Category Archives: International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2017

CONTENTS

Effects of Weeds on the Growth of Maize in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria

Mshelizah R. J., H. I. Germace, M. S. Ribah & U. Z. Senchi……………….…1

Land Use Land Cover Change in Barkin-Ladi, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Auwal Garba, Abdullahi Mohammed Jalam & I.H. Gital…………….……….16

Socio-Economic and Management Practices of Duck in Imo State. A Study of Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Ahaotu, E.O, Iwunze, F.C, Ihenacho, A.C  and Ike, Augusta…………..………35

Egg Production Curve Models of Commercial Bovans Goldline Layers Reared in Oil Producing Environment of Niger Delta, Nigeria

Kperegbeyi J. & Otoikhian C. S. O……………………………..…………………46

Comparative Evaluations of Surface and Subsurface Water for Irrigation Purposes at Middle Lower Niger, Central Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Production

Olagoke Oloruntoba, Abubakar Yunusa & Ethan Saul……………………….55

Effect of Institutional Credit on Farmers’ Output in Benue State of Nigeria

Simeon T. Asom………………………………………………………………………65

Microbial Evaluation of Carica papaya Leaf Extract Pre-Treated Smoke cured Grass Eater (Distichodus rostratus Gunther 1864)

Ebochuo V.C. & Oparaejiaku, J…………………………………………………….84

Effects of Farmers Herdsmen Conflicts on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in Enugu State, Nigeria

Oti, O. G., Onyia, C. C.  & Umoinyang, M. E……………………………………97

Effects of Weeds on the Growth of Maize in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria

Mshelizah R. J. ¹, H. I. Germace², M. S. Ribah³ & U. Z. Senchi⁴

¹Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, College of Agriculture, Zuru

²Department of Science, College of Agriculture P.M.B. 1018, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria

^3&4Department of Animal Health Technology, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 1018, Zuru,

Corresponding Author: Mshelizah R. J

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study is the “effects of weeds on the growth of maize in Zuru local government Area of Kebbi State Nigeria”. The specific objectives are to identify the common types of weeds found in the study area, to identify the characteristics of weeds found in the study area, to determine the mode of weeds reproduction, to identify the method of spreading weed seeds and to identify the various weeds controls measures used in the study area. The research work was carried out in four (4) villages in Zuru Local Government Area, namely; Dabai, Rikoto, Zuru Center and Senchi, these four villages were purposively selected as sample villages. Fifteen (15) farmers were randomly selected from each of the villages, given a total number of 60 respondents as sample size for this study. Data were collected by the administration of structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistic (Frequency distribution and percentages). Results and discussion of major findings were made and recorded, necessary summary, conclusion and recommendations were drawn, with the hope that, at the end of reading this write-up the reader would find this project report useful in his/her various farm operations.

Keywords: Effects, Weeds, Growth, Maize and Kebbi State

Land Use Land Cover Change in Barkin-Ladi, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Auwal Garba; Abdullahi Mohammed Jalam & I.H. Gital

Department of Environmental Management Technology

Abubakar Tafawa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

Correspondent Author: Auwal Garba

ABSTRACT

This study was a research carried out to detect the change in land use/land cover of Barkin-Ladi area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Three Land sat images of 1975, 1985, and 2005 were subjected to various image processing techniques and a supervised classification was carried out on the various images. The classification schemes used are rock outcrop, built-up, farmland and vegetation. Ground truthing was carried out to confirm the results of the classification. The results were subjected to various statistical analyses and it shows natural vegetated area coverage reduced from 173.77sqkm in 1975 to 121.005sqkm in 1985 and still reduced to 26.119sqkm in 2005. The rate of change of natural vegetation between 1975 and 1985 was 5.277sqkm per annum, and 2005. Loss of naturally vegetated area in Barkin-Ladi is mainly as a result of urban growth and expansion, farming and gully erosion. Land cover of the study area during the period between 1975 and 2005 changed from a forested area to other land uses as a result of increase in population, demand for land for agricultural purposes and increase in the demand for fuel wood.

Keyword: Land use, Land use, Classification, Remote sensing, Barikin-Ladi

Socio-Economic and Management Practices of Duck in Imo State. A Study of Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

¹Ahaotu, E.O; ²Iwunze, F.C; ³Ihenacho, A.C³  & ¹Ike, Augusta

¹Department of Animal Production and Health Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo

²Department of Marketing Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, Nigeria

³Department of Cooperative Economics Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Nigeria

Email: emmaocy@yahoo.com;

Corresponding Author: Ahaotu, E.O.

