ADAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE
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Double-edge effects of small-scale irrigation on small-holder vegetable farmers’ income in Gurara dam, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examined the dual effects of the Gurara Irrigation Scheme on the income and livelihood diversification of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 188 irrigation beneficiaries and 202 non-beneficiaries across twelve communities. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, and the analysis employed descriptive statistics, Simpson’s Index of Diversity (SID), and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to assess the impact of irrigation on household income and livelihood patterns. The results revealed a clear contrast in livelihood strategies between the two groups. Non-beneficiaries exhibited significantly higher livelihood diversification, with a mean SID of 0.64 compared to 0.22 for beneficiaries. While 74.07% of nonbeneficiaries engaged in high-diversity income portfolios, 59.88% of beneficiaries concentrated on lowdiversity livelihoods, primarily irrigated vegetable farming. This suggests a trade-off between specialization and resilience. Income impact analysis using four PSM algorithms showed that irrigation significantly enhanced income, with the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) ranging from ₦941,652.90 to ₦1,031,595.00 annually. These findings confirmed that while irrigation improves income, it may also reduce livelihood flexibility and increase exposure to market or climate-related shocks. The study concludes that forirrigation schemes to sustainably improve rural livelihoods, complementary policies must promote off-farm opportunities and diversification, ensuring both income enhancement and economic resilience for smallholder farmers
Phyto-additive effects of baobab (Adansonia digitata l.) fruit pulp on physiological, reproductive and antioxidant indices of male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Get PDFA 12-week experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of varying levels of Baobab Fruit Pulp (BFP) on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters, testicular morphometrics, reproductive hormones and antioxidant indices of male Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Eighty (80) male Japanese quails (4 weeks old) were used for the experiment. The quails were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 of 16 birds each with two replicates in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The control diet was tagged T1 and did not contain BFP while T2, T3, T4 and T5 contained 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% BFP respectively. At the end of the 12th week, blood samples were collected forhaematological, serum biochemical, reproductive hormones and oxidative stress indices assays. The birds were sacrificed and testes were carefully dissected for testicular morphometrics (testes weight, length and volume). Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p<0.05. The quails’ packed cell volume, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were all significantly (p<0.05) higher at 0.8% BFP supplementation level than other levels. Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Low density lipoprotein, High density lipoprotein and urea were also significantly (p<0.05) higher at 0.8% BFP than other levels. Quails fed 0.2% BFP had significantly (p<0.05) larger mean testes volume than other treatments. Follicle stimulating hormone was significantly higher at 0.2 and 0.4% BFP than other treatments while glutathione was highest at 2% BFP. It was concluded that up to 0.8% BFP supplementation supported blood formation but could lead to liver and kidney damage. However, 0.2% supplementation showed the potential to enhance reproductive parameters and antioxidant indices of the male Japanese quail without adverse effect
Effect of dietary inclusion of garlic as additive on growth, heamatology and histological changes of intestinal mucosa of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings
Get PDFA 72-day experiment was conducted in outdoor of 0.9cm3 square concrete tanks filled with fresh water toevaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic as additive on growth performance, hematology andhistological changes of intestinal mucosa of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. 150 C. gariepinus fingerlings atmean weight (3.13 ± 0.07g) and length 6.08±0.03cm were randomly distributed into five dietary treatmentsand stocked at 10fingerlings per tank (120L) and replicated twice. They were fed with 45% crude proteindiets varied garlic inclusions at 0.00, 0.5, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.5 g/kg ad libitum twice daily. Data collected ongrowth performance indices, nutrient utilization and blood parameters were subjected to one-way analysisof variance (ANOVA) using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The results revealed that fish increasedsignificantly in weight (P < 0.05) as the level of garlic increases in diets and utilized the feed efficiently thanthe control. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in all the blood parameters due to garlicinclusions. The histological examinations indicated mild focal area of inflammatory cell aggregate, mildinfiltration of inflammatory cell (IIC) for 0.75 to 1.00g/kg and severe effect of ulceration and focal area ofnecrotic debris (ND) of the mucosa was observed in control diet and inclusion levels above 1.00g/kg. Resultobtained in this study indicated that garlic inclusion in a compounded fish diets up to 1.00g/kg balances thefeed with no negative severe effect to the tissue. Dietary garlic inclusion at 1.00g/kg had the bestperformance in growth and blood values. Therefore, from the findings of this research, garlic is encouragedto be included in fish diet from 0.75-1.00g/kg
