AGRICULTURE

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    1 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WATERMELON (Citrillus lanatus) PRODUCTION IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA
    (2014-10) Adeniyi ALFA-NLA, Muhammad Babatunde
    This study estimated the costs and returns, the input-output technical relationship, as well as constraints associated with watermelon production in some selected Local Government Areas of Kano State of Nigeria. Field survey was conducted in four local government areas (Bunkure, Kura, Wudil and Bichi) where structured questionnaires were administered to 200 respondents to generate the data used. The data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and stochastic frontier production function. The results showed that, the average net farm income per hectare for watermelon was N25,422.98k and the average rate of return was 1.46 showing that, watermelon production is profitable in the study area. The inputs of farm size, seed, fertilizers and agrochemicals were positive and significant at 1% level of probability, while labour was negative and not significant. The socio-economic variables of age, education, years of farming experience and credit were significant at 5% level of probability. The major constraints to watermelon production were lack of improved seeds, activity of middlemen, lack of credit facilities and high cost of inputs.
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    ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF WOMEN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN OJU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE
    (1998-02) OKWOCHE, VICTORIA ADA
    This study examined the influence of selected socio-economic characteristics on awareness and adoption of agricultural innovations among women co-operators and non cooperators in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. Also, the extent to which some socio-economic variables of the farmers affected the awareness and adoption of agricultural innovations was stressed. The socio-economic characteristics of the women studied were age, household size, farm income, agricultural credit, possession of durable goods, membership of co-operatives, non-farm income, level of formal education, farm size, length of membership, and contact with extension.. The sample size was one hundred and twenty respondents. The statistical methods employed in the study included frequency distribution, percentages, means, t-test, Pearson correlation and step-wise regression. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference in age between the two groups, but a significant difference existed in the other socio-economic characteristics at 5 % level. The study showed that 55 % of the co-operators were aware of all the innovations while none of the non-cooperators fell in this category. A total of 67% co-operators and 2% of non-cooperators had adopted between 5-8 innovations. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between most of the variables. For co-operators, the variable that were positively significant to awareness included level of formal education, farm size, farm income, non-income, agricultural credit, membership of co-operative, possession of durable goods, contact with extension and length of co-operative membership. The step-wise regression showed that all the variables affected awareness by 46%. While for non-members, the three variables which were significantly related to awareness included household size, farm income and non-farm income. The step-wise regression showed that these variables accounted for 20% of the variable in awareness. For co-operators, the findings showed that levels of formal education, farm size, farm income, non-farm, possession of durable goods, contact with extension, household size, membership of co-operative, agricultural credit were positively significantly related to adoption of innovations. The variables accounted for 49% of the variance. For non-cooperators, age, household size, farm size, farm income and non-farm-income, were significantly related to adoption. The step-wise regression analysis showed that the variables accounted for 28% of the variance in adoption. This study showed that the adoption of innovations by co-operators and non cooperators was hampered by lack of credit facilities, inadequate processing and storage facilities, mismanagement, lack of ownership of land, inadequate knowledge of cooperative education. This study supports the need for the government to strengthen and provide the womens' co-operative societies with the necessary logistic support, well managed cooperative production credit and encourage co-operative formation and contact between farmers and extension agents.
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    ADOPTION OF DROUGHT TOLERANT MAIZE FOR AFRICA (DTMA) AND ITS EFFECTS ON MAIZE FARMERS LIVELIHOOD IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
    (2015-11) RADDA, Dikko Umaru
    The broad objective of the study was to examine the adoption of Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) and its effects on maize farmers‟ livelihood in Katsina State of Nigeria. Data for the study were collected through structured questionnaire administered to purposively selected 276 maize farmers using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression. The mean experience in DTMA cultivation by the respondents was 8.3 years, with mean farm size of 2.7 hectares of DTMA farm land. Majority (78%) had no access to credit. Also, about 68 percent had no contact with extension agents during the cropping year, while 19 percent belonged to cooperative societies. Respondents perceived that DTMA varieties had high market price as compared with the traditional maize varieties with a mean score of 3.78. The result also shows that respondents with very low yield level (below 1000kg/ha were about 43 percent. Majority (81.8 %) were in the low income group while 10.1 percent were in the high income group. The results showed that 96 percent, 95 percent, 89 percent, and 78 percent of the respondents were aware of Sammaz 18, 22, 24 and Sammaz 23 varieties respectively. Similarly, the DTMA varieties the respondents were least aware of were sammaz 25 (11.3%), Sammaz 27 (13.2%) and Sammaz 26 (15.1%). Majority (81.5%) were in the low level group, while 13.8 percent were in the average socio-economic group, only 4.7 percent were in the high socio-economic group. Thirty seven (37%) mentioned radio as major source of awareness followed by friends and relatives (26%) and extension agents (16%) agro-dealers (8%), television (7%), field days (3%) and demonstration (1%) were the least sources of awareness of DTMA varieties. The result further indicated that 64 percent, 62 percent and 60 percent had adopted Sammaz 18, Sammaz 22 and Sammaz 23 DTMA varieties respectively. The least adopted DTMA varieties were Sammaz 26 (10%), 25 (11.2) and 27 (11.4). On the factors influencing adoption of DTMA varieties findings revealed that farmers‟ age, household size, education, DTMA farming experience and DTMA farm size were positively and significantly related to adoption. It was also found that extension contact membership to cooperative complexity and relative advantage significantly influenced adoption. It was equally revealed that adoption of DTMA had significant effects on respondents yield, income and level of living. The major constraints affecting farmers in adopting the DTMA varieties were high cost of DTMA, and unavailability of the varieties. The least constraints were: pests and diseases (6.5%), drought (3.3%). High yielding drought tolerant varieties could be massively deployed to drought pronned areas. Irrigation facilities could be made available to supplement inadequate or shortage of rainfall. Unavailability of varieties and high cost of the varieties were major constraint to adoption of DTMA. Seed companies, vendors, distributors, input dealers should be encouraged to site their sales points at the farmers reach to enable farmers purchase needed farm inputs necessary for adoption.
