Socio-Economic Determinants Of Small Ruminants Production Among Farmers In Osun State, Nigeria

In the study, the socio-economic determinant of small ruminants’ production in rural setting in Nigeria was investigated.  Structured questionnaire was used for data collection from 120 small ruminants’ farmers and analysed with descriptive statistics and regression analysis.  Findings show that older farmers (55%) dominated ownership of goats and sheep.  Semi intensive system was still practiced with majority dependent on forage grazing for the animals.  Major identified problems constraining small ruminant production included lack of capital/credit, land, pests/diseases and feed shortage.  A regression analysis result showed that certain socio-economic variables such as income, years of rearing experience and educational level had direct impact on small ruminant production (R2=0.78).  The findings suggest that improved small ruminant production could be achieved by giving considerations to those significant variables; creating enabling environment through the provision of micro-credit and extension services to ameliorate the problems faced by the farmers.     &nbsp

Ethnic Power Dominance in a Resource-Rich Sub Saharan African State: An Analysis of Violent Conflict Accelerators and the Mitigating Influence of Civil Society in Nigeria

My dissertation research explores the impacts of ethno-regional power dominance, trust, and violent conflict in a resources-rich multiethnic, sub-Saharan African state. This dissertation examines the impact that ethnic power dominance has on the relationship between conflict and civil society in a resource rich sub-Saharan African (SSA) nation examined. Relying upon intra-state case study analysis of the socio-political climate in Nigeria, I argue that distrust in the national government, when motivated by ethno-regional cleavages has an accelerating influence on the incidence of conflict. Using cross-national survey data in conjunction with field interview data, this research finds that in the regions where socio-political trust is low, and civil society is weak, there is a higher incidence of violence and tensions. However, in the regions where civil society is active and salient, the incidence of violence is comparatively lower. The overarching conclusion of this study is that despite the presence of ethnic power dominance in a resource rich state, high levels of socio-political trust and an active civil society have a mitigating influence on the incidence of civil conflict, tensions, and violence

EFFECTS OF THE SPECIAL RICE PROJECT ON QUALITY OF INPUTS USED FOR RICE PRODUCTION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was carried out in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State. Through a two stage random sampling technique, 70 participants in Special Rice Project (SRP) were selected from 6 circles in Patigi Local Government Area (LGA) and another 32 participants were similarly selected from 3 extension circles in Edu LGA, making a total of 102 respondents. Data collected by means of interview schedule were subjected to descriptive, t-test and Pearson Correlation Statistics. The result of the study indicated that 86.7%, 91.3%, 90.3% of the participating farmers in SRP rated seed, her- bicide and fertilizer respectively, provided by SRP, to be of very good quality while 19.6%, 49% and 58.8% of them rated seed, herbicide and fertilizer used before they joined SRP to be of very good quality. Furthermore, the highest proportion of participants 90 (88.3%) produced 3 - 4 tonnes of paddy rice per hectare as opposed to 19 .6% of them who were able to produce 3-4 tonnes before SRP was implemented. Participants also recorded an average annual income of N338,700.00 (US$2,419.29) / annum, that is, US$6.63/day, as against N129,410.00 (US$9,24.4)/annum earned by them before SRP was implemented. Thus, participants earned about US$6.63/day, which is higher than poverty income level of US$2/day. The result of the t-test analysis indicated that a significant difference exists between the rice yield of participants before and after the introduction of SRP (t=4.537, p≤0.05). Also Pearson Correlation analysis shows positive, linear and significant relationship between quality of farm inputs used and yield of rice (r = 0.562, p≤ 0.05). Based on the evidence from the study, Special Rice Project has the potential to serve as a good channel of accessing quality farm inputs, increase farm yield and income of farmers and contribute to Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty level by 2015. It is, therefore, recommended that the activities of SRP are expanded to reach all categories of farmers in the country

Gender differentials in the determinants of usage of climate change adaptation strategies in farming communities of Ekiti and Ogun States, Southwest Nigeria

