Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development

RESPONSE OF GINGER (Zingiber officinale ROSC.) AS INFLUENCED BY PLANTING DATE, INTRA – ROW SPACING AND NPK FERTILIZER

2024-01-29T12:51:22+01:00

Field experiment was conducted during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 wet seasons at the National Root Crop Research Institute Vom, Plateau State to study the response of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) The treatments consisted of two separate planting dates (April and May), three intra-rows spacing (10, 20 and a constant 30cm) as well as NPK fertilizer application rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) were factorially combined and laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results obtained revealed that planting date, intra-row spacing and NPK fertilizer application significantly increased plant height, leaf area, leaf area index, number of rhizomes and weight of rhizomes. It could be concluded that planting date during the month of May, intra-row spacing of 30 x 20 cm and fertilizer application rate of 100kg/ha seem more promising and produced higher yields of ginger in Vom, Plateau State environs.

PERFORMANCE OF WATER MELON FARMERS IN YOBE STATE, NORTH EAST NIGERIA: A FARM BUDGET ANALYSIS

2024-01-29T16:36:44+01:00

The study investigated the performance of water melon farmers in Yobe state, Nigeria. Using multistage sampling procedure, a total of 274 respondents were sampled from three major water melon producing LGAs during 2021/2022 cropping season. Data elicited from questionnaires and interviews were analyzed using farm budgeting techniques and regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that, a total variable costs of N 163,700/ha and a profit of
N 598,510/ha of water melon whose output was determined as 15,280 Kg/ha. Operating and gross ratios which measures financial success and financial position of the business were less than 1. The study further discovered that, age of the respondents, experience in water melon production, farm size, yield per ha, irrigation fee and price per kg of water melon were the significant variables influencing farmer’s profit. Major constraints hindering water melon in the state were inadequate formal and informal funding, reduction in yield due to insects/pest and lack of storage/preservation technology. The study therefore suggests adequate funding through cooperative farming and formal credit arrangements as this would create more opportunity for land expansion and technologically advanced water melon production in the study area.

APPLICATION OF DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA) TO SMALL-SCALE SORGHUM PRODUCERS IN YOBE STATE, NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

2024-01-29T16:30:49+01:00

The study investigated the efficiency of small-scale sorghum production in Karasuwa Local Government area of Yobe State. North East, Nigeria. Using primary data of 2020 rainy season, the research employed a multi-stage random sampling procedure and selected 120 respondents from four sorghum-growing villages (Bukarti, Ga sma, Jaji-Maji, and Karasuwa) of the local government. The efficiency of producers, their socioeconomics profile and constraints associated with sorghum production were estimated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and Descriptive Statistics. The results of the DEA indicated that, 15% and 62% of the total farmers in the study area were found to be efficient under constant returns to scale assumptions respectively. Similarly, 81 and 12 DMUs operated on increasing and constant Returns to Scale respectively. Besides, a total of 73.4% and 80.8% with respect to Technical and Pure Technical efficiency scores had between 0.6 and 1.00 scale scores indicating that farmers in the study area make use of optimal resources to maximize profit. Major constraints identified include; inadequate capital, high cost of inputs and lack of credit facilities. The study therefore recommends provision of adequate credit facilities to farmers, subsidies on farm inputs, high yielding varieties and other policy intervention that would improve productivity per hectare.

RESPONSE OF NODULATION AND DRY MATTER YIELD OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max (L.) merr.) TO TILLAGE IN SANDY LOAM SOILS

2024-01-29T15:46:04+01:00

A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of Adamawa State College of Education Hong during the rainy season of the year 2021 to determine the effects of tillage on nodulation and dry matter yield of soybean (Gylcine max (L.) Merr.) The experiment consisted of six treatments namely Conventional Tillage (CT), Ridge Tillage (Rg-T), Mulch Tillage (MT), Minimum Tillage with Residues (M + R), Reduced Tillage (RT) And No - Tillage (NT) laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications with each plot measuring 12 m² and a discard of 1m² between plots, and total area of 216 m². Data on plant dry matter weight and number of nodules were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) using (SAS) program and differences observed were separated using LSD. Results obtained revealed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in dry matter and nodule number/ha with the mulched treatments giving the highest dry matter yield of 3213.1 kg/ha and nodule numbers of 4222.0 kg/ha at harvest. The least dry matter weight was obtained from the No-Tillage treatment with 172.5 kg/ha and a nodule weight of 1672.0 kg/ha. Thus, dry matter weight in the Mulch Tillage treatment were 63.7% higher than the Conventional Tillage while the nodule number was 61.6% greater in the Mulch Tillage than in the Conventional Tillage treatments. Therefore, the plants raised on the Mulch Tillage treatments gave the best result among the treatments and may be the most appropriate for optimum growth and yield of soybean. Adoption of Mulch Tillage as a complement to or instead of the conventional tillage currently used by soybean farmers in the study area, has the potential to significantly increase soybean output.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF PROFITABILITY OF PIG PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG PIG FARMERS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T15:23:41+01:00