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    ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE AND CASSAVA TECHNOLOGY PACKAGES BY FARMERS IN NKANU EAST AND WEST OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
    (2011-12) EMMANUEL, EMMANUEL DOUGLAS
    ABSTRACT This study was conducted in Nkanu East and West Local Government Areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, with the key objective to determine adoption of improved maize and cassava technology packages by farmers in the area. Data for the study were collected in 2008-2009 cropping season using 120 farmers randomly drawn from the two LGAs. The results on the main sources of information used by the farmers revealed that 84.40% of them used radio, while 73.69% of them used television. Households consisting of 6-10 persons per household constituted 63.33%, 51.67% of the respondents owned land of 1-3ha per farm household, while about 51.67% of them had between 8-14 years’ farming experience and 44.20% of the farmers belonged to 3-4 social organizations per person. Findings further showed that 52.50% of the farmers had only 3 times contact with extension agents in the preceding year of this study while 94.17% of the farmers listen to agricultural programmes on radio. Compatibility and complexity attributes received 72.50% and 81.67% affirmations respectively by the farmers. Between 2004-2005 and 2008 – 2009 seasons, awareness and adoption rates rose gradually from 7% – 28% while 84.17% of the respondents assented to having adopted the improved cultivars. Although Pearson product moment coefficient of correlation and regression results revealed that factors such as household size, farm size, group membership mass media exposure and extension contact, compatibility and complexity were related to adoption at p<.05 and p<.01, the major determinants of adoption were group membership, mass media exposure and compatibility at p<.05, while extension contact, farming experience and complexity were at p<.01. Effects of adoption on farmers’ production, income and perceived individual wellbeing showed increases from mean production level of 4.57 tonnes per ha before adoption to 5.16 tonnes per ha after adoption, mean income level from N13,875.41per ha before adoption to N16,412.92 per ha after adoption and mean scale value of contentment from 2.43 before adoption to 3.20 after adoption. Given that 91.67% of the farmers expressed dissatisfaction with lack of access to inorganic fertilizers, 75.00% of the respondents complained of lack of tractors for hiring and 62.50% of the farmers protested shortage of improved maize seeds and cassava stems, among others, the study recommends that a concerted effort be made by ENADEP and Enugu State Government to address the problems of the farmers in the area. Such intervention will no doubt enhance adoption potential of improved maize and cassava technology packages in the area and beyond.
