Role of beekeeping in the conservation of forests

Beekeeeping preserves nature, agriculture, sustains livelihoods and provides food security. These important roles of beekeeping  notwithstanding, the potentials of beekeeping are apparently not exploited in forestry activities. Bee products provide healthy, high-nutrient food, safe medicines (apitherapy) and raw material for industries. For example, honey is used in food processing industries as sweeteners or antioxidants and wax is utilized in batik making. Forests, being areas with no direct agricultural activity, provide a source of organic nectar. Without thepollinating activities of bees, over 100, 000 species of plants would have become extinct. Pterocarpus angolensis, Dalbergia nitidula and Bethalletia excelsa (Brazil nut tree) are examples of trees conserved through beekeeping. In the United Republic of Tanzania, bee forest reserves have been established with exclusive access for beekeepers. Also, in Tanzania, woodland is conserved in Mpika and Samfya Districts primarily to train farmers in beekeeping technologies in order to generate income from sale of honey. The Gwalek Forest of Nepal covers an area of 2571 hectares and has diverse flora and fauna with a high potential for beekeeping. Within the Mau Forest in Kenya, the bee has established some symbiotic relationships that have maintained the health of the forests for centuries. These conservation projects are encouraged by the World Wide Fund for Nature. It is recommended that developing countries should establish honey councils within their domains as a way of reinforcing the  conservation of forests. These countries should give incentives to enhance active community participation and involvement of all stakeholdersin planning and execution of beekeeping projects aimed at achieving the conservation of forests

Assessment on the Effects of Potting Media on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir

This study investigated the effects of potting media on seed germination and early seedling growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir at the Forestry Nursery in Jos, Nigeria. Using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates, laboratory-tested soil samples, top soil, sharp sand, sharp sand + top soil, sharp sand + top soil + cow dung and sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings were used in various combinations to assess the growth parameters of P. erinaceus (germination percentage, emergence, plant height, number of leaves, length of leaves and stem diameter) for 12 weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze collected data. Result indicated that sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings had the highest nitrogen concentration (2.19%), sharp sand + top soil + cow dung (2.07%), sharp sand + top soil (1.50%), top soil (0.72%) and Sharp sand (0.38%). Potting media with poultry droppings recorded an overall higher percentage germination of 42.9% by the end of the germination period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of collected data on combined soil aggregate on growth parameters indicated a significant (p<0.05) difference in plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and stem diameter. Potting with poultry dropping gave the best potting media growth results when compared to other treatments that enhanced seed germination and seedling growth of P. erinaceus. This superior observation of the poultry droppings incorporated potting mixtures over the cow dung provides an outstanding potentials to enhance P. erinaceus plantation establishment. Consequently, recommended for raising seedlings in the nursery as well as ensuring sustainable management

Agroforestry Systems in Nigeria: Review of Concepts and Practices

The paper reviews agroforestry systems, highlighting their potential and significance with the aim of improving its adoption. Cultivating trees and agricultural crops in intimate combination with one another is an ancient practice that farmers have used throughout the world. Agroforestry can be viewed as a societal response, primarily born out of a need to fulfill immediate basic human needs of food, fuel, fodder, shelter, protection etc. Effort to define Agroforestry began in the mid 1970s and evolved rapidly as studies began on the diversity and scope of Agroforestry practices. There are three basic types of Agroforestry systems viz: Agrisilviculture (Crops + trees), silvopastoral (Pasture/animal + trees); and Agrosilvopastoral (crops + pasture + trees). Other specified Agroforestry can also be defined e.g. apiculture (bees with trees), aquaculture (fishes with trees and shrubs) and multipurpose tree lots). Agroforetry is becoming recognized as a land use system which is capable of yielding both wood and food while at the same time conserving and rehabilitating ecosystems. There is therefore the dire need for an aggressive Agroforestry extension to convince farmers to adopt this farming system, most of which is fast disappearing at the former places it was earlier practiced

Deforestation Trends in Forest Estates of Vandeikya Local Government, Benue State, Nigeria

The variation in total forest area over time (years), the number of forest offences and annual forest fires was appraised in Vandeikya Local Government (VLG) Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Six wards were randomly selected from the twelve wards making up the Local Government. These wards were: Mbadede, Mbagbera, Mbaakaange, Mbaityough, Ningev and Tsambe. All the sixteen staff members of the VLG Forestry Service were interviewed. Secondary data was also obtained from VLG Department of Agriculture on forest areas, forest offences and annual fires .The study compares data for any observed variations that may have occurred in subject parameters at five year intervals between 1955 and 2000. A total of 1642 forest offences were recorded within the period. The total forest area for the six sampled wards was 312.9ha in 1955. This area declined to 193.5ha in 1980 and to 83.5ha in 2000. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the number of forest offences between the years though differences between the following pairs of wards were significant (P<0.05): Mbadede and Mbakaange, Mbagbera and Mbakaange, Mbagbera and Mbaityough, Mbagbera and Ningev, Mbakaange and Ningev as well as Mbakaange and Tsambe. Forest fires recorded within the same period totalled 192. There were significant differences in the number of forest fires reported between the wards such as Mbadede and Mbagbera, as well as Mbadede and Ningev (P<0.05), however, the number of forest fires were not significantly different over the years (P>0.05). Among other measures, increased reforestation efforts involving the rural communities using both indigenous and exotic tree species is suggested. Also, there is need to sensitise members of the public on sustainable forest management and its merits

