Equilibrium studies on batch adsorption of alizarin red in aqueous solution using activated carbons derived from orange peels

Adsorption has been one of the most preferred methods for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions due to its simplicity and economic advantages. In this research, activated carbon prepared from orange peels has been characterized using Boehm titration which revealed the surface as having 7.70 mmol/g and 3.64 mmol/g total acidic and basic sites respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging showed that the adsorbent had heterogeneous surface morphology while the pH of zero point charge (pHzpc) of the adsorbent was found to be 3.6. Furthermore, Sear’s titration has shown that the activated carbon specific surface area was 791.1 m2 g - . 1The influence of various experimental parameters have been probed and optimized. The optimized conditions were set for the study of adsorption equilibrium and the experimental data were treated using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubnin-Radushkevic (D-R) and Halsey isotherm models. However, all the four isotherm models were in good fit with the data obtained as indicated by the regression coefficients (R2 value) of 0.944 for the Langmuir isotherm, 0.993 for both Freundlich and Halsey models, and 0.980 for D-R model. The maximum monolayer coverage capacity (qm) was determined to be 11.5 mg/g at room temperature, which is higher than some presented in the previous literature.Keywords: Adsorption, Alizarin red, Orange peels, Textile dyes, Waste water, Adsorption isother

Assessment of commercialization of food crops among farming households in Southwestern, Nigeria

This study assessed the commercialization of food crops among farming household in Osun state by administering questionnaires to 99 food crop farmers. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, Household Commercialization Index (HCl) and Linear Regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results of field data analyses  revealed that food crops farmers carry out full commercialization in the study area with Household Commercialization Index at 51.7% and  about 54.6% of the respondent are at full commercialization. Also 79% of the respondents are male with 56% within the age range of 50 to 69 years and 53% having a household size between the range 4 to 7. However, the respondents travelled an average distance of 17.5km from farm to market. The study also revealed that usage of modern machinery and storage facilities, are some of the major determinants that contribute to the commercialization of food crops. With these, it is recommended that, farmers need to be provided with good storage facilities to ensure that food crops produced in excess quantities are stored in order to make it available throughout the year at an affordable prices. There is need to also sensitize the farmers on the benefits that can be derive from commercialization of food crops.  Key Words: Commercialization, Food crop, Agriculture, Regression, Nigeri

The Role of Islamic Education Teacher in Moral Education: A Case Study of (IIS) Malaysia

The main purpose of this study is to investigate how the role of Islamic education teachers may influence in nurturing students’ morality. Teaching and nurturing students’ morality across curriculum is one of the important characteristics of the Integrated Curriculum for Secondary Schools in Malaysia. Its main drive is to enhance the potential of the individual students in a holistic, integrated and balanced manner that considers his spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical growth. The researchers purposively selected two teaching staff from International Islamic School (IIS), Malaysia. The results of Semi-structured interviews revealed that teachers were satisfied about the process of teaching and nurturing students’ moral during the school hours. It was also found that negative influence of peers, some friends outside the school, parents at home had affected the students’ moral behaviour to some extent. The teachers felt that there is a need for support from the school administrator, parents, as well as media in order to reduce moral decay among students at school

Climate change and its implications on human existence in Nigeria: a review

No Abstrac

Economics of Groundnut Production among Smallholder Farmers in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study assessed economics of groundnut production among smallholder farmers in Michika local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique which involves purposive selection of Michika and simple random selection of farmers from eight wards was embraced in collecting primary data from 172 farmers using structured questionnaire. The analytical tools used were mainly descriptive, gross margin and regression analysis. The analysis found that groundnut production is profitable with an average gross margin of N97,477.80, total revenue of N167,160, and net farm income of N 94,540.64 per hectare. The regression analysis indicated that Cobb-Douglas production function gave the best fit with R2 value of 0.748, implying that the specified factor inputs in the regression equation explained up to 74.8% of the variation in groundnut output and only 25.2% was accounted for by the random error term. Production inputs such as farm size, labour, agrochemicals, seeds and farming experience were statistically significant at varying levels of probability. This means that any increase in such inputs would bring about increase in groundnut output. Resource use efficiency analyses indicate that the ratios of MVP and MFC in respect to seeds, labour and Agrochemicals were greater than unity and hence were under-utilized by the farmers during production period. Therefore, policies aimed at assigning more production inputs to farmers should be introduce by government in order to enhance farmers\u27 output and profitability

