Table of Contents

Socio-Economic Analysis of Broiler Production in Aguata L.G.A. of Anambra

State, Nigeria. Implication for Entrepreneurship Development in a Developing

Economy

UcheOkeke                                                                                                                             1 – 14

Structure, Conduct and Performance of Sawn Wood Market in Ibadan, Oyo

State, Nigeria

Olugbire, O.O.                                                                                                                          15-27  

Physico-Chemical and Vitamin Constituents of Honey Samples Obtained from

Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

Adenekan, M.O.                                                                                                                       28-44

Information Needs and Utilization of Fish Value Chain Actors in Girei and Yola

North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Polycarp, M.                                                                                                                             45-56

Comparative Analysis of Costs and Returns in Hybrid and Non Hybrid Maize

Production in Osun State, Nigeria

Nkamigbo, D.C.                                                                                                                       57-71

Effect of Different Levels of Organic Manure (Poultry droppings) on the

Growth and Yield of Benniseed: Sesamum Indicum Var. Mashesherenkaka.

As Produced in Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Yelwa Bauchi.

Nanyi J.I. Dutse, Abarshi Titus, Musa Yusuf & Usman Sa’adu.                                                 72 – 82

Economic Analysis of Processing Palm Kernel in Kwaebibirem District, Ghana                     

Rebecca Sarku                                                                                                                         83-101

Effect of Different Levels of Organic Manure (Poultry droppings) on the Growth and Yield of Benniseed: Sesamum indicum var. Mashesherenkaka as Produced in Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Yelwa, Bauchi

Nanyi J.I. Dutse, Abarshi Titus, Musa Yusuf and Usman Sa‘adu

College of Agriculture Yelwa, Bauchi State

Email: nanyijd@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) belongs to the plant division Spermatophyta, subdivision Angiospermae, genus Sesamum with about 36 species, commonly referred to as benniseed in English in Nigeria. Nigeria is endowed with favorable ecologies for sesame cultivation. However low yield potential of the crop coupled with problems encountered during its establishment and harvesting tend to discourage growers. Considering its economic importance, it is anticipated that high yielding varieties could attract more farmers to its production. Scarcity and the expensive nature of inorganic fertilizer coupled with its potential negative impact on environment have led to the increase use of organic manure in crop production.  Poultry droppings as an organic manure rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium has been found to have positive impact on the growth and yield of sesame crop. This therefore triggered the desire for further investigation on the effect of different levels of organic manure (poultry droppings) on the growth and yield of a potentially high yielding, white seeded sesame var. mashesherenkaka. With the view to releasing the findings from these investigations to interested sesame producers in the study area to help guide them to the use of the optimum level of organic manure for high yield and better economic return. Two separate experiments were conducted in the research farm of Bauchi State College of agriculture, Yelwa, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The treatments were four levels of organic manure (poultry droppings); which were 0(control), 15, 20, 25 tonnes/ha. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete. The plot size was 2 x 2 m= 4m^2.The various levels of organic manure were randomly applied to well demarcated plots at two weeks before seed sowing in each cropping season. Data collected and analysed using the SPSS analytical tool for the research periods were; plant height (cm) leaf area (cm2), number of branches, and capsules per plant, 1000 seed weight (g) and seed yield (Kg/ha). All through the period of the investigation it was observed that organic manure significantly (p=0.05) affected all parameters studied except number of branches per plant during 2013 study period which was statistically non significant.  Highest seed yield was observed in crops treated to 25tones/ha of poultry droppings, though the yield obtained in 2013 was almost doubled the value obtained in 2012. This could be associated to inconsistency in weather factors especially rainfall and wind speed at the time the crops are fully grown. It would be more appropriate for further studies to be made on the topic before arriving at a conclusive and reliable recommendation of an acceptable value of poultry droppings for effective production of sesame var. mashehserenkaka in the  study are.

Economic Analysis of Processing Palm Kernel in Kwaebibirem District, Ghana

Rebecca Sarku

Department of Geography and Resource Development

University of Ghana, Legon, Accra

Email: rsarku@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

Increasing demand for fats and oil for industrial production has resulted in net import of palm oil. In order to resolve this problem, various interventions have been implemented to boost palm oil production. Despite the application of numerous initiatives in the oil palm sector in Ghana, palm kernel oil production continued to decline. This study examined the profitability of processing palm kernel oil in order to identify gaps and possible ways palm kernel oil production can be enhanced to supplement demand for palm oil. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to elicit information for the study. Respondents indicated that they were no longer producing palm kernel oil but rather, they were only engaged in it treatment. Palm kernels were sold to other groups of processors who own modified equipment purposely designed to generate palm kernel oil. Findings on the profitability of this activity revealed that though women no longer generate oil from their activity, they earned average income of GH¢ 126.59 on a tonne of palm kernel. The viability of this activity was tested with a benefit-cost ratio, at a rate of 1.67. The test proved that treatment of palm kernels without the production of palm kernel oil is a profitable business.  It was discovered that this menial activity generates employment for 10-14 number of people in a mill. Processors called for state and private sector investment in the industry.