The study was conducted in South East, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty farmers were used for the study. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to select the farmers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data required for the study. Data collected was coded and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The result of the study revealed that the respondents were relatively young, well experienced with a mean of 9 years production experience and low-income earner with a mean income of ₦649,991. 67. Result of the coefficients of production experience showed a direct relationship between the variable and the farmers’ profit at 5% level of significance in all the production technology used. The coefficient of access to credit for all the production technology was positive and significant at different level (10%, 5% and 5%) for intensive, semi intensive and extensive production technology. There was a positive relationship between the education attainment of the farmers and profit generated at 1%, 5% and 10% level of significance for semi intensive, intensive and extensive production technology respectively. The coefficient of cost of medication for extensive production technology was negative: -0.528 (-2.005) but significant (P<0.01determinant of profit earned. The result of the profitability analysis determined showed that pig production was viable and profitable in the study area for all the technologies used. ROI was of 55k, 45k and 50k for intensive production technology, semi intensive production technology and extensive production technology respectively. Some of the recommendations were that farmers should form cooperative society, pull their resources together and enjoy the benefits of economics of scale and policy makers should develop policies that will enhance credit availability to pig farmers among others.

EFFECTOF N-POWER TRAINING PROGRAMME ON INCOME STATUS OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS. EVIDENCE FROM SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

2024-01-29T15:10:07+01:00

The survey was carried out to assess the impact of N-Power training programme on income status of Nigerian youths in Southwest Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 240 respondents which were disaggregated into 120 beneficiaries and 120 non-beneficiaries of N-power programme. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics (DS), Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) and Likert Scale Rating (LSR) were used in analyzing the socioeconomic characteristics, impact of N-power training on welfare and perceived benefits of N-power training. The result shows that the average age of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was put at 29years and 28years, respectively. The beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries had mean household size of 9members and 6members respectively with and monthly income of N58, 273.00 and N17, 246.00 respectively. Log-likelihood (-2.6554; p<0.01) and Wald chi2 (79.20; p<0.01) suggest that the ESR model was fit and appropriate; welfare was positively influenced by household size, monthly income and frequency of training while participation in N-power training was found to be influenced by household size, frequency of training and access to information. Pair t-test hypothesis correlation result (0.224; p<0.01) led to acceptance of alternate hypothesis that there is a significant difference in the monthly income of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of N-power. It was recommended that more resources should be mobilized towards recruiting more youths for the N-power scheme.

IMPACT OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE (WIA) TRAINING ON WELFARE STATUS OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T14:54:13+01:00

The study examined the impact of Women-in-Agriculture (WIA) training on welfare status of rural households’ welfare in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 360 respondents disaggregated into 180 trained and 180 untrained women under the Agricultural Development Programme. Well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive Statistics (DS), Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) and Likert Rating Scale (LRS) were used in analysis. The socioeconomic results for participants and non-participants in WIA training were age (58years and 25years), household size (8 members and 5 members) and income (N54,345.00 and N35,040.00) respectively and training on soya milk and cheese (98.6%) production was scored first among others. Log-likelihood (-542.772; p<0.01) and Wald chi2 (109.64; p<0.01) revealed the appropriateness of ESR model. Participation in WIA training was positively influenced by education (0.0392; p<0.05), household size (0.2278; p<0.05) and extension contact (0.7347; p<0.01) while education (0.0193; p<0.05), number of seasonal training (0.2245; p<0.01) and monthly income (0.1250; p<0.01) increased household’s welfare. Improvement in income of the respondents was scored highest (4.19) among the benefits highlighted. It is suggested that more trainings that are related to boosting the productive efforts of rural women be organized by the stakeholders in agriculture.

EFFICIENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION PATTERNS FOR CASSAVA BASED FOOD CROP FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF LP AND T- MOTAD MODELS