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    ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA
    (2016-11) ADELEYE, Samson Oluyemi
    This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of improved rice production technologies by members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations in Kaduna and Kano States. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 266 respondents comprising of 133 members and 133 non-members from both States while semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected were analysed by using descriptive statistics, Z-test, Chi-square and Tobit regression model. The results from the study showed that the most important source of information on rice production among members of Rice Farmers Associations in the study area was radio (17.3%) followed by other farmers (16.4%), and extension agent (13.3%). Non-members had radio as the most important source with 20.8% followed by other farmers (18.3%) and farmers‟ leader (17.6%). This implied that radio, other farmers, extension agent and farmers‟ leader were the preferred sources of information on rice production among rice farmers in the study area. The level of adoption was above 70% in 7 out of the 13 improved rice production technologies. These included use of tractor for land preparation, planting of improved rice variety, seed dressing with agrochemical, use of herbicide for land clearing, use of herbicide for weed control in rice fields, basal NPK fertiliser application and top dressing with urea. Adoption of rice crop residue as manure and use of rice milling machine among members was between 50 and 69%. Sorting of rice seeds for planting, rice-legume rotation, use of mechanical thresher and use of mechanical winnower were adopted by less than 50% of the respondents. On an average, 64% of members adopted improved rice production technologies compared to 57% of non-members. Test of significance showed that adoption of improved rice production technologies by members was significantly higher than that of non-members in the pooled data. In Kaduna, rice yield per hectare obtained among members was higher than that of non-members but not significantly different while in Kano, non-members had significantly higher rice yield than members. Rice yield obtained by non-members (2.67 tons/ha) in the pooled results was found to be significantly higher than that of members (2.23 tons/ha). Income, savings, means of transportation and source of drinking water were similar among members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations. The study showed that the performance of members of Rice Farmers Associations varied from one State to another in the study area depending on the capacity of the associations to contribute to enhancement of their members‟ income. Major problems obstructing adoption of rice production technologies as identified by the respondents included difficulty in obtaining loans for purchase of farm inputs, low level of education, selling of rice to middlemen at poor price and poor access to machines for threshing, winnowing and milling. It is recommended that business development support should be given to Rice Farmers Associations to facilitate access to market information. In addition researchers and extension specialists should work with rice farmers using innovative approaches such as Farmers Field School to enhance better uptake of improved rice production technologies.
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    ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA
    (2016-11) ADELEYE, Samson Oluyemi
    This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of improved rice production technologies by members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations in Kaduna and Kano States. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 266 respondents comprising of 133 members and 133 non-members from both States while semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected were analysed by using descriptive statistics, Z-test, Chi-square and Tobit regression model. The results from the study showed that the most important source of information on rice production among members of Rice Farmers Associations in the study area was radio (17.3%) followed by other farmers (16.4%), and extension agent (13.3%). Non-members had radio as the most important source with 20.8% followed by other farmers (18.3%) and farmers‟ leader (17.6%). This implied that radio, other farmers, extension agent and farmers‟ leader were the preferred sources of information on rice production among rice farmers in the study area. The level of adoption was above 70% in 7 out of the 13 improved rice production technologies. These included use of tractor for land preparation, planting of improved rice variety, seed dressing with agrochemical, use of herbicide for land clearing, use of herbicide for weed control in rice fields, basal NPK fertiliser application and top dressing with urea. Adoption of rice crop residue as manure and use of rice milling machine among members was between 50 and 69%. Sorting of rice seeds for planting, rice-legume rotation, use of mechanical thresher and use of mechanical winnower were adopted by less than 50% of the respondents. On an average, 64% of members adopted improved rice production technologies compared to 57% of non-members. Test of significance showed that adoption of improved rice production technologies by members was significantly higher than that of non-members in the pooled data. In Kaduna, rice yield per hectare obtained among members was higher than that of non-members but not significantly different while in Kano, non-members had significantly higher rice yield than members. Rice yield obtained by non-members (2.67 tons/ha) in the pooled results was found to be significantly higher than that of members (2.23 tons/ha). Income, savings, means of transportation and source of drinking water were similar among members and non-members of Rice Farmers Associations. The study showed that the performance of members of Rice Farmers Associations varied from one State to another in the study area depending on the capacity of the associations to contribute to enhancement of their members‟ income. Major problems obstructing adoption of rice production technologies as identified by the respondents included difficulty in obtaining loans for purchase of farm inputs, low level of education, selling of rice to middlemen at poor price and poor access to machines for threshing, winnowing and milling. It is recommended that business development support should be given to Rice Farmers Associations to facilitate access to market information. In addition researchers and extension specialists should work with rice farmers using innovative approaches such as Farmers Field School to enhance better uptake of improved rice production technologies.
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    ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR QUAIL PRODUCTION IN GWALE AND KANO MUNICIPAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA
    (2016-02) ALIYU, Muhammad Kabir
    The Studyassessed the adoption of recommended management practices for quail production in two selected Local Government Areas (Kano municipal and Gwale) of Kano state. Multi-stage samplingtechnique wasused to select 120respondentsfrom two districts each from the two local government areas.. BothDescriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.The result of the analysis revealed that the mean age of the respondents was39 years, minimum primary level of education was found to be 37%, awareness and quail farming experiencewere significant in the adoption of recommended practicesforquail production in the study areas(72% and 75% respectively). The average rate of adoption for the recommended management practices for quail production in the study areas was 65%. The mean income of the respondents before and after adoption of recommended practices was found to be 2.18(N30, 000) and 3.37(N45, 000) respectively. The study therefore shows that adoption of recommended management practices for quail production has a significant impact on the farmer‘s income, production output and standard of living in the study areas.