Effects of neem leaf meal as protein source on haematology and serum biochemical indices of broiler chicken
Get PDFThe poultry industry has been rapidly expanding in recent years, and meeting nutritional requirement of birds for optimum production is difficult as a result of the competition between man and animals for protein source of feedstuff which has resulted in the use of unconventional feed ingredients like neem leaf to promote bird health and growth. This study was conducted to investigate the inclusion of neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) as protein source in the diet of broiler chicken. A total of one hundred- and fifty-day-old chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were formulated with varying levels of Neem Leaf Meal (NLM) which includes- D1 (0%NLM), D2 (5%NLM), D3 (10%NLM), D4 (15%NLM) and D5 (20%NLM) with 30 birds per treatment, 10 birds per replicate. The NLM was used to replace soyabean meal and the feeding lasted for 8weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for hematological and serum biochemical indices. Result showed that packed cell volume, hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelets, eosinophils, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) influenced with the inclusion of neem leaf in the diets of broiler chicken. Therefore, 10% NLM inclusion is recommended to boost the blood parameters in broiler birds for optimal performance
Biomass yield, morphometric traits, and nutrient composition of black soldier fly larvae cultivated using different food wastes
Get PDFThere is increased focus on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a new source of protein in livestock and aquaculture nutrition as well as sustainable and cost-effective waste management tool. Thus, this study evaluated the biomass yield, larvae length, proximate analysis, and mineral content of BSFL grown on varied food waste substrates. The BSF eggs were incubated and resulting larvae were reared in three substrates. Rearing Substrate A (RSA) had rotten sweet orange, banana, water melon and soybean curd in a ratio (1:1:1:1), rearing substrate B (RSB) had brewers spent grain and soyabean curd at a ratio of 3:1.While rearing substrate C (RSC) consists of a mixture of rotten sweet orange, banana,, water melon and soyabean curd all mixed at a ratio of (1:1:1:3). The experiment was a completely randomized design and resulting data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Weights of ten BSFL samples revealed that the highest fresh (0.442±0.25 g) and dried (0.133±0.08 g) weights were obtained on RSA. The larvae cultured on RSA were the longest with a mean length of 1.87±0.12 cm with 47.78±0.37% crude protein and 26.31±0.36% lipid content. The calcium (Ca) content was highest and significantly different in BSFL obtained RSA (111.39±1.09 mg/kg) as compared to RSC (66.29±0.87 mg/kg) and RSB (34.85±0.57 mg/kg). larvae reared using the different substrates have different proximate composition and BSFL contains high concentration of calcium that makes them suitable for incorporation in poultry and aquaculture feed
Correlates of job autonomy, personal initiatives and employees’ psychological well-being in ministry of agriculture, Ogun State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study assessed whether job autonomy and personal initiatives are predictors of psychological wellbeingamong employees in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedurewas used to select 208 employees for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages,weighted mean scores, and correlational analysis. Results showed that 85.6% of the employees noted thatthey were able to choose the way to go about. their job while 83.6% reiterated that they were allowed todecide how to go about getting their job done. Also, the result on personal initiative showed that 97.0%noted that they chose the role they wish to have in a group while 84.1% reported that they have a plan formaking their lives more balanced. For psychological well-being, 97.6% of the employees accounted that thedemands of everyday life always get them down while 87.5% affirmed that they have confidence in their ownopinions, even if they are different from the way other employees think. There were significant relationshipsbetween job autonomy (r = 0.01**), personal initiatives (r = 0.01**), and psychological well-being.Employees’ job autonomy and personal initiative are predictors of psychological well-being. The ministryshould encourage the use of job autonomy and personal initiative by the employees where necessary toimprove the psychological well-being and administrative strength of the ministry
Environmental degradation and its effects on the poverty status of broiler farmers in Calabar metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe economic growth process in Nigeria has proven to be environmentally unsustainable and socially inequitable. The effects of poverty, population growth, and degradation are interactive; hence, there is a need to determine the poverty status of broiler farmers and their effects on environmental degradation in Calabar Metropolis in Cross River State. The specific objectives were: To assess the socio-economic characteristics of the broiler farmers, estimate the poverty status of these farmers in the area, assess the effect of environmental degradation on the poor farmers, and estimate the determinants of poverty among the broiler farmers in the area. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to evaluate theextent of the impact of variables such as sex, marital status, education, farming experience, number of birds, access to improved breeds, and ownership of assets of broiler farmers in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality of Cross River State. Structured questionnaires were administered to 47 heads of households of broiler farmers to generate primary data. Based on the results, three logit coefficients were significant at the 10% significance level in predicting whether a broiler farmer was poor or non-poor, and four other variables were significant at the 5% level. The estimated adjusted R2 value of 0.794 indicates that the strength of association between the independent and the dependent variables is about 79.4%. Also, water/air pollution and solid waste management were positive and significantly related to environmental degradation in the area. The study suggests that improving the broiler farmers' socioeconomic status would enhance their productivity and increase profitability, thus reducing the poverty rate among them
Characterisation and classification of soils in the dry sub-humid area of Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the characteristics and classification of soils in a dry, sub-humid area of Borno, North-Eastern Nigeria. The objective was to provide detailed soil information for improving land use, research,and agricultural productivity. It involved soil sampling from eight pedons representing upland, midland,and lowland areas. We examined soil samples for their morphological, physical, and chemicalcharacteristics. The soils were classified using the taxonomic and the world reference base systems. Pedon 8has a very high organic carbon content, exceeding 2.0%, in both its surface and subsurface horizons. Pedon1 shows high organic carbon only in the surface Ap horizon, while all other pedons are rated low on bothsurfaces and suboptimal for sustainable productivity. Nitrogen values for crop production were adequate inthe surface and subsurface of pedons 7 and 8, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5%. The Ap horizons of Pedons 1, 4, 6,and 8 have medium levels of available phosphorus, which can support crops with some inputs. In contrast,other pedons exhibit low phosphorus levels (5 to 10 mg/kg), indicating a likely deficiency. The pH values(6.20 to 6.81) are neutral to slightly acidic in all soils studied. Cation exchange capacity (15.15 to 34.22cmol/kg) and base saturation of over 97% in the Ap surface horizons are often high, indicative of nutrientspresent. The nutrient availability decreases with depth in organic carbon, total nitrogen, and availablephosphorus diminish in the subsurface horizons. Pedons 1 - 8 are Typic Haplustept (USDA soil taxonomy)while correlating with the Eutric Cambisols of the WRB system for soil resources. Thus, it needs specialisedmoisture and nutrient management. These findings will inform future land management and farmingpractices for optimised soil use in the region
Meat qualities of rabbits fed diets containing dried watermelon rinds as an energy source
Get PDFThe silent competition between humans and livestock for maize has brought about the recent researches on the use of unconventional feed ingredients, such as dried water melon rinds (DWMR), as an inclusion in livestock feed. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of diets containing graded levels of DWMR on rabbits’ meat quality. Eighty (80) crossbreed, unsexed weaner rabbits with the mean weight of 630g were used for this study, allocated on weight equalization basis into four (4) treatment groups (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of DWMR inclusion levels, representing T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively and further divided into five (5) replicates of 4 rabbits. A total of 24 rabbits, 6 from each treatment were slaughtered for meat quality assessment. Results revealed a significant (P<0.05) influence of DWMR in the fat and crudefibre (within the negligible range of 1-2%) contents of the meat. Fat was highest (14.21%) in T3 while fibre was highest (1.11%) in T4. Cooking loss, refrigeration loss, water absorptive power and colour of meat from rabbits were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by DWMR. Although lipid profile was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by DWMR, significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Gluthatione (GSH) and Catalase (CAT). MDA level was least at the 5% DWMR treatment group while the 0% and 10% DWMR treatment groups had the highest level of GSH and CAT respectively. Meat from rabbits fed 15% DWMR recorded the highest score for tenderness in sensorial profile. It was then concluded that up to 15 % of DWMR in rabbits’ diets had no negative effect on the quality of their meat
The influence of socio-economic factors on efficiency of wheat farmers in Nigeria
Get PDFThe study examined the socio-economic factors influencing efficiency of wheat farmers in some wheat producing states of Nigeria. The study did not cover Borno and Yobe states wheat producing areas due to security challenges. Primary data was obtained from 866 farmers using proportionate selection of wheat farmers from the states list of farmers. A structured questionnaire and interview schedule were administered to the farmers to collect data for the study. Stochastic frontier model was used to capture wheat farmers production efficiency. Years of experience in wheat farming, extension visit, sex, level of literacy and household size were found to inversely influence technical inefficiency of respondents. There should betraining and retraining of more wheat farmers to reduce technical inefficiency among wheat farmers across the wheat producing states in Nigeria