2024-01-29T14:36:23+01:00

The study developed efficient cassava-based enterprise patterns for smallholder farmers in Abia State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 smallholder cassava-based farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain cross-sectional data from the farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, Linear Programming and Target Minimization of Total Absolute Deviation (T-MOTAD) models. The LP result prescribed 0.69ha, 0.63ha, 0.62ha, 0.54ha, 0.58ha and 0.56ha for CY, CP, COk, CMzMe, CYOkP and CMzYP respectively for the smallholder famers. A set of feasible risk efficient farm plans I, II and III were obtained with the T-MOTAD model. Plan I also prescribed 0.69ha, 0.63ha, 0.62ha, 0.54ha, 0.58ha and 0.56ha for CY, CP, COk, CMzMe, CYOkP and MzYP enterprises respectively. 0.59ha for CY, 0.6ha for CP, 0.63ha for COk, 0.58ha for CMzMe, 0.52ha for CYOkP and 0.65ha for MzYP were prescribed in risk efficient plan II; and in risk efficient plan III, 0.40ha, 0.47ha, 0.45ha, 0.43ha, 0.60ha, 0.51ha 0.54ha and 0.35ha for CMz, CY, CP, COk, CMzMe, CMzY , CYOkP and MzYP respectively were prescribed for the farmers.. Gross margin increased from ₦170,717.61/ha in the existing plan to ₦215,667.56/ha in optimum plan, and to ₦209,009.57/ha, ₦197,281.27/ha and ₦188,881.96/ha in risk efficient plans I, II and III, respectively. Labour and capital were the major limiting resource across the plans for the enterprises. It was concluded that the cassava farmers had the potential to maximize gross margins per unit enterprise in the optimum and risk efficient farm plans as resources were not optimally allocated in the existing plan. Farmers should therefore adopt the prescribed optimum and risk efficient farm plans.

EXTERNAL FINANCING, FLYPAPER EFFECT AND OUTPUT IN NIGERIA

2024-01-29T14:25:59+01:00

This study examined the flypaper effect of on the nexus between external financing and output in Nigeria over the period 1970-2022. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller, Philips-Perron unit root tests as well as the Bayer-Hanck Co-integration tests and the Dynamic Simulated Autoregressive Distributed Lags (DARDL) model were used for analysis in this study to examine flypaper effect of on the nexus between both foreign aid (grant) and external debt on income per capita. The finding shows that the variables exhibit mixed order of integration and there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between external financing (debt and aid) and real GDP per capita in Nigeria. Furthermore, the result indicates that a 1% change increase in personal income will result in about 11% increase in real GDP, while 1% decline in ED will lead to 0.3% increase in real GDP in Nigeria. This indicates that there is a flypaper effect on the nexus between external financing (both debt and aids) and real output in Nigeria in the long run. This implied that the impact of personal income on real income per capita is more than the effect of external debt and foreign aid on per capita income. It means, external debt and foreign aid are not spent on the areas or purposes for which they are needed or meant for in Nigeria. Thus, the external financing should be directed to projects and programmes that have direct impact on the well-being of the people rather than sponsoring the budget. That is, foreign aid and external debt should be spent directly on people-oriented programmes and projects.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ADOPTION OF MILLET PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T14:19:50+01:00

The study assessed adoption of millet production technologies in Yobe State, Nigeria. Multiple sampling techniques was used in selecting the respondents, one hundred and seventy farmers were selected. Primary data was obtained using structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were male, married and had attended certain levels of formal education. Also, the result revealed farmers had an average age of 42.2 years. The finding further shows an average of 17.2 years of farming experience, also with an average of 9.0 persons per households. The result also shows that the respondents had different sources of income and with an average of ₦284,500.3 per annum with an average farm size of 3.1ha. The result also shows that all the respondents had adopted various forms of technologies on millet production. The result also reveals that early maturity (78.8%), fertilizer application (68.2%), planting space (65.3%) among others were the reasons for adoption of the technologies. The finding further shows that socioeconomic factors had significant influence on adoption of millet production technologies were educational level has significant coefficient and influencing adoption of millet production at P<0.05, farm size and marital status had positive coefficient and significantly influencing adoption at P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively. High cost of inputs (74.7%), labour (72.9%) and pest/diseases (71.8%) were the major constraints faced by the farmers in millet production. The study concluded that farmers had adopted different technologies and socioeconomic factors had significant influence on adoption of technologies among the farmers. Farmers should form associations and cooperatives to pull down resources and increases their access to inputs at subsidized rates, NGOs should provide inputs at subsidized rates to farmers in the study area.

ANALYSIS OF DEMAND FOR BEEF AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN OSHIMILI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