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    ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED ONION PRODUCTION PRACTICES BY FARMERS IN GORONYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA
    (2014-11) UMAR, Abdullahi Tambuwal
    This study was carried out to determine adoption of recommended onion production practices in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in this study. Random sampling was used in selecting four villages out of eleven villages from the study area. These villages were Shinaka, Kwakwazo, Kojio and Goronyo. The sample size was 120 onion farmers from the sampling frame of those villages. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the data. The result showed that, about 35.00% with mean age of 45.69 of the respondents were between ages of 41-50. Also 56.70 percent of the respondents had only Koranic education. About 27.50 percent had 6-10 numbers of people in their household. Majority of the respondents 51.67 percent had been in onion production for above 15years. Also 68.30% of the respondents had contact with extension agents but not frequently (greater than 6 times in 2012). The result also shows that the mean credit received was N 38,708.33, and majority of the respondents obtained yield of 20,0001-50,000kg/ha. The result also showed that the average mean yield of the respondents was 32.175 tonnes/ha. The results of multiple regression revealed that farming experience, age, complexity, household size, were negatively significant at different levels of probabilities while credit and compatibility were positively significant at different probability levels with an R2 value of 0.75. Result from the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), shows that there was no significant relationship between adoption of the recommended onion production practices and onion output, and level of living. Therefore, the null hypotheses were accepted and alternative hypotheses were rejected for output and level of living from onion production. For the income null hypothesis was rejected while the alternative hypothesis was accepted. It was discovered that inadequate storage facilities, inadequate capital and high cost of labour were the major constraints faced by onion farmers. It is recommended that adult education and pre-season training should be organized for onion farmers; farmers should form cooperatives groups for, farm inputs, credit, labour and marketing of onion in order to enhance the adoption of recommended onion production practices (ROPPs) and improve onion productivity in the study area. However, it is desirable and therefore suggested that the following areas be probed for further research. Comparative studies should be conducted to find out the difference in yields between the recommended onion production practices and traditional practices in the study area. It is recommended that future study should consider income of the respondents before and after adoption of recommended onion production practices in the study area.
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    ADOPTION OF SOYABEAN UTILIZATION INNOVATIONS AMONG WOMEN IN SAMARU VILLAGE OF SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE
    (1992) TALE, DADA AJIA
    This study was designed to evaluate women's awareness and adoption of recommended soyabean utilization innovations and the factors affecting the adoption of the innovations. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule administered to 150 randomly selected women in Samaru village of Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools . The results revealed that knowledge level of soyabean utilization innovations was relatively high, as about 82 percent of the respondents knew 10 or more of the 20 recommended uses of soyabean. Adoption score was, however, low as only 24 percent of the respondents adopted 10 or more of the recommended uses. Soya pap had t he highest adoption by 79 percent of the respondents followed by soya vegetable soup by 78 percent of the respondents and soya milk by 7l| percent of the respondents. Utilization innovations that were not adopted at all were soya kakro, soya amala, soya dakuwa, soya danwake, soya gari and soya wain a. Regression analysis showed that the variable most highly predictive of awareness was membership of associations followed by level of formal education and source of information, while the least predictive variable was household size, followed by income and age. The most important variable for adoption of utilization of soyabean was awareness followed by formal education and sources of information, while the leas important variable was age followed by literacy and income. Finally if women are to adopt recommended soyabean uses, concerted efforts should be geared towards teaching them relevant skills in processing and preserving methods. These, of course, could be achieved through effective delivery of extension service, to women in their various ethnic, religious or social groupings.
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    ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE BY MAIZE FARMERS IN NORTH-WEST AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA
    (2015-11) DODO, Emmanuel Yusuf
    In Nigeria, concerted efforts have been made by governments, non-governmental agencies and researchers to combat the menace of climate change on agricultural production. In pursuance of this noble objective, some technologies have been promoted by government and non-governmental agencies for adoption by farmers. This study examined the adoption of some of these technologies among maize producers in North-West agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Data for the study were collected through questionnaire that was administered on 159 purposively-selected maize farmers using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, Z-test and linear regression. The findings revealed that the perceived most severe effects of climate change of maize production were severe drought (89.4%), too much rain/flood (71.8%) and increased weed incidence (66.6%). The most common local strategies employed by farmers against climate change were the use of organic waste (22.6%), crop diversification (19.8%) and leaving crop residues in the field (19.2%). The results also showed that the promoted technologies against climate change that farmers were most aware of were mixed cropping (100%), mixed farming (94%), optimum use of organic waste (94%) and crop rotation (93%), and those they were least aware of were mulching (29.6%), minimum tillage (16.4%) and water harvesting (9.4%).The most adopted of the technologies against climate change were mixed farming (96%), mixed cropping (95%) and the optimum use of organic waste (90%), and the least adopted were minimum tillage (13.2%), afforestation (11.3%) and water harvesting (5.7%).The most important sources of information on the promoted technologies were radio (53%), friends and relatives (23%), and extension agents (19%) and the least important sources were newspapers (1.7%), agro-dealers (1.5%), television (1.4%), field days (1.3%), demonstrations (0.4%) and agricultural extension bulletins (0.2%). The factors that significantly influenced adoption of the promoted technologies were household size (0.060), labour availability (0.427), membership of association (0.064) information sources (0.414), compatibility (0.056), complexity (-0.047), relative advantage (0.046) and cost of technology (-0.205). The Z-test results revealed that there was a significant positive effect of adoption of the promoted technologies on adopters‟ output, income and level of living. The most important constraints to adoption of the promoted technologies against climate change were (i) high cost of the technologies (34.2%); (ii) problem of pests and diseases (22.1%); and (iii) complex nature of the technologies (19.0%). Some of the recommendations made were that policy makers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector should promote the use of demonstrations, field days and extension bulletins in the dissemination of the promoted technologies. Given that high cost of some of the technologies was a constraint to their adoption, there is the need to encourage farmers to form cooperative societies to enable them have easier access to credit facilities and other inputs needed for effective adoption of the promoted technologies.
