bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CAUSES OF FRESH TOMATO (LYCOPERSICO lycopersicum) LOSSES AMONG SUPPLY CHAIN ACTORS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Atman, F. M.  , Mohammed, I.  , Yakubu, S.  , Bala A. H.  , Uchendu, C. U.
Published: April 2023

The study was conducted to examine the causes of fresh tomato losses in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 808 supply chain actors comprising of 301 producers, 105 wholesalers, 252 retailers and 150 consumers. Data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum standard deviations and graph. Comparing among the supply chain actors for modes of transportation, the result reveals that most (25.23% 23.63% and 29.96%) of the producers, wholesalers and retailers used busses, lorry, pickups and cars, respectively, for their transportation, while half (50%) of the consumers used tricycle for transportation. Also, the result shows that majority (47.16%, 47.09% and 57.27%) of the producers, wholesalers and retailers, respectively, depended on personal savings as their source of capital. The result reveals that 75.38% of fresh tomato consumers obtained information from marketers. Producers (34.88%) obtained their information from fellow farmers, while 31.16% and 38.71% of the wholesalers and retailers obtained information from fellow marketers. The result also reveals that producers, wholesalers and retailers collectively agreed that high temperature with mean of 3.00, 3.00 and 2.92 was a real cause of fresh tomato loss. Further, the result shows that, of the quantities of 524.82, 162.52 and 22 produced and purchased by producers, wholesalers and retailers, 15.39%, 12.72% and 8.69% were lost. The result reveals that producers, wholesalers and retailers collectively agreed that high temperature with mean of 3.00, 3.00 and 2.92 was a real cause of fresh tomato loss. It was concluded that high temperature, lack of ready market, disease, storage facilities and car brake-down contributed significantly to fresh tomato losses among the supply chain actors. The study recommended that large cold storage facility can be made available, to reduce fresh tomato losses.
ECONOMICS OF GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION IN TSANYAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Isyaku, A.  , Kolo A.  , Murtala, N.
Published: April 2023

The study examined the economics of groundnut production in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State. A combination of purposive and random sampling technique was used to select 150 groundnut farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed descriptive statistics, gross margin and regression analysis. The results indicated that, the mean age of the farmers was 33 years with a mean household size of eight persons. The farmers cultivated an average of 2.5 hectares. The gross margin was N37, 850 per hectare, with the rate of return on investment of N1.10. The gross, operating and fixed ratios were 0.54, 0.52 and 0.03, respectively. The regression analysis revealed an R2 value of 0.97 which implies that 97% percent of the total variation in the gross income of the farmers was explained by the independent variables included in the model. The major constraints encountered in groundnut production in the study area were inadequate capital, inadequate improved seed, pests and diseases. The study concluded that groundnut production in the study area was profitable. Therefore, it was recommended that extension service should be geared towards delivery of improved technologies to groundnut production in the study area. Groundnut farmers should form cooperative societies so as to pool their resource together to solve their common problem and take advantage of economy of scale. There is need for government to subsidize cost of inputs for groundnut producers, such as seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH FISH MARKETERS IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Shuaibu, M. K.
Published: April 2023

The study was carried out to analyze the demographic characteristics of fresh fish marketers in selected Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 marketers in the study area. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the mean age of the marketers 33 years, 95% of them were male while 73.3% of them were married and 45% of them has attain a secondary level of education; with mean year of marketing experience was 17.14  and 84.2% of the respondents belong to cooperative group. The study also found that the marketers were confronted with problems of price instability, inadequate capital, and high cost of transportation, seasonality of fish supply, storage problems, and inconsistence of government policy, inadequate power supply and low patronage. The study concluded that marketers had a high level of resilience, hence, having high capacity to withstand the market stress by ensuring full commitment to the business. The study recommended Government to create a conducive environment that will attract people in to aquaculture farming to bridge the gap created during the offseason thereby stabilizing the prices. Also, Government to make credit facilities available and affordable to the fresh fish marketers in the study area to encourage the marketers in the business. It was also recommended that, more research work should be carried out on fish marketing strategies that will enable the marketer to become efficient in the fish marketing business.
ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED BY SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA
Authors: Okringbo, J. I.  , Bai, E. M.  , Agadaga, B. B.
Published: April 2023

