Table of Contents

Effect of Malaria Prevalence on Farm Productivity of Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria

Osuji, E.E.,Ehirim, N.C., Anyanwu, U.G., Okwara, M.O                                                             1-19

Physicochemical Parameters of Water and their Effects on Fish Production

Kasim Lawal Ibrahim                                                                                                              20-31

Agricultural Development Innovation: Adopting Sustainable Soil Management Practices among Rural Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Akalonu, Eberechi Chizoma Obiah Mmadubuike Emmanuel .U.

Onyeagoro, Chidinma R. Duru, Lawreta .A., Okonya-Chukwu, Chinyere R.                            32-51

Socio-Economic and Ecological Implications of the Rehabilitation of Agodi Garden, Ibadan after 2011 Flood

Adedoyin, S.O and Lameed, G. A                                                                                             52-79

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REHABILITATION OF AGODI GARDEN, IBADAN AFTER 2011 FLOOD

¹Adedoyin, S.O and ²Lameed, G. A

¹ Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Benin, Nigeria

²Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Email: adedoyin.so.mnim@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This work aimed at highlighting the socio-economic and ecological implications of rehabilitating Agodi Garden after the 2011 flood in Ibadan. The study used an interviewed-administered questionnaire. Two types of questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed and presented in percentages as well as in Pearson moment correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics. Results showed that majority of respondents had tertiary education (89.0; 55.6%); were males (60.0; 55.6%) and were Nigerians (102.0; 94.4%). It was shown in table 3 and figure 2 that there was remarkable increase in tourists’ influx. Increase in tourists’ influx rate was significant .000* (P<0.05 at levels), while other implications of rehabilitation (such as ecological and environmental) were also significant .048* (P<0.05 at levels). Majority of the respondents perceived that rehabilitation was excellent (36.0; 33.3%); would yield financial gain (97.0; 89.8%); would serve as tourists’ attraction (5.0; 4.6%), would as well as cause destruction of the vegetative cover and loss of soil micro-organisms (3.0; 2.8%). On the other hand, the staff perceived that rehabilitation would lead to employments creation (28.0%); enhance research opportunities (18%); bring about landscape with good walk-way network (18%) and flood control and relaxation services (27%). However, some respondents further opined that rehabilitation would have negative effects which included loss of natural wetlands and degradation (5.0%); trampling on soil structure (2.0%) and environmental pollution (1.0%). Other negative effects perceived by the staff that the rehabilitation of the garden would cause included displacement and migration of fauna and avifaunal species (27.0%); destruction of rare habitats and age-long tree species (27.0%) and environmental pollution (9.0%). Finally, considering the socio-economic gains of the garden and the ecological alterations during the rehabilitations, it is very imperative to always have the conservation objective in mind over economic objective during construction, reconstruction, development, re-development or rehabilitation of any nature-based area, like Agodi Gardens and Park.

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION: ADOPTING SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

¹Akalonu, Eberechi Chizoma ²Obiah Mmadubuike Emmanuel .U.

³Onyeagoro, Chidinma R. ⁴Duru, Lawreta .A., ⁵Okonya-Chukwu, Chinyere R.

^1,3,4,5Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri

²Department of Accountancy, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo

Email: madoxlimo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examined the current issues on adopting sustainable soil management practices among rural farmers in Imo State as a way of encouraging agricultural development innovation. The paper adopted qualitative research design to gain insight into the matters of agricultural development innovation in Imo State. The researchers used content analysis, therefore, the paper which is theoretical in outlook draws its debate basically from secondary data. Rogers diffusion of innovations was adopted in drawing out the theory that formed the foundation of this study. The study identified adopting innovations particularly in sustainable soil management practices among rural farmers as a prerequisite to agricultural development. The paper suggested that agricultural development innovations as the way out of the present economic doldrum in Nigeria.

Keywords: Development, Innovation, Sustainability, Soil Management, Rural Farmers.

EFFECT OF MALARIA PREVALENCE ON FARM PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

¹Osuji, E.E., ²Ehirim, N.C., ²Anyanwu, U.G., ²Okwara, M.O

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike

 ²Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo

Email: osujiemeka2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effect of malaria prevalence on farm productivity of farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents who sourced malaria treatment from health care service providers with the aid of a well structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, malaria prevalence and incidence rate model, productivity index model, as well as ordinary least square multiple regression model. Farmers had a mean age of 49 years, 8 persons per household, 8 years educational attainment, and mean household income of N52,606. The result shows a mean extension effectiveness of 20.3%. This is low compared to a recommended effectiveness of over 80% by World Health Organization. The study shows that Farmers with the highest TFP index between 4.081 to 5.15 have the least average RMP of 15.8%. Linear function was selected as the lead equation which indicates that; malaria prevalence rate, education, age, household income, cost of malaria treatment, distance to health centers and type of health service providers are significant and contributed to the malaria incidence on farm productivity of the farmers. The study recommends the use of mosquito treated bed-nets to be equitably distributed to the farmers and other malaria prevention measures should be encouraged through effective health extension services in the study area.