DESIGN, FABRICATION AND PERFOMANCE EVALUATION OF AN IMPROVED CASSAVA MASH SIFTER

Kudabo, E.A; Onipede, E.A and Adegbenro, O. A

Department of Agricultural Engineering and Water Resources

Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin

ABSTRACT

A  Motorized Cassava Mash Sifter was developed and evaluated. The Sifter is powered by an electric motor; the dimension of the machine is 915mm × 455mm × 630mm.Test results show that the sifter has the highest efficiency of 93.3% at 26% moisture content at the sifting speed of 410rpm. Output Capacity of 136.2kg/hr was obtained and this increase as the Feed rate increases at 26% moisture content .Analysis of Variance for the Sifting Efficiency was computed and the result reveals that the speed and interaction of speed x federate and speed x federate x moisture content are significant at 5% probability. The machine is affordable and adequately manageable therefore recommended for the small scale Cassava Processor.   

Key words: Mash, Sifter, Sifting Efficiency, Cassava and Fabrication

EXTRACTION FRACTIONS OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE) AND RESIDUE IN THE CONTROL OF FIELD AND STORAGE PESTS

¹Amuji, C.F., B.C. Echezonaand ²Dialoke, S.A,

¹ Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

² School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

E-mail: chineduamuji@yahoo.com or felix.amuji@unn.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Field and laboratory studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of six aqueous extraction  rates ( 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%) of ginger and residues in the control of okra flea beetles and cowpea bruchid (Callosbruchus maculatus F.) respectively, in Nigeria. The field experiment was a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Laboratory experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with four replications. Attacke 2.5 EC ^® (lambdacyhalothrin) treated and untreated plots were used  as field controls. Actellic 2% dust ^® (pirimiphous methyl) treated and untreated grains constituted the controls of the laboratory experiment. Podagrica uniforma (Jacoby) and Nisotra sjostedti (Jacoby) populations were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the field at different ginger extractions rates compared with the untreated. Lambdacyhalothrin treated plots significantly (P<0.05) produced a better yield than the untreated, while plots with higher rates of ginger (20%, 25%, and 30%) significantly (P<0.05) performed better than  their lower rates and untreated plots. Okra fruit weight per plant was increased by 29% with 20% concentration; 43% by 25% concentration and 44% by 30% concentration relative to the untreated check. Higher concentrations of ginger residue (20%, 25%, and 30%) provided better protection against C. maculatus adult emergence compared to the untreated control. Fresh ginger extracts and its residues could therefore be harnessed in pre-and post-harvest pest control options respectively.

Keywords: cowpea bruchids, efficacy, flea beetles, plant protectants, pre- and post-harvest losses.

CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF DECLINE IN COCOYAM PRODUCTION IN EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY

¹Ugbajah, M.O. and ²Uzuegbuna C.O.

¹Department of Agric. Economics & Extension Anambra State University, Igbariam

²Faculty of Agriculture, Anambra State University, Igbariam

Email: maryosy11@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to investigate the causes of decline in cocoyam production in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Multistage sampling method was used to select 80 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using structured interview schedule, personal observation and focus group discussions. Non parametric and parametric stastical tools including means, percentages, and factor analysis. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean scores and factor analysis. Majority (58.7%) were males while only 31% of the farmers had no formal education.  The ten grown cultivars include Ugwuta Ezi Nkashi Okparakara/Belekwu Agbaka Akonoke/Eyionke Ikapo Indian Coco    Nachi Obuguo Enyemenya Akupe. While the three most prominent among them were Okpakara, Ugwuta and Ezi – Nkashi. The major causes of decline in cocoyam production among farmers in the area were agronomic, socio – cultural, logistic and marketing problems. The causes of decline in production of cocoyam can be tackled by making loans available to farmers, subsidizing the cost of cocoyam and other farm inputs used in the production processes. The study recommended that government should encourage and finance cocoyam based research programmes and introduce improved practices for cocoyam production and processing in all ecologically suitable localities in the study area and the state as whole.         

