Petroleum Geology of Outcropping Sediments along Imiegba Road in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Southern Anambra Basin Flank, Nigeria: Inference from Sedimentology and Organic Geochemistry

The outcropping sediments along Imiegba road have been studied using their sedimentological and organic geochemical (Total organic carbon, TOC and Soluble organic matter, SOM) parameters. A total of sixteen (16) samples were collected and analyzed for the study. Based on sedimentological and field evidences, the main lithofacies identified from the study area are sandstone, shale and claystone. The sandstones are fine to medium-grained and friable. Also the result of the textural analyses show that the sandstones are sub-rounded, moderately to poorly sorted, strongly coarsely skewed and mesokurtic. The calculated permeability values ranging from 307.18-724.85 Md showed that they possess good permeability. Based on the high permeability values of the sands, the sandstones were inferred as good to excellent potentials for fluid transmission making them good reservoir for hydrocarbon. The TOC values range from 0.17-1.42 wt.(%) with most of the samples above the threshold of 0.5 wt.% while the SOM, greater than 500ppm indicates that the shales have poor to good organic matter quantity and in adequate concentration for petroleum generation if other factors are suitable

Poultry farmers’ adaptation to climate change in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study surveyed the perceived effect and adaptation of climate change on poultry production in Enugu-North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State. A questionnaire/interview schedule was used to collect information from 60 poultry farmers. Percentage and mean score were used to analyze the data. Reduced body weight (M=3.1); reduced fertility (M=3.3) and reduced feed intake (M=3.1) were perceived by farmers as effects of climate change on poultry. Coping strategies used by farmers included keeping of resistant varieties (56.5%); adapting extensive poultry management (65.8%) and keeping other livestock (53.8%). Respondents perceived climate change as excessive sunshine (90%); excessive rainfall (80%) and increased incidence of drought (66%). The perceived causes of climate change included burning of fossil fuels from industries (M=4.2); burning of firewood (M=4.0) and deforestation (M=3.7). Sources of information available to the farmers were radio (33.3%); farmers’ meeting (28.3%), and friends (26.7%). Technical innovations (adaptation measures) should be made available to farmers to enable them cope with the challenges of climate change

Poultry farmers’ adaptation to climate change in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study surveyed the perceived effect and adaptation of climate change on poultry production in Enugu-North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State. A questionnaire/interview schedule was used to collect information from 60 poultry farmers. Percentage and mean score were used to analyze the data. Reduced body weight (M=3.1); reduced fertility (M=3.3) and reduced feed intake (M=3.1) were perceived by farmers as effects of climate change on poultry. Coping strategies used by farmers included keeping of resistant varieties (56.5%); adapting extensive poultry management (65.8%) and keeping other livestock (53.8%). Respondents perceived climate change as excessive sunshine (90%); excessive rainfall (80%) and increased incidence of drought (66%). The perceived causes of climate change included burning of fossil fuels from industries (M=4.2); burning of firewood (M=4.0) and deforestation (M=3.7). Sources of information available to the farmers were radio (33.3%); farmers’ meeting (28.3%), and friends (26.7%). Technical innovations (adaptation measures) should be made available to farmers to enable them cope with the challenges of climate change

Health and Environmental Hazards Posed by Urban Livestock

Livestock’s contribution to climate change is now an established fact and closeness of livestock to human beings in urban areas portends many health and environmental implications. The study ascertained farmer’s perception of health and environmental hazards posed by livestock keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria and its implication for climate change mitigation. Seventy five heads of households were freely characterized and data were obtained through interview. Data were analyzed using percentage and mean. Majority of the farmers kept improved chicken under intensive system. All the respondents were aware of health and environmental implications of livestock keeping in urban areas, though only few (4.0%) indicated being aware that livestock could cause climate change. Other environmental issues identified by them included: destruction of crops (89.3%) filth in urban areas (89.3%); noise making (88.0%). The health issues included spreading of diseases (50.7%); causing of accidents (46.7%); bad smell (86.7%). The control measures as perceived by the respondents included proper disposal of waste (M=1.79), seeking veterinary services (M=1.85), cleaning shed regularly (M=1.80) and provision of extension services (M=1.85). It was recommended that urban agriculture should be integrated into urban health and environmental policies. Extension services should also raise awareness among urban livestock keepers of the impact of livestock on climate change and offer them useful advice on appropriate mitigation measures

Health and Environmental Hazards Posed by Urban Livestock

Livestock’s contribution to climate change is now an established fact and closeness of livestock to human beings in urban areas portends many health and environmental implications. The study ascertained farmer’s perception of health and environmental hazards posed by livestock keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria and its implication for climate change mitigation. Seventy five heads of households were freely characterized and data were obtained through interview. Data were analyzed using percentage and mean. Majority of the farmers kept improved chicken under intensive system. All the respondents were aware of health and environmental implications of livestock keeping in urban areas, though only few (4.0%) indicated being aware that livestock could cause climate change. Other environmental issues identified by them included: destruction of crops (89.3%) filth in urban areas (89.3%); noise making (88.0%). The health issues included spreading of diseases (50.7%); causing of accidents (46.7%); bad smell (86.7%). The control measures as perceived by the respondents included proper disposal of waste (M=1.79), seeking veterinary services (M=1.85), cleaning shed regularly (M=1.80) and provision of extension services (M=1.85). It was recommended that urban agriculture should be integrated into urban health and environmental policies. Extension services should also raise awareness among urban livestock keepers of the impact of livestock on climate change and offer them useful advice on appropriate mitigation measures

