaches, evaluate their efficacy to remove toxic metals from our natural environment, explore current scientific progresses, field experiences and sustainability issues and revise world over trends in phytoremediation research for its wider recognition and public acceptance as a sustainable remediation technology for the management of contaminated sites in 21st century

Difference in blood pressure response to ACE-Inhibitor monotherapy between black and white adults with arterial hypertension: a meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Among African-Americans adults, arterial hypertension is both more prevalent and associated with more complications than among white adults. Hypertension is also epidemic among black adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment of hypertension among black adults may be complicated by lesser response to certain classes of anti-hypertensive agents. METHODS: We systematically searched literature for clinical trials of ACE-inhibitors among hypertensive adults comparing blood pressure response between whites and blacks. Meta-analysis was performed to determine the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure response. Further analysis including meta-regressions, funnel plots, and one-study-removed analyses were performed to investigate possible sources of heterogeneity or bias. RESULTS: In a meta-analysis of 13 trials providing 17 different patient groups for evaluation, black race was associated with a lesser reduction in systolic (mean difference: 4.6 mmHg (95% CI 3.5-5.7)) and diastolic (mean difference: 2.8 mmHg (95% CI 2.2-3.5)) blood pressure response to ACE-inhibitors, with little heterogeneity. Meta-regression revealed only ACE-inhibitor dosage as a significant source of heterogeneity. There was little evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Black race is consistently associated with a clinically significant lesser reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure to ACE-inhibitor therapy in clinical trials in the USA and Europe. In black adults requiring monotherapy for uncomplicated hypertension, drugs other than ACE-inhibitors may be preferred, though the proven benefits of ACE-inhibitors in some sub-groups and the large overlap of response between blacks and whites must be remembered. These data are particularly important for interpretation of clinical drug trials for hypertensive black adults in sub-Saharan Africa and for the development of treatment recommendations in this population