ADAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE
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Yield and economics of carrot [Daucus carota (L.)] genotypes as affected by water management and Gibberellic Acid in a changing climate
Get PDFCarrot is a high-value crop, but its productivity and profitability depend on water management, genotypeselection, and plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid (GA₃ ). This study examined the interactiveeffects of these factors on carrot yield and economic returns at two locations: Research and Teaching farmof Bayero University Kano (BUK) and a community demonstration farm at Maida during the 2019/2020 and2020/2021 cold dry seasons. A split-plot design was used, testing four irrigation intervals (farmer’spractice, 5, 7, and 9 days), two genotypes (Touchon Mega and Griffaton), and four GA₃ application rates(100 ppm applied once, twice, or three times, and a control). Results showed that frequent irrigation(farmer’s practice, W1) and the 5-day interval (W2) significantly improved yield, net income, and benefitcostratio (BCR) at both locations (P < 0.001). The highest yield was recorded under W1V1G1 at BUK(23,417 kg/ha) and Maida (23,183 kg/ha), with net incomes of ₦6,161,001 and ₦6,183,732, respectively,and a BCR exceeding 6.0. In contrast, the 9-day interval (W4) led to severe yield reductions and financiallosses, with the lowest net income observed under W4V2G4 at Maida (₦227,900, BCR 0.18) and BUK(₦277,000, BCR 0.24). Touchon Mega (V1) consistently outperformed Griffaton (V2), confirming itssuitability for high-yield, high-profitability carrot farming. Similarly, GA₃ application (100 ppm × 3)significantly enhanced yield and economic returns, while the control (no GA₃) had the lowest profitability.The study concluded that integrating optimized irrigation, superior genotype selection, and GA₃ applicationmaximizes both productivity and financial sustainability in carrot production
Dietary supplementation of Kigelia africana fruits to rabbit bucks fed cottonseed meal on digesta pH and digesta microbial population
Get PDFMedicinal plants are abundant in phytochemicals that has significant effects on digestion. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Kigelia africana fruits (KAF) on digestibility, digesta pH and intestinal microbial populations on rabbit bucks fed cottonseed meals. Sixty rabbit bucks were divided into five groups with twelve replicates in a completely randomized design. Each treatment group had: (T1) 100% SBM - CSM -KAF (T2) 100% CSM- KAF, (T3) 100% CSM + KAF powder, (T4) 100% CSM + KAF extract, (T5) 100% CSM + KAF powder + KAF extract (blend mixtures) Diets were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements for Rabbit bucks and all other management practices were strictly observed. During 84 days feeding trial, feed intake and feacal samples were determined. After, bucks were slaughtered and intestinal digesta samples were collected to assess microbial populations in the stomach and caecum. Microbial populations were determined by 10-fold serial dilution and total coliform count (TCC), Total anaerobic plate count (TAPC), total anaerobic plate count (TAnPC) and fungi coliform counts were determined. Result indicated that digestible crude protein was significantly (P<0.05) lower in bucks without supplementation and those supplemented with KAF powder but significantly (P<0.05) higher in bucks supplemented with extract and blend mixtures. Acidity of digesta significantly (P<0.05) increasedin bucks fed CSM diets with or without supplementation. Supplementation of KAF to CSM diets significantly (P<0.05) suppressed intestinal microbial populations but significantly (P<0.05) higher in nonsupplemented. It was concluded that KAF supplementation to CSM improved digestibility but reduced microbial populations in both stomach and caecum
Analysis of the contribution of artisanal fish farming to household income in Lokoja, Kogi state, by gender
Get PDFThe research aims to analyze the importance of artisanal fish farming to household income in Lokoja, Kogi State, and the involvement of gender in this activity. Identifying the activities of men and women in fish farming, describing the socioeconomic features of the respondents, determining the income disparities between genders participating in fish farming, and identifying the constraints to fish farming were the particular goals. Purposive and random sample methods were combined to choose and present the questionnaire to 114 respondents in total. Descriptive statistics, the mean score likert scale, and the T test statistics were used to examine the collected data. The majority of respondents (93.9%) were married, and their average household size was nine people. The responders were 42 years old on average. Findings on men's and women's involvement in fish farming showed that fish harvesting (100%), transportation (61.40%) and supplying (90.40%) were the major fishing farming activities carried out by male fish farmers while the women fish farmers were mostly involved in smoking of fish (100%), drying (98.20%), cleaning of fish (96.50%), sorting (96.50%), cutting (92.10%), sticking (98.20%) and marketing (92.10%) the analysis of Z-test carried on the differences in income of male and female participation in fish farming demonstrates a significant difference (P≤ 0.00) between the income earned by male and female fish growers. Majorproblems faced by the respondents were lack of government support ( =2.92), flood ( =2.91) lack of technical knowledge ( =2.87), scarcity of fish seed fingerlings ( =2.77), no access to modern inputs ( 2.71), no access to extension service ( =2.64), poor cooperation among fishermen ( =2.62), insufficient information on fish farming ( =2.58), theft of ( =2.49), lack of storage facilities( =2.45). It is therefore recommended that government should make provision of good storage facilities available in order to address the issue of fish spoiling, which lowers their output
Determinants of climate-smart agriculture technology adoption among smallholder rice farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Get PDFSmall-scale rice farmers face significant farming challenges posed by climate change, particularly inNigeria where the major source of their livelihood is agriculture. This study examined the determinants ofclimate smart agricultural (CSA) technologies adoption among small-scale rice farmers in GwagwaladaArea Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe thesocioeconomic characteristics of small-scale rice farmers, evaluate the various climate smart agricultural(CSA) technologies adopted by small-scale rice farmers, analyze the factors influencing the adoption ofclimate smart agricultural (CSA) technologies among small-scale rice farmers and describe the constraintsfaced by small-scale rice farmers in the adoption of climate agricultural (CSA) technologies. A wellstructuredquestionnaire was used to gather data from 80 small-scale rice farmers. The data were analyzedusing descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results revealed that conversationalagricultural practices and mixed cropping had mean values of 3.21 and 3.61 respectively and were the mostwidely adopted climate smart agricultural (CSA) technology used, while drought resistant varieties had alow mean of 2.37. Experience in farming positively influenced CSA adoption (p<0.05), whereas larger farmnegatively influenced CSA adoption (p<0.01). The constraints they faced include poor infrastructure, lack ofcredit facilities, inadequate extension services and limited awareness. The study highlights the urgentimplementation for some targeted intervention such as improved access to extension services, credit andinfrastructural development which will greatly enhance the adoption of CSA technologies
Bridging the skills gap in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A case study of the Samaru College of Agriculture Students Multipurpose Cooperative Society (SCASMUCS)
Get PDFTechnological advancement has evolved workforce expectations at an unprecedented pace and the inabilityof the educational curriculum to keep up with these rapid changes has resulted in a gap between whatstudents are taught and what professional world demands. This disconnect has contributed to a growingcrisis of underemployment among graduates, where acquired academic knowledge fails to translate into thepractical competencies required by employers. Thus, there is an urgent need for students to develop bothhard and soft skills that align with modern industry requirements. Recognizing this need, Samaru College ofAgriculture Students Multipurpose Cooperative Society (SCASMUCS) was established and officiallyregistered in 2023. This student-led initiative serves as a dynamic platform for experiential learning andeconomic empowerment. By leveraging crowdfunding mechanisms, SCASMUCS generates capital, which isthen strategically invested in various agricultural ventures. These activities not only yield financial returnsbut also provide students with practical exposure to agribusiness, entrepreneurship, project management,and financial literacy which are key hard skills that enhance employability. Simultaneously, studentscultivate essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and effectivecommunication. Through active participation in the cooperative’s operations, they gain hands-on experiencethat fosters personal growth and professional readiness. This innovative model of learning while earningpresents a replicable framework for other academic institutions. By integrating practical, real-worldengagements into the academic experience, schools can better prepare students for life after graduation,bridging the gap between theoretical education and industry competency, and ultimately contributing to amore skilled and self-reliant workforc
Gender dynamics in watermelon farming in Ijebu-North Local Government Area, Ogun State
