Determinants of adoption of land management practices in Kogi State Nigeria: a gender analysis

The study examined determinants of adoption of land management practices among male and female crop farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed for the selection of the respondents. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Data were collected from one hundred and sixty three respondents (163). The mean age of the male respondents was found to be 51 years while that of the female was 44 years. The mean total size land cultivated was 1.1 hectares for male respondents and 0.5 hectares for female respondents while the mean years of schooling for male and female farmers were 11.6 and 11.2 years respectively. Multi variant probit model was used to determine the factors that influence farmers’ adoption of the land management practices on their farm. Although the results revealed that farmers age, land size, household size, years of schooling, farming experience and technical know- how were factors that significantly influence land management practices among both genders, It was concluded that years of schooling improve the level of adoption of land management practices among the female farmers while among the male respondents their land size was a critical factor that influence their land management practices.Keywords: Gender, Kogi, Land management practices, Level of Adoption, Crop farmer

Synergetic effect of enzymes and probiotic in improving sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) based diets for broiler chickens

The study was carried out to assess the synergetic effect of the combination of enzymes and probiotic in sorghum based diet for broiler chickens. Three hundred and ninety-six (396) Ross broiler chicks were allotted to six (6) dietary treatments with three (3) replicates, each having twenty-two (22) birds in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1, maize based diet; T2, sorghum based diet; T3, Sorghum based diet with Ronozyme® ProAct and Enviva® Pro 202 GT; T4, Sorghum based diet with Roxazyme® G2G and Enviva® Pro 202 GT; T5, Sorghum based diet with Axtra XAP® 101 TPT and Enviva® Pro 202 GT, and T6, Sorghum based diet with Enviva® Pro 202 GT. Diets were formulated to meet standard requirements. Results showed significant (P < 0.05) difference in the growth performance of birds in starter and finisher phase. Results for digestibility and carcass values in some parameters showed significant (P < 0.05) difference across the different treatment diet, with birds fed sorghum based diet alone having the least values. The net profit (‎₦/bird) for birds fed sorghum based diet without feed additive was low compared with birds fed sorghum based diet with enzyme and probiotics in combination. It was concluded that the synergetic effect of exogenous enzymes and probiotics in sorghum based diets showed complementary effect on performance and increased net profit of broiler production. Keywords: Poultry; sorghum; enzymes; probiotic

Attitude of agricultural professionals towards their wards taking agriculture as a career in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

The paper examines the attitude of agricultural professionals towards their children or people under their care taking agriculture and agricultural extension as a career in Kwara State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and eighty respondents. The findings revealed that the mean age of the agricultural professionals was 39 years. Majority (76.1%) were males, married (86.1%) with about an average of 5 wards each under their custody. Majority of the professionals were observed to have a negative and unfavourable attitude towards their wards taking agriculture as a career. Logistical regression modelling of determinants of agricultural professionals’ attitudes towards their wards taking agriculture as a career revealed that characteristics of professionals that were more likely to have a positive attitude towards their wards taking agriculture as a career include high numbers of wards, higher educational qualification and more years of experience in the agricultural profession. The study recommends an urgent need for agricultural professionals to rise up to the task of ensuring increased participation of youths especially beginning with their wards in taking up a career in agriculture and agricultural extension.Keywords: Agricultural Professionals, attitude, career, agricultural extensio

Analysis of poultry farmers perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examined the poultry farmers perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming in Kwara State of Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: (i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers (ii) determine respondents’ perceptions  of environmental issues associated with poultry farming and (iii) determine the level of farmers’ awareness of environmental protection agency’s activities. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and twenty five (125) randomly selected commercial poultry farmers from the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kwara state Chapter. Data were analysed using descriptive statistic and Multiple Regression Analysis. Results of analysis showed that mean age of respondents was 45years, average farm size was 1320 birds and poultry farming experience was 11 years. Also, majority were male (79.2 %), married (83.2%), and had tertiary education (97.6%). The perceptions of farmers on environmental issues was high (mean =3.80). and significantly influenced by farmers’ age (β= 0.225, p < 0.05), level of education (β= 0.178, p < 0.01), farming experience (β= 0.142, p < 0.05), and farm size (β= 0.177, p < 0.05). Level of farmers’ awareness of the activities of environmental protection agency was also low (38.8%) in the study area. The study concluded that poultry farmers’ perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming was high in the study area. The study recommends among others that this high perception potential could be used as premise by relevant stakeholders or agencies responsible for environmental protection, in providing farmers with appropriate innovations on environmental management and protection. Keywords: Poultry farming, Perception, Environmental issues, Kwara stat

