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.

Analysis of Investment Pattern of Cooperative Farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

*VOSANKA I. P., **ALAM M. K., AND ***RIKWENTISHE R.

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

E-mail: vosanka@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the investment pattern of cooperative farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 110 respondents drawn using simple random sampling technique and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result showed that the cooperative farmers were mostly male-headed (56%) and below the age of 40 years. About 55% had household size between 1 to10 people, 80.9% engaged in farming as their major occupation with farm size ranging from 0.5 to 4 hectares. The multiple regression results revealed that the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.5404 (i.e. 54%), indicating that the variations in investment pattern was accounted by 54% of the independent variables used for the analysis. The multiple regression results on the socio-economic characteristics of respondents influencing their investment shows that age, income, cooperative experience and credit facilities positively influenced the respondent’s investment pattern in the study area at 1 Percent and 10 percent levels of significance. The study identified inadequate finance, low incomes of farmers, and high number of dependants as some of the constraints on investment in the area. The investment level of the cooperative farmers can be increased if loans are adequately made available and proper monitoring of the funds for specific production purposes is put in place. Also, policy on investment should consider farmers’ socio-economic characteristics as well as subsidy on farm inputs would also encourage farmers to invest more.

Economic Efficiency and Profitability of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Isoko Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Nkamigbo, D.C¹_, Ovuomarie, O.S², Maduka, J.U.³ and Isibor, A.C.⁴

¹Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

²Agricultural Economics and Extension Department, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Nigeria.

³Agricultural Technology Department, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria.

⁴Agricultural Economics and Extension Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: chinezenkamigbo@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

The study specifically examined the economic efficiency and profitability of catfish production in Isoko area of Delta. Purposive and simple random samplings were respectively used to select data for the study. Descriptive statistics and net margin analysis were used in analyzing the data. The results show that feed, fingerlings, pond size and water were statistically significant. The results further revealed that feed and fingerlings pond size were some of the factors that influence profitability of catfish production in the study area as a 10% increase in feed will lead to 2.06% increase in output while a 10% increase in fingerlings will lead to 2.1% increase in output. The response of output to pond size was however low as 10% increase in pond size resulted in a partly 1.2% increase in fish production. Results also indicated a gross margin of ₦424,190.00, net margin of ₦224,020.00 and gross return to cost ratio as 1:31:1 per hectare. Estimates of allocative efficiency were 0.0004 for feed, 0.655 for fingerlings, -4.126 for labour and 6.412 for pond size. Feed, fingerlings and labour were over utilized while pond size was underutilized. This shows that farmers were inefficient in resource utilization. It is suggested that there should be a decrease in the use of labour and increase in pond utilization. Commercial fish mill and modern hatcheries should be established in the study area to address the problem of high cost of feed and availability of quality fingerling.

Haemogram of Broilers Fed Cassia obtusifolia Seed Meal as a Substitute to Protein

NEILS, J.S., CLEMENT, A. AND U.I. DAZALA

Department of Animal Production

Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

E-mail: neilsjoel@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Haemogram of eight weeks broiler birds was studied after being fed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal with different treatments (T1 to T4), T1served as control. One hundred and twenty (120) day old broiler chicks purchased from a reputable source were divided in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) into four dietary treatments groups. Each treatment was replicated three times. Four experimental feeds were compounded with processed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal at concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% representing T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Generally, the results showed the Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC) was above the normal value but values decreased with an increase in the seed meal level of feed. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration remained within the limit of normal range in all treatments. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) followed the pattern of haemoglobin where all treatments groups did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05) when compared to the control. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), T2 to T4 showed strong levels of significance (P < 0.0001) but the values of T3 and T4 were below the normal lower range. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), all except T4, their values are lower than the lowest normal range, but showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between each group. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), have surpassed all normal range of concentration in the different treatment groups, however, all treatments showed statistical significance (P > 0.0001). Total White Blood Cell Count (TWBC) was found to be lower than the normal range where T3 and T4 did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05). The study showed lots of fluctuations and was concluded that C. obtusifolia seed meal could have been responsible. The seed meal could be used at 2.5% in mature birds.

Production and Marketing of Indigenous Chicken in Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

¹NEILS, J.S., ²NGURA, C.J. AND ³UNDIANDEYE, U.D.

¹Department of Animal Production, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

³Department of Extension and Communications, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

E-mail: neilsjoel@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the production and marketing of indigenous chicken in Mubi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, Nigeria.  Data were collected purposely from 110 respondents using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Net Farm Income (NFI) and Marketing Efficiency (ME) were used in analyses of the data.  Results revealed that indigenous chicken production in the study area was mainly undertaken by women (81.81%) while the marketing was done by men. Majority of the respondents were between the age bracket of 41years and above (65.45%) while 34.55% were less than 40 years. The spread of gender revealed that males formed the majority (83.64%) with females accounting for 16.36%. About 65.46% were married, 18.18% were single and 16.36% were divorcees or widows/widowers (fell under others). The major occupation of the respondents was farming and chicken marketing (87.27%) which was mostly undertaken by the males. About 67.29% had one form of formal education or the other ranging from primary to tertiary. Marketing experience revealed that 58.18% of respondents had more than five years and 41.18% had below. Values of 40.92 and 168.77 accounted for return on sales and marketing efficiency, respectively, indicating that the enterprise was profitable in the study area. It is therefore, recommended that the production should be improved through good veterinary services and the marketers be encouraged with soft loans to expand both production and marketing services in the area.

Adoption of Oil Palm Production Technologies in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*ISIBOR, A.C. AND **UGWUMBA, C.O.A.

*Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Anambra State University, Anambra State, Nigeria.

**Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: chinweann@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study specifically examined level of adoption, determinants and constraints to the adoption of palm production technologies by palm farmers in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were respectively used to select five communities from the local government area and 50 oil palm farmers from the five selected communities for the study. Copies of structured interviewed instrument were administered to the respondents for data collection. Descriptive statistics and logistics regression were used in analyzing the data. Highest level of adoption (76%) of the oil palm production technologies was achieved with ring weeding technology, while use of fertilizer scored 62% to become the least adopted production technology. Level of adoption was statistically, significant and positively determined by membership of social organization, farm size, educational level and annual farm income. The greatest constraints to level of adoption of oil palm production technologies were high cost of the technologies and lack of finance. The provision of subsides and financial supports, as best suggested solutions to the problems faced by the farmers, would enable purchase of the technologies and improve their levels of adoption.