2024-01-29T14:14:23+01:00

The Study was conducted to establish the demand analysis for beef among households in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected for the study and primary data was collected through the use of questionnaire and analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The result shows that 37.5% of the respondents were in the age range of 31-40 with a mean age of 38.92. Majority (66.55%) of the respondents had 6-10 persons in their household. Less than half of respondents (42.5%) were into business. Result obtained indicates that most households in the study area demanded 1.1-2.0kg of beef per week. The linear model was adopted as the best fit as it has the highest R² value as well as highest number of significant variables. The R² value of 0.518 implied that about 52% of the changes in the demand for beef were actually caused by the changes in the variables that were entered into the model. The size of the household had a coefficient of 421.75 and significant at P<0.01. This showed that the more the size of the household of the respondent the more the demand for meat. Level of education variable had a coefficient of 386.92 and statistically significant at P<0.005. This implied that the higher the level of education, the more the demand for beef. The price of beef with a coefficient of -499.67 and is statistically significant at P<0.01. The coefficient is also negatively signed. The implication of this is that an increase in the price of beef will lead to a decrease in the demand of the products. The level of income of respondents with coefficient of 982.08 and is statistically significant at P<0.01. This implies that the more the income of the consumer the more they demand meat products all things being equal. It was recommended that Government should subsidize the cost of inputs for cattle production, this will in turn cause a reduction in the price of beef.

IMPACT OF ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

2024-01-29T13:54:29+01:00

The study examines the impact of economic infrastructure investment on economic growth in Nigeria using data from 1980 to 2021. Real gross domestic product was used as proxy for economic growth. The RGDP was specified as a function of government expenditure on road transportation infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure, electricity infrastructure and water supply infrastructure. An Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was applied with 4 lags on the maximum dependent variables and co-integration to examined the impact and the long run relationship between dependent and independent variables. The stationarity test carried out, using Augment Dickey-Fuller (ADF) revealed that all the variables were all stationary at first difference 1(1), implying that the variables contains unit root and statistically significant at both 1 percent and 5 percent level of significance. Results of the parameter estimates based on the most consistent and efficient estimation; it was discovered that road transportation infrastructure were found to have positive but statistically insignificant with the estimated coefficient of 0.075947 (p=0.043 <0.05). It was equally discovered that telecommunication and water supply infrastructure were found to have strong positive and statistically significant with estimated coefficient of 0.077978 (p= 0.033<0.05 and 0.076723 (p=0.134>0.05) respectively. While electricity infrastructure was found to have a negative and insignificant relationship with economic growth with estimated coefficient of -0.051186 (p=0.044 <0.05). The estimation showed that all the variables are co-integrated; meaning that there exists long run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Thus, it was recommended that for Nigeria to achieved infrastructure development to triggered economic growth and development, government should increase its budgetary allocation on the various components of infrastructures for development.

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF VALUE ADDITION INITIATIVES USED BY SWEET POTATO PROCESSORS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T13:47:32+01:00

The study assessed the value addition initiatives used by sweet potato processors. A structured interview schedule was used in data collection. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 130 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. Results reveal that age, years of processing experience, household size and annual income were 30.38years, 5.8years, 4 persons and ₦118,876.94. Radio and family & friends were the most important source of information to processors while 52.3% and 56.9%. 90.8% of respondents had low knowledge on improved value addition initiatives. Furthermore, there was positive and significant correlation between knowledge level of sweet potato processors and their source of information (r =0.341, P<0.001). The major constraints were perishability of sweet potato, farmers’ low knowledge in sweet potato value chain, high cost of processing equipment, inadequate storage facilities and inadequate extension services. The study concluded that source of information, knowledge level and constraints influenced the processors practice of value addition to sweet potato. The study recommended the need for an aggressive promotion of value addition to sweet potato through trainings and workshops, organizing processors in groups association and linking them to reliable markets, provide more robust extension and agricultural support services to build the capacity of smallholder processors.

ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY: A CASE STUDY OF SMALL-SCALE DATE PALM FARMERS IN DUTSE AND KIYAWA LGA OF JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T13:17:38+01:00

The study aimed at determining the allocative efficiency of small-scale date palm farmers in Dutse and Kiyawa LGA of Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to a total of one hundred and thirteen (113) small-scale date palm farmers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Frequency and percentages, and stochastic frontier Cobb-Douglas cost function. The result from the stochastic frontier cost function reveals the gamma (γ) parameter as 0.994, this implies that about 99.4% of the variation in output among date palm farmers in the study area was due to cost inefficiencies. The estimated elasticity for the number of trees and quantity of pollen were significant at 0.01% probability level. The mean allocative efficiency was 0.50 this shows that 50% of the farmers are allocative efficient. The result revealed that years of experience is the only variable that does not contribute to allocative inefficiency. It was concluded that date palm production is a profitable enterprise, but 50% of the small-scale date palm farmers are allocative inefficient. The study recommends that government should enact a policy to attract youth into date palm production and the government should give farmer’s education high consideration for efficiency in date production.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA (Manihot spp) PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN ISOKO NORTH AND SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T10:18:07+01:00