The use of adaptation strategies remains the only approach to reduce and combat the effects posed by climate change all over the world. We explored the extent of usage of adaptation strategies by farmers in Ekiti and Ogun States. 358 men and 222 women farmers were surveyed using multi-stage procedure. We employed semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions to collect data from the respondents. The data were analysed descriptively and presented in percentages and frequency counts. The data were further subjected to Chisquare, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, t-test, multiple linear regression analysis and Explorative Factor Analysis (EFA). The findings revealed that the majority of men (99.7%) and women farmers (96.8%) perceived to adapt to climate change. Men (= 2.29) relative to women (= 2.33) used more on-farm adaptation strategies. The strongest determinant of usage of climate change adaptation strategies by men farmers was climate change adaptation barriers (t = 5.13, p < 0.01), while for women farmers, climate change experience (t = 7.42, p < 0.01) was the strongest determinant. The promotion of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change adaptation that cater for the needs of men and women farmers is highly essential to enhance adaptation among them

Assessment of Haematological Parameters and Iron Profile of Commercial Cyclists in Ekiti State, Nigeria

No Abstract

VASCULAR PERMEABILITY- INCREASING EFFECT OF THE LEAF ESSENTIAL OIL OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LINN AS A MECHANISM FOR ITS WOUND HEALING PROPERTY.

Persistent microvascular hyperpermeability to plasma proteins is a characteristic feature of normal wound healing. Does the leaf essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum heal wounds by promoting this feature? Evan’s blue dye (20mg/kg body weight) in normal saline was administered intravenously through marginal ear vein of experimental rabbits (n=5). Each animal served as its own control. One hour after Evan’s blue dye administration, 0.1ml each of Ocimum oil, histamine dihydrochloride (30µg/ml) and normal saline were randomly administered by intra-dermal injection at the prepared sites on each of the animals. Increase in vascular permeability was assessed by dye effusion test. Analysis of the differences in vascular permeability between treatment groups showed that, Ocimum oil, in intensity and duration, was significantly (

SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE IN INTEGRATED AND NON - INTEGRATED FISH FARMING IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined socio economic factors influencing farmer’s knowledge of Integrated and Non – integrated fish farming in Ogun Sate, Nigeria. Multistage simple  random sampling techniques was used to select 133 non - integrated fish farmers (NIFF) and 216 integrated fish farmers (IFF) making a total of n = 349. Data were analysed using chi-square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results showed that 92.5% of NIFF were males compared with 90.7% IFF. Also, 96.8% of IFF and 79.7% of NIFF were married. The mean ages of sampled farmers were 44 years (NIFF) and 46 years (IFF) while the mean fish farming experiences were 4 years (NIFF) and 5 years (IFF). Also, 41.2%of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge. knowledge of fish farming had significant association with respondents sex (χ2 = 9.44, df = 2, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 23.2, df = 4, p < 0.05), occupation (χ2 = 25.5, df = 8, p < 0.05), mode of involvement (χ2 = 17.1, df = 2, p < 0.05), interaction with friend and relatives (χ2= 14.0, df = 2, p < 0.05), radio/television (χ2 = 21.7, df = 2, p < 0.05) and internet usage (χ2 = 6.40, df = 2, p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed significant relationship between farmers knowledge and age (r = 0.20, p < 0.05), fish farming experience (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), level of cosmopoliteness (r = 0.16, p < 0.05), livestock population capacity (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), fish production capacity (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), area of land cultivated (r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and production constraints (r = -0.00, p < 0.05).Â

