CONTENTS

Farmers’ Resource-Use Efficiency in Rice (Oryzae sativa) Production in Benue State, Nigeria

Maurice E. Tyokever & Sunday, S. Koona……………………………………………..……1

Effect of Livelihood Factors on Climate Change Adaptation of Rural Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Igwe, A.A ……………………………………………………………………………………12

Pathogenicity Study of Meloidogyne incognita on five different Yam Cultivars in Screen House and Field in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abolusoro, S.A; Hinmikaiye, A.S; Balogun, O.S; Izuogu, N.B & Ogundare, S.K; Ige S. A..…..21

The Effect of Aggregate Type on Strength Characteristics of Geopolymer Concrete

Gana A.J.; Adewara Sunday O; Asamu Festus F. & Ogundepo D.O ………….…………32

Acceptability and Sensory Evaluation of Maize and Cowpea Products Stored with some Essential Oils

Abiodun A. Okunola, Caroline O. Okunola & Thomas Ofuya ……………..……….……………40

A Mathematical model to Study the Effect of Herdsmen/Farmers Crises on Agricultural and Economic Growth in Benue State, Nigeria

Atindiga, S.T., Orngudwem, T.I, Kper, B. T & Kwaghbula, N.G ……………….………..46

Environmental Factors that Limit Sustainable Commercial Agriculture in Developing Economies and Control Measures

Asira, Enim Enim & Effiom Orok Etim ……………………………………………………56

Agricultural Information Seeking Behavior of Rural Farmers in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

Ogundana O.S. ………………………………………………………………..…………… 73

Constraints to Livelihood Options Pastoralists in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria

Ibrahim Ahmed Jajere and Mohammed Ahmed Jajere……………….……………………82

Assessment of the Level of Adoption of Organic Farming Technologies by Rice Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Ukohol, Francis Y.; Asema, Ruth M.; Bassey, Jimmy I. & Ominikari, Abraham. G…………..99

Farmers’ Resource-Use Efficiency in Rice (Oryzae sativa) Production in Benue State, Nigeria

Maurice E. Tyokever* & Sunday, S. Koona

Department of Agricultural Education, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State

Department of Agricultural Education, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State

E-mail: mauric4real1@yahoo.com       *Correspondent author

ABSTRACT                          

This study examined the resource-use efficiency in Rice Production in Benue State Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 152 respondents on whom structural questionnaires were administered to collect data on input and output of rice farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis. The analysis revealed that the mean age of respondents was 36 years with majority (64%) of the respondents having formal education, while majority (80%) of the respondents had more than 16 years of farming experience. costs, gross income and gross margin per hectare for rice production were N123,500, N180,000 and N56,500. The farmers were found to be efficient in the use of seeds, herbicides and labour whereas farm size and fertilizer were over utilized. It was recommended that financial institutions should consider making more credit available to rice farmers so as to enable them increase the use of the inputs that were underutilized. Also, the Federal and State governments as well as donor agencies intensify efforts aimed at introducing labour saving devices such as mechanization to remove inefficiencies associated with labour. It was also suggested that more extensive workers should be deployed in the study area to educate farmers on the need for correct use of farm inputs.

Effect of Livelihood Factors on Climate Change Adaptation of Rural Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Igwe, A. A.

Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Department of Agricultural Education

E-mail: gladnweze@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the effect of livelihood factors on climate change adaption of rural famers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers from the three agricultural zones of the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentages, regression were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed the adaptation strategies adopted by farmers as majorly grouped include; land/soil, water, crop management and livelihood diversification. Specific livelihood factors that affected the level of climate change adaptation include: natural disaster, extension service, access to credit, income among others. It was recommended that basic amenities should be provided by government to improve the environment of the rural farmers, regular and effective extension service to educate them on suitable climate change adaptation measurers. Also, capital should be provided to the farmers through low interest loan and grants.

Keywords: Livelihood, climate change, mixed farming, land.

