Profitability of Alley Farming with and without Fallow in Southwest Nigeria

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Jabbar ◽  
A. Larbi ◽  
L. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Capital Budgeting ◽  
Humid Zone ◽  
Alley Farming ◽  
Mining Soil ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Project Cycle ◽  
On Farm

SUMMARYThe profitabilities of three land use systems in the humid zone of southwest Nigeria are compared using a capital budgeting procedure combining on-station and on-farm experimental data. The systems are: non-alley farming with fallow; alley farming with fallow; and continuous alley farming. The results indicate that: continuous alley cropping is more profitable than non-alley or alley cropping with fallow; short fallowing in alley cropping reduces the rate of mining soil fertility and thus helps preserve future productivity; alley farming with small ruminants enhances the profitability of alley systems and increases their advantage over the non-alley system; and alley systems remain profitable even when terminal clearing costs are internalized in the current project cycle.

MANAGING NATURAL PASTURE FOR SMALL RUMINANTS: THE CASE OF ALLEY FARMING IN IKWUANO AREA OF ABIA STATE

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 120-124
Author(s):  
O. O. Ekumankama
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Shifting Cultivation ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Alley Farming ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Small Holders ◽  
The Right

Natural pasture for small ruminants must be sustained, enhanced, and where it has been diminished or destroy, restored, if animal production must contribute meaningfully to national food security. In Eastern Nigeria, farming system, such as bush fallow, are generally based on shifting cultivation. Unfortunately, agricultural lands are relatively scarce, thereby resulting to shortened fallow periods and thus, widespread diminishing and destruction of natural pasture. The urgency of managing deficient and scarce natural pasture in this environment is widely recognized. Not only is this essential for small ruminants’ feeding, but a dynamic animal sector is a key to achieving food security. The paper argues therefore, that alley farming is the right approach to managing deficient and scarce natural pasture, since it is the most promising alternative to traditional slash-and-burn shifting cultivation. Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State was used as the study area. The results show that there is a pressing need for alley farming promotion. Small holders’ access to this technology would aid in revolutionizing animal production in Nigeria. This paper advocates for policies that will incorporate alley farming into production recommendations transferred to small farmers.

scholarly journals On-farm welfare monitoring of small ruminants

2016 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Caroprese ◽  
F. Napolitano ◽  
S. Mattiello ◽  
G.C. Fthenakis ◽  
O. Ribó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminants ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Bioeconomic Assessment of an Alley Cropping Field Trial in North Carolina, U.S.: Tree Density, Timber Production, and Forage Relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11465
Author(s):  
Kenneth Dunn ◽  
Lori Unruh Snyder ◽  
James McCarter ◽  
Gregory Frey ◽  
Joshua Idassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Capital Budgeting ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Lower Productivity

Silvopasture, the combination of trees, forage, and livestock, is a management practice that is gaining interest throughout the southeastern U.S. This research analyzed a hay-based alley cropping field trial that is transitioning into a silvopasture system. We planted four different tree spacings—2.4 × 2.4 m, 2.4 × 3.0 m, 3.0 × 3.0 m, and 1.8 × 3.0 m (8 × 8 ft, 8 × 10 ft, 10 × 10ft, and 6 × 10 ft)—of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and used secondary data for the possible planting of two different grass species—big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Tree inventories, forage samples, biometric modeling, and economic analysis of forage and timber monocultures and mixed systems were analyzed with discounted cash flow and capital budgeting analyses. Tree growth on the pasture site was exceptionally fast, generating high projected returns for timber monocultures, which exceeded returns for monoculture grass crops. Projected timber stand returns had the greatest Net Present Values (NPV) at the 4% discount rate, ranging between USD 3196 and USD 3552 per ha (USD 1294 and USD 1438 per ac) for a 2.4 × 3.0 m or 2.4 × 2.4 m tree spacing yield. Representative grass yields were obtained from secondary sources and had lower productivity, with switchgrass having the highest returns at USD 2581 per ha (USD 1045 per ac). Optimal NPVs for mixed silvopasture stands ranged between about USD 1500 per ha and USD 3500 per ha (USD 600/ac and USD 1400/ac), depending on the tree spacing within bands, the alley spacing, and the degree of competition between trees and grasses.

scholarly journals Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira Spp. In Goats from Slaughterhouses in Southwestern Nigeria Using Isolation, Histochemistry and Immunohistochemistry

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusola Lawrence Ajayi ◽  
Edem Richard Antia ◽  
Ojebiyi Oluwabusayo Esther ◽  
Temitope Morenikeji Oladipo ◽  
Olajire Moshood Olaniyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Histopathological Changes ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Pathogenic Leptospira ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Chi Square Test

