The Impact of Women Entrepreneurs towards National Development: Selected Study on Taraba State

Women entrepreneurs have been designated as the new engines for growth and the rising stars of the economies in developing countries to bring prosperity and welfare. Women are at the heart of development as they control most of the non-monetary economy and play an important role in the monetary economy. Despite this recognition and resources made available to promote and develop women’s entrepreneurship in developing countries, women still own and manage fewer businesses than men, and earn less money with their businesses that grow slower. Much of women’s work remains invisible, unremunerated and unrecognized. Women face greater obstacles in accessing credit, training, networks and information, as well as legal and policy constraints. The paper thus seeks to examine the impact of women entrepreneurs in national development, using Taraba state as study. Descriptive and ANOVA f-statistics were employed to analyse the data as well as test the raised hypothesis. Findings from study revealed that the women entrepreneurs who seize opportunities have better control over the affairs of their businesses which implies that capability of women entrepreneurs does affect their financial control. Resources available to women entrepreneurs affect how profitable their business ventures are. This goes to say that for women entrepreneurs to have profitable ventures access to continuous and unlimited resources is essential. The study also revealed that entrepreneurial knowledge of women does affect their access to good marketing networks. Since networks impacts on the performance of women entrepreneurs, their access to continuous learning is essential and vital for their growth and development. Thus, women entrepreneurs are advised to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to access good networks. Women entrepreneurs should develop the inner strength and strong will to channel and control their finances properly Keywords: Women entrepreneur, financial control, growth and development, and networ

Socio-Economic Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior in sub-Saharan Africa

Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is a major public health concern due to health outcomes, such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies. RSB has been identified as 1 of the main components contributing to the high HIV incidence rate in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the current research was to investigate RSB and its association with education and economic status among men and women in 3 sub-Saharan African countries (i.e., Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon) while controlling for gender, age, religion, and place of residence. The social cognitive theory provided the framework for this cross-sectional study that included data from the Demographic Health Survey (2011–2015), with a total combined sample size of 39,052 participants. Regression analysis revealed that the odds of people engaging in high RSB was greater for Cameroon (OR = 1.518, 95% CI = 1.267-1.913) and for rural areas (OR = 1.373, 95% CI = 1.150-1.639), while the odds of engaging in RSB was lower for the richest (OR = 0.702, 95% CI = 0.545-0.904), for those with higher education (OR = 0.214, 95% CI = 0.119-0.387), and for 35–49 age group (OR = 0.380, 95% CI = 0.310-0.465). The findings of this study can be used to provide a better understanding of RSB determinants, contributing to HIV/AIDS prevention practice, and estimating the socio-economic gap in RSB. Policy makers should design programs for specific countries that are aimed at enabling communities to limit RSB and make healthier choices in their sex lives

Combining Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky insect pest resistance in early maturing maize hybrids.

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Breeding. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2016.Abstract available in PDF file

Effects of Lycopene on Liver Markers and Glucokinase Activity in Experimentally-induced Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model.

The study examined the effects of lycopene on markers of liver function and glucokinase activity in experimentally-induced diabetes mellitus rat model. To accomplish this, experimental diabetes were induced by single intra-peritoneal administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b w) into animals. Diabetic and normal animals were randomized into the following groups: Group I: Normal control rats that received (0.5 mL) of olive oil; Group II: Diabetic control animals that received (0.5 mL) of olive oil); while Group III- VI received (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of lycopene and 2 mg/kg b w glibenclamide) respectively. All treatments were given orally once daily for four weeks. There was a significant (P < 0.05) and progressive reduction on blood glucose concentration, with non- significant (P > 0.05) increase in serum insulin level when compared with diabetic control group. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of liver glucokinase enzyme as well as a significant (P < 0.05) decrease on the activities of serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) in diabetic animals administered with lycopene when compared with those of diabetic control animals. Following available evidence from our findings, lycopene may be suggested as a promising dietary agent in the management of diabetes and hepato-cellular damage that usually occurs in diabetes mellitus

Grain yield, stem borer and disease resistance of new maize hybrids in Kenya

Evaluation of 30 maize hybrids for yield and resistance to stem borers and foliar diseases in four agroecologies in Kenya was conducted in 2009. There were significant differences among the hybrids in leaf damage, number of exit holes, tunnel length and grain yield in Kiboko. The maize hybrids CKPH08014, CKPH08025, and CKPH08026 showed the least leaf damage, exit holes and tunnel length, similar to the resistant check. Although ten hybrids yielded over 8 t/ha, two hybrids, CKPH09001 and CKPH08033, gave the highest yield of 8.99 and 8.86 t/ha, respectively, in Kiboko. There were significant differences among the hybrids in resistance to leaf rust and maize streak virus in Kakamega. The intensity of foliar diseases was high in Kakamega compared to the other sites. All hybrids appeared resistant to the foliar diseases at Kakamega. On the average, the highest yield of the hybrids was recorded in Kiboko (7.5 t/ha) followed by Kakamega (6.1 t/ha), and the least at Embu (3.5 t/ha), and Mtwapa (3.14 t/ha). The performance of the hybrids varied from site to site, with CKPH09002 and CKPH09003 performing well at Mtwapa, CKPH09001 at Kiboko, CKPH08039 at Embu, CKPH 08002 and CKPH08010 at Kakamega.Key words: Host plant resistance, maize, pest management, stem borer, foliar disease

Evaluation of stem borer resistance management strategies for Bt maize in Kenya based on alternative host refugia