Use of Herbicides among Rural Women Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the use of herbicides among rural women farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, identified the sources of information and practices in the use of herbicides, assessed the knowledge level of the rural women on the use of herbicides, ascertained the practices of rural women farmers regarding herbicide use and determined the constraints to the use of herbicides among the women. Using a multistage sampling technique, 70 farmers were selected. The data collected using structured interview schedule, were analysed using descriptive statistics. Some of the herbicides used by the respondents were primextra (22.9%), force up (21.5%), raze down (18.6%) and tackle (18.6%). Majority (64.3%) applied herbicide twice in one growing season. The mean quantity applied was 8.5%. On the farmers’ knowledge level, about half (51.8%) of the women had moderate knowledge on herbicide technology while 30.0% had high knowledge and 18.2% had the low knowledge. The respondents practised cleaning and rinsing of sprayers after use (=1.31), using separate utensil for mixing herbicides (=1.39) and washing of clothes used or spraying separately from other clothes (=1.14). The perceived major constraints to the use of herbicides were: inadequate training (=1.12), inadequate awareness (=1.10), and high cost of herbicides (=1.07). The study recommends increase in extension contact for awareness and training on right use of herbicides. Keywords: herbicides, rural women, Abia State

Use of Herbicides among Rural Women Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the use of herbicides among rural women farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, identified the sources of information and practices in the use of herbicides, assessed the knowledge level of the rural women on the use of herbicides, ascertained the practices of rural women farmers regarding herbicide use and determined the constraints to the use of herbicides among the women. Using a multistage sampling technique, 70 farmers were selected. The data collected using structured interview schedule, were analysed using descriptive statistics. Some of the herbicides used by the respondents were primextra (22.9%), force up (21.5%), raze down (18.6%) and tackle (18.6%). Majority (64.3%) applied herbicide twice in one growing season. The mean quantity applied was 8.5%. On the farmers’ knowledge level, about half (51.8%) of the women had moderate knowledge on herbicide technology while 30.0% had high knowledge and 18.2% had the low knowledge. The respondents practised cleaning and rinsing of sprayers after use (=1.31), using separate utensil for mixing herbicides (=1.39) and washing of clothes used or spraying separately from other clothes (=1.14). The perceived major constraints to the use of herbicides were: inadequate training (=1.12), inadequate awareness (=1.10), and high cost of herbicides (=1.07). The study recommends increase in extension contact for awareness and training on right use of herbicides. Keywords: herbicides, rural women, Abia State

Physical Assets Ownership of Fisherfolk in Fishing Communities of Kainji Lake Nigeria: Implications for Climate Change

A probe was carried out to ascertain fisherfolk ownership of physical assets for fisheries activities in fishing communities’ vis-à-vis implication of climate change around Kainji Lake. Interview schedule was employed to generate primary data from 165 respondents in eleven fishing communities on western side of the lake and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Information on personal characteristics revealed that most of the respondents were advanced in age, small scale artisan fisherfolk with many years of experience, self employed and married with children but had poor education. Physical assets owned fall into three categories of fishing asset (33.3%), fish processing asset (41.7%) and accessories (25%). Conspicuous assets owned were fishing net, wooden canoe, hook & line, fish drying net, improved banda and modified drum smoking kiln. Physical assets that use wood and fuelwood which impinged on climate change were fishing canoe, improved banda and modified drum smoking kiln. Correlates of improved banda and modified drum kiln were marital status and number of wives. It implies that marital family’s ownership of fish smoking processing assets contributed to climate change problems through deforestation thereby causing desertification, soil erosion, destruction of ecosystem and weather variations with serious consequences on water bodies, fisheries, and livelihood in fishery around the lake. Worrisome is zero ownership of solar tent dryer which uses renewable energy of the sun and friendly to climate change adaptation. In view of prevailing evidence, adaptation to climate change is subject to modification of solar net drier to meet fish smoking needs. In alternative is exploration of biomass energy sources that is sustainable like rice husk for fish smoking as a mitigation strategy

Physical Assets Ownership of Fisherfolk in Fishing Communities of Kainji Lake Nigeria: Implications for Climate Change

A probe was carried out to ascertain fisherfolk ownership of physical assets for fisheries activities in fishing communities’ vis-à-vis implication of climate change around Kainji Lake. Interview schedule was employed to generate primary data from 165 respondents in eleven fishing communities on western side of the lake and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Information on personal characteristics revealed that most of the respondents were advanced in age, small scale artisan fisherfolk with many years of experience, self employed and married with children but had poor education. Physical assets owned fall into three categories of fishing asset (33.3%), fish processing asset (41.7%) and accessories (25%). Conspicuous assets owned were fishing net, wooden canoe, hook & line, fish drying net, improved banda and modified drum smoking kiln. Physical assets that use wood and fuelwood which impinged on climate change were fishing canoe, improved banda and modified drum smoking kiln. Correlates of improved banda and modified drum kiln were marital status and number of wives. It implies that marital family’s ownership of fish smoking processing assets contributed to climate change problems through deforestation thereby causing desertification, soil erosion, destruction of ecosystem and weather variations with serious consequences on water bodies, fisheries, and livelihood in fishery around the lake. Worrisome is zero ownership of solar tent dryer which uses renewable energy of the sun and friendly to climate change adaptation. In view of prevailing evidence, adaptation to climate change is subject to modification of solar net drier to meet fish smoking needs. In alternative is exploration of biomass energy sources that is sustainable like rice husk for fish smoking as a mitigation strategy