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to determine the socio-economic profiles of the duck farmers, investigate the management practices of duck farming and to identify the problems of duck farming in two towns in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State namely: Amaifeke and Okporo during the period from April to May 2016 by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Socio-economic profile of the duck farmers like age, education, family size, occupation, marital status, farm size, training received, annual income and management practices particularly housing, feeding, breeding, cleaning, disposal of diseased/dead birds, vaccination program, veterinary services followed by the farmers were investigated during the research. A total of 100 duck (50 from each town) were selected randomly for this study. The results reveal that most of the respondent farmers were young (60%) having secondary level of education (69%). Family size of the most of the farmers (57%) were small (size 4.53 persons) and majority of the farmers (75%) were marginal (0.021-020 hectare). About 42% farmers had training on farming of different duration (7 to 30 d). Highest proportion of the duck houses were made of tin-shed (74%) having necessary floor space for ducks. The data obtained illustrated that majority of the farmers (74%) used sufficient supplementary feed to their ducks. About 65% of the farmers reared Pekin ducks in their farms. Most of the farmers (70%) cleaned their farm houses regularly. About 73% farmers separated their diseased duck from healthy ones. It was also found that most of the farmers (89%) buried their dead ducks under soil. Data indicated that majority of the farmers (67%) had partial idea about duck diseases. The highest proportion of the farmers (72%) followed vaccination program strictly. About 71% farmers consulted with village doctor. Nearly 51% farmers had low level of knowledge about duck farming. In the present study 10 problems were identified out of which low price of duck meat and egg made ranked as most serious problems. If the problems are addressed properly, the duck raising could be more profitable business in Imo State.

Keywords: Socio-Economic and Management Practices, Duck Farming, Supplementary Feed.

Egg Production Curve Models of Commercial Bovans Goldline Layers Reared in Oil Producing Environment Of Niger Delta, Nigeria

Kperegbeyi J. & Otoikhian C.S.O.

Department of Agricultural Technology, Delta State Polytechnic,  Ozoro,

Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria

Email: jameslovekperegbeyi@gmail.com, cyriltois@gmail.com

Corresponding Author: Kperegbeyi J.

ABSTRACT

The fact that specific breeds of livestock were developed to achieve specific objectives has been reported by several researchers but few or little information are available on the performance of these specific breeds in varied ecozones, hence a 365 days laying period of Bovans Goldline layers, a Nigerian commercial laying strain was assessed in oil producing environment of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Results of the experiment revealed a better fit for the quadratic function in predicting egg production curve with coefficient of determination (R²) values of 80.65± 0.8, 71.14±0.65, 82.50±0.07 and 73.08±0.02 per cent were obtained for linear, inverse, quadratic and exponential functions fitted for the data. However, better performance was recorded in months of June through August but later declined till February. Hence it can be stressed as a point of findings that period of year and ecological zone has influence on performance of Bovans Goldline layers in oil producing zone of Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Keywords: Bovans Goldline; Hen day; oil environment; curve fitting; coefficient of determination

Comparative Evaluations of Surface and Subsurface Water for Irrigation Purposes at Middle Lower Niger, Central Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Production

Olagoke Oloruntoba, Abubakar Yunusa & Ethan Saul

National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi,  P.M.B. 8 Bida, Niger State,

Email: tobaolagoke@gmail.com

Corresponding author: Olagoke Oloruntoba

ABSTRACT

Comparative evaluation of surface and subsurface water quality was carried out in some selected lowland of middle lower River Nigerviz: Badeggi and Edozighi irrigation Schemes located at Lat, 9^o06 N, Long.5^o 59’ E; and Lat.9^o0.525’N, Long 5^o5.900’E respectively, in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria to assess the quality of irrigation waters. The results obtained from the chemical analysis of the waters, have shown that the total dissolved solids (TDS) for the surface water is on the average of 270.55 mg/l. The sub-surface water had higher concentration of dissolved solids with average values of303.15 mg/l. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) which relates the sodium content with the dicationic-cations calcium and magnesium ranged between 37.05 and 20.85 mg/l for surface water and 54.05 and 22.25 mg/l for sub-surface water respectively. The results indicate that the quality of both surface water and sub-surface is classified as good according to FAO standard.