Inclusion of enzymes and eubiotics in sorghum based diet for broiler chicken production

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of broiler chickens fed sorghum-based diet (SBD) with inclusion of enzymes and eubiotics. Five  hundred 1-day old Ross broiler chicks were allotted to seven dietary treatments with three replicates and each having 24 birds, respectively. The design was a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (T1) was maize- based diet; T2, SBD alone; T3, SBD with Ronozyme® ProAct enzyme; T4, SBD with Roxazyme® G2G enzyme; T5, SBD with Axtra® XAP 101 TPT enzyme, T6, SBD with Biostrong® 510 15% essential oil and T7, SBD with  Enviva® PRO 202 GT probiotics. The initial and final body weights, feed/gain ratio, cost/Kg, carcass and prime cuts weight and nutrient digestibility were determined. Results of the experiment indicated non-significant (P>0.05) differences in the final weight and weight gain of birds across all  treatment. However, broiler chicks in T1, T4, T5, T6 and T7 had the best feed/gain ratio (1.65, 1.65, 1.70, 1.68 and 1.70) which was significantly (P<0.05) different from birds placed on diet treatments T2 and T3 (1.83 and 1.73). The feed cost required to produce one kilogram of meat was lowest for T1 and T4 (185.79 and 188.48 N /Kg) followed by T3, T5 and T7 (198.79, 193.25 and 198.65 N /Kg) and highest for T2 and T6 (205.29 and  204.09 N /Kg). Carcass evaluation showed that dressed weight of T3, T4 and T5 compared (P>0.05) favorably with T1 while T2, T6 and T7 were similar. Nutrient digestibility of broiler birds showed nonsignificant (P>0.05) differences except for crude fibre. Economics of production showed that the inclusion of feed additives in SBD increased the net profit of broiler birds. It can be concluded that the use of enzymes and eubiotics improved the  performance and net profit of broiler chickens. Keywords: Broilers, Sorghum, Enzymes, Eubiotic

Perception of poultry farmers on duck farming in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the perception of poultry farmers on duck farming in Kwara state, Nigeria. A random sampling technique was employed in selecting 80 poultry farmers used in the study. Analytical tools used include frequency counts, charts, mean, percentage and Pearson Product moment correlation. Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 41.3 years with majority of the respondents (71.3%) were male while 28.8% were females. About 70% were married. Findings further showed that about 42% of the respondents were aware of duck farming, 23.9% of the respondents were aware of duck farming through Radio/TV. Furthermore, some of the perceived benefits of duck farming by poultry farmers were ducks have less mortality (̅=2.69), duck meat is tastier than broiler (̅ = 2.6) and ducks are less expensive (̅ = 2.53). The major constraints to duck farming in study area were lack of information and awareness about duck farming (1.794±0.503) and religious factors (1.575±0.521). Results of correlation analysis revealed that none of the socio economic characteristics tested were significant with the perceived knowledge of the respondents on the advantages of duck farming (p<0.05). It was concluded that the perception of poultry farmers to duck farming in study area was positive but were constrained by lack of information and awareness about duck farming (1.794±0.503) and religious factors (1.575±0.521). This is therefore a challenge for extension service delivery and as such poultry farmers and the general public, considering the nutritional, economic and other benefits of ducks, be given adequate innovative information on duck rearing.Keywords: Perception, Poultry, farmers, Duck farming, Kwara Stat