Get PDFThis study investigated the gender roles in the production of watermelon in Ijebu North local government area of Ogun State. Using a two-stage sampling procedure, 120 respondents were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and t-test. Results indicated that male had access mostly to seeds ( ̅ = 3.43±0.76) and farm labour ( ̅ = 3.36±0.72) while female had access mostly to seeds ( ̅ = 3.52±0.51), herbicides and fertilizers ( ̅ = 3.24±0.74). The male farmers were more involved building repairs ( ̅ = 2.02±0.73) and home sanitation ( ̅ = 2.00±0.75) while the women were more involved in food preparation ( ̅ = 2.93±0.26) and child care ( ̅ = 2.79±0.56). Constraint faced by male farmers were transportation ( ̅ = 2.29±0.58) and poor pricing of produce ( ̅ = 2.54±0.58) while the females faced poor pricing of produce ( ̅ = 2.69±0.47) and high incidence of pest and disease attack ( ̅= 2.48±0.63). The results further showed that male farmers were mostly involved in seed selection ( ̅ = 2.64±0.59) and fertilizer application ( ̅ = 2.58±0.60) while the female farmers were mostly involved in seed selection ( ̅ = 2.83±0.38) and marketing ( ̅ = 2.86±0.35). The findings showed a significant difference in harvesting (t = 0.04; p< 0.05) and marketing (t = 0.00; p< 0.05) roles of therespondents in watermelon production operations. The study concluded that both male and female farmers participated in watermelon farming and household tasks. The study recommended fostering gender-specific agricultural policies and programmes to enhance productivity and equit
Optimizing plant population and weed control methods for enhanced physiological growth and yield response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the Nigerian Sudan savanna
Get PDFSunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production in the Sudan Savannah agroecological zone of Nigeria is significantly influenced by multiple agronomic factors, particularly plant population and weed control methods. This study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Bagauda, during the 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons to assess the physiological growth, yield response, and weed control efficiency of sunflower under varying plant populations and weed control methods. The treatments consisted of three plant populations (22,500,000, 48,750,000, and 52,500,000 plants ha-1) and eight weed control methods, including mechanical, chemical, and allelopathic approaches. These were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, with plant population and weed control methods the main plot and sub plots, respectively. Results revealed that the highest plant population (52,500,000 plants ha-1) significantly enhanced the physiological growth characters. The highest (0.07 g wk-1) relative growth rate (RGR) was recorded in 2019 at Bagauda, while the combined analysis showed 0.05 and 0.16 g wk-1 at Bagauda and BUK. Similarly, CGR peaked at 126.40 g cm-² wk-1 in 2019 at Bagauda and 106.40 g cm-² wk-1 in the combined analysis at BUK, while LAI reached its highest value at 4.59 in 2019 at Bagauda. However, kernel yield per hectare decreased at the highest plant population due to increased intraspecific competition. Among the weed control methods, (T3) application of pre-emergence Tithonia diversifolia extract fb post-emergence at 6 WAS recorded the highest weed control efficiency (WCE) of 76.3% at Bagauda and 82.88% at BUK, and significantly improved sunflower growth and yield components. The optimal plant population of 48,750,000 plants/ha combined with T3 was the most effective strategy for maximizing kernel yield while ensuring sustainable weed management. The weedy check consistently resulted in the lowest performance across all parameters. These findings suggest that an optimal plant population combined with allelopathic-based weed management can enhance sunflower productivity while minimizing weed interference in the Sudan Savannah region of Nigeria
Carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing rabbits fed mango (Mangifera indica) leaf meal as a replacement for wheat offal
Get PDFThe increasing demand for animal protein due to population growth has created a pressing need to explore non-conventional feed resources as a sustainable way to protein shortages. Hence, an 8 week trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of mango (Mangifera indica) leaf meal (MLM) as a replacement for wheat offal in the diets of growing rabbits. A total of 18 unsexed, mixed breed rabbits (New Zealand white x Chinchilla), aged between 6-8 weeks with average live weight of 600-800 g were used for this study. These animals were randomly allotted into three dietary treatments; 0, 5, and 10% MLM replaced wheat offal in a completely randomized design. Proximate composition of MLM was determined as well as carcass traits, physico-chemical and sensory indices of the meat of growing rabbits were evaluated. Result revealed that MLM contained 92.17 ± 0.04% dry matter, 9.63 ±0.54% crude protein, 13.26 ± 0.25% crude fibre, 2.05 ± 0.24% ether extract, 49.41 ± 0.91% nitrogen free extract and 2278.06 ± 0.02% metabolisable energy. The inclusion of MLM in the diet did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the carcass characteristics of growing rabbits except the live weight and head. Rabbits fed dietary 0 (1533.33g) and 5 (1526.67g) % MLM had similar (P>0.05) values but significantly