Authors:B.E. Uchola Abstract: This paper examines the contributions of “resource relocation” in the development of agriculture. Five (5) selected resources from each sub-sector of agriculture were examined based on the number of known species (species diversity) and those species that were transferred into artificial environments (relocated resources). With few exceptions, the number of plant and animal species relocated to artificial environments is low compared to the total number of known species. Resources that were relocated for the purpose of domestication account for between 2.5-16.67% of known species in crop agriculture, 2.63-60% in horticulture, 12.5-25% in livestock subsector and 5.0-25.71% in aquaculture. The practice of “resource relocation” continues to contribute to the development of agriculture through the preservation of valuable native organisms, their use for agricultural production and the establishment of agricultural ecosystems. Keywords: Agriculture, Agroecosystems, Biodiversity, Domestication. PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:Ibrahim Mohammed, Nafiu Abdu Abstract: This study was undertaken to evaluate the geochemical fractions and risk potential of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in farmlands around a polluted goldmine in Dareta, northern Nigeria. The total heavy metal concentrations were obtained through a mixed acid digestion. A modified sequential extraction procedure was used in separating the total metal concentrations into five operationally defined fractions. The results showed extremely high concentrations of total Pb (26 – 2,247 mg kg-1), and Cd (2 - 69 mg kg-1) in the soils. The fractionation results also showed very high concentrations of Pb and Cd held on the easily mobilized fractions. However, in terms of proportions, the bulk of the metal concentrations were partitioned to the residual fraction while the exchangeable fraction held the least. The concentrations of Zn recorded were below the thresholds employed. Lead and Cd, showed strong enrichment, with both elements recording enrichment factors of 32.8 and 83.0, and I-geo factors of 4.4 and 5.8, respectively. Although the bulk of the metals were partitioned to the residual fractions, the concentration of metals held onto the easily mobilized fractions such as the exchange, oxide and organically bound fractions may make the metals bioavailable on the long run with possible pollution risk on this soil, especially when used for agricultural purposes. Keywords: Heavy metal contamination, Metal fractionation, Pollution index PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:B.R. Olajide, M.A. Aderolu Abstract: Over the years, successive governments in Nigeria prioritized agricultural sector in credit policies by establishing numerous agricultural credit programmes including Trust Fund Model (TFM). Several years on, TFM production cycles have been completed and its benefits on welfare of farmers is expected to be obvious. This study therefore investigated the effects of TFM on farmers’ households’ welfare in Oyo state. Simple random sampling was used to sample 40% of the beneficiaries resulting in selection of 134 beneficiaries. Using interview schedule, data was collected on beneficiaries’ socioeconomic characteristics, level of awareness of the TFM components, constraints in accessing TFM funds and beneficiaries’ households’ welfare status. Data were analysed using descriptive (frequency, percentages and mean) and inferential (Chi square and PPMC) statistics at p=0.05. Results reveal that beneficiaries were aged 53±11.0 years, mostly male (85.2%), married (95.1%) and with household size of 6±3.0 persons. Amount of TFM funds received by beneficiaries was N295,655±154,149. Less than half (41.8%) of the respondents were highly aware of the components of TFM and were severely constrained by delay in processing of Interest Draw Back (0.74±0.88) and in release of disbursed funds (0.71±0.77). Per Capita Expenditures (PCE) of N504, 816±420,330.00k suggest that 63.9% of the respondents belonged to core poor category. It is concluded that the TFM had not impacted positively on the beneficiaries. It is therefore recommended that the administrative bottlenecks associated with fund release and processing of interest drawback be addressed. Also, amount loanable should be increased, while condition of collateral counterpart funding be relaxed.Keywords: Agricultural credit, Per capital expenditure, Core poor, Household welfare PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:S.O Adeoye, U.B. Ugalahi Abstract: Low participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural loans, despite efforts by governments and NGOs to make funds available for agricultural growth and development, has remained a matter of concern in Nigeria. The study analysed smallholder food crop farmers’ participation in Bank of Agriculture loan (BOA) scheme in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were analysed for 224 smallholder food crop farmers using simple percentages, means and Probit regression. Results revealed that the mean age, years of education and household size of farmers participating in the premier financial institution’s loan scheme were 42 years, 13 years and 5 persons, respectively. Non-participants had mean age of 43 years, 9 years of education and household size of 7 persons, on average. Male farmers dominated on-farm food crop farming activities as 80% and 88% of participants and non-participants of the loan scheme, respectively were men. The study further showed the determinants of BOA loan scheme participation as: education level (p < 0.01), farm size (p < 0.01) extension visits (p < 0.05) and farmers’ households distance to nearest BOA office (p < 0.01). Contrary to expectation, membership of farmers association had negative but no significant effect on loan participation. The study concluded that intensifying adult education programmes, increasing the number of branches of BOA and promoting frequency of extension visits are crucial to achieving an increased probability of smallholder farmers’ participation in BOA loan scheme.Keywords: Bank of Agriculture, smallholder farmers, loan participation, Probit