Table of Contents

Evaluation of Forage-Based Diets Fed to Rabbits for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Danwe A.B, Abdulrahman A.M and Musa Bakoji                                                                    1 – 9

Estimation of Profit Potentials for Sugarcane Production among Rural Farmers in Nigeria: Empirical Evidence from Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Daniel, J.D.                                                                                                                              10 – 23

Micro Credit Fund and Financing of Agricultural Production in Anambra State, Nigeria

Uche Okeke                                                                                                                             24 – 30

Economic Analysis of Marketing Locally Milled Rice at Micro Scale in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Ojumu, Segun and Adeyelu, Adegoke                                                                                      31 – 40

Environmental Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Production in Nigeria

Uche Okeke                                                                                                                             41 – 49

Impacts of Some Heavy Metals on the Population of Micro-Organisms in the

Soil of Maiganga Coal Mining Area, Gombe-Nigeria

Adamu, S.J., Umar, A.T. and Mahmoud, A.B.                                                                           50 – 58

Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Slaughtered in Monday Market in Maiduguri

City of Borno State, Nigeria.

Sewond, B., Ayi, A.S. and Musa, B.                                                                                           59 – 66

Comparative Study of the Fecundity and Growth Rate of Three Breeds of Rabbit-

(New-Zealand White, Chinchilla and California)

Okiyi, P.C., Ihukwumere F.C. and Kanu, C.N.                                                                           67 – 73

Effect of Moisture at Tillage on Bulk Density and Soil Strength

Shittu, K.A., Oyedele, D.J., Babatunde, K.M. and Adelekun, M.F                                                74 – 83

Seasonal Effect of a Comparative Study on Growth and Reproductive Performance

of Three Breeds of Rabbit

Okiyi, P.C. and Edoh, H.C.                                                                                                       84 – 92

A Histological and Histochemical Study of the Cerebral Cortex Following Acute

Lead Poisoning in Wistar Rats

Nwakanma A.A, Idaguko A., Nwozor C.M, Ofoego U.C, Okafor I.J, Ibemenuga E.                   93 – 105

Women Participation in Fish Marketing as a Source of Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State – Nigeria

Anita, D.A and Wachap, E.D.                                                                                                  106 – 111

Studies on the Trypanocidal and Haematological Effects of Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpinaceae) Stem Bark Aqueous Extract in Trypanosoma brucei Infected Albino Rats

Biu, A.A., Buratai, L.B., Mark, V.A., Samson, Y.,Mohammed, A., Paul, B.T., Fasuyi, F.H.,

Badau, J.S., Saidu, A.M., Comfort, Y. and Malang, S.K.                                                              112 – 123

The Use of Palm Kernel Cake in Replacement of Maize on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Reared in Rainforest Zone, Nigeria

Kperegbeyi, J.I and Eneruvie, B.E.                                                                                                        124 – 131

Performance Analysis of Micro-Finance and Agro-Industrial Development in Nigeria

Okpeke M.Y.                                                                                                                             132 – 144

Performance Analysis of Micro-Finance and Agro-Industrial Development in Nigeria

OKPEKE M.Y.

Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, School of Agriculture, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.

E-mail: mercyokpeke@gmail.com, okpekemercy@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The inadequate and frequent dearth of loans for financing agriculture has been a major impediment to agricultural development in most developing countries. This study on the performance analysis of micro-finance and agro-industrial development in Nigeria is therefore geared to identify microfinance institutions and other related institutions established for Agro-industrial development in Nigeria; to describe the sources of funding and performance of these finance institutions and to find out the justifications for their establishment. The paper employed only secondary data base on some key success indicators of some established Agro-financed Institutions in Nigeria. The findings show that weak institutional capacity, weak capital base, the existence of a huge un-served market, inadequate economic empowerment of the poor, insufficient employment generation and poverty reduction, the need for increased savings opportunity were some weaknesses of the existing Agro-financed Institutions in the Nigerian economy. In order to improve the performance of micro-finance services and Agro-industrial development would require people-centred programmes, full participation of the people, establishment of institutional infrastructure as well as social services and effective use of co-operative societies and unions for progress and success in the agro and allied industry sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Use of Palm Kernel Cake in Replacement of Maize on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Reared in Rainforest Zone, Nigeria

¹KPEREGBEYI, J.I AND ²ENERUVIE, B.E.