higher than those on 10% MLM (1286.67g). Meat quality attributes were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by dietary MLM, except for cooking loss and thermal loss. The dry matter (87.43 – 89.35%) and crude protein (22.55-25.98%) content of the meat sample of rabbits fed dietary MLM increased across the dietary treatments as MLM inclusion levels increased. Dietary MLM had no significant (P>0.05) influence on the organoleptic indices of meat except the juiciness. Juiciness of meat from growing rabbits fed dietary mango leaf meal significantly increased across the dietary treatments as MLM inclusion level increased. This study concludes that MLM can be incorporated up to 10 % in the diet of growing rabbits as it enhanced certain meat quality parameters like dry matter, crude protein content and juiciness without adversely affecting most carcass traits or other sensory qualities
Structure, efficiency, and cost-benefit analysis of crayfish marketing in major markets in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the cost-benefit analysis and marketing efficiency of crayfish trade in three majormarkets in Calabar, Cross River State. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes marketingmargins, gross margins, profitability, and efficiency metrics, particularly employing the Shepherd Futrelmethod to evaluate trade effectiveness across these markets. The study utilizes primary data collected fromcrayfish traders and market unions, incorporating cost structures, sales volumes, and price variations overa three-month period (January–March 2024). A comparative analysis of wholesale and retail margins isconducted to assess variations in profitability and efficiency. Results reveal significant disparities inpurchase costs, variable expenses, and profit margins among the three markets: Nsidung Beach Market:Purchase cost ₦145,000, total revenue ₦800,000, gross margin ₦740,000, profit ₦630,000, and marketingefficiency of 94.11%, making it the most efficient market. Watt Market: Purchase cost ₦162,000, totalrevenue ₦850,000, gross margin ₦768,000, profit ₦638,000, and marketing efficiency of 80.19%,moderately efficient but impacted by higher transaction costs. Ika-Ika Oqua Market: Purchase cost₦163,000, total revenue ₦875,000, gross margin ₦781,500, profit ₦641,500, and marketing efficiency of74.95%, lower efficiency due to increased costs but generating the highest revenue. This research uniquelyintegrates cost-benefit analysis with marketing efficiency metrics, distinguishing between wholesale andretail margins to provide deeper insights into crayfish trade dynamics. Unlike prior studies that focus onlyon profitability, this study quantifies efficiency in multiple market structures, shedding light on pricingstrategies, cost optimization, and economic viability of crayfish marketing. Findings suggest the need formarket infrastructure upgrades, reduced transaction costs, and price regulation frameworks to enhanceprofitability and efficiency. Policymakers should invest in cold storage facilities, streamline unionregulations, and support digital trade platforms to reduce overhead expenses and expand market access.This study underscores the economic potential and efficiency variations in crayfish trade, providing a datadrivenfoundation for improving trade sustainability in developing economies. Future research shouldexplore international export opportunities, digital marketplace integration, and seasonal trade dynamics tofurther optimize the seafood supply chai
Effect of castration on the growth performance of rabbits
Get PDFCastration has been reported as a management practice that could improve weight gain in farm animals but there is not enough information about its effect in rabbits. To help rabbit farmers manage their rabbits when it has more males than females, it is important to investigate the effect of castration on the performance of the animal. The study was a completely randomized design involving 20 male New Zealand white breed of rabbits weighing between 850 - 950g at 6 weeks age. The rabbits were separated into 2 groups with 10 rabbits in each group. One group was castrated (Neutered) while the other group was not castrated (Intact). The animals were fed daily using pelletized rabbit concentrate while water was provided ad libitum. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. In the 7th week of the experiment, blood samples were collected from ear vein and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using the T- test on SPSS version 27. Result of the study revealed that, Neutered rabbits gained significantly (p≤0.05) more weight than Intact rabbits, the Intact rabbits consumed more (p≤0.05) feed than neutered rabbits. Dressing percentage was higher in Neutered rabbits. Testosterone in Neutered group was statistically (p≤0.05) higher than that of Intact rabbits. The study concludes that Neutered rabbits are superior to Intact rabbits in feed consumed, weight gained and dressing percentage. Also, castration reduced the testosterone level in neutered rabbits. It is recommended that male rabbits not used for breeding should be castrated