Appraisal of Taungya Farming as a Sustainable Land-Use Option in Vandeikya Local Government of Benue State, Nigeria

This study appraises taungya farming as a sustainable land -use option in Vandeikya Local Government (VLG) forest estates, Variations in the yield of agricultural crops over time (years), incidences of annual forest fires, forest offences as well as changes in forest area between 1955 and 2000 were assessed. Six out of 12 council wards in VLG were randomly selected for the survey through multi-stage random sampling. A total of 200 farmer respondents were sampled out of a taungya farmer population of 562 in the selected wards. All the 16 members of staff of the VLG forestry service were interviewed. The two categories of respondents were then interviewed using the same type of semi-structured questionnaire. This was to check and corroborate the responses of both groups of respondents. Data collected was subjected to descriptive statistics (like percentages) and inferential statistics [such as analysis of variances (ANOVA)]. The mean yields of yam, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice, maize, groundnuts, soybeans, guinea corn, beans, pepper and melon on taungya plots ranged from 306.67kg/ha for melon to 1698.33kg/ha for cassava. The corresponding yields of melon and cassava on non-taungya plots were 250.00kg/ha and 1372.67kg/ha, respectively. Crop yields were significantly higher on most taungya plots except that of melon (p>0.05).The total forest area declined from 312.9ha in1995 to 83.5ha in 2000. Reforestation with indigenous tree species, establishment of seed and clonal banks, adoption of socially and ecologically acceptable taungya practices, review of land tenure laws and sensitization of farmers on sustainable taungya practices are advocated

Prospects of the Contribution of Home Gardens to Food Security in our Households

The paper reviews the prospects of the contribution of home gardens to food security in our households. It highlights the features of food security in our households to include – accessibility to food, stability of supplies over time, availability of enough food and utilization of food viz-a-viz ingestion of enough and qualitative food. These features can be achieved by the following prospects of home gardens: economic development of household, diversity of food in home gardens, stability of food supply over time, and ecological role of home garden. If there is food security in our household through the establishment of home garden in both urban and rural settlements, inferentially there will be food security in our nation.Keywords: Home gardens, food security, households, economic development, food supply

A Survey of Wood Protection Chemicals, Tree Killers and Sprayers in Agrochemical Stores within Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

There is dearth of information on the variety and action spectrum of most agro-chemicals used in wood protection (preservation) within Makurdi metropolis. A purposive, non-random sampling was undertaken in Makurdi metropolis to identify wood protection chemicals/tree-killers available in agrochemical stores, to document the active ingredients and prices of the chemicals as well as the types and prices of sprayers obtainable in the stores. A total of thirty -two contact and systemic agrochemicals were identified. The chemical preservatives severally had single or multiple avicidal, herbicjdal, insecticidal, nematicidal or rodenticidal effects. The selling prices of the wood protection chemicals ranged from N1200 to N2000 per litre for Cyberforce and Daksh respectively. One kilogramme of the granular/wettable powders of the preservatives sold at between N600 to N10, 000 for Furadan and Commando, respectively. Twenty types of sprayers were documented. Prices of sprayers ranged from N300 (for the handy sprayer) to N120, 000 (for the motorised Swan sprayer). Prices of both sprayers and inorganic wood preservatives varied seasonally from 0-20% during the dry and wet seasons, with prices being generally higher during the rainy season. Selection of chemicals for use in wood preservation should necessarily be preceded by risk assessments concerning the physical and biological environmental effects of the chemicals on land, water, atmosphere, humans and non-target flora and fauna populations.Key words: Survey, wood protection, agrochemicals, environment

Behavioural Patterns of a Troop of Olive Baboons (Papio Anubis) Foraging on Maize Crops at the Borders of Gashaka Gumti National Park Nigeria

Olive baboons forage viciously on agricultural crops causing huge losses of farm produce to farmers. In this study, behavioural pattern of a troop of crop raiding olive baboons, Papio anubis which dwell at the periphery of Gashaka Gumti National Park and forage on crops were studied as they raided maize farms. Successful raids were significantly higher than unsuccessful raids (t = 4.54, df = 3, P = 0.02), and increased from early morning hours to peak between 1200-1500hours. The same behavioural activities of the troop differed significantly while raiding maize crops from when not raiding the crops (χ2 = 17.66, df = 5, P = 0.003). The adult male olive baboon was the most successful member of the troop that raided maize crops, while the infant baboon was the least successful member of the raiding party. Farmers guarded their farms, and yelled at the baboons, threw stones and chased the baboons as they attempted to raid maize crops, but 73.74 ± 7.43 % of attempted raids were successful indicating that farmers could not prevent the olive baboons from raiding their crops. It was suggested that in order to prevent these raids, farmers should coordinate their activities while guarding farms by constantly moving in groups and communicating with nearby groups, informing them in advance of the direction in which the raiding party is heading; also farms should not be cultivated close to wildlife refuge in the park. KEYWORDS: Olive Baboons, Troop, Raids, Maize Crop