7 research outputs found

    Indigenous methods of controlling pests among rice farmers in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara state, Nigeria

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    Considering the negative effects of the continuous dependence on chemical, it is therefore necessary to look into the potentials in local experiences and practices adopted by rice farmers to control pests. The objective of the study is to assess the indigenous methods usedto control pests of rice by farmers in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random technique was used to select one hundred and five (105) rice farmers. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Pearson correlation. The finding showed that majority (82.9%) of the rice farmers were male, close to two-third (63.8%) fell above 40 years of age and almost all (97.1%) were married, more than half (59.1) had no formal education with farm size of not less than 5 acres. The results also showed that some of the indigenous methods of controlling pests of rice are:by use of raw fruits of pawpaw, wood ash, light trap, exudates substances, frightening sounds, torchlight batteries, cassette tape and use of wire-mesh. An overwhelming number (98.1%) of the respondents attested that the indigenous control methods were effective but very low percentage (1.9%) of the farmers often used it and majority (81.0%) of them obtained information about it from their parents, grand parents and relations. The results further showed that there were significant relationship between educational level and the use of indigenous control methods (r=-0.411, P=0.000) but there were no relationship between age (r=0.067, P=0.496), farm size (r=0.028, P=0.773) and the use of indigenous control methods. Few numbers of rice farmers employed indigenous control method but an overwhelming number of them attested to its effectiveness. Therefore, development agents need to recognize it, value it, appreciate it in their interaction with the local communities and also incorporate it in their approaches.Key words: Pests, measure, indigenous knowledge, Nigeri

    Assessment of Veterinary Extension Services Rendered to Poultry Farmers by the Agricultural Development Project, Kwara State, Nigeria

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    The study assessed the veterinary extension services rendered by the Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) to poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling procedure produced the sample size of 110 from five villages in the study area. A well structured interview schedule was administered to the respondents to produce data which was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study revealed that majority of the poultry farmers in the study area were male (73.3%), aged between 31 and 50 (70.9%) and had over 10 years experience in poultry farming (74.5%). Only 17.3% of the farmers had secondary school education. Almost all the respondents (97.35%) were aware of the veterinary services of the (KWADP). The frequency of extension contact was monthly for 59.1% of the respondents. The t-test at 1% level of significance revealed significant differences in the means of meat yield and egg yield before and after extension contact. The study concluded that though there was strong level of awareness of the veterinary services of the KWADP and there was evidence of positive impact of the extension contact on productivity, the extension service was not meeting the needs of the farmers in some aspects of poultry production such as facilitating credit facilities for expansion. The study recommended that the frequency of extension contact be improved upon. Lastly, the study suggested that farmers should be encouraged to form or join cooperative societies to brighten their chances of securing rural credit

    Constraints to Youths’ involvement in Agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

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    The study examines the constraints to rural youth involvement in agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. Ten school respondents each were selected from twelve farming communities in the area. The major constraints hindering youth participation in agriculture were identified as inadequate credit facility (X=2.883), lack of agricultural insurance (M.S= 2.667), poor returns to agricultural investment (X=2.667), lack of basic farming knowledge (X=2.567) and lack of access to tractors and other farm inputs. The chi-square showed relationship between the constraints and inadequate credit facility (x2-7.12), as well as lack of basic farming knowledge (x2-7.48). The study recommended provision of credit facilities with less stringent procedures and resuscitation of Agricultural Training Centres across the State to enhance youth’s participation in agriculture

    Insect fungal symbionts: A promising source of detoxifying enzymes

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    The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

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    Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran
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