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Analysis of Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Cassava Production in Ardo-Kola and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria
A. A. GIREI,
B. DIRE,
R. M. YUGUDA,
M. SALIHU
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
1-5
Received:
11 December 2013
Published:
30 December 2013
Abstract: This study analyzed the productivity and technical efficiency of cassava production in Ardo-Kola and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba State. Data were collected from 115 respondents using a structured questionnaire covering 2010/2011 farming season. Inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of data collected. Maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) for all parameters of the stochastic frontier production function and the inefficiency model for the cassava farmers in the study area was employed in the analysis. The study reveals that, farm size is the most important factor of production having an elasticity coefficient of 0.492 indicating that, output of cassava production is inelastic. Indicating that, an increase of 5% in farm size used in production of cassava, all things being equal; there would be a corresponding increase in the total output by 4.92%. Similarly, herbicide has an elasticity coefficient of 0.315 and was statistically significant at 5 %. This implies that, an increase in the quantity of herbicide would increase the output by 3.15 percent. Hired labour has an elasticity efficiency of 0.783 and is positively related to the total output of cassava. A 5 percent increase in hired labour will bring about an increase in the level of output. Despites challenges faced by cassava farmers in the study area, the study concludes that, farmers involved in cassava production have more than average technical efficiency and this means there is opportunity to increase cassava production in the study area. Similarly, the cassava production was profitable in the area. The research recommended public private partnership (PPP) to sensitize and educate farmers to enable them benefit from the new innovations and technology that abound in the agricultural sector.
Abstract: This study analyzed the productivity and technical efficiency of cassava production in Ardo-Kola and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba State. Data were collected from 115 respondents using a structured questionnaire covering 2010/2011 farming season. Inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of data collected. Maximum likelihood es...
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Substitution of Wheat Bran by Cassava Flour in the Diet: Effect on the Growth of Chickens
Beugré Grah Avit Maxwell,
Gbogouri Grodji Albarin,
Kimsé Moussa,
Gnakri Dago
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
6-12
Received:
4 December 2013
Published:
10 January 2014
Abstract: Chicken diet cost represents up to 70 % of the production charges. Inputs, which are mostly imported products such as lysine, methionine, wheat bran are the cause of the expensive cost of foods. Wheat bran is not available in Côte d’Ivoire and could be efficiently substituted by cassava. Cassava is affordable and available all year round. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of the substitution of wheat bran by cassava flour on the growth of chickens. After administering ad libitum during 8 weeks the different food categories (starting and growing food), results showed that protein, fat, ash and calcium contents improved more with the addition of cassava for both starting and growing periods. The energy value of cassava-based feed was higher than that of foods containing wheat bran: 12 155 kJ / kg against 11 428 kJ / kg for the starting food and 12 586 kJ / kg against 11 577 kJ / kg for growth, respectively. Throughout the rearing period, the growth of chicken fed with the cassava-based diet was much higher than that of the chicken fed with the control diet. In the growing food, palmitic acid was the dominant saturated fatty acids with the cassava-based diet exhibiting higher values of saturated fatty acids. The content of unsaturated fatty acids from cassava (48.6 %) was slightly higher than the control diet (47.6 %). Except magnesium, macro-element concentrations were higher in the cassava-based diet than those of food control. Micronutrients such as manganese and zinc had a high value in cassava-based diet than the control diet. Hydrogen cyanide which is in the fresh pulp at 100 mg / kg, decreased at 1.8 mg / kg of dry matter in the start food and at 1.9 mg / kg of dry matter in the growth food. The substitution of wheat by cassava improves feed nutritional profile, also reduces the production cost, food industry will benefit from this up to 13, 36 % in start-up period and up to 13, 25 % in growing period.
Abstract: Chicken diet cost represents up to 70 % of the production charges. Inputs, which are mostly imported products such as lysine, methionine, wheat bran are the cause of the expensive cost of foods. Wheat bran is not available in Côte d’Ivoire and could be efficiently substituted by cassava. Cassava is affordable and available all year round. The objec...
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Farmers’ Perception on Agricultural Technologies a Case of Some Improved Crop Varieties in Ghana
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
13-16
Received:
16 December 2013
Published:
20 January 2014
Abstract: The survey was carried out to find out farmers perception on improved crop varieties from March to June 2012 in the Ashanti, Eastern, and Northern regions of Ghana. Adoption of farming technologies is very crucial to agricultural development. In Ghana, a greater percentage (70%) of the people is in the agricultural sector. Improvement in agriculture will have direct positive impact on the livelihood of the people. Farmer perception on agricultural technology influences their decision to adopt the technology or not. The study revealed that farmers perceived the improved crop varieties with particular reference to Maize (Zea maize), Cassava (Manihot esculentus) and Oil Palm (Elaies guineensis) as lacking some good characteristics of the landraces and also expensive to adopt. The need for farmers to be actively involved in the development of improved crop varieties was also highlighted. The study recommends that all stakeholders (Plant Breeders, Agronomists, Post Harvest Technologists, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Farmers) should be actively involved in the development of farming technologies.
