ANALYSIS OF CREDIT USE BY THE BENEFICIARIES OF BANK OF AGRICULTURE IN ONITSHA AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,

                                           Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria          

Email: victorokeke76@gmail.com

Abstract: The studies evaluate the credit use by the beneficiaries of Bank of Agriculture in Onitsha Agricultural Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. it specifically examine the socio-economic characteristics of the small-scale farmers that benefited from B.O.A. credit facilities; identify other sources of credit available to the farmers and utilization of credit; determine amount requested, amount approved amount disbursed and amount repaid by the beneficiaries during the study period; compare the relationship between amount requested, approved, disbursed and repaid; identify constraints to credit provision and utilization by the bank and farmers respectively and derive policy implication base on finding. Sampling procedure will involve multistage random sampling method where stage one will be selection of five L.G.A. Out of thirteen L.G.As. Stage two will involve random selection one community from each of five selected L.G.As. They include Omor, Aguleri, Umunya, Nkpor, and Atani communities. Finally at stage three, 10 farmers will be selected by random method from each of the five selected communities making it 50 respondents. Data collected was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics tools such as means frequency distribution, percentages and paired sample T-test. The result of the study showed that 52% of the respondents collected credit from B.O.A. the loan volume requested is N97, 4 billion amount approved was N82, 2 billion repaid, amount due was N73, 8 billion and amount outstanding was N18.6 billion. The constraints are difficulty of providing acceptance guarantor, cumbersome bureaucratic problem, high interest rate and untimely loan.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION IN AHIAZU MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,

Anambra State University, Uli

E-mail: victorokeke76@gmail.com.

Abstract: The study examined the economics of pineapple production in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. It specifically examined the socioeconomic characteristic of pineapple famers; reassessed the influence of respondent’s socioeconomic factors on production output, estimated costs and returns and identified the constraints militating against pineapple production in the study area. Primary data used for this research were collected through the aid of structured questionnaire simple random sampling was used to select 50 respondents. Finding on the socio-economic characteristics showed that about 50% of the farmers were males; majority of them fell within the age bracket of 41-50 years. Majority (76%) were married 50% attained tertiary institution, 54% had household size between 6-10 persons, majority of the farmers (76%) had 10 years of experience in pineapple production, (68%) with farm size ranging between 0.6-1.0 hectare. The study proved that the enterprise is profitable given the positive values of gross margin (N659, 640), net farm income (N466, 480) and net return on investment (0.83). Using multiply regression, the production output indicated that farm size; cost of labour and fertilizer had statistical and significant influence on production output while others like age, house hold size, gender, level of education and marital status had no statistically and significant influence on production output. The constraints of pineapple production are lack of extension service, lack of information on modern technology; poor storage facilities etc. For more efficient production, farmers should form cooperative society to enable them negotiate for credit facilities, provide modern storage facilities etc.Keywords:              Socio-Economic Characteristics of Pineapple Farmers, Production Output, Gross Margin, Net Farm Income, Net Return on Investment and Constraints of

STUDIES ON THE ABIOTIC CONDITIONS OF KARIDNA RESERVOIR IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abdulazeez, M.T¹., Wada, Y¹., Areo, O.O¹., Balarabe, M.L²., Abdullahi, S.A.²

^*1Department of Biology Federal College of Education, Zaria, Nigeria

^*2Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Email: limnology9@gmail.com, wadayusuf34@gmail.com, olaitanareo@yahoo.com, mlbalarabe@gmail.com &shuaibu.abdull@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study seeks to investigate the Physico-chemical parameters of Karidna Reservoir in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The investigation was carried out for a period of one year between October 2013 and September 2014. Five sampling stations were chosen. The physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods, procedures and instruments. The results showed that pH had a range 6.19-8.63,Temperature 25.94-31.54 ^oC, Electrical Conductivity 38.20-64.20µS/cm, Total Dissolved Solids 19.20-37.20 mg/l, Transparency 19.40-40.10 cm  Dissolved Oxygen 2.40-6.81mg/L, Hardness 3.48-174.4mg/L Calcium 2.14-3.86mg/L, Biological Oxygen Demand 2.91-40.85mg/L, Chloride 2.28-3.58mg/L Phosphate-phosphorus 0.04-0.24mg/L, Nitrate- Nitrogen 0.14-0.30mg/L, Sulphate 0.06-0.21mg/L and Alkalinity with 2.51-5.04mg/l.  Phosphate-phosphorus, Nitrate- Nitrogen, Sulphate, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Transparency, Dissolved Oxygen and Biological Oxygen Demand were highly significant at (P<0.01) between the seasons while non-significant differences were observed in Chloride, Hardness, Alkalinity, Temperature and pH.. Calcium was the only parameter that was significant at P<0.05. Non-significant differences were obtained across the stations. All the physico-chemical parameters revealed monthly and seasonal variations across stations.

IMPACTS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON THE HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES OF RIVERS STATE

Wokocha G.A.

Department of Integrated Science,

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Email: wkchgideon@yahoo.com

Abstract: This survey study was carried out to determine the impact of solid waste management strategies on the health of school children in oil producing communities of Rivers State.  To achieve the purpose of this study, fifteen item questionnaires were administered on ninety respondents randomly sampled from ten secondary schools in the area.  The data obtained was analysed with simple percentage.  The findings show the various methods of solid waste management, a substandard method is used by the school children.  The management strategies used impact negatively on the health of school children in the area.  Recommendations were also made.

Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Oil Producing Communities, Health of School Children

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SOILS WITHIN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN DELTA STATE

Ivwurie W., Emelife S.C., Sun C. and Snape C.

Department of Chemistry,

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

Email: wivwurie@yahoo.com.uk  

Abstract: Five soil samples from five different communities in Delta State were analyzed for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 1-17mgg^-1 with a mean concentration of 66mgg^-1  5.63mgg^-1. The PAH diagnostic ratio showed that all the soil samples have PAH inputs from liquid fossil fuel as a result of crude oil spillage from Shell operations in the study areas and also vehicular emissions. The high PAH concentrations show that all the soil samples had more input from exogenous sources than endogenous.

Keywords:    Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Crude Oil Spillage, Exogenous and Endogenous Sources

GEOPHAGIC PRACTICE AND ITS POSSIBLE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS – A REVIEW

Ogidi Odangowei I. & Omu Okiemute

Department of Science Laboratory Technology,

Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Email: oodangowei@yahoo.com

Abstract: Geophagia is the habitual and intentional ingestion of soil and clay deposits by humans and animals. It is a controversial centuries-old practice, common to all societies yet deeply frowned upon by many. The practice is due to reasons of culture, medicinal, religious and mineral deficiency. Geophagia has been reported to be common among pregnant women, lactating women, school children and people with psychiatric disorders and this is evidenced by the sale of geophagic materials in markets across Africa. Geophagia may be beneficial or detrimental to human health. Beneficial aspects include the use of kaolin as antidiarrhoeals, and for the allevation of gastrointestinal upsets, supplementation of mineral nutrients and relief of excess acidity in the digestive tract. Certain clays or soils have been identified as having special constituents, valuable as oral and topical antimicrobials as well adsorbents to toxins. Geophagia has been associated with iron deficiency anaemia. Other health implications of geophagia include constipation, intestinal obstruction, dental damage, peritonitis and eclampsia. Whatever the possible benefits that may accrue from such a habit, the risk of ingesting the eggs of parasitic worms as well as exposure to highly toxic bacteria and heavy metal poisoning cannot be excluded. The interplay of factors involved in geophagia, though varied, complicated and researched may not have been fully known.