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    ADOPTION OF WATER AND SANITATION RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN RURAL AREAS OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
    (2014-03) YILKUDI, Nengak Elisha
    The issue of bad water and sanitation practices leading to cases of water borne diseases among farmers has continued to be a concern in Plateau State. Stakeholders in water and sanitation sector introduced a set of recommended practices to farmers with the aim of reducing the incidences of the diseases. This study was conducted to determine the adoption of water and sanitation recommended practices among farmers in rural areas of Plateau State. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the levels of awareness and adoption of WATSAN recommended practices; determine the attitudes of farmers towards WATSAN recommended practices; determine the factors influencing adoption of WATSAN recommended practices; compare the levels of compliance of WATSAN recommended practices in rural areas of Plateau State with international standards; assess the perceived effects of adoption of WATSAN recommended practices on farmers and identify constraints to adoption of the recommended practices in rural areas of Plateau State. From a total of 1860 farm households, 279 heads of households were sampled to be the respondents through the use of both purposive and systematic random sampling techniques. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis and multiple regression using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that average household size was about7 people with mean income of about N454, 000.00 per annum. Formal educational level of farmers was generally low with mean years of schooling of about 9 years. It was further observed that 99% of farmers were aware of the WATSAN recommended practices and out of the seven recommended practices, adoption of storage of water in clean containers had the highest adoption. On the attitudes of respondents to WATSAN recommended practices, findings revealed that only 30% of farmers generally had positive attitudes towards WATSAN recommended practice. In the case of factors that influenced adoption of WATSAN recommended practices, results of multiple regression showed that seven out of the ten variables in the conceptual model influenced adoption of WATSAN recommended practices significantly at the P<0.1 chosen for this study as follows: attitude to WATSAN recommended practices (r=7.514;P<0,01), gender(r=-2.146; P=0.05), formal educational level (r=2.375;P<0.05) , compatibility(r=1.823 P<0.10), household size (r=-1.778;P< 0.10), affordability (r=1.78;P<0.10) and sources of information (r=1.767;P< 0.10). Results of this study also revealed non compliance to the international standards of WATSAN recommended practice. This was precipitated by high percentage of people with WATSAN related diseases in the previous one year, inadequate water usage, low percentage of people with appropriate hand washing behaviours and also low percentage of people with access to and proper use of toilets/latrines which were 30%, 37 lcd, 8% and 15% respectively against the international standards of 25%, 50Lcd 50% and 75% respectively for the same recommended practices. Results on assessment of perceived effects of WATSAN on respondents indicated that majority of farmers actually perceived the adoption of WATSAN recommended practices as having positive effects on them, especially in increased hygienic practices, decreased health-care expenditure, increased productive time for agricultural activities and increased children‘s school attendance. Bad habits towards hygiene (94%) were found to be the major constraint of adoption of WATSAN recommends practices. Based on the finding of this study, it was recommended that there is need for sustained efforts in educating farmers on the dangers of non adherence to WATSAN recommended practices and also legislation in the local government council‘s by-laws is necessary to enforce compliance .There is need to mainstream gender equality in our school curriculum to wipe awaysexdiscrimination in performing house chores, Farmers should be encouraged to develop their local water purification methods like the use of Moringa leaves‘ powder which is cheaper and readily available disinfectant in the study area. Government should prioritize improvements in living conditions of farmers by creating enabling environment for observation of improved hygienic practices.
