Assessment of women involvement in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) processing and preservation in Ijebu-Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the activities of women in processing and preservation of catfish in Ijebu-Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. A three-stage random sampling technique was employed to select a total of 120 respondents for the study. The data collected were analysed with both descriptive statistics and correlation model. The mean age of the respondents was 54 years with a mean of nine years of catfish processing and preservation experience. The annual mean income was N107, 587.50. Findings also show that respondents’ levels of involvement in processing and preservation methods such as smoking and salting were high. There was a positive and significant relationship between respondents’ age (r= 0.003; p=0.034), annual income (r= 0.012; p=0.030), household size (r= 0.232; p=0.011) and their level of involvement in catfish preservation at 5% level of significance. The results of correlation analysis also show that a significant relationship exists between respondents’ perceived benefits and their level of involvement in catfish processing and preservation. The study concludes that, although the level of involvement of women in catfish preservation methods was high, low income was realized from the venture when compared with the minimum wage of N18,000 that government workers earn in the study area. It therefore recommends upgrading the methods and facilities used for the preservation and preserving catfish.

Factors influencing the adoption of improved vegetable production practices among women farmers in Aguata-Agricultural Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined the level and determinants of adoption of improved vegetable production practices in the study area. A three-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 160 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Results on adoption level of the selected improved vegetable production practices indicated that improved seeds had a grand mean of 𝑥̅ = 3.17, field preparation (𝑥̅ = 3.19), planting distance (𝑥̅ = 2.99), water management (𝑥̅ = 3.43), fertilizer/organic manure application (𝑥̅ = 3.55), pesticides (𝑥̅ = 2.57), harvesting ( 𝑥̅= 5.00) and storage procedure (𝑥̅ = 4.89) based on 5-point Likert scale adoption level. On factors influencing adoption of improved vegetable production practices, the result revealed that farm size (1.00188***), credit access (4.704902**), on-farm demonstration (2.900749**) and farm labour (1.295902***) had a positive and significant influence on improved vegetable production practices by the respondents. The result further indicated that the age (0.3135258***) and the off-farm income (0.0870768) of the farmers had a negative influence on the adoption of improved vegetable production practices. Based on these findings, the study revealed that the women farmers could have full adoption of the improved production practices if the factors are adequately addressed. The study therefore recommends that before the introduction of a new technology, the ADPs should ensure that maximum audience analysis is carried out to address some of the factors influencing adoption. Besides, introduction of new technologies to farmers should go hand-in-hand with on-farm demonstration since it is by that they would develop confidence and allay their fears associated with improved practices.

Comparative analysis of the profitability of rice production systems in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study describes the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers, identifies the production system used by the farmers, compares the profitability of rice production systems, identifies the factors influencing the choice of production systems among the farmers as well as the constraints to rice production systems. A three-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 120 rice farmers on whom a set structured questionnaire was administered. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression model. Results show that 48.3%, 35% and 16.7% of the farmers cultivate rice using the upland, lowland and the combined production systems respectively. The findings also reveal variability in yield, profit and income across the rice production systems. The gross margins for lowland, upland and combined rice production systems were N65,735.73, N67,900.89 and N78,015.57 per hectare respectively. The factors that influenced the choice of upland production system relative to combined production system were age, household size, farming years and extension visits while the factors that influenced the choice for combined rice production system relative to lowland rice production system was income. Inadequate finance to purchase inputs, problem of pests and diseases, and unfavorable climatic conditions are the constraints faced by rice farmers in the upland, lowland and combined production systems. The combined production systems had the highest return per hectare. Therefore, the study recommends that farmers should be encouraged to choose the combined rice production system for optimum profitability of rice production.

Plant parasitic nematodes associated with selected agricultural soils in Kwara State, Nigeria

Plant parasitic nematodes have caused huge yield loss on all agricultural crops. Knowledge of the type and quantity of these pathogens in soils is an indication of the risk of disease development in the crops grown on the soils. This study was carried out to determine the plant parasitic nematode composition of selected agricultural soils in Kwara State, Nigeria. Three sample locations from each of the forest and savannah agro-ecological zones of the state were selected for the study. Soil samples were taken from the rhizosphere of five crops commonly grown in each of the six sample locations (Celosia sp. Cowpea, Maize, Soybean and Teak) using soil auger. Nematodes were extracted using the modified Bearmann technique and the nematodes were identified using standard identification key. The identity of the nematodes was confirmed at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. A total of six nematode genera namely, Meloidogyne sp., Helicotylenchus sp., Scutellonema sp., Pratylenchus sp., Rotylenchus sp., and Tylenchus sp. were isolated with Meloidogyne sp. having the highest frequency of occurrence in most of the sampled locations and crops. The implication of nematodes in agricultural soils is discussed.