regression, Nigeria PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:H.S. Umar, A.A. Girei, D. Yakubu Abstract: There has been contradiction among researchers regarding similarity or otherwise of technical efficiency estimate obtained from Cobb-Douglas and Translog frontier models. While some researchers believe that results obtained from the two functional forms, given the same data, were essentially similar, others disagreed. This study compared both functional forms to analyze technical inefficiency in dry-season tomato production in Jos-South Area of Plateau State. Data were collected from 60 dry-season tomato farmers sampled through three-staged random sampling technique. The analyses of the data were done using both Cobb-Douglas and translog frontier models. The results showed that the estimated elasticities, efficiency scores and inefficiency effects from Cobb-Douglas and Translog functional forms differ significantly. Therefore, the choice of functional form for efficiency analysis should be based on convenience, meeting selection criteria premise on the value of variance-parameters and objective of the study. Keywords: Efficiency, comparison, Cobb-Douglas and Translog models PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:S.G. Aderibigbe, O.S. Sakariyawo, A.O. Kasali Abstract: Field trials were conducted in a transitory humid rain forest, Abeokuta, Nigeria (Latitudes 7◦ 15ꞌN, 3◦ 25ꞌE, altitude 144 above sea level) in early wet cropping seasons of 2014 (site A) and 2015 (site B). The trials were aimed at investigating the effects of application rates of grades of organo-mineral fertiliser on maize (Zea mays)cultivars. The trials were in split-split plot arrangement fitted into randomised complete block design and replicated three times. In the main plot was variety {Oba super 2 (hybrid) and Suwan 1[open pollinated variety (OPV)]}, sub-plot consisted of grade of organo-mineral fertiliser (A, B, C), while the sub-sub plot was made of application rate (0, 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1). Oba super 2 had significantly (P< 0.05) more assimilatory surface, with more 100 grain (7.13 g) and ear weight (0.08 kg), harvest index (37.60 %) than OPV maize cultivar (Suwan 1) in 2015. Maize cultivars sown with grade B organo-mineral fertiliser had delayed tasselling (57.50 days) and silking (66.33 days) compared to when sown with other organo-mineral grades. Increasing application rates of organo-mineral fertiliser resulted in increased assimilatory surface and a higher grain yield and its attributes in both years. Keywords: Hybrid, Open Pollinated Maize, Transitory Rain Forest, Silking, Tasselling PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:F.O. Oladipo, O. Bolarin, A.K. Daudu, A.O. Kayode, P.O. Awoyele Abstract: One of the main reasons for the crop failure is underestimating the importance of soil status thereby causing mismanagement of the soil with inappropriate farming practices. This study therefore, assessed the soil conservation practices among root and tuber crop farmers in Oyun Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 160 respondents used for the study. Data were collected and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 45.4 years with majority (69.4%) being male and about half (50.0%) had one form of formal education or another. Findings showed strong positive perception towards soil conservation practices using beneficial statement such as “Only farmers engage in soil management” (3.49±1.06), “Proper soil use is enhanced by tree planting” (3.81±0.83). Results showed that among the respondents mixed cropping (2.35±0.59), conservation tillage (2.26±0.77) and bush fallowing (2.21±0.74) were always used and ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. There were positive and significant relationship between respondents educational level (r= 0.089, p=0.000) and household size (r= 0.012, p=0.000) and their extent of usage of soil conservation practices at 5% level of significance. The study concluded that soil conservation practices were always used by root and tuber crop farmers and their perception were also positive towards it. It is recommended that root and tuber expansion programme should be strengthened and expanded to other communities that have not benefited from the programme. Key words: Soil management practices, Utilization, Root and Tuber Crops, Farmers PubDate: 2017-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2017)
Authors:G.T. Abolaji, F.M. Olooto, D.T. Ogundele, F.E. Williams Abstract: Amaranths cruentus is a flowering plant species that yields the nutritious staple amaranth grain. Zinc in grain amaranth is reported to contribute to boosting the immune system and iron is required by enzymes for oxygen metabolism. This study is to exploit the multi-benefits of amaranth which ranged from improved well-being to recovery of severely malnourished children; increased body mass index of people formerly wasted by HIV/AIDS; environmental adaptability, yield, and recipes development. The study focused on determining the nutritional and medicinal properties of grain amaranth cultivar obtained from Rural Extension with Africa Poor (REAP) in Kenya which was propagated in Kwara State, Nigeria, harvested after 65 days, and prepared as samples for the study. Standard procedures of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Flame Photometer, and Spectrophotometer were used to determine the macro/micronutrients in the grains. Results revealed that the grains contained protein, lipid, Iron-66 mg/100g, Zinc-11.34 mg/100g, Calcium-78.7 mg/100g, Manganese-37.1 mg/100g, Magnesium-2845 mg/100g, Potassium-400 mg/100g; Thiamine-0.2756 mg (%), Riboflavin-0.734 mg (%) and Niacin-1.042. More research efforts are needed on growing, inclusion in diets, consumer behavior and market acceptability of Amaranth cruentus based products in order to contribute to the efforts of addressing food security, poverty reduction, nutritional, and medicinal needs of vulnerable communities.Keywords: Complementary Food, Cultivar, Macro/micronutrients, Recipes, Well-being. PubDate: 2016-11-29 Issue No:Vol. 17, No. 2 (2016)
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