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    "AGRICULTURAL LAND CRISIS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE
    (1993-06) OSAKWE, UKWUTENO SYLVESTER
    Agriculture and land are quite inseparable Land is an important resource and a factor of production to the extent that without land there can be no agricultural growth or development. Land crisis is a phenomenon which in recent years has brought about an unprecedented problem and hardship to many inhabitants of Idah Local Government Area (L.G.A.) and indeed Nigeria as a whole. The topic "Agricultural Land Crisis in Nigeria: A Case Study of Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State" is an investigative research which seeks to identify and describe the evolution and factors responsible for land crisis in Idah L.G.A. and assess its effect on agricultural land use and productivity in the area. The tools of analysis used in this study were simple descriptive statistics, capitalization techniques and regression analysis to determine relationship between and among variables. A total sample of 150 respondents - farmers, leaders and educated persons from Akpanya, Idah, Iyano, Odeke and Uchuchu were interviewed with structured questionnaires to obtain information. The courts were also visited with copies of questionnaire to obtain information on their role in settlement or otherwise of land dispute matters. The information collected were analyzed using the tools of analysis specified. The t-values and F-statistic values are significant at 5 per cent level of significance. The study noted that land is being made artificially scarce due to crisis over land which in some cases have resulted in disputes, violent clashes, abandonment of cultivable or agricultural land and destruction of lives and property. Factors identified in the study to be responsible for land crisis include: (a) selfishness and greed (b) craze for material wealth and pride and (c) civilization and/or awareness. Population factor has no empirical evidence to show its effect on land use. There exists however, speculative evidence and this has given rise to speculation in land by the people. Furthermore, nominal land rent has not been found to be statistically significant. However, the economic land rent has been found to be of statistical significance. Also, the Land Use Act of 1978 seems to constitute a core problem in the current agitation. Given the scope and complexity of land and agricultural development, one cannot attempt to cover the whole field. The author has therefore focused on land as a basis for agricultural development. It is hoped that this study will provide the basis for policy that would safeguard the interest of the people in the rural areas. Also, the study will indicate areas where further research would be needed for the transformation of agriculture from its present poverty position or state to a much more modernized agriculture which alone can move the nation to an enviable position both in political and economic sphere. It is observed that self-sufficiency and self reliance in food production is still the basis for political and economic stability of a nation. This can only be achieved when the utilization of land and its resources can be maximized. Under land crisis, the attainment of this goal may never materialize in any society.
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    "AGRICULTURAL LAND CRISIS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE."
    (1993-06) OSAKWE, Ukwuteno Sylvester
    Agriculture and land are quite inseparable Land is an important resource and a factor of production to the extent that without land there can be no agricultural growth or development. Land crisis is a phenomenon which in recent years has brought about an unprecedented problem and hardship to many inhabitants of Idah Local Government Area (L.G.A.) and indeed Nigeria as a whole. The topic "Agricultural Land Crisis in Nigeria: A Case Study of Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State" is an investigative research which seeks to identify and describe the evolution and factors responsible for land crisis in Idah L.G.A. and assess its effect on agricultural land use and productivity in the area. The tools of analysis used in this study were simple descriptive statistics, capitalization techniques and regression analysis to determine relationship between and among variables. A total sample of 150 respondents - farmers, leaders and educated persons from Akpanya, Idah, Iyano, Odeke and Uchuchu were interviewed with structured questionnaires to obtain information. The courts were also visited with copies of questionnaire to obtain information on their role in settlement or otherwise of land dispute matters. The information collected were analysed using the tools of analysis specified. The t-values and F-statistic values are significant at 5 per cent level of significance. The study noted that land is being made artificially) scarce due to crisis over land which in some cases have resulted in disputes, violent clashes, abandonment of cultivable or agricultural land and destruction of lives and property. Factors identified in the study to be responsible for land crisis include: (a) selfishness and greed (b) craze for material wealth and pride and (c) civilization and/or awareness. Population factor has no empirical evidence to show its effect on land use. There exists however, speculative evidence and this has given rise to speculation in land by the people. Furthermore, nominal land rent has not been found to be statistically significant. However, the economic land rent has been found to be of statistical significance. Also, the Land Use Act of 1978 seems to constitute a core problem in the current agitation. Given the scope and complexity of land and agricultural development, one cannot attempt to cover the whole field. The author has therefore focused on land as a basis for agricultural development. It is hoped that this study will provide the basis for policy that would safeguard the interest of the people in the rural areas. Also, the study will indicate areas where further research would be needed for the transformation of agriculture from its present poverty position or state to a much more modernized agriculture which alone can move the nation to an enviable position both in political and economic sphere. It is observed that self-sufficiency and selfreliance in food production is still the basis for political and economic stability of a nation. This can only be achieved when the utilization of land and its resources can be maximized. Under land crisis, the attainment of this goal may never materialize in any society.
