DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A SINGLE ROW GRAIN CROP PLANTER FOR SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS

Gbadamosi, A. L.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology
Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Email address: lateefgbadamosi64@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The primitive methods used by the small scale farmers for planting grain crops constitute a major problem for enhancing higher productivity and yield of crops as this methods of seed planting results in low seed placement, at irregular depth and irregular plant to plant and row to row spacing. In order to increase the productivity of the peasant farmers a single –row crop planter for small scale farmer was developed and evaluated. The major components of the planter are hopper, the meterins
unit, the drive mechanism, furrow opener, seed delivery tube, adjustable handle and furrow covering device. Field test was performed to determine the planting efficiency and field efficiency. The evaluation test showed that the planter has planting efficiency of 68%, 81% and 76% and field efficiency of 71%, 83% and 74% at operating speed of 1.8km/hr, 1.2km/hr and 0.9km/hr respectively. The conclusions drawn from the performance
evaluation of the planter revealed that the planter had best performance at operating speed of 1.2km/hr, followed by performance at operating speed of 0.9km/hr and minimum performance at operating speed of 1.8km/hr and above.
Keywords: Development, performance, single-row, planter.

EFFECT OF AGRICULTURAL AND MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Abdul Raheem Olamide
Email:el.nilojr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The contributions of Agricultural and Manufacturing Sectors to Economic Growth cannot be overemphasized. This study examined the effect of agricultural and manufacturing productivity on economic growth in Nigeria using data for the period 1980 to 2020. The tests for time series properties of the variables was carried out by Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test which suggested that the variables are integrated of order 1. Hence, the error correction model was used to estimate the short run coefficients of the model. The co-integration test indicated the presence of a long run relationship among the variables. The results reveal that
agricultural output has a positive and significant effect on economic
growth both in the short run and in the long run while manufacturing output only has a positive relationship with economic growth in the short run. In the long run, the relationship is negative but insignificant. The study suggested that investment in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors should be promoted to stimulate economic growth. Also, a stable exchange rate system should be encouraged and maintained to boost economic growth.
Keywords: Agricultural Sector, Manufacturing Sector, Economic
Growth

CAUSES AND EFFECT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION ON FARMERS’ OUTPUT AND INCOME IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Suleiman Rabiu Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Institute for Agricultural Research/ Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Email: rabiu.suleiman@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the causes and effects of rural-urban migration on farmers’ output and income in the three senatorial districts of Kwara State. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and focused group discussion (FGD). Two hundred and fiftysix respondents comprising of 149 migrant families and 107 non-migrant families were sampled using stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics and t-test statistics analytical tools were used to achieve the stated objectives of the study. The findings reveal that majority (72.0%)
of the respondents were male, 34.0% were within the age range of 41-50, 62.0% were married, and 69.0% had no formal education. The study also shows that 69.5% of the migrants migrated in search of job opportunities, 35.6% migrated in order to abandon rural farming activities. Results of t-test statistic on the impacts of rural-urban migration on the household output and income of famers revealed that the average output of nonmigrant household was 12213.41 kg and average output of migrant household was 6524.36 Kg. The study recommends that establishment of vocational training centers in the rural areas for training youths by the
government for self-employment and assisted with micro loans as a startup capital after graduation will go a long way to reduced rural-urban migration.
Keyword: Rural-urban, migration, output, Farmers’ income.

THE CHALLENGES AND REMEDIES OF SMALL SCALE BRIOLER PRODUCTION

Danwe A.B Aishatu Foku, A. A. Liman, Finlak E & Mamiso J. B.
Department of Animal Production
College of Agriculture Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria
Email:augustinedanwe@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This survey studied the challenges and remedies of small-scale broiler production in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. Respondents were drawn from six wards that make up Bali A, Bali B, Suntai, Maihula, Kaigama and Kusum wards. The respondents were small-scale broiler producers. Two hundred and forty (240) producers were selected through a system of random sampling. Data collected were on constraints and possible remedies associated with small-scale broiler production in the
study area. Structured questionnaires where the instrument used for data collection. Analytical tool used were percentages. Therefore, percentages were used to describe the constraints and remedies associated with small-scale broiler production. The result revealed that majority of the respondents on major constraints faced by the producers were not significantly affected in the proportion of 17.5%, 17.1%, 16.7%, 16.2% and 15.8% mostly in disease/pest, mortality, poor quality ingredients, credit/loan, cost of feed and technical know-how. While the major possible solutions to the constraints of small-scale broiler producers, which followed same trend in percentages and ironically invariables. Likewise, the minor constraints of small-scale broiler producers designated proportionally as 17.5%, 17.1% and 16.2% were also not significantly related to one another and to the minor possible solutions
of constraints of small-scale broiler producers which government must tackle so as to enhance the commercialization of small-scale broiler industry in Nigeria.
Keyword: Broiler Chickens, Massive Production, Fast growth,
Reversing Inadequate Protein.

EVALUATION OF THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF THREE SPECIES OF CANAVALIA UNDER THE HUMID TROPICAL LOWLANDS OF SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

1Nkwocha, G. A., 2Ihenacho, L. U., 1Anukam, K. U., 3Chikere, C., 4Adumanya, O.C.
1Department of Animal Production and Health Tech, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo – Ohaji,
2Department of Agricultural Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo – Ohaji,
3Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo – Ohaji,
4Department 0f Science Laboratory Technology Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo – Ohaji,
Email: geffmacnkwo@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The trial was conducted at the Research and Teaching farm, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo. The experiment was arranged in a factorial design fitted into a Randomized Completely Block Design with four (4) replications.
Each replication is made up of 9 plots making a total of 36 plots. The treatments include T1 – 0t/ha Pig manure, 10t/ha and 15t/ha which were applied to three varieties of canavalia spp. Data were obtained at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting on plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf area and the number of pods/plant obtained. At 10 weeks after planting. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) result indicates that 15t/ha performed best in all the three varieties of canavalia spp. However the best result was observed from canavalia gladiata (V1) in all the parameters investigated. Therefore canavalia gladiata (V1) is adaptable in the study area than V2 (canavalia ensiformis) and V3 (canavalia rosea).
Keywords: Growth and yield, Canavalia, tropical, south east Nigeria.

IN-SITU-TRANSESTERIFICATION OF COTTON SEEDS OIL (GOSSYPIUM SPP) USING CaO DERIVED FROM EGG SHELL AS CATALYST

Y. Ibrahim, Abba Maman Manirou & Surajo Ali

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua

Community Health Department, College of Health and Technology Nguru, Nigeria.

Email:ibrazuby@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In-situ-transesterification of cottonseed oil (Gossypium spp) was carried out with 5g calcium oxide derived from egg shell as catalyst using soxhlet extraction apparatus and 1:1 of n-hexane to methanol. All the transesterification reactions were carried out at 60⁰C for 2 hrs. The results produced a biodiesel with 35.75% yield, water and sediment content 0.08%, density 0.85g/cm³, specific gravity 0.85, saponification value 16.83mgKOH/g, acid value 0.79mgKOH/g, iodine value 59.22I₂/100g, cetane number 357.28, and high heating value 47.85MJ/kg. The GC/MS results indicated the presence of tetradecanoic acid methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 11-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, 6-octadecenoic acid (z)-methyl ester, octadecanoic acid methyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid oleic acid and 2-ethyl-2-hexanal. Thus, the processing of cottonseed oil into methyl ester using soxhlet extraction method is recommended as it required low energy input as compare to conventional method.

Keywords: transesterification; biodiesel, cottonseed; GC/MS.