The study examined community members' participation in conferences organized by shell petroleum development company (SPDC) in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Purposive random sampling technique was used for the selection of 240 community members in SPDC host communities. The data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaire and were analysed using both descriptive (the mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA).  The result showed that impact assessment studies ( = 2.8), oil spillage clean-up process ( = 2.9), community-based pipeline surveillance ( = 3.1) and construction of inter-community roads ( = 3.0) were the various conferences community members participated in. The result further showed that SPDC is insensitive to the plight of community members ( = 3.8), SPDC uses incinerators to burn wastes; however, in the Niger Delta, the waste from spillage are deposited in a large trench ( = 3.6), instructional materials are not provided to schools in host communities by SPDC ( = 3.4) and scholarship from SPDC is not distributed equally among host communities ( = 3.4) were various perception of community members on SPDC environmental degradation impact management. The ANOVA result showed significant difference on the level of community member’s participation in conferences organized by SPDC in Niger Delta at P<0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that community member’s participated in conference organized by SPDC. Hence, there is need for SPDC to increase her scholarship programme and equally distributed among host communities. Beneficiaries’ names should be published on the print media and notice boards within the SPDC cluster communities.
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE PRACTICES AND INTENSITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA’S ARABLE FARMING LANDSCAPE
Authors: Peter Terfa Tsue  , Abah, D.  , Aondonenge Dickson Teran
Published: April 2023

Arable land is the most important agricultural production input. Land use, coupled with management practices is the key instrument for achieving environmental security, increase in yield and productivity. This study examined the agricultural land use practices and intensity of environmental degradation among arable farming households in North central Nigeria. A survey of 356 households was used to generate household level data using a well-structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics like means and ordered logistic regression analysis (Ologit). Results showed that land is cultivated intensely and on a continuous basis with mixed-cropping and complete tillage commonly practiced by 83.2% and 67.4% of the farmers, respectively. On the average, arable farmers perceived environmental degradation as having high intensity (2.46) on their farmland. Agricultural land use practices like complete tillage, more frequent weeding, land conflicts, farming on sloppy farmlands increased the intensity of environmental degradation while practices like herbicide use reduced it. The study concluded that improving land use practices is, therefore, a pre-requisite for sustainable agriculture, which is itself a necessary condition for environmental conservation. Hence, extension agents should organize proper teaching of farmers in rural areas on the best ways to cultivate and harvest crops and to take due caution in the choice of equipment for land clearing as well as the technique of land clearing in order to minimize injury to the environment.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA
Authors: Murtala, N.  , Yakubu, S.  , Muhammad, I.  , Danwanka, H.  , Garba, M.  , Fagam, A. S.  , Sani, M. H.  , Musa, S. A.  , Bakori, A. M.  , Bakori, A. M.  , Bakori, A. M.  , Lawal, H.  , Sulumbe, I. M.
Published: April 2023

ATBU-PICS project had made a substantial effort in north-east Nigeria to further promote hermetic cowpea storage. To respond to the need for information on the robust economic impact of adoption of cowpea storage technology, the objectives of the study were to specifically explore the impact of the Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology on knowledge and margin of farmers in north-eastern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling approach was used to select 3,000 respondents from the study area. Primary data were collected in 2020 using structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (Propensity score matching [PSM] and Inverse probability weighted regression adjusted [IPWARA]) were used for the analyses. The result showed that age, sex, farming experience and availability of PICS bag in a locality positively drive both margin of farmers and knowledge of PICS technology at P≤0.1, P≤0.1, P≤0.05, P≤0.01, respectively, but household size negatively drive them at P≤0.01. The study also found the margin of adopters to be ₦124,006.10 higher than that of non-adopters; and the knowledge of PICS technology adopters was higher than that of non- adopters by 2.32 in a scale of 5. It was concluded that ATBU-PICS project had positive economic impact on the adopters of the technology. It was recommended that; the value chain of the PICS bags should be intensified to ensure its availability in all the localities for easy access while increase awareness of the technology should also be intensified.
IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDA ON RICE FARMERS’ INCOME IN NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA
Authors: Ademiluyi, Ibiyinka O.  , Umeh, Joseph. C.  , Abu Orefi  , Asogwa, Benjamin. C.
Published: April 2023

The study was carried out to analyze the impact of agricultural transformation agenda (ATA) on the income of rice farmers in North central zone of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 992 rice farmers comprising 429 respondents from beneficiaries and 563 from the non-beneficiaries. Primary data were collected on   prices of variable inputs of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries and constraints using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, net farm income analysis, two sample t-test and propensity score matching. The net farm income (NFI) for ATA beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was ₦47,241.42/ha and ₦38,935.35/ha, respectively, an indication that rice production was profitable in the study area. The mean test revealed P≤0.01 statistical difference in the input used by beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The impact of agricultural transformation program on beneficiaries’ income showed a statistically significant difference between the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. It was concluded that the ATA program had an impact on the beneficiaries’ income thereby enhanced an increased livelihood of the farmers. It was recommended that governments should make provisions for early delivery of agricultural inputs.
ANALYSIS OF FEED BRAND TYPE USED AMONG POULTRY FARMERS IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Iorlamen, Torkwase Rhoda  , Humbe, Isaac Terna
Published: April 2023

