Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Journal
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A translog stochastic frontier analyses of technical, economic and allocative efficiencies in yam production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study estimated technical, economic, allocative efficiencies and determinants of allocative efficiency of yam farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria using translog stochastic frontier production function. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 160 proportionately and randomly selected yam farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution and percentages, as well as econometric tool of translog stochastic frontier production function. Results show that the mean age, level of education, farm size farming experience, extension contact, household size and anuual farm income were 48.2 years, 9.3 years, 1.02 hectares, 18.7 years, 0.53 visit, 8 persons and N431603 respectively. The mean technical, economic and allocative efficiencies were 72.12%, 67.55%, and 86.31% respectively. Yam farmers are allocative inefficient in resource utilization. The sources of allocative inefficiency were age, level of education, farming experience, farm size, marital status, extension contact, credit access, household size, and off-farm employment. Yam farmers should endeavor to properly allocate resource inputs to achieve improvement in allocative efficiency
Determination of seed bank depth and viability of Monodoramyristica at Ohiya in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study on soil seed bank of three stands of Monodoramyristica was carried out at Ohiya in Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State, Nigeria. A 3 x 3 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three blocks was conducted within three stands of Monodoramyristica located in Ohiya Autonomous Community (as block). The treatment factors were three soil depths and three distances away from the stem base of the trees. Three soil depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm) were dug at three separate distances (0, 3, and 7 m) resulting to nine treatments. Soil samples were collected at the various soils depths (0-5cm, 5-10cm, and 10-20cm) along the three distances (0, 3, and 7 m) at four cardinal points from the trunk base of each stand. The soil samples were stored separately in well labeled bags to indicate soil depths and sampling distances. Soil bags from the same soil depth at a particular distance was emptied separately into each aluminum trays and the seeds of Monodoramyristica present in each tray were carefully identified, separated and counted. A viability test was carried out on the seeds. The total number of seeds deposited at the 0-5cm depth at 0m (8.583), 3m (14.250) and 7m (3.000) were significantly higher than those deposited within the 5-10cm (3.333, 5.917 and 0.833) and the 10-20cm depth (0.250, 1.750 and 0.000). Over 70% of the seeds of Monodoramyristica occurred within 0-5 cm depth, 25% was deposited at the 5-10 cm depth while the control had 5% seed occurrence. The highest number of seeds occurred at the distance of 3m while the control (7 m) had the lowest number of seeds. The highest level of interaction between distance and soil depth occurred within the 0-5cm at 3m.The viability test indicates that no germination occurred in any of the seeds planted in the poly-pots. Efforts should be made to collect the viable seeds after shedding from the parent plant so as to enhance easy germination and improve the status of the plant species
Rice Farmers Knowledge and Attitude towards Climate Change in Southeast, Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper analyzed rice farmers` knowledge and attitude towards climate change in Southeast. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers; assess the level of knowledge of climate change among rice farmers; and determine rice farmers` attitude towards climate change. A purposive random sampling technique was used in selecting 160 rice farmers`. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that majority (58.88%) of the farmers were in their active and economic age bracket of 30-49 years. Majority (78.75%) were males, while (88.13%) were married and a greater proportion (46.25%) had primary education. The result also depicted that (28.13%) of the respondents had an income of over N60,000 per annum. About (84.38%) had rice farming as their main occupation while (33.63%) had farming experience spanning up to 13-15 years. Most of the respondents (28.75%) and (27.50%) had large household sizes respectively, with mean household size of 6 persons, mean farming experience of 8.80 years, mean farm size of 1.5 hectares and mean annual income of N34,100. All the respondents had high knowledge of climate change about rice production. Such knowledge as proper tillage reduces weed growth with a mean value of (X= 3.84), moisture stress causes severe damages to crops (X=3.81), and heat stress through increased temperature limits rice productivity (X= 3.77). Climate change is one of the ways God deals with evil in the world (X=2.59), I do not consider climate change when thinking about my future (X=3.04) and associating climate change with droughts, floods and heat stress over the last decades(x= 3.06) where the different attitudinal disposition of the respondents
Assessing the Productivity and Heavy Metal Levels in Telfaria occidentalis Hook, f. (Fluted Pumpkin) Grown with Fish Culture Waste Waters