Capture fish product quality and international trade in developing world

Fisheries products are the worlds most widely traded foods. Despite the fact that global demand for fish and fishery products continues to rise every year, fish export from the developing world have faced many limitation from non-conformity with international standards to inadequate product certification. As international fisheries trade grows, governments, industry and fishers face the reality of a complex web of international trade, environmental policy and legal instruments. The objective of this study was to examine current trend in fisheries trade as it relates to product quality. The methodology used involved different approaches including secondary data, interview of processors, regulatory agents to unveil grey areas in quality of fisheries products. Results showed that there are several public/private standards and certifications involved in fisheries. These standards pose export challenges for developing countries who often find it difficult to meet the requirements of certification bodies as a result of steep certification fees, inadequate data, and small-scale business models. Consequently, up to 20 million metric tons of fish annually is either declared unfit for human consumption, destroyed or rejected at international market due to sub-standard quality problems. Furthermore, some countries are now banned from international trade due to non-compliance with international fishing standards. Poor quality practices in fisheries activities and processing contribute to economic loss in fish trade among the stakeholders. Developing countries need to intensify ways to gain credence of quality standards and certification bodies in order to compete better at international trade

Empowerment of women in Nigeria’s small-scale fisheries: a tool to sustainability

In Nigeria, women play major roles of at least 75% in the fisheries and aquaculture value- chains from production, processing, storage, marketing and trade. Unlike the men, women have not received commensurate levels of attention and empowerment largely because their roles are perceived as ‘invisible’, poorly evaluated and undocumented without substantial sex-disaggregated data as proof. For these reasons above and in furtherance of identifying key areas in which empowerment needs to be strengthened thus closing the gender gap, this study was undertaken to contribute to information on the nature and empowerment of women and the factors influencing their participation in the small-scale fisheries. The study also aimed at determining relationship between the extent of the women’s empowerment and some selected determinants using a cumulative empowerment index (CEI). A mix of transdisciplinary, quantitative and qualitative methods was used for this study in Ikosi in Agbowa and Igboolomi fishing communities of Epe and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas of Lagos State respectively. Ten indicators of empowerment : contribution to household income, decision making ability, spending ability, ownership of assets, access to resources, membership in economic or social groups, time allocated to household, productive tasks and leisure activities, coping capacity to household shocks and political awareness were chosen for this purpose. Results obtained in this study showed that women are still very low in the CEI and it is hoped that this will pave way for a strategic framework for including gender –responsiveness in policies and developmental planning

Cost-per-diagnosis as a metric for monitoring cost effectiveness of HIV testing programmes in low income settings in southern Africa : health economic and modelling analysis

Introduction: As prevalence of undiagnosed HIV declines, it is unclear whether testing programmes will be cost effective. To guide their HIV testing programmes,countries require appropriatemetrics that can be measured. The cost-per-diagnosisis potentially a useful metric. Methods:We simulated a series of setting-scenarios for adult HIV epidemics and ART programmes typical of settings in southern Africa using an individual-based model and projected forward from 2018 under two policies: (i) a minimum package of “core” testing (i.e. testing in pregnant women, for diagnosis of symptoms, in sex workers, and in men coming forward for circumcision) is conducted, and (ii) “core” testing as above plus “additional-testing”, for which we specify different rates of testing and various degrees to which those with HIV are more likely to test than thosewithout HIV. We also considered a plausible range of unit test costs. The aim was to assess the relationship between cost-per-diagnosisand the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) of the additional-testingpolicy. Discount rate 3%; costs in 2018 $US. Results:There was a strong graded relationship between the cost-per-diagnosisand the ICER. Overall, the ICERwas below$500 per-DALY-averted (the cost effectiveness threshold used in primary analysis) so long as thecost-per-diagnosiswas below $315. This thresholdcost-per-diagnosiswas similar according to epidemic and programmatic features including the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV, the HIV incidence and a measure of HIV programme quality (the proportion of HIV diagnosed people having a viral load <1000 copies/mL). However, restrictingto women, additional-testingdid not appear cost-effective even at acost-per-diagnosisof below$50, while restrictingto men additional-testingwas cost effective up to a cost-per-diagnosisof $585. Thethreshold cost for testing in men fell to$256 when the cost effectiveness threshold was $300instead of$500, and to $81 when considering a discount rate of 10% perannum.Conclusions:For testing programmesin low income settings in southern African there is an extremely strong relationship between the cost-per-diagnosisand the cost per DALY averted, indicating that the cost-per-diagnosiscan be used to monitor the cost effectiveness of testing programmes