The study analyzed feeds type used among poultry farmers in Makurdi local Government area of Benue State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 100 respondents for the study. Data for the study was collected from primary source with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that, majority (72.0%) of the respondents were females, with a mean age of 36.6 years and mean educational level of 14.45 years; majority of the respondents (61.0%) used hybrid feed for poultry production; Vital, Top and Amo feeds had increased returns in poultry production; choice of feed type used by respondents was based mostly (74%) on recommendation by others. The result further revealed that, number of chicks (P≤0.01) had significant influence on poultry output. It was recommended that Vital, Top and Amo feeds should be used by poultry famers for greater returns and farmers should be encouraged to expand their farm size hence number of chicks for more output.
ROLES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Authors: Ogunnaike, M. G.  , Osinowo, O. H.  , Olabode, J. O.
Published: April 2023

Social networks are usually based on trust and commitment and are important in the farm households decision-making process on adoption of new innovation. They also served as technical, moral and financial support centres for rural farm households. Climate change presents a great development challenge for the global community in general and particularly for rural farm households in developing countries. Climate-smart agriculture is one strategy aimed to help farmers in the study area adopt more sustainable farming practices. The study looked at adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) and the role of social networks in the process. The objectives of the study were to describe the determinants and barriers affecting farm household adoption of CSAPs in Nigeria; and to explore how social learning and networks contributes to knowledge and decision making during adoption of CSAPs in Nigeria. Primary data were collected on socio-economic and cultural activities among rural farm households, social networks and adopted CSAPs’ used on cultivated parcels using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean and Multivariate Probit model. The multivariate model of CSAPs’ results showed that determinants and constraints for the adoption of agricultural innovation existed at multiple levels. The study concluded and presented evidence of the value of social networks for the adoption of CSAPs, identified the promising social networks that influenced the adoption process. The study suggests a range of factors, such as access to market information, knowledge, social and language barriers, access to extension services, member of a social group, physical or financial access to inputs, institutional or policy support, that could be restricting farmers from adopting CSAPs.
ADOPTION OF RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG WOMEN FARMERS IN THE CENTRAL ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ephraim, S. C.  , Abu, I. A.  , Suleiman, A.
Published: April 2023

The study analysed the adoption of rice production technologies among women farmers in central agricultural zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 138 women rice farmer, structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents that provided the usable data for the analysis. The result revealed that majority (95%) of the respondents, were married. The mean age was 36 years, household size had a mean of 8 persons, the farming experience revealed, 12 years, majority (43.6%) had no formal education, some (32.5%) inherited their farm land and majority (50.4%) hired their labour. Furthermore, high yield, early maturity and marketability were the major factors that influence the adoption of rice production technologies in the study area. On the levels of adoption, seed, harvesting and fertilizer application had 94%, 91.8% and 99.9%, respectively. The major constraint to the adoption of rice production technologies includes inadequate finance (97.7%), high cost of labour (96.2%), and inaccessibility to modern milling machine (95.5%). The study concluded that high yield, early maturity and marketability were the major factors influencing adoption of rice production technologies among the respondents. The study therefore recommended that the women should be encourage to form cooperative societies in order to be able to obtain credit and acquire modern facilities for rice processing and capital for adopting more technologies.
HOUSEHOLDS’ PREFERENCE AND USAGE OF COWPEA-BASED PRODUCTS AND VARIETIES IN WESTERN ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Sani, M. H.  , Abubakar, U. F.  , Sani, R. M.
Published: April 2023