The study examined the adoption of improved cassava production technologies in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Simple random and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 297 cassava farmers. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and multiple regression. Majority (61.60%) were females. The mean age of the farmers was 41.20 years. Majority of the cassava farmers completed their secondary school education. Majority (63.40%) of the farmers adopted planting date. The cassava farmers agreed that improved cassava cultivars have a higher yield than local cultivars ( = 2.88), they are disease resistant ( =2.50), improved cassava cultivars have more tuber yield per stand ( =2.73) and improved cassava cultivars mature very fast ( = 2.91). The constraints facing cassava farmers on the adoption of improved cassava technologies include inadequate access/unavailability of planting materials ( = 3.49), lack of agricultural inputs like fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides ( =3.01) and irregular visits by extension agents ( = 3.14). There was a significant difference between the adoption of improved cassava technologies and education (t=2.793, p=0.006). The study concluded that most cassava farmers were middle age, meaning they could carry out manual farming. Adoption of improved cassava production technologies was low. Thus, there was a large difference between the technologies and adoption. It was recommended, among others, that the Delta Agricultural Development Project intensify efforts at making farmers adopt cassava production technologies.

EFFECTS OF TILLAGE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND MAIZE PERFOMANCE IN THE SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

2024-01-29T12:37:48+01:00

The study evaluates the effects of tillage and split nitrogen fertilization on soil organic carbon and maize performance in the rainy season of 2022 at Anyigba, southern Guinea savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatments were tillage practices with two levels, manual ridging (MR) and minimum tillage (MT) and split nitrogen fertilization with five levels 0, 30 + 60, 45 + 45, 60 + 30 kg N ha^-1 applied in split form at 2 weeks after planting and at tasseling growth stage and 90 kg N ha^-1 full dose applied at 2 weeks after planting. The experimental design was 2 x 5 factorial fitted to randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that there was no significant effect of the treatments on seedling emergence. Manual ridging recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon content with mean value of 28.72 g kg^-1 at 2 weeks after planting compared with minimum tillage. Tillage significantly affected maize grain yield with MR recording 1.3 Mg ha^-1 which was significantly higher than 1.2 Mg ha^-1 recorded for MT. There was response to N fertilization with the N fertilized treatments having significantly higher grain yield than the control treatment. The split application of N, 60 + 30 kg N ha^-1 produced the highest grain yield of 2.2 Mg ha^-1 which was significantly higher than of the split, 30 + 60 kg N ha^-1 and the zero N treatment. Manual ridging and split application of recommended rate of N seem to be the most appropriate for maize production in the area.

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF MACROBRACHIUM FELICINUM AT AMASSOMA AND OTUAN AXIS OF IGBEDI CREEK, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T12:29:06+01:00

The growth parameters of Macrobrachium felicinum at Amassoma and Otuan Axis of Igbedi Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria were investigated utilising Length-Weight Relationship and Condition factor of the species. The specimens were collected from fishers at the sampling stations and analysed. The largest specimen of M. felicinum in both stations recorded was 8.0cm. The average length and weight were 5.014±1.557 cm; weight 3.436±2.596 g and 5.108± 1.234 cm; 3.254±2.200 g in Amassoma and Otuan at Igbedi Creek. The results showed negative allometric: 2.372 and 2.518 at Amassoma and Otuan respectively. Fulton’s condition factor, K for M. felicinum was greater than one, 2.596 at Amassoma while 2.442 at Otuan. There was positive correlation coefficient between total length and weight 0.965 at Amassoma while 0.939 at Otuan. The species M. felicinum was caught in a single month of November, for a twelve-calendar month research. Therefore, this study recommends an in-depth study on the population status of the species at Igbedi Creek.

PERFORMANCE OF OKRA VARIETIES (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) AS INFLUENCED BY INORGANIC FERTILIZER (NPK) IN BAUCHI, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T12:12:18+01:00

The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of okra varieties at the research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Gubi Campus, Nigeria during the 2017 and 2018 rainy seasons. The four NPK rates (Control (0), 75, 150 and 225kg/ha) and three varieties (Clemson spineless, Lima F1 and Yar-Kodon) which were factorially combined and laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The result of the experiment revealed significant difference (P≤0.05) in all the measured parameters. NPK fertilizer application from 0kg/ha to 225kg/ha significantly led to increase in all the parameters measured. The result also showed that the use of NPK fertilizer at the rate of 150kg/ha and 225kg/ha had the weightiest pod weight (2322.70kg and 2265kg and 2630.00kg and 2634.70kg) in 2017 and 2018 season respectively. The variety Clemson spineless and Lima F1 significantly performed better on many of the measured parameters in 2017, except plant height, Number of leaves, and leaf area in 2018. The interaction between variety and NPK fertilizer was however not significant. Stem girth had positive and highly significant correlation with number of leaves (0.6784^**), leaf area (0.7531^**), fruit weight (0.3986^*) and pod girth (0.8939^**). Number of leaves also had highly significant and positive correlation with leaf area (0.7399^**), fruit weight (0.4546^**) and pod girth (0.4959^**). Pod weight had highly significant and positive correlation with pod length (r = 0.6507^**) and Number of pods (r = 0.8929^**). It could be concluded that the use of improved variety Lima F1 and Clemson spineless and NPK fertilizer at the rate of 150kg/ha can be adopted for okra production in study area.