¹Department of Agricultural Technology, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

E-mail: jameslovekperegbeyi@gmail.com or james_kperegbeyi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the performance and economics of broilers fed diets containing graded levels of palm kernel cake at Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Poultry Research Farm, between January and February, 2013. Two hundred Hubbard strain of broiler chicks were  randomly allotted to five diets in which palm kernel cake replaced maize at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % levels designated as diets A, B, C, D and E respectively. Each treatment diet was replicated 4 times consisting of 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD).The data generated were subjected to analysis of variance techniques as described by Steel and Tome (1980). Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the feeding trial lasted for eight weeks. The diets were iso-nitrogenous but at varying caloric levels. The daily feed consumption of the birds significantly increased as the levels of palm kernel cake increased up to 75 % of maize replacement. Daily weight gain of 42.09 g, 42.61 g and 50.06 g for broiler chicks fed diets B, C and D respectively was significantly affected by dietary replacement of maize with palm kernel cake variety during the starter phase. The result showed that chicks on diets containing 25, 50 and 75 % palm kernel cake gained significantly more weight than those in control and 100 % palm kernel cake diets. Feed conversion ratio of 2.96, 2.99, 2 60, 2,53, and 2.31 at starter phase and 2.76, 2.62, 2.56, 2.48, and 2.34 at finisher phase for diets A, B, C, D and E showed no significant difference among the dietary treatment during both starter and finisher phases. The overall average daily feed intake and-weight gain (0 – 8 weeks) was not significantly affected by dietary treatments (P<0.05). Economic analysis showed that feed cost in Naira per kg decreased with increasing levels of palm kernel cake up to 75 %. The result of this study revealed that palm kernel cake variety could completely replace maize in broiler diets without depression in performance, however, 75 % level of replacement is more economical and therefore recommended.

Studies on the Trypanocidal and Haematological Effects of Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpinaceae) Stem Bark Aqueous Extract in Trypanosoma brucei Infected Albino Rats

¹BIU, A.A., ²BURATAI, L.B., ²MARK, V.A., ²SAMSON, Y., ¹MOHAMMED, A., ¹PAUL, B.T., ³FASUYI, F.H.,⁴BADAU, J.S., ⁵SAIDU, A.M., ⁶COMFORT, Y. AND ⁷MALANG, S.K.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

³National Biotechnology Development Agency, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁷Department of Veterinary Parasitology & Entomology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Studies on the trypanocidal efficacy and the haematological effects of Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpinaceae) stem bark aqueous extract on Trypanosoma brucei infected albino rats was conducted in Maiduguri, Nigeria. There was a progressive increase in parasite count In vivo in the infected untreated (negative control) and infected extract treated groups of rats as from the 2^nd day post inoculation, but became significant (p<0.05) on the 8^th day in these groups, while the rats infected and treated with diminazene aceturate (positive control) showed disappearance in parasites in their systemic circulation from the 12^th day post treatment. Complete cessation of motility of parasites was observed In vitro 10 minutes post inoculation with the concentrations of 1mg/10ml and 2 mg/10ml of Cassia sieberiana stem bark aqueous extract respectively. At the concentration of 4 mg/10ml, the motility count was zero at 5 minutes. Motility was observed in parasites in the micro titre well used as control but ceased after 30 minutes. The haematological parameters of the rats treated with graded doses of the stem bark aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana had significant (p<0.05) decrease in PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC, while the diminazene aceturate (Veriben^®) treated albino rats had insignificant (p>0.05) decrease when compared to the rats in the control group. This study has indicated a decrease in mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC%) with a significant (p<0.05) increase in mean cell volume values of extract treated albino rats compared with the normal and positive control groups.Theextract had suppressive effect on monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils counts of extract treated rats when compared to the differential leucocytic counts of the control group. There was insignificant (p>0.05) increase in monocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophils, and a decrease in neutrophils count in albino rats treated with diminazene aceturate when compared to the differential leucocytic count of the albino rats in the control group. This study has revealed the toxic effect of aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark on the haematology of albino rats and its In vitro trypanocidal activity on Trypanosoma brucei.   

Women Participation in Fish Marketing as a Source of Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State – Nigeria

ANITA, D.A AND WACHAP, E.D.

Home and Rural Economic Department

College of Agriculture Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: juliusnyameh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study attempts to asses women perception in fish marketing as a source of economic empowerment and poverty reduction in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba state in Nigeria. Seven (7) political wards were randomly selected with ten (10) fish marketers selected from each ward. A total of seventy (70) structured questionnaires were administered among the selected fish marketers through random sampling techniques. The result shows that majority of the fist marketers are youths (38.57%, 28.57% and 4.30%) respectively. Similarly, all the respondents are females (100%), most of the women involved in the survey are married women (42.86%) while the rest were single, divorced and widows (28.5%, 18.57% and 10%) respectively. The sampled population has 42.86% primary school leavers only 20% of the sampled size has not attended formal education. Most of them 42.86% were engaged in marketing of smoked fish while 7.14% were involved in marketing of live fish. Half of the respondents (50%) get their capital for operation through the local community bank while 7.14% do not have access to any form of loan except gift through friends and relations. It was therefore, concluded that women participation in fish marketing is a potential economic activity in the area that need to be motivated and encouraged by engaging especially the single women and ladies by providing them with a viable source of capital in form of loans from perhaps commercial banks in the area at a less interest rate. This when done will empower the women economically and it will reduced and/or eradicate poverty to a tolerable level among the inhabitants particularly the women fold.