The study examined the households’ consumption preference for cowpea and its products in Western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in the selection of 210 households. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. The study revealed that majority (75.7%) of households’ highly preferred alale as cowpea-based products and used kwankwasiya cowpea variety to make kosai (52.3%), alale (87%), cowpea soup (39.5%), rice and beans (53.3%) dishes, respectively.  Furthermore, 35.7% of households prefer to consume kwankwasiya cowpea variety than other varieties. The result of the multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that, age (P<0.05), educational level (P<0.1), occupation (P<0.1), income (P<0.1), price (P<0.01), time taken to cook (P<0.1), taste (P<0.05) and weevil damage tolerance (P<0.05) were statistically significant in determining the factors influencing households’ consumption preference for cowpea varieties. The major constraints to household preference for cowpea consumption include high cost of cowpea (97.1%), insect infestation (81.4%) and abdominal discomfort (70.0%) among others. The study concluded that households’ highly preferred alale as cowpea-based products and used kwankwasiya cowpea variety to make different dishes. The study recommended that effort should be made by stakeholders and breeding institutions to create policies that would be favourable to control the menace of price fluctuations of cowpeas and cowpea farmers should divert more resources to the production of kwankwasiya cowpea variety so that they can meet consumer demand and increase their level of income.
DETERMINANT OF ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY AMONG RAINFED RICE FARMERS IN ARDO-KOLA AND JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Christopher K. Hassan  , Stephen Jonathan  , Idris, Abdulazeez
Published: April 2023

The study determined allocative efficiency among rainfed rice farmers in Ardo-kola and Jalingo local government area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The objectives of the paper were to determined allocative efficiency of rice farmers in the study area. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 180 rice farmers through a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier approach were used to analyze data collected. Diagnostic statistic, gamma (0.856) and sigma squared (0.191) were statistically significant at P≤ 0.01. probability level. The result further revealed that cost of seed and cost of fertilizer were significant at P≤ 0.01, while cost of family labour and cost of agrochemicals were significant at P≤ 0.05. The mean allocative efficiency (AE) is 0.89. The study also revealed that education, age and extension contact and gender increases allocative efficiency of rice farmers in the study area. The study recommends diversification of income, especially to rice farmers with large household size. However, farmers should be encouraged with improved facilities either from government and non-governmental agencies.
CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF FARMERS ON POST HARVEST STORAGE OF TOMATO IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Bello, O. G.  , Ehien, A. E.  , Makinta, U.  , Nasiru, A.
Published: April 2023

The study examined the information needs of farmers on post-harvest storage of tomato in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and 120 tomato farmers were interviewed for the purpose of eliciting information through a 4-stage sampling procedure. Majority (75.0%) of the respondents were males (90.0%), married (89.2%), Muslims (95.9%) with Islamic education (50.0%). The respondents’ average (x ): household size is 9 persons, farm size of 1.6ha, monthly income of N30,916.67 and age of 41.6 years. Primary occupation of the majority is farming (96.7%) with mean farming experience of 13 years. Main source of labor is family labor (86.7%). Greater proportions source their funds through personal savings (77.5%). Land ownership is through inheritance (66.7%) and no extension service involvement (97.5%). The most needed information on post-harvest storage is lack of current information, techniques for record keeping and sustainable market (100.0%, x = 3.50), respectively. They were only aware of post-harvest storage like basket cooling (91.7%), sorting and grading (80.8%) and refrigeration storage (59.2%) among others while severe constraints were: lack of capital for post-harvest activities, government policy and infrastructure (99.2%, x = 3.78). The result of the Pearson Correlation showed positive relationship with educational level, household size, average monthly income and farming experience. The research recommended the recruitment of more competent extension officers for more farmers’ contact, structured and focused government policies on tomato post-harvest practices and periodic training of farmers.
EFFECT OF AIRPORT NON-AERONAUTIC INFRASTRUCTURE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA: 1986-2020
Authors: Madaki, L. J.  , Akawu, F. A.  , Ibbih, J. M.
Published: April 2023

The study investigated the effect of airport non-aeronautic infrastructure on economic growth in Nigeria covering 1986-2020. Expost-facto research design was adopted to carry out the investigation. The data were collected from secondary source both internal and external which includes Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Neoclassical Cobb Douglas production model was adopted with modification for the study. The data were subjected to diagnostic test which include unit root, cointegration, before estimating the model. The findings of the study showed that the coefficients of rent and electricity infrastructure (REI) and Tollgate infrastructure (TGI) were statistically significant at P≤0.05 It can be concluded from the result analysis that rent and electricity infrastructure (REI) and Tollgate infrastructure has positive and strong influence on economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommends that Nigerian government and other stakeholders/ key players should ensure to have a proper maintenance culture on the infrastructure and make sure that the equipment is updated to global standard so as to compete with the global community. The study also recommended that professionals in the aviation industry be given free hand without interference in order to effectively and efficient discharge their duty towards enhancing management confidence that would contribute immensely to economic growth in Nigeria.
ANALYSIS OF PREFERENCE ON STORAGE METHODS AMONG COWPEA FARMERS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Abba, E.  , Haruna, U.  , Sani, R. M.
Published: April 2023