Constraints to Youths’ involvement in Agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examines the constraints to rural youth involvement in agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. Ten school respondents each were selected from twelve farming communities in the area. The major constraints hindering youth participation in agriculture were identified as inadequate credit facility (X=2.883), lack of agricultural insurance (M.S= 2.667), poor returns to agricultural investment (X=2.667), lack of basic farming knowledge (X=2.567) and lack of access to tractors and other farm inputs. The chi-square showed relationship between the constraints and inadequate credit facility (x2-7.12), as well as lack of basic farming knowledge (x2-7.48). The study recommended provision of credit facilities with less stringent procedures and resuscitation of Agricultural Training Centres across the State to enhance youth’s participation in agriculture

Assessment of health care services on crop farmers’ activities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the healthcare services on crop farmers’ activity in Oke-Ero Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling techniques was used to select one hundred and sixty (160) respondents. Data were collected with questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that about (30.0%) of the respondents age were greater than sixty (>60) years while 54.4% and 40.0% were male and had no formal education respectively. Also, Malaria (Mean=1.86), cough (Mean=1.39) and headache (Mean=1.38) were most experienced sickness among the farmers. Yearly, 48% of the respondents received treatments on malaria, 2.5% of the respondents received treatments on Dysentery while 88.8% and 92.5% received treatments on skin rashes and ante-natal care respectively from healthcare centre. Findings revealed that most (66.8%) of the respondents patronized modern healthcare services, 18.8% patronized Traditional healthcare centre while only 14.4% of the respondents patronized others healthcare services. However, lack of fund, distance from healthcare centers, insufficient healthcare practitioners and religious belief were some of the constraints to good healthcare. It is concluded that, malaria was the most common sickness experienced by the farmers and they usually received healthcare services mainly on malaria and child delivery. It is therefore recommended that, healthcare services centers should be made accessible and closer to farmers in the rural areas through ministry of health in conjunction with agricultural development programme.Keywords: Assessment, Health Care Services, Crop Farmers, Activities, Kwara Stat

Utilization of soil conservation practices among root and tuber farmers in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

One of the main reasons for the crop failure is underestimating the importance of  soil status thereby causing mismanagement of the soil with inappropriate farming  practices. This study therefore, assessed the soil conservation practices among  root and tuber crop farmers in Oyun Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 160 respondents used for the study. Data were collected and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 45.4 years with majority (69.4%) being male and about half (50.0%) had one form of formal education or another. Findings showed strong  positive perception towards soil conservation practices using beneficial statement such as “Only farmers engage in soil management” (3.49±1.06), “Proper soil use is enhanced by tree planting” (3.81±0.83). Results showed that among the  respondents mixed cropping (2.35±0.59), conservation tillage (2.26±0.77) and bush fallowing (2.21±0.74) were always used and ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd  respectively. There were positive and significant relationship between respondents educational level (r= 0.089, p=0.000) and household size (r= 0.012, p=0.000) and their extent of usage of soil conservation practices at 5% level of significance. The study concluded that soil conservation practices were always used by root and tuber crop farmers and their perception were also positive towards it. It is recommended that root and tuber expansion programme should be strengthened and expanded to other communities that have not benefited from the programme.Key words: Soil management practices, Utilization, Root and Tuber Crops, Farmer

CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF POULTRY FARMERS FOR QUAIL PRODUCTION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

This paper investigated the capacity building needs of poultry farmers for quail production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to elicit information from 80 randomly sampled poultry farmers from the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter. The findings revealed that the majority (70.0%) of the poultry farmers were male with a mean age of 44 years, married (75.0%) and formally educated (98.75%). The poultry farmers were mostly (78.75%) small-scale producers rearing less than or equal to 500 birds on their farms. Capacity building was highly needed for quail husbandry and management practices, feeding and nutrition, housing and equipment, processing and marketing of products, among others. Seven challenges were identified by the poultry farmers as severe challenges militating against the diversification of their poultry enterprise to include quail production. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between the poultry farmers’ capacity building needs for quail production and their age (X2 = 5.545), educational level (X2 = 11.859) and years of farming experience (X2 = 9.604). It was recommended that extension agencies should package a robust training programme for poultry farmers on the areas of capacity deficiencies indicated for quail production. Key words: capacity building needs, poultry farmers, quail production, Kwara State, Nigeria