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    AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN ZANGON KATAF DISTRICT UNDER BRITISH COLONIAL RULE, 1907 – 1960
    (2014-01) AUTA, Grace
    This work is an attempt to study the Impact of British Colonial Rule on Zangon Kataf District, 1907 – 1960. In order to achieve this, several sources were consulted and oral interviews were carried out on the field of study. The research revealed that colonialism was the cause of underdevelopment of our area of study. This is because the British colonisers did not introduce policies aimed at improving the living condition of the people. The result of colonialism led to the dependence of the local people on manufactured goods and other commodities of the British and Europe as a whole. The policy of colonial taxation negatively affected the people of Zangon-Kataf District. The failure of the people to pay tax was usually interpreted by the British as refusal to recognize their authority. As a result, the people were punished collectively. There are food and security challenges that are presently confronting Nigeria and it is in a critical moment for it to embrace lasting change by moving away from colonial legacies. We can not continue to blame the Europeans for our condition. We have to look for ways to solve our problems. One of the major legacies left by the colonizers is that they disrupted the traditional system of production in indigenous Nigerian societies, thereby reinforcing the existing systems of social inequality and introducing oppressive forms of social stratification throughout the country. Colonial policies relegated women to the background. Women are the main caretakers of the household members. The nation has to acknowledge that when women are empowered, there would be improvement in the well being of the family, the community and society at large. It is also concluded that colonialism left a legacy of divide and rule which the colonialists adopted in order to have effective control of the people. Today Nigeria is bedeviled by ethnic and religious conflicts here and there. There is no unity among the people of Nigeria. The major causes of lawlessness in Nigeria are as a result of poverty and hopelessness as well as greed and corruption of the highest order.
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    AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF PHOSPHATE SOURCES FOR SOYABEAN PRODUCTION IN THE NIGERIAN SAVANNA ALFISOL
    (1997-10) PAM, ESTHER DABALI
    In the Northern Guinea Savanna, phosphorus deficiency has been identified as the most important single element limiting the growth of soyabean. Furthermore, soyabean producers are constrained by the high cost of commercial Single Super-phosphate fertilizers hence the need to identify alternative, cheaper and effective sources of phosphorus that will be within the reach of poor resource farmers. A field trial conducted for two cropping seasons (1994-1995) on two different sites at the Institute for Agriculture Research Farm, Samaru to evaluate the effect of four sources of phosphorus, viz: single superphosphate, partially acidulated phosphate rock (50%), Sokoto phosphate rock and Togo phosphate rock on the performance of soyabean. The phosphorus rates were 0, 30, 60, 120 kg P205 ha"1. Soyabean cultivar Samsoy 2 was used as test crop. All treatments were replicated three times in a randomised complete block design. Soyabean grain yield and yield components responded significantly (P = 0.01) to P fertilizer application. The number and weight of nodules, number of flowers per plant, shoot dry weight were increased, but reduced root weight with increasing rates. The increased nodulation resulted in increased number of pods and seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant, 1,000 seed weight and threshing percentage of the crop. The eventual effect was a highly significant grain yield increase, thus indicating a balance requirement of soyabean for P nutrition. Single Superphosphate was superior to all other sources of phosphorus tested in the trial although the performance of PAPR-50 was also as good as this commercial fertilizer. Grain yields obtained at 120 kg P205 ha- 1 application rates of Sokoto phosphate and Togo phosphate rocks were quite appreciable. On the over all performance of the various fertilizers based on their means, SSP > PAPR-50 > SPR > TPR > control. Statistically significant responses were obtained up to 120 kg P205 ha-1. The only fertilizer material that reached its optimum rate of application was the most soluble P fertilizer (SSP) at the rate of 60 - 120 kg P205 ha"• The application of these P sources raised the soil solution P level high enough to benefit the crop. This is shown by increased Nitrogen and phosphorus contents in leaves. The total phosphorus concentration in the leaves were significantly increased (P<0.01) in 1995, with SSP having the highest value (4.47 g kg"1) at 120 kg P205 application rate. Data obained from chemical analyses of the soil receiving the P treatments and cropped, revealed that the available soil P, ECEC and base saturation were significantly increased (P<0.05); indicating that the application of P significantly maintained the soil P and CEC at optimum level. The experimental soils had initial low extractable Bray-1 P, low clay content and extractable bases. A positive and significant relationship (r=0.281*) was found between grain yield and Bray-1 P extractable from the soils at harvest suggesting that plant P uptake and growth could be limited by amounts of soluble P in the soil. The influence of the P nutrition on plant performance, grain yield and the chemical composition of the soil cropped to soyabean; and particular responses to Sokoto phosphate rock shows that for direct application, the indigenous SPR could be as efficient as the other imported phosphates for soyabean production in this region. These results confirm previous works which show that although widespread phosphorus deficiences occur, moderate amounts of phosphate fertilizers are required to obtain high yields
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    AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR BORDER IRRIGATION SYSTEM
    (1989-08) OYEBODE, MUIDEEN 'YEMI ABUBAKAR
    A design procedure was developed for border irrigation based on the need to have very high efficiencies of water distribution while at the same time maintaining an acceptable degree of water application efficiency. The water application efficiency for the design was estimated from the analysis of a border strip in which a cut back flow was not used. The required time of advance was estimated from the analysis of the advance and recession functions, by ensuring that the advance and recession curves be parallel. The desired initial flow rate was estimated from the solution of two standard advance equations, and limiting the advance estimate to an error of + 2% relative to the expected advance. The performance evaluations on the border strips in current use were in general satisfactory. The analysis in this study also indicates that a unit stream size of 2.5 l/s/m will give an acceptable field application efficiency. It is therefore concluded that the unit stream size be kept at 2.5 l/s/m for border slope of 0.0/2 percent obtained from border strip 3.2 - 3,
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    ALMAJIRAI SCHOOL HOUSE DADINKOWA (Physical Planning for Traditional Quranic Education)
    (1987-07) ADAMU DADINKOWA, AL-HASSAN
    Almajirai popularly known as begging Quranic students are continuously on the increase in the urban areas in the name of Quranic Scholarship. Instead of concentrating on their mission, they constantly add to the over crowding of the cities, roaming about the streets leaving only few that pay attentions to their studies. Those few dedicated students lire in a congested areas that lack accommodation, adequate reading spaces and other education facilities. This thesis is an attempt to rehabilitate and physically plan a mode school house that reflects the traditional system in a sub urban area like Dadinkowa in Bauchi State where students could concentrate serious on their education which would also include space for other skill trainings. These could reduce the rural urban drift, roaming about the street, unemployment and improve the Quality of the education.
