Economics of Onion Production in Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Onion Bulb and Onion Seed Production.

ABDU BABANGIDA UMAR

Department of Agricultural Technology

Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.

E-mail: abdubau@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted at Dayi irrigation site, Malumfashi Local Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. The objective was to evaluate the socio-economic characteristics of onion producers, profitability of onion production and compare the return from onion seed and onion bulb production. The study was carried out using well-structured questionnaire administered to 70 farmers, 35 for each category of producers (onion bulb and seed) randomly selected. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and t-test analysis. The result indicated that majority the respondents were male, aged between 40-50 years with an average family size was 6-10. Onion seed farmers have higher average gross margin of N112, 917 with higher average variable cost of N11, 697 while onion bulb producer have lower average gross margin of 56,963 with lower average variable cost N241. The result of the profitability index also reveals higher benefits for investment in onion seed production enterprise with a profitability index of 9.7 although both methods of production are found to be profitable.

Economic Analysis of Sugarcane Production in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

¹ALAM, M.K; ¹VOSANKA, I.P, ¹TAPHEE, B.G, ¹YENGO, E. AND ²IDOKO, M.D

¹Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

²National Biotechnology Development Agency (BIODEC) Jalingo – North-East Zone Taraba State, Nigeria

E-mail: meetalammk@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the Economics of Sugarcane Production in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 102 sugarcane farmers using purposive and simple random sampling techniques and were analyzed using descriptive statistic and gross margin analysis. The results of the socio-economic characteristic of the farmers revealed that majority (82.35%) were young adults below 51 years of age, and were predominated by male (92.16%), that were  married (77.45%), with large family size (74.51%). The findings also indicated that majority (76.47%) were small holder farmers who depended mainly on their personal savings (79.41%) for funds. The result of the gross margin analysis shows that sugarcane farmers incurred a total variable cost per hectare (TVC) of N143, 000 on sugarcane production. While the returns indicate the total revenue, gross margin, net farm income and return on Naira invested on sugarcane production were N241, 800, N98, 800, N91, 320 and N0.61K respectively.  The constraints to sugarcane production in the study area were identified as: inadequate funds, high cost of farm inputs, high cost of labour, lack of improved seeds, pest and disease attacks among others. Sugarcane farmers are encouraged to form cooperative societies in order to get financial support from government, NGO`s, private companies as well source credit facilities from banks. Government should also subsidize the price of farm inputs as well as provide improved seeds through extension agents to farmers in order to boost sugarcane production in the area.

Constraints of Youths Invovement in Agricultural Production in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State

ADAIGHO DENNIS AND TIBI KENTUS

Department of Agricultural Extension and Management

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Nigeria  

E- mail: adaighodennis@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the constraints of youth involvement in agricultural production in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) youths were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique for the study. Twenty (20) respondents (youths) from secondary and post-secondary were selected from six (6) communities in the study area. The major problem hindering youths involvement in agriculture was identified. The finding shows the following mean scores – inadequate credit facility (x=2.883), poor return to agricultural investment (x=2.667), lack of agricultural insurance for produce during glut or unfavorable climatic conditions (x=2.667), poor basic farming knowledge of modern technique (x=2.567) and lack of access to tractors and other farm inputs (x=2.483) etc. The study recommended among others the need for provision of credit facilities with less stringent procedures and resuscitation of agricultural training centres across the state to enhance youth’s involvement in agriculture.

The Control of Sarcoptes Scabiei Infection on West African Dwarf (Wad) Pigs on Free Range Management System

KPEREGBEYI. J. I AND. ONWUMERE O. S.

School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Technology

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

E-mail: jameslovekperegbeyi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Trials were carried out to compare effective use of local and scientific control of S. scabiei in the treatment levels during 2012 and 2013 dry seasons across 3 locations (South, Central and North zones) in Delta State. A total of 180 West African Dwarf Pigs under the free range management system were selected from 36 farmers. Treatments consisted of three systemic control: Treatment I (control: No systemic control) treatment II (local control) and treatment III (Scientific control). Each location served as a replicate in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant differences (P<0.05) in the mean value of Pigs infested by Sarcoptcs scabiei across the. Treatments with a mean of 7-7 (‘38.3 %), 5-7 (28.3 %) and 6.7 (33.3 %) for treatment I, II and III respectively. However, across the locations, significant differences (p>0.05) existed with the southern zone having the highest infestation of sarcopatic mange with a mean value 9.7 (48.3 %) followed by the central zone and Northern zone with least means and percentage infestation of 7.0 (35 %) and 3.3 (16.7 %) respectively. The findings revealed that local control of sarcopatic mange should be used by farmers practicing free range management system.

Economic Analysis of Rainfed Rice Production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria.

¹ALAM M.K., ²IDOKO M.D., ¹MUSA A.H., ¹BASHIR M.B. AND ¹ADI S.S.

¹Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

²National Biotechnology Development Agency (BIODEC) Jalingo – North East Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: meetalammk@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the economics of rainfed rice production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of rainfed rice farmers, estimate the cost and returns of rice production and identify the constraints to rice production in the study area. Primary data were collected from 88 rice farmers using purposive and random sampling techniques and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis. The results revealed that 76.14% of the respondents were below 41 years of age, majority (80.68%) were males, 70.45% were married and most (85.23%) were formally educated. Also 72.73% of the farmers had farming experience for more than five years and majority (79.54%) had farm size of less than five hectares of farmland. The findings on the Gross Margin analysis indicated that rainfed rice farmers incurred a total cost of N49,00% per hectare of rice production and had an average yield per hectare of 1300kg which were sold at an average market price of N60/kg. The result further shows that the Gross income, gross margin, net farm income and return on Naira invested were: N78,000, N36,000, N28,992 and N0.59k respectively. The constraints to rainfed rice production were identified as: inadequate fund, high cost of labour, high cost of farm inputs, price fluctuation, poor marketing outlet, pests and diseases, poor storage facilities and insecurity. Rainfed rice farmers are encouraged to form or join cooperative society to enable them get financial supports from Government and financial institutions. Government should also subsidize the prices of farm inputs to make them accessible and affordable to farmers. Also improve varieties of seeds should be supplied to rice farmers which yields more and is less vulnerable to diseases, insects and rodents attack.