Varietal response of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) to time of fertilizer application

Field experiments were carried out during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 dry cropping seasons at the Experiment Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. The study was a 2 x 4 factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Two tomato varieties (Roma savannah and UC82) and four times of fertilizer application (T1: all fertilizer applied at 2 weeks after transplanting (2WAT), T2: 1/2 of the fertilizer applied at 2WAT and 1/2 at flowering, T3: one third 1/3 applied at 2WAT, 1/3 at flowering, 1/3 at fruiting and T4: all fertilizer applied at flowering) were used. In both years, stem diameter, number of flowers, fruits and fruit weight/plant (kg/ha) and yield were significantly improved by Roma savannah. Fruit diameter (5.70 cm and 4.75 cm) increased with UC82 compared with Roma savannah which produced the lowest fruit diameter (3.95 cm and 3.11 cm). Roma savannah had a higher fruit yield of 8.59 t ha-1 and 7.24 t ha-1 compared with 5.99 t ha-1 and 4.57 t ha-1 produced by UC82. In 2016/17 cropping season T3 and T4 significantly improved stem diameter above other treatments and T2 and T4 produced highest fruit yields which were similar. However, in both years highest fruit yields (10.39 t ha-1 and 7.09 t ha-1) were consistent with T2. The use of Roman savannah variety and T2 treatment should be encouraged for tomato production, in terms of higher fruit yield in this locality.

Fostering bottom-up entrepreneurship in embryonic ecosystems: Insights from smallholders

In embryonic entrepreneurial ecosystems, support policy frameworks seek to revitalize rural communities, alleviate poverty, transform key sectors of the economy and develop local businesses by increasing access to finance among others. However, policy frameworks rarely foster vertical connections across ecosystems particularly from the bottom-up. In some cases, entrepreneurial ecosystem elements do not necessarily address the peculiar needs of entrepreneurial diversity within the ecosystem. Drawing insights from smallholders, this paper seeks to examine the outlook for entrepreneurial opportunities among them and the influence of entrepreneurial ecosystem support on entrepreneurship opportunities outlook. The paper identifies the key drivers of bottom-up entrepreneurship opportunities. The study concludes that fostering bottom-up entrepreneurship among smallholders with a discovery entrepreneurship outlook in embryonic entrepreneurial ecosystems can contribute in helping those in poverty go beyond subsistence entrepreneurship. The paper recommends that entrepreneurial ecosystem elements should be mobilised to offer financial resources and institutional support beyond the current information support available to smallholders.

Factors influencing adoption of improved technology among maize farmers in Ekiti State Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the factors determining the adoption of improved maize technologies among farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression model were used for the analysis. The majority of maize producers in the study area were married, fairly educated and of middle age. The results further showed that the maize farmers were faced with a series of problems such as inadequate credit, bad road network, high-interest rate and lack of collateral. Meanwhile, the adoption of improved maize technology by the farmers was significantly influenced by the use of manure, appropriate planting techniques, use of herbicide, extension visit, and educational status of the farmers. To boost maize production in the study area, the study recommends the provision of single digit loan interest and with facilities, subsidies on farm inputs, construction of roads to production areas, provision of improved maize seeds while farmers should collect a certificate of occupancy on their farmlands to enhance the chances of increasing their access to credit facilities.

Assessment of leaf miner Liriomyza spp (diptera: Agromyzidae) damage on tomato and the yield output in Ilorin, Southern Guinea Savannah, Nigeria

Tomato plays an important nutritional role in human diet. Although, Nigeria is the largest producers of tomato in Africa, its production is threatened by the invasive polyphagous insect pest belonging to the genus Liriomyza. An experiment was conducted to enumerate the level of damage of the agromyzid fly Liriomyza spp on the tomato variety, UC82B. Infestations were observed on potted tomato plants and studied from December 2016 to March, 2017. The experimental treatment consisted of both screen house and field trials. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. Data were collected on the number of tomato leaves mined by larvae of the pest every week after transplanting (WAT) and on the total weight of tomato fruits harvested. Using t-test statistical analysis, results revealed that tomato plants grown in the field were the most infested by the insect pest from 5 to 10 WAT having significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean population of the pest when compared to the screen house which had little or no infestation. However, there was no significant difference in the leaf damage by Liriomyza spp from 2 to 4 WAT. Tomato fruits harvested at the end of the experiment were weighed and observation showed that the screen house gave more fruit yield (90.80±6.10g) compared to the field experiment (24.20±2.27g) which was significantly lower due to leaf miner flies’ damage on tomato leaves. Therefore, appropriate control measures of the insect pest are recommended where screen houses may not be accessible.

Production of a cereal based product (Ogi): Influence of co-fermentation with powdered garlic and ginger on the microbiome

Many African foods undergo lactic acid fermentation; alterations of these germane microorganisms during fermentation of ogi can affect its acceptability as a weaning food. Effects of garlic and ginger on microorganisms’ load during the production of fermented cereal (ogi) from quality protein maize were explored. Powdered garlic and ginger individually and mixed at ratio (2 and 4%) resulted in 7 treatments. The microbial loads were enumerated, isolates identified, pH and total titratable acidity were also determined. Ogi with 4% garlic-2% ginger had the lowest microbial count value (19.5×107cfu/ g). Ogi containing 4% garlic-2% ginger had the best effect on microbial loads. 4 Lactic acid bacteria were prominent while 6 yeast isolates were identified. Garlic inhibited the growth of Candida utilis, Candida mycoderma, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. Combination of ginger-garlic exerted better synergistic effect and addition of garlic and ginger did not affect important microorganisms involved in the fermentation of ogi. Keywords: Ogi, quality protein maize, sorghum, powdered garlic-ginger, co-fermentation, microbiome