A Histological and Histochemical Study of the Cerebral Cortex Following Acute Lead Poisoning in Wistar Rats

NWAKANMA A.A¹, IDAGUKO A.², NWOZOR C.M³, OFOEGO U.C¹, OKAFOR I.J¹, IBEMENUGA E¹.

¹Anatomy Department, Anambra State University, Uli Campus, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

²Anatomy Department, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, Nigeria. 

³Physiology Department, Anambra State University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: corneliusnwozor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The effect of acute lead poisoning on the cerebral cortex of wistar rat was investigated. Twenty adult wistar rats weighing 200-220g were randomly divided into four groups designated A, B, C and D with five rats in each group. Group A served as control and received food and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Groups B, C and D were given food and water contaminated with 100ppm, 1000ppm and 5000ppm of lead acetate respectively ad libitum for 21days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed using chloroform anesthesia. The whole brains were fixed in formol saline; cerebral cortex was then dissected and processed for routine H and E staining and Nissl substance using cresyl fast violet method. Results showed dose dependent weight loss (P<0.05). Histologically, the cerebral cortex of group B rats showed hypertrophied cells, group C showed vacuolations around cells with few cells at various stages of cell death while group D showed hypertrophied cells with many cells at various stages of cell death. There was also dose dependent chromatolysis in the treatment groups stained for Nissl substance when compared with the control. These results revealed that the toxic effect of lead exposure is dose dependent.

Seasonal Effect of a Comparative Study on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Three Breeds of Rabbit

¹OKIYI, P.C. AND ²EDOH, H.C.

¹National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Abia State University, Umuahia Location, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail: okiyipatrickc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The experiment was carried out to find out the effect of season on growth and reproduction of rabbits in Nigeria. The rabbits used in this experiment consist of ten (10) Does and three (3) Bucks from each breed of rabbits. The three breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla and California. Water and concentrate were readily available ad libitum with forage like guinea grass-Panicum maximum and elephant grass- Pennisetum purpurem which was supplied two (2) to three (3) times a week for fiber requirement. The experiment lasted for five (5) months; between November to March, at the peak of the dry season. One way classification and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with equal replication; while the Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test was used to compare mean among the three breeds of rabbits, as described by Steel and Torrie (1960). Results showed that there were significant difference (P<0.05) in number of kids born alive, litter birth weight and doe weight change between kindling and weaning. It further shows that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the other characteristics. The result of the study showed that New Zealand White kindled more kids alive than either of the two breeds. The change in does weight at kindling and weaning also showed that New Zealand White was heaviest than either of the two breeds (p<0.05). Chinchilla delivered the heaviest kids among the breeds tested (P<0.05).

Effect of Moisture at Tillage on Bulk Density and Soil Strength

¹SHITTU, K.A., ¹OYEDELE, D.J., ²BABATUNDE, K.M. AND ADELEKUN, M.F

¹Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Technology, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Saki Campus, Oyo State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: mbabatundekayode@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at investigating the changes in bulk density and soil strength in response to soil moisture contents at tillage and to manage the soil in relation to soil conservation. The experimental units were ploughed at different moisture content ranging from 19% MCI to 13% MC4 except control plots which were sprayed with systematic herbicide.  The soil ranged between sandy loams to loamy sand in the profile. The experiment was carried out at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (OAUT & R.F), Ile-Ife in 2011. The experimental field was 0.6ha and was laid out in a modified randomized complete block design RCBD. For the first cropping session, cone index was significantly lowest for MC2 treatment 1.35kg/cm² followed by MC3 treatment 1.32kg/cm² at 0-5 cm soil depth, no tillage which had the highest value 1.84kg/cm². At 5-10cm soil depth, MC3 had significantly lowest cone index 1.57 kg/cm² also no significant difference was also recorded for the bulk densities of the two seasons considered. However, there was a significant difference among the treatments for initial bulk density considered. MC3 had the highest bulk density value 1.48a glcm³ followed by MC1, 1.44ab glcm³ and MC4 1.43ab glcm³, the least value was recorded for MC2, 1.32b glcm³.