STABILIZATION OF LATERITIC SOIL USING ASPHALTIC EMULSION AND BAGASSE ASH AS BINDER

Gana  A.J & Mba-Okorie Chinyere

Department of Civil Engineering

Collage of Science and Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state

Email: doctorgana@yahoo.com, phildebo123@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study is an experimental investigation that was undertaken to study the reaction a selected lateritic soil sample to stabilization with asphaltic emulsion and bagasse ash. This investigation is aimed at proffering a solution to the problem of road construction and maintenance and also building construction and maintenance with the existing and increasingly rampant situations of road failures, building failures and collapse and also failure of bridges. The undisturbed soil sample collected was mixed with 0, 4, 8, 12% asphaltic emulsion only, v then with 3, 6, 9, 12% asphaltic emulsion and 2, 4, 6, 8% bagasse ash simultaneously so as to determine the strength characteristics of the lateritic soil sample. And a series of tests were conducted on the various samples to determine their geotechnical properties and suitability in road and building constructions. From the various tests it was concluded that with the addition of the stabilization materials to the lateritic soil, there was a positive change in the geotechnical properties of the soil sample. The preliminary investigation carried out on the natural lateritic soil found in Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara State Nigeria shows that it falls under Group A-2-7(0) using AASHTO classification. The natural soil has a liquid limit value of 50, a plastic limit of 21.7% and a plasticity index value of 28.3%. The maximum dry density (MDD) of the soil was 1500kg/m3 and an Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) value of 23.7%. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values of 21.53 KN/m2 for 28-days curing periods, respectively, were recorded for the natural soil. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value of 8.89% was recorded for the natural lateritic soil. Peak UCS and CBR values of 40.48kN/m2 and 41.9% were recorded for soil treated with 9% asphaltic emulsion 6% bagasse ash. The peak CBR value met the 20 – 30 % requirement for sub-base reported by Sadeeq J.A. et al (2015) for materials compacted at optimum moisture content.

Keywords: Stablization, Laterite soils, Asphalt Emulsion, Bagasse Ash.

PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera. L) MARKETING IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

K. Abdulaziz¹,A. Mustapha²,A. Suleiman², A.S. Sambo³, and M.M. Bada⁴

¹Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Plot 223D, Cadastral Zone B6, Mabushi-Abuja

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bayero University, Kano

³Department of Agricultural Extension & Management, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Samaru-Kataf Campus

⁴Bank of Agriculture, Maiduguri Main Branch, Maiduguri

Email: kabeerabdulazeez@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

The study analysed the profitability of date palm marketing in Jigawa state. A multi stage sampling technique was used for selecting samples for the study. In the first stage, four Local Government Areas were purposively selected from the state. This was followed by purposive selection of four markets, one from each LGA based on prevalence of date palm in the markets. A total of 121 respondents were randomly selected (54 wholesalers and 67 retailers) to form the sample size. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and marketing efficiency. Results on socioeconomic characteristics revealed that all the traders were male, majority of whom were married and within their economically active age with mean age of 40 and 37 years for wholesalers and retailers respectively. The result further revealed that 42.6% of the wholesalers had no formal education, with 12–21 years of marketing experience, while 43.3% of the retailers had only primary school education and 2–11 years marketing experience. Results of marketing margin analysis revealed that fresh and dried dates marketing is profitable at both wholesale and retail levels. Results on constraints of date palm marketing ranked pest infestation 1^st, with 22%, followed by increased cost of transportation 2^nd with 17%, and inadequate capital 3rd with 15%. The study recommended that; breeders be encouraged to develop new improved varieties of dates that are pests and diseases resistant, the provision of appropriate storage facilities, loans, banking facilities and physical market facilities by the association, government and other stakeholders; increased local production so as to produce marketable surpluses to meet local demand and ensure all year round supply of the product, reduce high rate of importation and allow for future exportation to other countries. The study further recommended awareness on the potential of date palm to encourage youth participation and reduce unemployment.