IMPACT OF FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AID ON CROP PRODUCTION OUTPUT IN NIGERIA

2024-01-29T12:01:46+01:00

The study analyzed the effect of Agricultural Aid on Crop output in Nigeria using time series data from 1991-2018. The level of stability of crop output, official development assistance to agriculture, loans from commercial banks, fertilizer consumption and climate change, Vector auto- regression analysis, Granger causality relationship and variance decomposition analysis were analyzed. Data generated were analyzed using a modified time series regression analysis and Augmented Dickey Fuller test. The unit root test revealed that there was unit root which means that at levels the variables were not stationary but stationary at the first difference. About 96.6% of the variation in crop output is explained by official development assistance, total domestic loans by commercial banks to agriculture, fertilizer consumption and carbon emission. The result reveals that official development assistance to Nigerian agriculture had a positive relationship with crop output, but there is an inverse relationship between total domestic commercial loans to agriculture and crop output. Granger causality test indicated a unidirectional causality between commercial loans and climate change and the result further indicated a bi-directional relationship between ODAA and CC (climate change) to crop output in the country. The variance decomposition analysis result in the long run suggest that innovation to crop output steadily reduces to 47%, while shock to agricultural ODA (24%), loans (2%), fertilizer consumption (14%), and climate change (13%) can cause fluctuation in crop output. This implies that agricultural ODA, fertilizer consumption and climate change are the major determinants of crop output in Nigeria. It was recommended that donor agencies should increase agricultural aid for agricultural production. Nigerian government should implement policies that ensure proper use of aid to agriculture.

ECONOMI ANALYSIS OF BROODING AND SELLING OF BROILER ENTERPRISE AMONG WOMEN IN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T11:47:52+01:00

The research was carried out in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria to determined economic analysis of brooding and selling of broiler enterprise among women in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Thirty-five (35) women were randomly selected and a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study and analyzed using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting technique. The result shows that the mean age of the brooders was 41 years of age and signified that they are young and still energetic. The further shows that majority (91.4%) of the women are literate which help them in managing the resources efficiently for optimum profit. Those that are married constituted about 62.9% while widow/single constituted about 28.6%. The mean years of experience on the business was 11 years and the informal sources of credit constituted 85.7% while formal source was 14.3%. The total cost was N247,375.00 and total variable cost was N244,625.00 which total variable cost has a share of about 90.1% of the cost. The income or revenue was N343,450.00 while the gross margin was N98,825.00 with net farm income (NFI) of N96,075.00. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was 1.39 and operating ratio was 0.71 (71.2%), Gross ratio (GR) was 0.72 (72.0%) and the return on investment (ROI) was 0.40 (40%) signified that for every one naira invested, 40 kobo goes to the investor. It was recommended that feed, drugs/vaccine and others be subsidized in order to increase the profit margin of the investors and formal sources of credit should be encouraged.

CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON MAIZE OUTPUT IN NIGERIA: AN AUTOREGRESSIVE DISTRIBUTED LAG BOUND APPROACH

2024-01-29T11:39:51+01:00

The study examined climate change effects on maize output in Nigeria. Data were secured from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) from 1981-2018. The effect of climate change was analyzed using Autoregressive Distributed Lag Bound approach, Error Correction Model and Augmented Dickey– Fuller tests for stationarity test. On the effects of climatic variables on cassava output, the coefficient of multiple determination (R²) 0.6434, shows that about 64.34%, of the variations in maize output was explained by the climatic variables. F-statistics of 4.41 is significantly higher than the lower bound of 2.9 and the upper bound of 3.8 at 5% level. This indicates that there is a long run relationship between maize output and the climatic variables in the model. The ECM value of maize output is -0.213. The magnitude of the coefficient estimate of ECM suggests that 21.3% of the disequilibrium caused by previous years’ shocks converges back to the long-run equilibrium in the current year. This reveals that the speed of adjustment will adjust to the long-term equilibrium. This paper recommends the need for programmes to intimate farmers with modern adaptation strategies especially the use of irrigation facilities to supplement rainfall in the study area. Sensitization of farmers on the importance of weather forecast.