Keywords: Palm Nuts, Palm Kernel, Palm Oil, Kwaebibirem District, Palm Kernel Oil

Information Needs and Utilization of Fish Value Chain Actors in Girei and Yola North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Polycarp, M., Jauro P. and Abubakar M.G.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State

Email: markpolycarp@gmail.com,

ABSTRACT

The study examined information needs and utilization of fish value chain actors in Girei and Yola North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study which was obtained with the use of a questionnaire. Snowball sampling technique was used to sample 81 fish farmers while random sampling technique was used to sample 133 fish processors, fresh fish marketers and 84 fish consumers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The information needs and utilization responses of the value chain actors include: feeding operation, marketing technique, storage and preservation technique. Efficient utilization of information on different fish technologies among value chain actors will always translate into efficiency in fish production, processing and marketing and help increase productivity.Information is shown to be an important element in creating awareness which generate interest in new and improved innovations in different life’s’ endeavours. The study therefore, recommended that fishery extension services be provided across the value chain and capacity building activities should be conducted for fish value chain actors on how to overcome the information needs and how to articulate their information needs in a more coherent manner.

Physico-Chemical and Vitamin Constituents of Honey Samples Obtained from Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

Adenekan, M.O., Adelekan, B.A. and Oluwatoyinbo, F.I.

Department of Agriculture

Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria

Email: mopadenekan@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

A total of thirty six honey samples collected from different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria were investigated for their physico-chemical and vitamin contents. The results revealed that honey had an average electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.27mS/cm, moisture content, 25.33%, ash content, 0.63 %, pH 3.82 and hygroscopicity, 1.43. The colour ranged from light green to dark amber. The value of hydroxymethyfural content ranged from 0.01 – 0.06 ppm while total acidity ranged from 13.60-41.60meq/kg. The value of 52.95%fructose sugar obtained from the Sudan Savanna was significantly different from the values of 27.76%and 28.90% obtained from Mangrove Forest and Tropical Rain Forest respectively. The average values of glucose and sucrose obtained from Nigerian honey were 26.12% and 1.10% respectively. The honey samples showed a very low average protein value of 0.038ppm. Potassium (k) had the highest value of 6.34ppm followed by iron (Fe), 6.34ppm while calcium (Ca) had the least value of 0.40 ppm in Nigerian honey. Results of the vitamin content showed that five vitamins were detected (Biotin, Riboflavin, Thianine, Ascorbic acid and Folic acid) in honey obtained from different agro-ecological zones with absorbic acid having the highest value of 0.31 ppm.

Structure, Conduct and Performance of Sawn Wood Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

¹Olugbire, O.O, ²Aremu, F.J, ¹Ayomide, A.A, ¹Olawale, O.O

¹Departmentof Forest Economics and Extension Service, Forestry Research Institute of                                     Nigeria, Jericho, Ibadan

²Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examines the structure, conduct and performance of sawn wood market in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Primary data obtained from 150 marketers was used and analyzed with descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and Gini- Coefficient. The result of the analysis revealed that sawn wood market in Ibadan was not concentrated and there is free entry and exit. Marketing of sawn wood in the study area is a profitable business as the benefit-cost ratio was 1.11. Cost of acquisition (48.67%) determines the price; open display method is mostly used to attract buyers. There are wide differences in the sawn wood present in the market especially in terms of quality and sources. Sawn wood market association is functional and effective in the study area as 91.33% of the marketers claimed to be active members. The market similarly has strong legal back up with stand-by market police, guards and legislation. Social/emotional (29.33%), financial (16.67%) and settling of disputes among members are among what members enjoy from the association.  Business colleagues and association meetings are the main sources of market information in the study area.

Socio-Economic Analysis of Broiler Production in Aguata L.G.A. of Anambra State, Nigeria. Implication for Entrepreneurship Development in a Developing Economy

Uche Okeke

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

E-mail: stan2kc@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study analyzes the economics of broiler poultry production in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The data for this study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires from 50 respondents selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. The parameters of the production were estimated using regression analysis. Descriptive and statistical tools were used to analyses socio-economic factors and problem militating against production. Gross margin, net farm income and net return analysis were used to estimate profitability of broiler poultry production in the area. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents showed that majority of the respondents are married 40% and most of the respondents are male 78%, 74% are aged 46 years and above while family size for poultry farmers are 6-7 in the study area. Majority (58%) attended only primary school. The gross margin, net farm income and net return on investment are N11,078,440, N 8,013,715 and 0.74 respectively. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that three variable age, flock size and cost of input are statistically significant in the lead equation while other are not.