The role of middlemen in the marketing of smoked fish in Doron Baga Fish Market, Borno State

This paper examines the role of middlemen in the marketing of smoked fish in Doron Baga fish market of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Data were obtained from 200 respondents using stratified random sampling technique, with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools. Secondary sources of information were also gathered from research papers, reports and journals. The study revealed that, there are two types of middlemen in the Doron Baga fish market: selling brokers (Dillali) accounting for 75% and buying brokers (Yan acha) 25%. The role played by the selling brokers includes selling for the fishermen with commission, lending money to fishermen and providing security for the unsold fish. Buying brokers assist those that want to buy fish while the buyer gives them little amount of money as commission. Brokers get more clients when the fish during periods of maximum catch. The problems the middlemen face are failure of the fishermen to pay back the money borrowed from the selling brokers while buyers hardly trust the buying brokers

Sero-prevalence of newcastle disease in apparently healthy normal feathered local chickens in Ido and Atiba Local Government Areas, Oyo State, Nigeria

A study was conducted at Ido and Atiba Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria, to investigate the prevalence of Newcastle disease  (ND) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques. A total of 376 normal feathered local chickens were sampled by collecting 2 ml of blood from each bird. Sera that emanated from them were subjected to detection of ND antibodies using ELISA test kit. The data collected were analyzed by inferential statistics. The results showed that the prevalence of ND as 11.70% and 15.43% at Ido and Atiba LGAs, respectively. Adult males showed higher prevalence as compared to adult females in the two LGAs. Meanwhile the prevalence of ND in adults was higher than in the young in Ido but the reverse at Atiba LGA. Combined prevalence was averaged at 13.56% in the two LGAs. The combined results further showed that males (8.24%) were more susceptible to ND than females (5.32%) just like adults (7.45%) were more susceptible than the growers (6.11%). It can be concluded that ND is prevalent in the study areas. It can therefore be recommended that vaccination of local chickens should be vigorously  implemented since they are in the common environment/space with intensively managed birds to avert cross infection. Key words: antibodies, ELISA, local chickens, Newcastle disease, prevalenc

Awareness on the use of solar tent dryer among the fish processors of Kukawa Local Government, Borno State

This study was carried out in order to assess the use of solar tent dryer in some selected fishing settlement (Yobe, Daban Masara, Tumbun Beriberi and fish Dam) in Kukawa Local Government. Secondary and Primary data were used in this research. Secondary data were obtained from various literatues while primary data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaires. A total number of 60 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed: Fifteen from each settlement (fish processors). Simple percentages were used in analyzing the data. Findings revealed that, majority of the respondents (fish processors) 80% were not aware of the existence of solar tent dryer that can be used for drying fish, only 20% were aware of solar tent dryer.Among these respondents who are aware of solar tent dryer, only 3.33% have used it. The general perceptions of the respondents believe that they will use it if they are provided with the solar tent dryer. The level of awareness on the use of solar tent dryer for fish processing is very low, there is need for intensive awareness creation, through fishery extension workers