Keyword: Comparative evaluation, surface, subsurface water, classification

Effect of Institutional Credit on Farmers’ Output in Benue State of Nigeria

Simeon T. Asom

Department of Economics,

Benue State University, Makurdi-Nigeria

Email: asomts@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the effects of institutional credit on farmers’ output in Benue State of Nigeria using Bank of Agriculture (BOA) as a case study. A sample size of 362 respondents was selected through a proportionate random sampling technique. The study used both descriptive and the test of mean differences. The results of the study showed that there is significant difference between the farmers’ output before and during the benefits from BOA loan in Benue State. The study therefore, recommends that government should encourage the establishment of more formal credit institutions in the rural areas, generally; and revive the moribund branches of BOA in the State. The government and BOA should also create more awareness about the existence of formal agricultural credits for agricultural production among the farmers, and enlightenment campaign on how to access these credit facilities especially in the rural areas.

Keywords: Farmers’ Output, Bank of Agriculture and Institutional Credit

Microbial Evaluation of Carica papaya Leaf Extract Pre-Treated Smoke cured Grass Eater (Distichodus rostratus Gunther 1864)

Ebochuo V.C. & Oparaejiaku, J.

Department of Fisheries and Marine Technology,Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji

Department of Agriculture Management and Economics Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo,

Email: victorebochuo@gmail.com

Corresponding Author: Ebochuo V. C.

ABSTRACT

The sensory and microbial evaluation of Carica papaya leaf extract pre-treated smoke cured Distichodus rostratus (Grass eater) was studied. Twelve (12) fish samples weighing between 0.80kg-1.80kg were weighed eviscerated and washed properly with tap water. These were randomly divided into 4 groups of 3 fish each (T₁, T₂, T₃ &T₄). T₁ was immersed into 3% Brine only. T₂ was immersed in a mixture of 3% brine and 2.5% C. papaya leaf extract. ). T₃ was immersed into 3% Brine and 5% C. papaya leaf extract.  T₄ was immersed into 3% Brine and 8% C.  papaya leaf extract. These mixtures were thoroughly mixed and allowed to stand for three hours. Soaked samples were poured out on muslin clothing for draining and cured with wood smoke on a brick kiln for four hours at a temperature range of 85⁰C-95⁰C.  The cured samples were left overnight to cool and were wrapped in sterile polythene bags and kept in a refrigerator for microbial analysis. The samples were subjected to microbial analysis, culturing, incubating, colony count and statistical analysis. Increasing concentrations of water extract of C. papaya leaf inhibited microbial growth at all dilutions (highest T1{control} was 2.6 x 10⁷cfu/ml while T₂= 2.2×10⁵cfu/ml,T₃=  1.5 x 10⁵cfu/ml and T₄= 1.24 x 10⁴cfu/ml ,decreased in that order). Probable organisms in T₁ were Staphylococcus aures. T₂ and T₃ had Proteus sp.T₄ had Klebsiella sp. Biochemical characterisation of pure culture isolates confirmed the presence of these organisms. The fungi found were Aspergillus (T₁), Penicillum (T₂ &T₃) and Mucor (T₄). These results show that usage of C. papaya in processing and preservation of fish will improve the shelf life of stored fish.

Keywords: Microbial; Grass-eater; Evaluation; leaf-extract; Smoke-cured; Carica-papaya; Shelf life.

Effects of Farmers Herdsmen Conflicts on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in Enugu State, Nigeria

Oti, O. G., Onyia, C. C.  & Umoinyang, M. E.

Department of Agricultural Economics

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Email: oti.okpani@unn.edu.ng

Corresponding Author: Oti, O. G.

ABSTRACT

The study examined the implications of the perennial conflict between farmers and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen on food security in Nigeria. The study utilized primary data collected from 210 farm households from seven villages in southeast Nigeria where herdsmen attacks on farm households have been severe. Descriptive statistics such as means and percentages, 2/3 mean monthly per capital food expenditure of households and the logistic regression models were employed in analyzing the data. The result showed that the average age of the heads of the farm households was 48years, 64% of them were males, while another 77% were married. Also, the farm households had an average size of 12 members, with average annual farm and non-farm income of N387, 542.30 and N132, 400.25, respectively. The food security line of the farm households was N2, 533.79. About 45.7% of them were food secure, while 54.3% were food insecure. The logit regression showed that the food security status of farm households were significantly affected by sex, marital status, size of farmlands destroyed, attack on farmers’ homes by herdsmen and migration of people away from communities. Policies were recommended that would protect farmers and farmlands from the serial attacks of herdsmen, and attract the interest of youths in agriculture.

Keywords: Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, Farm households, Conflict, Food Security