Get PDFThe phenomenal growth in the aquaculture industry is encouraging farmers to re-use fish culture waste water to irrigate vegetable gardens particularly during the dry season in southeastern Nigeria. The performance of Telfaira occidentalis production when irrigated with fish culture wastewater as well as the mineral and heavy metal levels in the plant were assessed. T. occidentalis seedlings were transplanted into beds and separately exposed to four (4) treatments which were irrigation with wastewater once daily (WW1D, irrigation with wastewater twice per week (WW2W), irrigation with borehole water once daily (BW1D), irrigation with borehole water twice per week (BW2D) The levels of various minerals and heavy metals were determined in the borehole water (BW), wastewater (WW), soil and the leaves of harvested T. occidentalis. The concentrations Ca, K, Na, P, and N were significantly higher by (127.70%), K (191.39%), Na (129.20%), P (177.46%) and N (188.96%) respectively in the WW than those in the BW, however the mineral concentrations in both WW and BW were within the safe levels recommended by WHO/FAO except for K and P contained in the WW. Daily irrigation with wastewater increased the soil concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, P and N by 78.76%, 0.47%, 131.25%, 47.44, 45.60% and 117.51% respectively over that of borehole water. Growing T. occidentalis by using fish culture waste water for irrigation increased the concentrations of Pb, Fe, Cr, and Cd on its leaves to 0.38mg/kg, 0.58mg/kg, 0.04mg/kg, and 0.24mg/kg respectively. Economic yield of T. occidentalis in terms of leaf number was 44.5% higher when grown with fish culture waste water than the borehole water at 6 WAS. Using Fish culture wastewater to grow vegetables provides fertilization and increases crop performance and this practice is recommended for resource-poor farmers and when water shortage and fertilizer pose limitations. Such a practice presents a risk of significantly elevating heavy metal concentrations in the plant and the soil as well as causing soil salinization particularly with prolonged usage
Gender-based Analysis of Rice Farmers’ Responses to Climate Change Adaptation Measures in South-East, Nigeria
No full textImpacts of climate change affect women and men differently. Therefore, assessing women and men responses to climate action is necessary in determining trend of innovation uptake for strengthening the resilience and coping strategies of the farmers to handle the challenges of a changing environment. This paper investigates comparative analysis of rice farmers’ responses to adaptation measures of climate change in South-East, Nigeria Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 360 respondents for the study. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and Z-test analysis. Results revealed that major responses exhibited by the farmers towards the use of listed adaptation measures were seeking for information based on observed changes ( = 3.0 males and ( = 3.0) females) and consulting fellow farmers for advice ( = 2.6 males and ( = 2.6). In addition, the male farmers also opt for value addition to the remaining crops ( = 2.5) while on the other hand, the female farmers prefer reverting to indigenous methods or self help methods ( = 2.5) in other to salvage their rice farms. The male farmers had higher mean score on positive perception of effects of climate change adaptation measures however; the female farmers had lower mean score. There is need therefore to provide timely information and coordinated capacity building to rice farmers along gender based identified needs and changes. Z-test comparative analysis show no significant difference (1.67**) in responses to adaptation measures between male and female farmers. However, the study calls for gender specific climate change menace coping capacity building for the farmers among others. This will address their individual vulnerabilities, increase farmers’ resilience towards weather variability and strengthen their ability to respond positively to implementation of adaptation measures in their rice farms
Utilization of Organic Farming Practices Among Rural Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study examined utilization of organic farming practices among rural farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. It specifically, described socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; determined level of utilization of organic farming practices among rural farming households; and ascertained perceived effects of organic farming practices on arable crop farming among rural farming households in the study area. Purposive and multistage sampling procedures were used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using mean, percentages and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that (65%) of the respondents were female and (92.5%) were farmers with mean age 47.0 years and mean farming experience of 11.1 years, Results indicated that the level of utilization of most of the organic farming practices was high with grand mean of 3.51 and showed positive perceived effect with grand mean of 4.23. Multiple regression result showed that coefficient of income and household size were statistically significant at 1% while coefficient of education was significant at 10% and positively related. The study concluded that most of the organic farming practices were highly utilized and recommended that there is need for NGOs and government to encourage organic farmers through procurement of loans for promoting and enhancing the full practice of organic agriculture
Optimising the effects of Additives and Briqetting on the Calorific Values of Oilpalm Fiber Using Response Surface Methodology
Get PDFThirty grammes (30gms)of oil palm fiber were mixed with three different weights of sawdust and slurry oil (5,10,and 15gm) respectively, dried and compacted to three bulk density levels of 1.86,2.0,and 2.14g/ml with a briquetting machine. Calorific values of the samples were determined using a bomb calorimeter. (Model XRY-1A). The experimental design used was Response Surface Methodology, exploring the effects of the three levels of the three factors of quantity of sawdust, slurry oil and compaction density of the oil palm fiber on the calorific values of the samples. The factors that affected the calorific yield of the oil palm fiber are the linear and quadratic effects of the quantity of slurry oil added to the mixture. This factors accounted for about 92.2% of the variation in effects. Also the linear and quadratic effects of compacted density were significant at 5% probability levels