AbstractStudies on caprine leptospirosis using isolation, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry are rare. The role of small ruminants in the epidemiology of leptospirosis is scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp. serovars, and the renal pathology of caprine leptospirosis in slaughterhouses from two states in southwest Nigeria using isolation (IS), Warthin Starry silver (WSs) impregnation and immunohistochemistry (IH). One hundred and sixty-nine kidney samples were randomly obtained from goats between September 2015 and June 2017. Chi-square test was used with a confidence level set at 0.05 to ascertain associations between the positive cases, sex and animal species. Eighty-seven (51.5%) samples were positive on IS, out of which 26/40 and 25/30 were positive on WSs and IH, respectively. Ten (5.9%) kidneys showed macroscopic lesions while interstitial nephritis (48.6%) and tubular nephrosis (64.2%) were the most prominent histopathological changes. The most frequently observed positive reactions were against serovars Hardjo type Prajitno (12/25, 48%), and Gripptotyphosa (5/25, 20%). Other serovars such as Bratislava (2/25, 8%), Canicola (3/25, 12%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (2/25, 8%), and Pomona (1/25, 4.0%) were also detected using IH. The result showed high prevalence of Leptospira infection in goats and the possibility of humans contracting the disease. To date, the detection of leptospirosis from kidneys of goats using IS, WSs and IH has not been reported. This study is the first documentation of evidence of pathogenic Leptospira species in renal tissues of goats.

Farmers, On-farm Research and the Development of New Technology

1988 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sumberg ◽  
C. Okali
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Alley Farming ◽  
Farm Family ◽  
Participatory Technology Development ◽  
On Farm

SUMMARYMost commonly, on-farm research has sought to validate and demonstrate technologies developed under controlled experimental conditions. It is argued here that on-farm research has a role in all stages of technology development, and that methodologies and objectives transplanted from the research station are inappropriate, particularly given the restrictions they impose on farmers' capacity to experiment with new technology. Drawing on experience with alley farming in W. Africa, it is shown how the farm and farm family can be incorporated fully throughout the process of technology development. The example is used to clarify the role of researchers in participatory technology development.

scholarly journals Assessment of Ethno-Veterinary Management Practices among Sheep and Goat Farmers in Southwest Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
A. O. Adekunmi ◽  
A. Ajiboye ◽  
A. O. Awoyemi ◽  
F. O. Osundare ◽  
F. M. Oluwatusin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Source Information ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
The Mean

The study assessed the determinants of the use of Ethno-Veterinary Management (EVM) practices among sheep and goats farmers in southwest, Nigeria. A validated interview schedule was used to source information from one hundred and twenty farmers for the study. Data were collected on selected farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, various EVM practices and constraints encountered on the use of various EVM practices. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentage, means, standard deviation and ranking were employed to summarize the data. Binomial logit regression analysis was employed to assess the determinants of the use of EVM practices among sheep and goats farmers. The study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 32.7 years with 58.3% males. Also, 91.7% were able to read and write and the mean household size was 4 while 40% received information on EVM practices. The common diseases and pests of sheep and goats in the study area were foot rot, mastitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, trypanosomiasis, ticks, fleas and mites. Common EVM practices employed by the farmers were: the use of spent engine oil, kerosene, oil extracts of palm oil vernonia conferta leaves etc. Age and sex had negative relationships with the use of EVM practices at 5% level of significance while educational level, household size, farming experience, sources of information on EVM practices had positive significant relationships with the use of EVM practices. Insufficient fund was the major constraint hindering the rearing of sheep and goats in the study area. It was concluded that small ruminants’ farmers did manage their stocks employing some EVM practices and sensitize farmers on the efficacy of some EVM practices. Government should encourage veterinary practices which will integrate western medicines and EVM practices together for the use of small ruminants’ farmers.

scholarly journals The Role of Alley Farming in African Livestock Production

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Len Reynolds ◽  
Mohammad Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Leguminous Trees ◽  
Alley Farming ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
The Cost

The incorporation of livestock into alley farming systems, in which food or forage crops are grown between hedges of multipurpose trees that are regularly pruned for mulch and/or forage, has been studied for over 10 years in Africa. Prunings from leguminous trees such as Leucaena and Gliricidia can be used for mulch, increasing crop yields, but the trees may also be pruned for fodder, especially during fallow periods. The major benefit from supplementing the diet of free-roaming small ruminants in West Africa with the foliage of leguminous trees is increased survival, and the forage is best directed at late pregnant and lactating females. In East Africa crossbred dairy cows show a significant response in milk production to supplementation with Leucaena. Economic analyses of livestock production show that continuous alley farming is more profitable than alley farming with fallow, or conventional no-tree farming, even when the cost of clearing trees at the end of their useful life is included.

scholarly journals Land Tenure and the Potential for the Adoption of Alley Farming in West Africa

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lawry ◽  
D. Stienbarger ◽  
M. A. Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Traditional Practice ◽  
Leguminous Trees ◽  
Alley Farming ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Alley farming was developed as a means of maintaining soil fertility in fields under permanent cultivation in Africa, as population pressure makes the traditional practice of slash-and-burn combined with fallowing unsustainable. It is an agroforestry system under which food crops are grown in alleys formed by hedgerows of leguminous trees and shrubs. Studies have shown that it works, but farmers are only taking it up very slowly. Recent work suggests that land tenure might be a factor in the spread of alley cropping.

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