The study examined the preference of storage methods among cowpea farmers in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select 202 farmers for the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The results revealed that a substantial proportion (47.0%) of farmers preferred phostoxin tablet, 32.7% preferred plastic jerrican, 7.9% preferred PICS bags, 5.0% preferred mental drum, 3.9% preferred actellic 25EC, 2.5% preferred rhumbus and 1.0% preferred actelllic 2% dust. The result of the logistic regression showed pseudo R2 which was 0.847. The results identified among others that quantity stored (P<0.01), effectiveness (P<0.01), durability (P<0.05), availability (P<0.05) and simplicity (P<0.10) significantly affect the choice decision for PICS bags method of cowpea storage. Also, farming experience and simplicity significantly affect the choice decision of jerrican method of storage at (P<0.05) each, educational level, availability, simplicity and effectiveness significantly affect the choice decision of actellic 25EC at (P<0.10) each while educational level (P<0.05) is the only variable that affect the choice decision of actellic 2% dust. Capital intensiveness, time consuming, poison nature and odour were the major constraints to cowpea storage methods. The study recommended that farmers should be encouraged by extension agents to attend trainings and workshops on cowpea storage method as this will go a long way in improving their knowledge and experience on the use of cowpea storage methods.
DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ali, I. H.  , Jibril, S. A.  , Bose, A. A.
Published: April 2023

The study assessed the determinants of women participation in livestock production in central zone of Bauchi State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 190 respondents, data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result reveals that 33.2% of the respondents were within age bracket of 17-30 years. Almost all (97.9%) of the respondents had 1-7 persons per household, and majority (61.6%) of them had primary education. The result further reveals that most (77.4%) of the respondents had a farming experience of 2-11years with herd size of 2-9 animals occupying (66.3%). The result also shows that most (79.5%) of the respondents keep their livestock under shade and almost all (98.4%) of the respondents have livestock farming as their major occupation. Furthermore, 98.4% of the respondents had no access to credits, with 73.2% of the respondents having access to extension services. All (100%) of the respondents indicated that family decision on animal matter decision is taken by men and 99.5% of them do not practice purdah. The results further depict that, egg and livestock selling and shade cleaning was done by women occupying 95.3% and 90.0% respectively. The results of regression analysis reveal that place of keeping livestock was negative and significant in influencing women participation in livestock production (P<0.01), household size, farming experience, cooperatives membership ware negative and significant (P<0.05). The result further indicates that the major constraints to participation in livestock production were inadequate media information, lack of confidence and social conflicts ranked 1st 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The study concluded that, women farmers play a significant role in livestock production. It was recommended that, proper extension services should be given to the women farmers and women should be encouraged to form cooperative groups to take advantage of credit windows available to cooperative societies.
EVALUATION OF HOUSEHOLDS COOKING ENERGY CHOICE DECISIONS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ubokudom E. Okon  , Ubong U. Solomon  , Imoh S. David
Published: April 2023

Household surveys across Akwa Ibom State, an oil-rich State in Nigeria that include questions on energy use, show that the most cited primary energy for cooking is fuelwood, followed by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and then Kerosine. Household cooking energy accounts for a significant part of the total energy consumed in Nigeria. The study investigated the factors influencing the Household choice of cooking energy and the type preferred in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were obtained through oral interviews and the administration of structured questionnaire on 160 randomly sampled households from the study area. Descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that half of the population utilized fuelwood. On the other hand, only a small proportion used kerosene (15.0%), liquefied petroleum gas [LPG] (31.9%) and charcoal (3.1%) for their daily cooking. The most preferred cooking energy was LPG (65.5%), followed by kerosene (25.6%), fuelwood (6.4%), and charcoal (2.5%), respectively. The coefficient of household size (p<0.05), level of education (p<0.01), location (p<0.01), and homeownership (p<0.01) had a negative and statistically significant relationship with households’ preference for charcoal and fuelwood compared to LPG. Age (p<0.01) had a positively and significant influence on the household’s decision to use fuelwood and the type preferred. Sensitizing households on importance and use of clean and sustainable cooking energy sources is necessary to achieve sustainable development in the area.
ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN SELF-HELP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN REMO DIVISION OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ilori, Afolasade R.  , Fadipe Mubarak O.  , Oladoja, Muhammed A.  , Mufutau Rafiu A.
Published: April 2023