EFFECT OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION ON OUTPUT OF SELECTED AGRICULTURAL CROPS IN NIGERIA

2024-01-29T11:20:17+01:00

The study assessed the effect of trade liberalization on output of selected agricultural crops (rice, wheat, cocoa and cassava) in Nigeria (1986-2020). Data on the variables of the study were collected from the records of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Bank database. Data were analyzed using Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). The result of the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test for unit root revealed that cassava output, cocoa output, rice output, wheat output, exchange rate, tariff and trade openness were found to have unit roots and became stationary on first differencing. The result of the long and short-run effects of trade liberalization on agricultural output using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) showed that in the long run, a unit increase in trade openness will increase cassava output by 0.603 units, decrease cocoa output by 0.53 units, increase wheat output by 6.03 units and increase rice output by 3.30 units ceteris paribus. The study concludes that trade liberalization is healthy for the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that Nigeria should adopt more policies on reducing or eliminating quotas on agricultural produce that will enable the sector to grow at spectacular rates.

OPTIMUM COMBINATION OF MULTPLE FARM ENTERPRIESES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T11:13:01+01:00

The study was conducted to determine the Optimum Combination of Multiple Farm Enterprises among Smallholder Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents across the farm enterprises from the three agricultural zones of Niger State. Data were collected through interview schedule and structured questionnaire administered to 198 sampled farmers through a cost route approach, and analyzed using the linear programming model. The model was applied to each enterprise combination. The study revealed that all enterprise combinations had increase in the returns of the optimum plan over that of the existing plan. To maximize gross margin, the model recommended cultivation of 0.41 ha of yam, 2.6 ha of melon/sorghum and 0.38 ha of melon and sorghum for the crop enterprise, while the crop/livestock/fishery enterprise had yam/cowpea (1.96ha) along with the production of 5.83 heads of livestock recommended. The crop/fishery farmers are to cultivate 0.33 ha of maize/cowpea, 1.17 ha of maize/melon and to produce 0.22 of 100 fishes to maximize gross margin. The result further indicated labour and capital borrowed as the major factors of production limiting the attainment of profit maximization across the State. The study therefore recommended that, farmers should adopt the prescribed optimum farm plan developed according to the respective enterprise combinations to enable them effectively use their available resources to increase productivity and income.

EFFECT OF PUBLIC WORKFARE (PWF) PROGRAME BENEFICIARIES UNDER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT OPERATION (YESSO) IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T11:06:37+01:00

The study evaluates the effect of public workfare (PWF) programe beneficiaries under Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) in Gombe State, Nigeria. The result of demographic characteristics of Public Work Fare shows that majority (75.1%) of the PWF beneficiaries were female and only 24.9% were male. The age distribution of the PWF beneficiaries shows that 56.7% of the beneficiaries were within age bracket of 18-27 years with mean age of 26 years. Moreover, 48.8% of the PWF beneficiaries were married with mean household size of one person per head. The result also shows that 70.1% of the PWF beneficiaries had no formal education. Thus, low level of formal education is likely to affect the consumption patterns of beneficiaries and influence traditional attitudes. In the same vein, the result revealed that before YESSO intervention, the PWF beneficiaries spend N 5,046.27 per month on food consumed while currently the beneficiaries spend N 8,067.67 per month. The percentage change in the value of food consumed by beneficiaries was 59.87%. The total value of assets owned by PWF beneficiaries before YESSO intervention was N 7,425.10. While presently under YESSO intervention, the total value of assets owned by PWF beneficiaries was N 11,630.70. In the same vein, the percentage change in total value of assets owned by PWF beneficiaries was 56.6%. This implies that, there was an increased in the total value of assets owned by PWF beneficiaries. However, 67.2% of the PWF beneficiaries engaged in sanitation services to the community and 32.8% of the PWF beneficiaries engaged in providing local security services in the community. The result further shows that there was 85.5% increase in utilization of financial service due to YESSO intervention in Gombe State and majority PWF beneficiaries has increase self-worth and Self-esteem. Furthermore, 95.0% of the beneficiaries’ reported that there was lack of sanitation equipment’s like hoe, shovel, hand gloves, brooms while 94.0% of the beneficiaries’ reported that there was lack of security equipment’s like, uniforms, ID card, touch light, bow and arrow.