Stem borers are the major insect pests of maize in Kenya. The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) technology is an effective way of controlling lepidopteran pests. However, the likelihood of development of resistance to the Bt toxins by the target stem borer species is a concern. Forages, sorghum and maize varieties were evaluated for stem borer preference and survivorship in the laboratory and field in four locations in Kenya to identify suitable species and varieties for refugia. The economics of using the different kinds of refugia was also investigated. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 15 districts of Kenya to quantify the area covered by natural refugia. The field and laboratory trials indicated highest egg production, survivorship and more exit holes in all sorghum and maize varieties and some forages. Sorghum, non-Bt Maize, and improved Napier grass varieties Kakamega 1 and Kakamega 2) should be promoted as refugia species in Kenya. Some species and cultivars were identified as cost-effective, flexible, easily adoptable and compatible with farmers’ common production practices. Refugia cultivar with multiple uses is expected to give higher pay-offs than one with single use. However, for successful management of a refugia strategy, strict stewardship is required from appropriate government or community institutions.Key words: Refugia, cost-benefit analysis, Bt-maize, insect pest resistance management

Effect of Ethanolic Leaves Extract of Moringa oleifera on Blood Glucose Levels of Streptozocin-Induced Diabetics and Normoglycemic Wistar Rats

Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the hypoglycemic effect of Moringa oleifera [family: Moringaceae] ethanolic extract in normal (normoglycemic) and STZ induced diabetic Wistar rats. In one set of experiment, graded doses of the leaves extract (250 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and fasted STZ diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic leaves extract was compared with that of insulin 6 i.u/kg in fasted normal and STZ diabetic rats. Following treatment, relatively moderate to high doses of Moringa oleifera (250 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) produced a dose-dependent, significant reduction (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels of fasted STZ diabetic rats only. A significant decrease in the blood glucose levels after 1-7 h of administration with the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg was observed in the STZ diabetic group when compared to control. As regards to the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg for the fasted normal rats, there was significant increase in the blood glucose levels when compared to control. In conclusion the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera possesses hypoglycemic activity in STZ induced diabetic Wistar rats only

Genotype by environment interactions and yield stability of stem borer resistant maize hybrids in Kenya

In a maize breeding program, potential genotypes are usually evaluated in different environments before desirable ones are selected. Genotype x environment (G x E) interaction is associated with the differential performance of genotypes tested at different locations and in different years, and influences selection and recommendation of cultivars. Twenty one stem borer resistance maize hybrids and four commercial checks were evaluated in six environments in Kenya under infestation with Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca to determine the G x E interactions and stability of the hybrids. Analysis of variance was conducted for grain yield, days to flowering and plant and ear height. Stability for grain yield was determined using genotype plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis. Variances due to genotype, environment and G x E interaction effects were highly significant for all traits. The GGE biplot showed that four experimental hybrids and two commercial checks had positive PC1 score indicating above average performance across environments. However, 10 experimental hybrids and two commercial checks had negative PC1 score, suggesting poor average performance. Experimental hybrids, CKIR07004 and CKIR07013, were highly desirable in terms of grain yield (>7.5 t/ha) and stability across environments. These hybrids could be released in Kenya and similar environments.Key words: Genotype x environment (G x E) interactions, maize, stem borer resistant hybrids, stability

Estimation of genetic diversity of germplasm used to develop insect-pest resistant maize

Genetic diversity is important in ensuring viability of germplasm for a breeding program. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of 130 S families from two populations; stemborers’ resistant and storage pests’ resistant populations, each with 65 lines; using 30 simple sequence repeats (SNP) molecular markers. The markers were found to be polymorphic with 0.46 - 0.48 polymorphism for both populations, except locus umc1367, which was monomorphic for storage pests’ resistant population. A total of 109 alleles were recorded from stemborers’ resistant population. Allele’s scores ranged from 2 to 6 alleles per locus, with a mean of 3.6, and product length ranging from 47 bp to 362 bp. The storage pests’ resistant population had a total of 103 alleles, with scores of 1 to 6 per locus, and a mean of 3.4 alleles; and product length of 47 - 320 bp. Observed gene diversity was 0.27, with expected gene diversity of 0.45 for stem borers’ resistant population and 0.48 storage pests’ resistant population. Mean polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.46 to 0.48, while unbiased expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.4 to 0.45 for both populations. Cluster analysis revealed three major clusters in each population; with cluster 1 comprising 34 - 40% of the genotypes in both populations. Cluster 2 had 55% for stem borers’ resistant genotypes, and 53% of storage pests’ resistant genotypes. The study indicates that there is ample genetic diversity in both populations which can be exploited in extracting new inbred lines for use in breeding insect resistant maize hybrids

Control of Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus stem borers by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-&#948-endotoxins from Cry1Ab gene Event MON810 in greenhouse containment trials

Previous testing of several public Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-maize events did not show control of the African stem borer (Busseola fusca Fuller), an important stem borer species, without which stewardship would be compromised by the possibility of rapid development of resistance to Bt deltaendotoxins. This study was carried out to test Bt-maize Event MON810 as an option to control all major stem borer species in Kenya. Two Bt-maize hybrids, DKC8073YG and DKC8053YG, both containing Bt Event MON810 of Cry1Ab gene were imported to carry out greenhouse containment trials. The hybrids together with the controls were grown in 10 replications upto the V6 and V8 stages. Infestations on whole plants were carried out at two stages of growth using 5 neonates of the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) and B. fusca. Bt-maize Event MON810 hybrids showed resistance to both stem borer species with low leaf damage scores and few surviving larvae recovered from the whole plant. The public Bt-maize Event 223 did not control B. fusca. Deploying Bt-maize Event MON810 may, therefore, be used to control the two species of stem borers. However, the efficacy of Bt-maize Event MON810 will, need to be evaluated under field environments.Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize, cry1A (b) proteins, stem borers, transgenic