Assessment of Vulnerability of Farming Households to Climate Change in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Production systems and livelihoods in South Western Nigeria are at risk of climate variability and change. The study examined the vulnerability of farming households in Ekiti State of Nigeria to climate change. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected, interviewed and used for data analysis. Results of the study indicated that the farming households in Ekiti State witnessed change in weather conditions as reflected in unusual downpour of rain thus affecting their productivity. Most of these household heads were young, males, literate, and experienced but relied mainly on personal savings and money borrowed from friends and relatives for farming. The results also indicated that climate change resulted in low productivity, low income, as well as poor standard of living of the respondents. The most widely adopted coping strategy by the respondents was to switch to other sources of income whenever there was unpredictable variation in climate condition. This study therefore calls for the need for government policy to encourage farming households in Ekiti State to obtain loan from banks and micro-credit institutions by reducing interest rate on loans for crop production as well as removing the stringent conditions attached to loans.Keywords: Climate change, vulnerability, farming household

Analysis of Rural Farming Households’ Access to Credit in Kwara State Nigeria

Agricultural credit has been identified as an important component in the development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria. Though, agricultural credit has the potentials of improved capital formation, increased resource productivity and diversified agriculture among the rural farming households, inadequate access to agricultural credit is among major  factors responsible for the decline in the contribution of agriculture to Nigerian economy. This study therefore examined various sources of credit available to the famers in Kwara state, Nigeria. It also analyzed the determinants of access to agricultural credit among the farming households. A two-stage random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 90 farming households as respondents. The respondents were interviewed with the aid of well structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square regression analysis. The study showed that co-operative societies, personal savings and rotary loan scheme ‘esusu’ were the regularly accessible sources of credit. The study also showed that interest rate, type of agricultural enterprise and size of farm had significant relationship with the farmers’ access to credit. Lack of collateral security was also identified as a major problem faced by farmers in accessing loans. It is therefore recommended that the formation of co-operative societies should be encouraged among farmers. Also, government should adopt policies that would encourage the formal credit institutions to grant soft loan for agricultural production.KEYWORDS: Rural Households, Cooperative, Constraints, Credit, Kwara Stat

Economics of Improved and Local Varieties of Cassava among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was based on the economics of improved and local cassava varieties and its welfare effect on producing farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to collect information from 144 cassava farmers in the study area. However, only 120 pieces of questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Gross Margin and Multiple Regression Analysis were the analytical tools employed for the study. The results of the study showed that a typical household comprised of 8 persons and the farmers were on the average 45.3 years of age. The profitability analysis revealed a Gross Farm Income (GFI) per hectare of N167,733 and N114,569 for improved and local varieties of cassava respectively. Multiple regression model was used to determine the factors influencing the output of cassava in the area. The result showed that farm size, age of the farmer and household size are the variables explaining the variation in output of cassava in the study area. Implicitly, this result showed that in other to increase cassava production, policies that ensure that these farmers have access to land should be emphasized. Also, a policy targeted at encouraging reduction in household size should be put in place for cassava farmers in the study area.Keywords: Cassava varieties, small scale farmers and adoption of improved technologie

Renewable Energy and Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

Renewable energy sources are becoming an increasingly important alternative source of energy in the agricultural sector. The use of renewable energy will reduce the use of fossil fuels, thereby minimizing the emission of green house gases. Increased use of renewable sources of energy especially in the agricultural sector will enhance the sustainability of food security in Nigeria and the quality of the environment. The use of renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector will also lead to environmentally friendly, sustainable and viable sources of energy to reduce the dependency on deplet­ing fossil fuels. Increasing attention is being focused on the installation and usage of renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector in several countries of the world purposely to contribute to global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable food security. This paper attempt to explain the role of renewable energy sources in agricultural sector as a means of enhancing sustainable food security in the country and presents the existing technologies, policies  and emerging opportunities in renewable energy application in the agricultural sector. Keyword: Available incentive, Energy policy, Renewable energy, Sustainable food security

Determinants of Fertilizer Usage in Dry Season Amaranthus Vegetable Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

Amaranthus vegetable is often considered as one of the most important leafy vegetables in the tropics because of its high dietary value. In spite of its importance however, its production fall short of the ever increasing domestic demand for it. Soil nutrient depletion following intensification without proper soil fertility management practices hve been identified as one of the most important factor militating against its production. This study therefore carried out an assessment of the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in dry season amaranthus vegetable production in Kwara state, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 120 amaranthus vegetable farmers for the study. Major tools of analysis used for the study were descriptive statistics and the logistic regression model. The result of analysis revealed that the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in the study area is low. Furthermore, results of the logistic regression model showed that farm size, contacts with extension agents and the educational status of the farmer had significant effects on the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in the study area. The study therefore recommends that government should employ and train more agricultural extension agents to cater for the majority of farmers who lack access to information on the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices. Also, the farmers should be given appropriate orientation on the need to cultivate manageable farm size to ensure increased productivity and sustainability of available land put into use.Keywords: soil fertility management, Chemical Fertilizer, Manure, Amaranthus vegetable, logistic regression model