ADOPTION RATE OF IMPROVED DAIRY CATTLE TECHNOLOGIES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

M.K.Saleh

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

E-mail: salequa@yahoo.com or quagyangsaleh@gmail

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated adoption rate of improved dairy cattle technologies among cattle farmers in northern Nigeria. Purposive method of sampling was used to select both the study area and improved dairy cattle farmers. The study covered the entire registered improved dairy farms in the 16 States of northern Nigeria in 2013/14. Data were obtained by means of questionnaire administered on 61 improved dairy cattle farmers. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and multinomial logit regression were used to analyse the data. The results show that majority (74%) of the respondents had information on the technologies from extension workers and 20% obtained their information from their co-farmers. Adoption rate for the three related technologies studied was 55% with animal healthcare being the highest (62%). The trend of adoption rate shows that the period 1986 to 2013 had the highest rate, being 67%. Animal healthcare technology had the highest rate of adoption at 62%.The results of multinomial logit regression shows that household, herd size, experience, access, level of living and age were significant at 1% level of probability but that age was negative; in influencing adoption behaviour of farmers. One of the major problems identified was low price of dairy products in the area. Thus, it was concluded improved dairy farming is capital intensive. Based these conclusion, it was recommended that price of the products has to be improved to encourage more people take up the business. Also, dairy farmers’ cooperative should allowed to fix attractive prices for dairy products.

Keywords: Animal healthcare, dairy cattle, genetic upgrading and fodder.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LOCAL AND COMMERCIAL FISH FEEDS ON THE GROWTH OF Clarias gariepinus FINGERLINGS

¹Abdulkadiri, J. O., ²Sadiku, S. O. E., ³Abiodun, A. A., & ⁴Hammed H. O.

¹Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Ilorin

²Department of water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna

³Department of Statistics, University of Ilorin

⁴Kwara State Fadama Coordinating Office, Ilorin

Email: Jimohkadir1956@gmail.com

Corresponding Author:  Abdulkadiri, J. O.

ABSTRACT

A feeding trial was conducted to compare the performance of Clarias gariepinus on three commercial catfish feeds and an on-farm local (made) aqua feed. The three catfish commercial diets were Chi, Multi, Skretting and local farm made. 10 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (0.87 ±0.02g) were randomly distributed in a round plastic bowl of 20 litres capacity in triplicate. The feeding trial was run for 56 days. The results obtained indicated no significant difference (P>0.05) between the commercial catfish feeds and the on-farm local made aqua feed. The conclusion is that farmer can feed his fishes with appropriate formulated local on-farm feed without any detrimental effects on the growth of the fishes.

Key Words: Aquaculture feeds, Cost, Production

INCLUSIVE GROWTH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF LOCAL ‘ADASHI’ AS FINANCING AGENTS IN AGRICULTURE IN NASARAWA STATE

Angbas Jonathan Avreson

Department of Economics

Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Email: avrenab@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper takes a look at the role of ‘adashi’ a local financing arrangement for small farm holders to access necessary finance in promoting agricultural productivity in the process of attaining sustainable growth and development. It adopts descriptive statistics and a utility maximization function to evaluate the extent of inclusive growth through the impact of ‘adashi’ in promoting financial inclusion for growth. In spite of several government pronounced programs on agricultural financing, access to credit through stringent regulations and bureaucracy are impediments to most rural farmers who lack collateral. This is against the background of the fact that lack of access to basic inputs and needed finance is hampering effective involvement of farmers in expanding their productivity. Results from the study reveals that there is low financial inclusion in most rural areas due to the total or near absence of formal financial institutions thereby playing an insignificant role in promoting agricultural productivity. On the other hand, ‘adashi’ is reported to have significant impact on farmers’ productivity where they exist due to its liberal conditions and ease of accessibility, it therefore has the potential to alleviate poverty and promote inclusive and sustainable development. The study believes that in the absence of bank financing, these local ‘adashi’ which are mostly community based can be promoted and supported to expand their scope in providing finance for small farmers. This will create greater opportunities for increased employment and ensure inclusive growth towards sustainable development.

Key words: Adashi, Inclusive growth, financial inclusion, utility maximization, sustainable development