Soil – Transmitted Helminthiasis: Prevalence and Rist Factors Among pupils in Primary Schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
Get PDFSoil Transmitted helminthes is a public health problem in the tropic. A study on helminthissis was carried out to determine its prevalence and associated risk factors among pupils in primary schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area. Abia State Nigeria, using formol – Ether concentration technique on the fecal samples from the different schools and structured questionnaire to determine the risk factors associated with the disease. A total of 450 fecal samples were collected with overall prevalence of 45.33%. The soil-transmitted helminthes recorded were hookworm, 90 (20%), Ascaris lumbricoides, 84 (18.67%) and Trichuris trichuria , 30 (6.67%). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Prevalence was higher among the females 120 (48.78%) than in males 84 (41.18%) through not statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence was highest among pupils of age group 11 – 13 (60%), followed by age group 8 – 10 (54.72%) and the least was among 5 – 7 age group (30.77%). Amakama Central School Olokoro had the highest prevalence (68.90%) due to very poor hygiene, followed by Old Umuahia Primary School II (40.00%) while Adventist Care Nursery and Primary School had the least prevalence rate (10%). Hand wash pattern among the pupils showed a very low response, while 42.67% do not wash their hands after using the toilet, 24.89% also do not wash their hands before eating. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) Pupils that make use of public pit latrine had the highest prevalence (57.69%), followed by those that use private pit latrine (44.18%) compared with the pupils that use public water system (41.18%) and those that use private water system (28.25%). The high prevalence and types of soil-transmitted helminthes recorded among children in primary school suggest an urgent need for intervention. Education on proper hygiene habit especially at the primary school level is highly recommended with a coordinated multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary strategy that integrates periodic de-worming, health education, provision of potable water supply and environmental sanitation for effective control and management
Modelling of Tubo Sub- Watershed Hydrological Processes Using GIS and SWAT Model
Get PDFThis study modeled streamflow at the outlet of the gauged Tubo Dan Mari Watershed and also analyzed the associated uncertainty which could affect the accuracy in estimation of the streamflow. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied to estimate the streamflow of the Tubo Dan Mari catchment and associated uncertainty with the simulated outputs to that effect. The SWAT model was calibrated for the period of 1983 to 1986 and validated for the period of 1987-1988 based on the six parameters identified during sensitivity analysis. The uncertainty analysis was done by using Sequential Uncertainty Fittings Version 2(SUFI-2) and Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) was used to check parameter uncertainty, SWAT CUP was used to establish the uncertainty bounds of the model. The calibration and validation of the model were found acceptable as performance rating criteria value of coefficient of correlation (R2) and Nash-Sutcliffe simulation efficiency (ENS) was found to be 0.80 and 0.73 for calibration and 0.81 and 0.50 for validation respectively. In the same order from the model uncertainties analysis the percentage of the simulated data within the uncertainty bound was only 33% for calibration and 29% for validation, which showed that there was uncertainty in the process. After that, SWAT CUP parameter uncertainty was tested and found with ENS value of 0.75 for calibration and 0.71 for validation and this showed that the overall associated uncertainty was from either conceptual or input or a combination of both but not from parameter identification. The average annual inflow volume at the watershed outlet was estimated and predicted to be 2.78575MCM which was in line with other predicted parameters during this study
Management of Security Challenges in Nigerian Universities: The Role of School Administrator
Get PDFThe study examined ways of management of security challenges in federal universities in North East Nigeria. The design of the study is descriptive survey research design. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. Data were collected from 35 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire of 24 items. The instrument was subjected to face validation by three experts, two from department of educational administration and planning and one from department of measurement and evaluation all from university of Nigeria, Nsukka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha to get the reliability coefficient of 0.81. Using mean and standard deviation, the research questions were answered, while the hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics at .05 level of significance. The findings revealed various forms of security challenges in federal universities in North East Nigeria to include: secret cult activities; students’ unrest; kidnapping; boko haram crisis among others. The findings also identified strategies for managing the challenges. The study recommended that government, school administrators and individuals should provide adequate fund, open and free flow of information to be established among universities and their host communities for effective management of security challenges in the universities in Nigeria