Community development constitutes a part of the overall development strategy in many nations. Over the years, women self-help efforts have been relegated to the background most especially in Nigeria. The study assessed women’s participation in self-help community development projects in Remo division of Ogun State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used for selecting total sample size of 234 respondents. Data were collected on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, types of self-help community development projects, reasons for their participation, and constraints limiting their participation. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency count, percentage and mean) and inferential statistics (chi-square and Spearman rho) at P≤0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that majority of the respondents (59.4%) were below 50 years of age. Majority (81.6%) of the respondents were married, educated (23.9%) up to post-secondary level. Humanitarian service 1.97), betterment of the community 1.92) were some of the reasons for women self-help efforts. The level of participation of the respondents was high with a score of (51.3%). Test of hypothesis revealed that significant relationship existed between participation in self-help development project and age (c2 = 39.740), marital status (c2 = 9.132), religion (c2 = 13.852), educational attainment (c2 = 11.087), possession of landed properties (c2 = 20.602). It was recommended that Individuals and NGOs should be encouraged to be of help to women, women associations, rural communities through execution of rural development project which has direct influence on women health status.
CONTENT ANALYSIS OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON RICE PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA
Authors: Fadipe, M. O.  , Yusuf, H. T.
Published: April 2023

Timely access to relevant information on improved technology is crucial in sustaining agricultural production. Therefore, YouTube provides a viable alternative access to information among farmers. Thus, this study assessed the content of videos on rice production uploaded on YouTube in Nigeria. The study specifically collected YouTube video data on; metadata, characteristic, content framing; information source, and the content of the videos. The study made use of content analysis methodology to assess 78 videos on rice cultivation in Nigeria posted on YouTube between 2015 and 2021. Descriptive analysis including frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation were conducted on the data collected. This study revealed that most (56.4%) of the YouTube videos were posted between 2019 and 2021, while more than half (53.8%) of the videos were posted by News media. Furthermore, 69.2% of the videos had descriptive text, while 83.3% of the videos posted had no tags. Some (38.5%) of the videos had video quality of 360p, while most of the presentation pattern of the videos were either; news (48.8%) or documentaries (26.9%). Finally, the major content of the videos was on land preparation (26.9%) and agronomic practices (60.3%) in rice production. Therefore, most of the content emanated from news media, and the most sought information was on production. Thus, it is recommended that research and agricultural institutes should embrace YouTube as an important information source to complement the efforts of extension agents and more information on post-harvest handling should be uploaded.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PRICE FLUCTUATION ON PRODUCTION OF SELECTED FOOD GRAINS IN NIGERIA (1981-2020)
Authors: Ayoola, J. B.  , La’ah, D.  , Weye, E. A.
Published: April 2023

The study assessed price fluctuation on production of selected food grains in Nigeria (1981-2020). A longitudinal-trend design was adopted for the study. Time series data were collected from secondary sources. The data were analyzed using regression analysis [Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model]. Findings of the study showed that price fluctuation of the selected food grains are challenges toward achievement of small-scale farmers’ development which resulted to loss of capital and farmers shifting to other production activities. The results further revealed that, maize had a higher mean of N1,714.375 per ton; the maximum price fluctuation was found in  rice (N26,516 per ton) than maize (N19,247 per ton) and wheat (N15,999 per ton); maize (1.342703) and rice (0.874336) were skewed positively to the right tail implying the presence of more values that are higher than the sample mean and wheat (-3.08378) skewed negatively to the left tail implying the presence of more values that are lower than the sample mean;  rice and maize price fluctuations may be described as leptokurtic (positive excess kurtosis) with a kurtosis greater than 3 relative to the normal while wheat has a kurtosis less than 3 (negative excess kurtosis) and may be described as platykurtic implying that the distribution has a flattened curve relative to the normal. The Jarque-Bera probability test of normality showed that the price fluctuations of rice, maize and wheat were not statistically significant at P≤0.05 level of significance, thereby rejecting the null hypotheses. This implies that, price fluctuation has effects of on outputs and prices of selected food grains such as rice, maize and wheat grains in Nigeria for the period under study. The result of the price fluctuation test in prices of maize and wheat also showed that the ARCH [RESID(-1)^2] and GARCH [GARCH(-1)] terms are significant at P≤0.05 level, but rice revealed ARCH [RESID(-1)^2] and GARCH [GARCH(-1)] terms was significant at P≤0.05 level. These implies that the price of maize, wheat and rice will continue to fluctuate in line with their apriori expectations. The study concluded that pattern of real prices of food (rice, maize and wheat) gains movements in Nigeria fluctuate from 1981 to 2020. The study recommended that fiscal and monetary policies that can help increase food (rice, maize and wheat) grains’ production and keep its price within the reach of common men should be pursued by government and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector of Nigeria.
ROLE OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN PALM OIL PROCESSING IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Olagunju, I. O.  , Burbwa, P. A.  , Ujah, J. O.
Published: April 2023