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    AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF BICARBONATE BUFFER, VITAMIN C AND BAOBAB FRUIT PULP MEAL ON GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS UNDER TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT
    (2016-04) ANOH, Kevin Usman
    The aim of the study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of sodium bi-carbonate buffer, vitamin C and Baobab fruit pulp meal (BFPM) on growth and reproductive performance of rabbits under tropical environment. Four experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, a total of thirty (30) weaned rabbits were used. The rabbits were allotted into the treatment groups with six (6) rabbits per treatment in a completely randomized design. Rabbits in the first group (T1) were the control, animals in the treatment 2 and treatment 3 (T2) and (T3) were fed with diets as in the controls and given potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) buffer respectively. Rabbits in treatment four (T4) were fed diet containing synthetic vitamin C and the fifth group (T5) was fed diet containing BFPM. Rabbits were given access to feed and water ad libitum. All recommended managerial practices were dully observed. Microclimate parameters of ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) of the rabbitry were taken daily from February through June. The values were used to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). Parameters monitored and measured on weekly basis included weight gain, feed intake and thermoregulatory parameters such as respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and ear temperature (ET). Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from the ear vein at 10.00 h from four animals chosen randomly from each group of rabbits respectively before, and at the end of the experiment and serum metabolite and thyroxine hormone levels were evaluated. In experiment two, a total of 50 adult rabbits were used comprising 25 males and 25 females. The rabbits were randomly allotted into five experimental treatment groups, with ten (10) rabbits per treatment in a completely randomized design. Rabbits were arranged in treatment groups as stated above. Parameters monitored were: thermoregulatory parameters, serum metabolites, thyrosine, testosterone and progesterone hormonal assay, semen quality characteristic, sperm morphology, epididymal and gonadal sperm reserve and reproductive performance of the female rabbits. In experiment 3, a total of thirty (30) weaned rabbits were used. The rabbits were randomly allotted into five experimental treatment groups, with six (6) rabbits per treatment in a completely randomize design. The animals were fed diets containing graded levels [0.0% (Control), 2.5%, 3.5%, 4.5% and 5.5%] of BFPM. Parameters monitored were the same as in experiment one. In experiment four, 50 adult rabbits were used, comprising 25 males and 25 females. The rabbits were randomly allotted into five experimental treatment groups, with ten (10) rabbits per treatment in a completely randomized design. Rabbits were arranged in treatment groups as in experiment three and parameters evaluated were the same as in experiment two. It was found that the THI values of year A and B were similar. THI of March to May showed that environmental conditions were stressful in these months to the animals. Vitamin C and BFPM significantly (P<0.05) reduced thermoregulatory parameters and enhanced feed intake compared to the treatments buffers. BFPM significantly (P<0.05) increased hormonal concentrations, semen quality of bucks and reproductive performance of does compared to other treatments. When graded levels of BFPM were used, it was found that the treatments with 4.5% and 5.5% significantly (P<0.05) reduced thermoregulatory parameters and enhanced feed intake compared to other treatments. While 2.5% and 3.5%BFPM, increased weight gain and final weight of growing rabbits, the treatments with 3.5 – 5.5% BFPM significantly (P<0.05) increased hormonal levels, semen quality of the rabbits and reproductive performance of does. It was concluded that BFPM is more effective in ameliorating heat stress in rabbit production and reproduction and can be used up to 5.5% inclusion level.