Key Word:   Production, Cocoyam, Food security and Income

EFFECT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY ON INCOME OF CASSAVA AND MAIZE FARMERS IN EGBA DIVISION OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

^*Ambali O. I., Ologbon O.A.C. and Akerele, E.O.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun State

E-mail:everlastingamtoyo@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT

Agricultural technology/innovation has been viewed to face challenges from both the policy makers and the farmers. This study examined the effect of agricultural technology on the income of cassava and maize farmers in Egba Division of Ogun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 160 farmers used for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique, multiple regression and probit model. The study revealed that the improved technology adopters are more educated and cultivated more land than the traditional technology users. The traditional technology adopters are older and more experienced in farming than the improved technology adopters. The budgetary analysis revealed that improved technology adopters earned more income than the traditional technology adopters. The multiple regression result showed that increase in farm size and labour inputs will lead to increase in net farm income while additional unit cost of planting material will decrease the net farm income. The probit model identifies the determinants of improved technology adoption to include age, household size, education, farm size, farming experience, extension contact and farm income. Policy option requires the traditional technology adopters to adopt the improved agricultural technologies in order to increase the income per unit of land cultivated. Also, there is need for improvement in the education of the traditional technology adopters as a panacea for adopting improved technology.

Keywords: agricultural technology, Farmers, Income, Nigeria

DEVELOPMENT OF A SANDCRETE BLOCK RHOMBUS

Adejumo, B.A

Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering

Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

Email: bolanleadejumo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The availability and cost of construction materials of traditional storage structures makes it adoption advantageous to the subsistence farmers despite their series of defects. The mud rhombus which is commonly used for grain storage in the northern parts of Nigeria has various defects occuring mainly in the roof, wall and foundation of the structure. These defects include cracks, leakages, and structural failure of parts among others. The main objective of this work is to develop a sandcrete block rhombus to solve the problems of cracks, insect pest infestation, structural failure of the foundation and roof as well as the unloading of stored grains. A 1.46 tones capacity experimental sandcrete block rhombus with a total volume of 2.46 m³ was designed to store shelled maize. The main structure was constructed using sandcrete blocks, cement, gravel and roofed using wood and roof asbestos. A trapezoidal metal sheet inclined at 30^o across the structure was incorporated to enhance the easy discharge of the loaded grains. The loading and unloading outlets are well secured to avoid pilfering. The cost of construction of the sandcrete block rhombus was estimated to be ₦60,000.  The use of more structurally durable materials as well as the ease of loading and unloading coupled with the locking devices gives the sandcrete block rhombus more advantage over the traditional rhombus. However further work need to be carried out to evaluate the performance of the sandcrete block rhombus using grain models of safe moisture content.

Keywords Development, construction, Mud rhombus, sandcrete silo

POULTRY ENTERPRISE COMBINATION AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA: A TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY APPROACH

^*Ologbon, Olugbenga A. C and Ambali, Omotuyole I.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro

E-mail: chrislogem@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The need for increase in income level and reduce the income and food poverty necessitated the combination of poultry enterprise among farmers in Nigeria. The study analyzed the technical efficiency of poultry enterprise combination among farmers in Yewa division of Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through a multistage process from 80 poultry farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive, budgetary and stochastic frontier analysis methods. The findings revealed that the farmers are still in their productive age with a mean age of 47 years. The budgetary analysis result showed that poultry farming is a profitable enterprise. The result of the stochastic frontier analysis showed that number of layers, number of broilers and feed are the major determinants of poultry revenue. In addition, age, education and years of experience in poultry production are the determinants of technical efficiency of the farmers. There is need to improve the efficiency of farmers by 31 per cent with the present technology. This study recommends additional unit of birds to address the problem of over-utilization of feed and to improve the efficiency level of the farmers. Lastly, education of poultry farmers need to be strengthened through adult literacy education as education had positive effect on the efficiency of farmers.

Key words: Poultry farmers, enterprise combination, technical efficiency, Nigeria     

SURVEY OF TICK SPECIES INFESTING THE ONE HUMPED CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Biu, A. A. and konto, M

Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology

University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A survey study of ticks of the one humped camel was conducted in Borno State, Nigeria between March and August 2007. Out of the 1054 ticks collected from 96 camels Hyalomma dromedarii had 928 (88.1%); Boophilus decoloratus 114 (10.8%); Amblyomma variegatum 9 (2.9%), while Rhipicephalus evertsi had 3 (0.3%) prevalence rates (p<0.05). Tick species had the highest preference for the perineum 82 (85.4%) with a tick burden of 354 and least preferred the abdominal flanks with 3(3.1%) with tick burden of 13, the scrotum 3(3%) with a tick burden of 13 and the hump 3(3.1%) with a tick burden of 5(p<0.05). Tick infestation was highest on camels aged between  3 and 8 years with 52 (54.2%) and least be 8(8.3%) between 15 and 19 years, while female camels were more infested  63(65.6%) than the male with 33 (34.4%) (p<0.05).

Keywords: – Survey, ticks, camels, Borno, Nigeria.