An Assessment of the Determinants of Moringa Cultivation among Small-Scale Famers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The current rate of micronutrient malnutrition which afflicts over two billion people worldwide calls for a paradigm shift to approaches aimed at linking agricultural production to improved human health, and livelihood. Recent findings indicate the potentials of Moringa tree value-chain development in achieving a sustainable agriculture-agriculture not only aimed at economic prosperity, but equally at nutritional security of small-scale farming households. However, an understanding of factors that influence the cultivation of this crop is important. This study examined the determinants of cultivation of Moringa crop by small-scale farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It also highlighted the level of awareness of the benefits of the crop among respondents. The study utilized questionnaire to collect data from 150 arable crop farmers through a 3-stage sampling technique. Binary logistic regression model was used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that 47% of the respondents are aware of the nutritional benefits of the crop and 37.3% grow Moringa on their farms. Furthermore, awareness of crop benefits (p=0.021), farming experience (p=0.063), membership of cooperative society (p=0.07) and the growing of other permanent crops (p=0.001); are the significant factors affecting the cultivation of Moringa crop in the study area. The study recommends the promotion of adequate enlightenment as regards the benefits of Moringa. It also encouraged the utilization of cooperative societies in enhancing value-addition to the Moringa crop. Keywords: sustainable agriculture, micronutrient malnutrition, cultivation, Moring

Comparative Effect on the Utilization of Moringa Oleifera Seed Meal in Local and Exotic Chickens

The study aimed at determining the nutrigenetic effect of Moringa oleifera (MOSM) on obesity, liver and kidney function parameter of broilers and local chicken. Moringa oleifera has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. A total of 96 broiler chickens and 96 local chickens were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups. Each group contained 24 birds (8 birds per replicate in 3 replicates) each for both genotypes of chicken in a factorial layout within a completely randomized design such that birds in each genotype were randomly allocated to four diets (control diet contained 0% MOSM and 5%, 10% and 15% graded levels of MOSM as diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively). Obesity was determined through weekly measurement of body weight and body mass index (BMI). Serum total cholesterol, kidney and liver functioning parameters were determined at week 8 by analyzing for creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP. Broilers exhibited higher creatinine, total cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP but no significant difference (P0.05). Broilers exhibited significantly higher (p0.05) BMI than YENLC. G* Ed interactions were observed at age 8 weeks. MOSM resulted in significantly higher (P0.05) BMI in birds fed 10% MOSM at week 8. Increasing levels of MOSM also yielded reduction in the level of total cholesterol for both genotypes. There was no significant (P0.05) interaction between genotype and MOSM utilization by the chickens and BMI at week 8, cholesterol, creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP. Thus, dietary intervention through the inclusion of MOSM is effective in lowering heart disease risk through lowering of adiposity (BMI) and cholesterolaemia and it has little or no toxic effect as AST and ALP were not significantly affected