The study looked at how women in Ogbadigbo local government, Benue State, participated in palm oil processing. The study relied on primary sources. Women's engagement in oil palm processing in Benue State and specifically in Ogbadibo Local Government Area was investigated using a public opinion survey research design. To gather relevant data from respondents in the study region, questionnaires were used. Data was collected from 134 respondents who worked in oil processing of the study area. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin, multiple regression modeling, and a Likert scale. Oil palm processing had a gross margin of $236135.78, and net processing income of $25367.50 per year. The significance between oil palm processing and palm oil production was tested using a paired sample t-test, which found that it was significant at P≤0.01 with a mean average of 28.10. 62. The results also showed that only 4% of respondents used current methods. Women also complained about insufficient funding and high maintenance costs as important challenges affecting oil palm processors, along with other concerns such as a lack of access to credit, insufficient storage, and a bad road network. Finally, the study advised that significant stages of processes such as fruit digestion and oil extraction be mechanized to relieve female processors of their labor. This will boost the number of women who work in the oil palm industry.
ADOPTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ikoyo-Eweto, G. O.
Published: April 2023

The study examined adoption of Information Communication Technology in Enhancing Food Security among Small-Scale Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and Likert scale while hypothesis one and two were analyzed with multiple regression and Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) respectively. Sample size adopted through multi-stage random sampling was 88. The mean age, farming experience, farm size and household size were 43.05 years, 12.66 years, 3.79ha and 7 persons, respectively. Most (82.96%) of the farmers were aware of ICT use on farm production. The use of ICT was constraint by high cost of ICT tools, poor network coverage, lack of funds and poor infrastructure. Socio-economic characteristics of the farmers like gender (b = 3.081), age (b = -2.017), educational level (b = 2.315), farming experience (b = 3.001) and farm size (b = 0.986) played significant role in their perceived contribution of ICT to farmers production. Result also revealed that significant relationship exist between farmers with low and those with high level of ICT awareness in agricultural production. The study therefore recommended that government should make policies that should help to improve infrastructure that concerns roads, electricity supply and network coverage so that they can be encouraged to the use of ICT tools for improved agricultural production.
THE ROLE OF WOMEN-IN-AGRICULTURE AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME AMONG IRISH POTATO FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Michael, H. Y.
Published: April 2023

The study focused on the role of irish potato farmers of the women-in-agriculture and youth empowerment (waye) programme in Plateau State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 256 respondents. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaires and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean farming experience was 10 and 16 years for participating and non-participating farmers while mean farm size for participating farmers and non- participating farmers was 1.4 and 0.5 ha. The result of the findings reveals that 55% and 47% of the participating farmers and non-participating farmers had secondary school education, which constituted the largest number of educational qualifications attained in the study area. Factors influencing the level of participation of irish potato farmers in (waye) programme in Plateau State are, marital status (3.72, P<0.01), sex (2.25, P<0.05), years of irish potatoes production (9.85, P<0.01), household size (10.92, P< 0.01), awareness of WAYEP (4.93, P<0.01), a unit increase in these factors will subsequently influence the level of participation of irish potato farmers in (WAYEP) programme. The mean crops output of WAYE programme participants (537,807.1kg) was significantly higher than non-participants (165,571.43kg). The difference in the mean crops output levels was largely attributed to participation in WAYE programme. The calculated Z-test value (14.74) for crops output and income (22.93) was significant at 1%. It was therefore recommended that WAYE programme be extended to other farming communities in Plateau State, so as to accelerate the poverty alleviation among women farmers in the State.
ANALYSIS OF GENDER KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ON WHEAT FARMING IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Mohammed, F. A.  , Ibrahim, A. A.  , Sani, M. H.  , Jibril, S. A.
Published: April 2023