Growth Indices and Yield of Semi-Irrigated Celery (Apium Graveolens) as Influenced by Poultry Manure Application in Katsina, Nigeria.

ABDU BABANGIDA UMAR

Department of Agricultural Technology, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Kastina State Nigeria.

E-mail: abdubau@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in 2008 at Hassan UsmanKatsina Polytechnic farm to study the effects of rate of poultry manure application on the growth and yield of irrigated celery (Apium Graveolens). The experimental design used in this research was a randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of 5 level of poultry manure applied at rate 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40 kg/ha^-1. Observations were made on plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter and fresh weight of leaves. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Based on the analysis of variance carried out the result showed that 20kg/ha^-1 of poultry manure application gave statistically taller plants, higher number of leaves and stem diameter than other treatments but are not significantly different on fresh weight of leaves if compared to 40 kg/ha^-1 of poultry manure application.

Economic Analysis of Melon (Agusi) Production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

¹TAPHEE, B.G., ALAM, ²M.K., ³JEN E.I. and ⁴AGBO, F.U.

^1,2,3Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

⁴ Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

E-mail: tapheegauis@gmaill.com

ABSTRACT

The study analysed the economics of melon (Agusi) production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 96 melon (agusi) farmers selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Gross Margin Analysis. The results of the socio-economic characteristics revealed that majority (66%) of the farmers were males of below 51 years of age (89%) they were married (73%) with large family size (75%) and most (71%) had formal education with many years of farming experience (70%) but were mainly small-holder farmers (78%). The result of the gross margin analysis indicated that, melon farmers incurred an average total cost of N41,980 per hectare. It also revealed the gross income, gross margin, net farm income and return on Naira invested of N60,000, N23,500, N18,020 and 0.432 respectively. The major constraints of melon (agusi) production identified were: inadequate fund, lack of improved seed, high cost of farm inputs, pest and disease, price fluctuation and insecurity. It is recommended that, farmers should form cooperative in order to get financial assistance from Government as well as access credit from banks. Also Government should intervene in subsidizing the price of farm inputs as well as fixing a minimum guaranteed price for the production in the area.

Analysis of Farmers Willingness to Adopt Mushroom Cultivation in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State

IYEKEKPOLOR MOSES NOROGHOSA

Farm Project Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

E-mail:iyekekpolormoses@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to analyze farmers’ willingness to adopt Mushroom cultivation in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. Simple random techniques were used to select a sample size of 90 respondents in three villages. Questions were asked on awareness of mushroom cultivation, gender and level of education of farmers within the area under study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the relevant information from the farmers. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics such simple frequency table count, and percentage. Analysis revealed that only seventeen farmers out of ninety are willing to cultivate mushroom which is about 18.9%. Gender of the farmers and their level of education had no effect on the willingness of the farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation. It was observed that farmers’ in the area under study has not adopted the cultivation of mushroom because they lack awareness of the usefulness of mushroom cultivation and also the techniques required to cultivate mushroom.

Performance and Economic Approach to Broiler Finisher for Sustainable Poultry Venture

Danwe, A.B. and Finlak, E.A.

Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture Jalingo Taraba State, Nigeria

E-mail: augustinedanwe@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The research was conducted to reveal the performance and economic approach to broiler chickens fed agro-by product incorporated into conventional diet of broiler finisher. The trial was performed with one hundred and twenty (120) Anak 2000 broiler chickens of four (4) weeks old. The birds were allocated to four (4) dietary treatments, with five (5) replicates of six (6) birds per each replicate in a completely randomized design type of equipment. Diets T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄ contained 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% Bambara nut shell meal (Vigna Subterranean) respectively. The experiment lasted for five (5) weeks. The performance results such as average daily body weight gain, average final body weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significant (P<0.01) and (P<0.05) respectively in ascending order. The result of economic of production was best in treatments T₄ and T₃ with cost savings of N103.66k/kg and N79.26k/kg respectively, and poorest in treatments T₁, and T₂, with cost savings of N0.00k/kg and N40.07k/kg. Birds performed well on diets T₃ and T₄ with the best cost savings as compared to diet T₁ (control).

Retrospective Studies of Reproductivee Reproductioto have reproductio Disorders of Small Ruminants in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

¹Peter, I.D., ²Mshelia G. D., ³Bukar, M. M., ⁴Maina V. A., and ⁵Biu, A.A.

^1,2,3&4Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

⁵Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail Address: idamudu@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT

A ten year retrospective study of reproductive disorders of small ruminants presented to the Borno State Veterinary Clinic, Maiduguri, was conducted between 2004 and 2013. Clinical case records of sheep and goats used for this study were analyzed based on the disease condition, sex of the animals and season of the year. Out of a total of 2343 ruminants examined, 340 (14.5%) were found to have reproductive disorders comprising dystocia 74 (21.8%), pregnancy toxaemia 67 (19.7%), mastitis 49 (14.4%) and retained placenta 46 (13.5%), with 308 (90.6%) in sheep and 32 (9.4%) in goats (p<0.05). 906 (38.7%) of the cases observed were male and 1437 (61.3%) were female (p<0.05) with a higher prevalence during the rainy season (between April and September) compared with the dry season (between October and March) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the alleviation of these disorders through prompt veterinary attention will improve small ruminant production in Nigeria.