Drivers of Agricultural Productivity in Agriculture-Based Economy

Stagnation in agricultural productivity, especially in an economy with fast and persistently growing population, would compromise food security. This study examined the factors influencing agricultural productivity in an agriculture-based economy. The study used a 35-year period (1980 – 2014) panel data focusing on Agricultural Productivity (AP), Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Government Agricultural Expenditure (EXP), Agricultural Trade Barrier (ATB), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Farm Machinery (MACH), Fertilizer Consumption (FERT), Human Capital (HCAP) and Irrigation (IRRG). Data were analyzed using Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Panel Least Squares (PLS) regression technique. The IRF revealed that there was a positive and stable response of GDP to shocks in AP in agriculture-based economy. Panel Least Squares revealed that consumer price index (p\u3c0.01), irrigation (p\u3c0.01) and machinery (p\u3c0.01) increased AP in agriculture-based economy. However, FERT decreased (p\u3c0.01) AP in agriculture-based economy. The study concluded that AP will grow in agriculture-based economy with an expansion in irrigation application, farm machinery and appropriate use of fertilizer. Therefore, improved irrigation infrastructure and farm machinery that will enhance smallholder farmer’s capacity for all-season cropping and appropriate application of fertilizer should be encouraged for increased agricultural productivity in agriculture-based economy

Drivers of Agricultural Productivity in Agriculture-Based Economy

Stagnation in agricultural productivity, especially in an economy with fast and persistently growing population, would compromise food security. This study examined the factors influencing agricultural productivity in an agriculture-based economy. The study used a 35-year period (1980 – 2014) panel data focusing on Agricultural Productivity (AP), Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Government Agricultural Expenditure (EXP), Agricultural Trade Barrier (ATB), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Farm Machinery (MACH), Fertilizer Consumption (FERT), Human Capital (HCAP) and Irrigation (IRRG). Data were analyzed using Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Panel Least Squares (PLS) regression technique. The IRF revealed that there was a positive and stable response of GDP to shocks in AP in agriculture-based economy. Panel Least Squares revealed that consumer price index (p\u3c0.01), irrigation (p\u3c0.01) and machinery (p\u3c0.01) increased AP in agriculture-based economy. However, FERT decreased (p\u3c0.01) AP in agriculture-based economy. The study concluded that AP will grow in agriculture-based economy with an expansion in irrigation application, farm machinery and appropriate use of fertilizer. Therefore, improved irrigation infrastructure and farm machinery that will enhance smallholder farmer’s capacity for all-season cropping and appropriate application of fertilizer should be encouraged for increased agricultural productivity in agriculture-based economy

Radon levels of water sources in the southwest coastal region of peninsular Malaysia

Across populations, the dominating source of public exposure to radiation is radon gas. In the present study, we aimed at determining the concentration of radon in water sources from the southwest coastal region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 27 water samples were taken from various water sources which included groundwater, as well as hot spring, lake, river, seawater, and tap water; the radon concentrations were measured using a RAD7 portable radon detector. The radon concentrations ranged from 0.07 ± 0.12 to 187 ± 12 Bq l−1, with an average of 21 ± 12 Bq l−1. The highest concentration was found in hot spring water, with an average concentration of 99 ± 6 Bq l−1, while the lowest concentration was found in tap water, with an average concentration of 1.95 ± 0.61 Bq l−1. The average concentrations of radon for all categories of sampled water were below the 100 Bq l−1 WHO guidance level for safe drinking water. According to the ICRP effective dose conversion factor and UNSCEAR (2000), the total effective dose from the summation of inhaled and imbibed water was calculated from the aqueous radon concentrations, with an average effective dose of 4.45 µSv y−1, well within the WHO safe drinking water guideline value of 100 µSv per year. The results of this study could support the efforts of authorities and regulators who are responsible for controlling and strategizing to ensure public safety against radon exposures

Ultra-Morphological Changes of Trichophyton Rubrum Treated with Hydroxychavicol

Trichophyton rubrum is a common pathogenic fungal species that is responsible for causing infection on human skin, hair and nail. The antifungal-resistant strains complicate the treatment regime. Hydroxychavicol (HC) is one of the main compounds from Piper betel leaf that have antifungal potential and its mechanism of action has not been studied yet. The objective of this preliminary study to determine the antifungal properties of HC against T. rubrum using transmission electron microscope (TEM) on gross and ultrastructure of T. rubrum hypha. T. rubrum was treated with HC and miconazole (MI) at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/mL for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days continuously. Generally, fungi structures became more severely damaged at increasing treatment duration. Microscopically, the fungi’s cell wall treated with HC showed a rough surface, shrinkage and demolition similar to the MI treated group. The fungi organelles were also demolished and disorganized. This study revealed that HC has the ability to inhibit T. rubrum growth and has potential to be an antifungal agent for skin infections

Analysis of Urban Households' Demand for Sweeteners in Ogun State, Nigeria

Sweeteners, jointly demanded with food and beverages, have been proven to be good sources of energy, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. This study examined urban households’ demand for sweeteners in Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire in a cross sectional survey of 160 households through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) model. Results revealed that 51.2% of the households were headed by females with an average age of 37 years and an average household size of five persons. Majority (62.3%) of the household heads had tertiary education. The average monthly household demand for honey, sugar and other sweeteners were 1.31liters, 1.06kg and 0.30kg respectively. About forty-one percent of the household heads had salaried occupation and 6.3% were unemployed. The mean monthly household income was N93,347.90 with the average monthly food expenditure as N12,289.98 of which N1,445.70 was expended on honey and N392.35 on sugar. Own-price and income had an increasing effect on demand for honey (p<0.01) while own-price had an increasing effect on demand for sugar (p<0.01). The age of household head had incremental influence on honey demand (p<0.01) while it had a decreasing influence on sugar demand (p<0.05). Also, marital status had incremental influence on honey demand (p<0.10) while it had a decreasing influence on sugar demand (p<0.05). The study concluded that the demand level for honey was higher than sugar and other sweeteners in all of the households. The study recommended that increased household income should be enhanced to boost household demand for honey

Assessing the Determinants of Agricultural Commercialization and Challenges Confronting Cassava Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study assesses the agricultural commercialization levels, determinants, and challenges confronting smallholder cassava farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. This study was conducted in Oyo State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data from 211 smallholder cassava farmers and employing multi-stage sampling procedures. Descriptive statistics, Crop Commercialization Index (CCI), and Ordered Logit Model (OLM) were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that 83.9% of the cassava farmers participated in the commercialization of their cassava roots while the remaining farmers were non-participants. The greatest challenge faced by the cassava farmers in the study area was the incessant attacks by the Fulani herdsmen (destroying growing cassava on the farm) while other challenges included cassava cyclical gluts and poor access road. Moreover, OLM revealed that age, farm size, cassava marketing experience and distance to market had significant influence on commercialization levels of cassava farmers. However, in order to enhance increased commercialization levels of cassava farmers and peaceful coexistence in the study area, policies and intervention programmes that will facilitate rural infrastructure development and proffer lasting solution to the farmers-herders crisis should be given upmost priority.JEL Classification D13; M31; Q1