EFFECT OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY ON GOAT MARKETING IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T10:56:38+01:00

The study examined the effect of Boko Haram insurgency on goat marketing in Borno State, Nigeria. A Multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting 143 goat marketers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and regression analysis. The result reveal that 38.5% and 30.1% of the goat marketers were within the age brackets of 35-39 years and above 40 years, almost all (96.5%) of the goat marketers were male and Most (70.6%) of the goat marketers were married with majority (51.7%) having households between 2-3 persons and almost all (97.9%) and 42.9% of the goat marketers had Qur’anic and primary education respectively. The result further shows a total marketing cost of ₦2,140,550 with a gross margin of ₦761,450 before insurgency and net marketing income of ₦0.36 indicating that Goat marketing was a profitable venture before insurgency. similarly, a net marketing income of ₦0.01 during the insurgency. The findings also reveal that 42% and 28.7% of the goat marketers had a capital of ₦50,000-₦120,000 and ₦121,000-₦191,000 before insurgency while 44.1% of the goat marketers had a capital investment of ₦50,000-₦160,000 during insurgency. The major constraints in Goat marketing before and during insurgency were bank closure (72%), market closure (55.9%) and bomb explosion in public places (55.2%) which were ranked 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. It was concluded that, although goat marketing enterprise in the study area was profitable, the insurgency had negative effect on the goat marketing and there was greater profit before than during the insurgency. The study recommended that government must use all means to fight the insurgence to allow farmers go back to businesses, marketers should be encouraged to form cooperatives and financial assistance should be given to the marketers in order to boost their capital.

SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS ON THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION INNOVATION PRACTICES IN NORTH-WEST, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T10:49:14+01:00

The study examined the smallholder farmers’ awareness and attitude on the system of rice intensification innovation practices in North-west, Nigeria. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule administered to randomly selected 315 rice farmers via a 3-stage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Majority are males (91.7%), married (75.0%), with secondary education (66.7%) and no extension contact (91.7%). Average age of 32 years, farming experience of 11 years, monthly income of N30, 637.51k, farm size of 7.0 hectares and household size of 5 persons. The respondents have favorable attitude towards SRI innovation practices (=1.54±1.23). The categorization of attitude shows that majority (58.7%) were with favorable attitude. Greater proportion indicated low awareness level (65.3%) on SRI innovation practices (=2.37±1.54). There are several severe constraints to implementation of SRI practices with constraint index of =3.21±1.47. The study recommends that awareness campaign on SRI practices be instituted using different information dissemination methods. Periodic advisory services be provided to increase the attitude, understanding and awareness of the clienteles on the SRI components as well as boosting the adoption to strengthened food security.

INFORMATION NEEDS OF COCONUT FARMERS IN BADAGRY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T10:41:53+01:00

The study focused on information needs of coconut farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected on the respondents’ personal characteristics, sources of information available to the respondents, respondents’ level of awareness of improved coconut production technologies, perceived effect of lack of information on coconut production and information needs of the respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 45years, 68.3% were male, 75.8% were married, 60% were Yoruba, while mean years of formal education was 9. The most utilized sources of information among the respondents were contact/fellow farmers =3.68. On the level of awareness of the respondents on coconut production technologies, majority of the respondents were fully aware of transplanting of seedlings =2.74. Perceived major effect of lack of information on coconut production was non-awareness of processing methods =3.91. The major information need of the respondents was on improved nursery practices =2.78. Correlation analysis showed there was significant relationship (r=0.36; p=0.00) between respondents’ level of awareness of coconut production technologies and their information needs. The study concluded that among the information needs of the farmers, the major information need was on improved nursery practices. It is therefore recommended that extension agents intensify efforts in liaison with research institutes for information on improved nursery practices to meet farmers need in coconut production.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF ZERO ENERGY COOLING CHAMBER (ZECC) TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) AMONG FARMERS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

2024-01-29T10:33:48+01:00

The study assessed the effect of zero energy cooling chamber (ZECC) technology among tomato farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 401 farmers in the study area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test. The result revealed that minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled before adoption of ZECC were 11, 45 and 28 baskets of tomatoes, respectively with a standard deviation of 1.081. Also, the results show that the minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled after adoption of ZECC were 1, 16 and 5.5 baskets of tomatoes, respectively with a standard deviation of 3.170. Further, result show that minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled before adoption of ZECC were 1, 9 and 3 days, respectively with a standard deviation of 0.949. Also, the results show that the minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled after adoption of ZECC were 1, 19 and 12 days, respectively with a standard deviation of 1.462. Result on income of tomato production before adoption of ZECC technology revealed that minimum, maximum and mean income obtained by the farmers were ₦23,000.00, ₦55,000.00 and ₦55,2550.00, respectively. While the minimum, maximum and mean income after adoption of ZECC technology were ₦39,000.00, ₦98,000.00 and ₦94,624.00, respectively. Result on paired t-test on the quantity of tomato spoiled, duration of spoilage and income, before and after adoption of ZECC technology revealed that there was significant difference at P< 0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively. The constraints affecting adoption of ZECC technology were inadequate government support as a severe constraint, pest and disease, among others. The study concludes that there was positive impact on tomato storage using ZECC technology. The study recommends enhancement on training farmers on ZECC technology in order to increase level of adoption which in turn increase life shell of tomatoes and farmers’ income in the study area.