The study analyzed gender knowledge, attitude and practices on wheat farming in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 352 men and 151 women making a total of 503 respondents. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire, analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean scores, standard deviation, and Probit analysis. The result revealed that the majority (70%) of the respondents were male. Meanwhile, 55.4% male respondents had a household size between 6-10 persons. Majority (64.2%) of the female respondents had a farm size between 0.5-1.0 hectares and 80.8% of them obtained their farmland through inheritance. About 67.5% of the male respondents had 6-10 years of wheat farming experience. About, 68% of the male respondents had 1000 kg and above of wheat yield per hectare. About 69% of the male respondents had access to extension services and therefore had high knowledge on critical irrigation stage for wheat with a mean score of 1.59. The coefficient of age, gender, marital status, education level, farming experience and access to farm inputs were positively related to knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) at P≤0.01. Men and women participated in wheat farming, except that, on average male respondents had a higher knowledge and extensively practices wheat farming than the women, as a result of men’s better access to extension services, larger farm size, among other things. Extension agent should be intensifying educational campaigns for attitudinal change, through regular trainings to ensure knowledge gets into farmers’ hand and fields, and encourage the women to be more inclusive in wheat farming.
FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY OF CROP FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Mahmud, H. U.
Published: April 2023

Niger State has the largest landmass in Nigeria.  With 8.6 million hectares of land which represents about 9.3% of the total landmass of Nigeria, the state experiences distinct dry and wet seasons with annual rainfall varying from 1,100 mm (120 days) in the northern part to 1,600 mm (150 days) in the southern part. The vegetation, soil and weather patterns are favourable to produce a wide spectrum of food and cash crops of various types. The major crops grown in the State include rice, maize, millet, sorghum, yam, potato, soybean, groundnut, cashew, benniseed and cassava. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the factors militating against agricultural productivity of farmers in production of crops in the state. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study purposes. Descriptive statistics was used on sample of 360 crop farmers. Findings from the study indicates that fertiliser, herbicides, labour, late onset rains and high interest rates are the factors militating against the production of food crops in Niger State.  The study thus concluded that, the application of inappropriate agronomic practices such as untimely planting, incorrect plant spacing, wrong method of planting, poor sowing depth, delayed weeding, ineffective pest and disease control, inappropriate use of fertilizers, untimely harvesting, use of low yielding varieties and inconsistent rainfall patterns, will always significantly reduce crop yields.
GIS-BASED IRRIGATION SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF LAPAI-AGAIE IRRIGATION SCHEME, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Jankaro Larai S.  , Odofin, A. J.  , Lawal, B. A.  , Onuigbo, I. C.
Published: April 2023

Irrigation is one of the most important inputs for an efficient and sustainable agricultural production. Many farmers are out of jobs during the dry season and prices of locally produced food are high as a result of food scarcity during this period. The objective of this study is to map potential irrigable areas based on soil physical properties. The overall soil suitability was estimated using the weightage of each factor (slope, soil pH, soil texture, Infiltration rate, Organic carbon, Effective soil depth, Available water capacity, Cation Exchange Capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage and drainage) to obtain potential irrigable sites. The data were combined using a multi-criteria decision approach to select suitable sites for irrigation. Landsat imagery with 30m resolution was used for the overall land suitability classification. The overall land suitability shows that 59.0 % of the area have been classified highly suitable (S1) for irrigation and 32.0% are moderately suitable (S2) for surface irrigation while 9.0% has been classified as marginally suitable (S3). The limiting factor that lowered the soil to S2 is mainly the organic carbon of the soil. The study shows that GIS based suitability evaluation could ease the identification and mapping of suitable land for irrigation purpose. Important management information for the study area can be easily deduced from the land suitability maps for enhancing sustainable development of agriculture. It is hoped that the information generated from this study will serve as a means of readily identifying opportunities for farmers and investors to access and put the land into suitable use.
EVALUATION FOR DIVERSITY IN GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) GERMPLASM
Authors: Musa, U. H.  , Isa, H.  , Alanana, J. A.  , Dasikwo, S. Y.
Published: April 2023

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is quite popular and consumed in a variety of dishes across the globe. Despite the popularity, there is scarcity of information regarding characters that distinguishes varieties and often difficult to identify the germplasm with the best set of phenotypic characters from fruits available in the local market. In this study, five tomato germplasm, namely Roma Savannah, Tima, UTC, Dan Zaria and Tagino were collected from the Nasarawa State College of Agriculture, Lafia were evaluated at morphological levels in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications at the Plant Science and Biotechnology Research Garden, Nasarawa State University, Keffi. The mean performance of five tomato varieties studied yield (fruits) and other agronomic traits were significantly different (P >0.05). The average results clarified that the Dan Zaria lines recorded the highest flowering values, as well as some fruit and vegetative growth traits. Furthermore, Tima, Tagino and UTC had the minimum number of fruits/plants, number of leaves, sub branches and flowers. In conclusion, the application for morphological techniques could be considered to provide suitable parameters for studying the evolution of the genetic divergence between the studied tomato lines.