Pathogenicity Study of Meloidogyne incognita on five different Yam Cultivars in Screen House and Field in Kogi State, Nigeria

³Abolusoro, S.A; ¹Hinmikaiye, A.S; ²Balogun, O.S; ²Izuogu, N.B & ¹Ogundare, S.K; ³Ige S.A

¹Kabba College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

²Department of Crop Protection, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria

 ³Department of Crop Science, Land Mark University Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT:

The research was conducted to determine the pathogenicity of root- knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on five different yam cultivars in the screenhouse/field in Kabba College of Agriculture Kogi State, Nigeria. Kabba College of Agriculture is located in the Southern Guinea Savannah Agroecological Zone of Nigeria of Latitude 07⁰ 53N, 06⁰08E. Kabba has average rainfall of 1570mm, temperature ranges between 18^0C – 32^0C. It also has the mean relative humidity (R.H) of about 59% and four hundred and twenty seven metres (427m) above the sea level, according to Kabba College of Agriculture Metereological station, field survey (2014).  In screenhouse and field, during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, four organic material treatments (powders of Jatropha curcas, Ocimum gratissimum, Chromolaena odorata and the control) were factorially combined with the five yam varieties and inoculation regimes of Meloidogyne incognita. The cultivars used as test crops are Okunmodo, Kerege and Sebukere as (white yam). Ewura (Water yam) and Olo (Yellow yam). The plant parasitic nematode caused stunted growth, galling of root of tuber and chlorosis on the white yam, water yam and yellow yam. The result of this research shows that white yam is susceptible to M. incognita, while water yam and yellow yam cultivars proved to be fairly resistant to M. incognita. The results further shows Meloidogyne incognita in screenhouse and field experiments significantly affected yam growth and yield. All the botanicals, powdered leaf of Jatropha curcas, Ocimum gratissimum and Chromolaena odorata had significant bio- pesticidal effect on M. incognita as they caused reduction in population both in the screenhouse and field experiments compared to the unamended plants (control). It is therefore advised that yam growers should not plant white yam cultivars on plant parasitic nematode endemic areas.                       

Keywords: Nematode, yield, Jatropha, Chromolaena, Ocimum, yam, Meloidogyne incognita

The Effect of Aggregate Type on Strength Characteristics of Geopolymer Concrete

Gana A.J.; Adewara Sunday O; Asamu Festus F. & Ogundepo D.O

Department of Civil Engineering, Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara State

Department of Economics, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State

Department of Sociology, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State

Email: phildebo123@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Constructions of buildings and complex structures have increased in the world, with this course, cement usage have increased. Cement production is known to cause, carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere in large scale, which forms about 65% of the greenhouse gases leading to adverse effects on the climate particularly global warming. To this effect research efforts are now being geared towards finding suitable alternatives to conventional Portland cement. In this investigation, geopolymer concrete in which alkali activated cement served as the binder was considered using locally available materials. Such concretes are considered greener than the conventional concrete. Specifically, the study looked at the effect of aggregate type on the strength characteristics of geopolymer concrete. The aggregates used were granite and limestone while the source materials used was Rice Husk Ash (RHA). Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Silicate were used as the alkali activator. The results of the comprehensive strength tests conducted showed that strengths recorded were generally low, however, geopolymer concrete in which limestone were used as coarse aggregates performed better than those with granite. According to my result and findings in chapter four, the geopolymer concrete cannot be applicable to advance or complex structures. Although it can be considered for not too complex structures.

Keywords: Effect, Aggregates type, Strength Characteristics, Geopolymer Concrete

Acceptability and Sensory Evaluation of Maize and Cowpea Products Stored with some Essential Oils

Abiodun A. Okunola*¹; Caroline O. Okunola² & Thomas Ofuya³

¹Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Nigeria

²Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria

³Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Email: okunola.abiodun@lmu.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

The sensory evaluation and processing qualities of cooked maize paste (pap) and cooked cowpea paste(moinmoin) products from treated maize and cowpea grains stored with essential oils of three plant spices (Eugenia aromatica, Piper guineesis and Monodora myristica),were investigated. Essential oils were applied at dosage rate of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/kg of stored grains for six months. The products were processed, cooked and evaluated for processing and sensory qualities to access the spices and concentration effects of the essential oils extracted with n-hexane. A 9- point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory parameters of taste, aroma and appearance ranging from dislike extremely to like extremely. Panelists were administered well-structured questionnaires to assess the effect of the essential oils, from spices concentration and interaction between spice and concentration on the parameters assessed on the grains. Sensory evaluation data were subjected to 3×5 factorial arrangements. Paps from maize and moinmoin (cooked cowpea paste) from cowpea grains stored with dosage rate of 5 -10 ml/kg grains, were significantly accepted and preferred by the panelists. Nutmeg spiced products at 5 ml/kg for the grains products was ranked highest among other spices.         

Key words: Sensory evaluation, essential plant oils, Maize, Cowpea and Acceptability