Abstract: The survey was carried out to find out farmers perception on improved crop varieties from March to June 2012 in the Ashanti, Eastern, and Northern regions of Ghana. Adoption of farming technologies is very crucial to agricultural development. In Ghana, a greater percentage (70%) of the people is in the agricultural sector. Improvement in agricultur...
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Food and Feeding Habits of the Red-Belly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii Gervais, 1848) (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Lake Ziway, Ethiopia
Elias Dadebo,
Negesse Kebtineh,
Solomon Sorsa,
Kassaye Balkew
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
17-23
Received:
24 December 2013
Published:
30 January 2014
Abstract: Food and feeding habits of T. zillii were studied from 572 fish samples collected from April to May 2011 (dry season) and July to August 2011 (wet season) from Lake Ziway. Stomach content analysis was conducted using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods of analyses. Macrophytes, detritus and phytoplankton were the dominant food categories occurring in 94.9%, 94.2% and 82.5% of the total stomachs examined and constituting 45.2%, 29.4% and 16.8% of the total volume, respectively. The contributions of insets, nematodes, zooplankton and ostracods were relatively low. Macrophytes (50.4%), phytoplankton (21.8%) and detritus (18.5%) constituted the bulk of the food volume during the dry season. In the wet season detritus (40.8%), macrophytes (37.8%), phytoplankton (12.5%) and insects (6.5%) contributed the bulk of the food categories consumed. Phytoplankton, detritus and insects were important food categories of juveniles (5.0-9.9 cm TL) whereas macrophytes, detritus and phytoplankton were important food categories of adults. The importance of phytoplankton, detritus and insects declined with size of fish whereas the importance of macrophytes and nematodes increased with fish size. Based on the results of the stomach contents it was concluded that the species is an herbivorous feeding mainly on macrophytes, detritus and phytoplankton. The contribution of animal origin food was low.
Abstract: Food and feeding habits of T. zillii were studied from 572 fish samples collected from April to May 2011 (dry season) and July to August 2011 (wet season) from Lake Ziway. Stomach content analysis was conducted using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods of analyses. Macrophytes, detritus and phytoplankton were the dominant food categories...
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Growth Pattern and Yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 4 Rice Varieties as a Function of Split Nitrogen Application at Tsukuba, East Japan
Workneh Bekere,
Hisashi Urayama,
Masaaki Togashi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
24-29
Received:
27 November 2013
Published:
30 January 2014
Abstract: The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of split application of nitrogen on growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 4 rice varieties at Tsukuba International Center, Japan from April to September 2013 cropping season. The varieties were investigated for establishment, plant height, tiller number, SPAD value, shoot dry matter, panicle dry matter, nitrogen uptake, panicle number, spikelet number, panicle length, ripening ratio, thousand grain weight, harvest index and paddy yield. The result showed that NERICA 1 had significantly greater establishment percentage, shoot dry matter, panicle length and thousand grain weight than NERICA 4, but its leaves were significantly (p<0.05) less green than the latter after 55 days of sowing. Dividing 80kg N ha-1into two and applying half rate at sowing as basal and top dressing at panicle initiation gave significantly more green leaves than either at once application of full rate or half rate as basal and half rate top dressing at heading applications from 90-115 days after sowing. However, application of half rate of 80kg N ha-1 at sowing and heading time produced significantly (p<0.05) more green leaves than at once and half as basal and at panicle initiation after 115 days of sowing. It also produced significantly longer panicles than the other two modes of N applications. In all of the evaluated parameters, varieties and split nitrogen applications failed to show significant (p>0.05) interaction. Splitting 80kg N ha-1 in to two and applying half of it at sowing and the remaining half at panicle initiation as well as applying half of it at sowing and the remaining half at heading time increase panicle length compared to applying full rate at once during sowing.
Abstract: The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of split application of nitrogen on growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 4 rice varieties at Tsukuba International Center, Japan from April to September 2013 cropping season. The varieties were investigated for establishment, plant height, tiller number, SPAD value, shoot dry matte...
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A Comparative Study on Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Clarias Gariepinus Burchell, 1822 and Heterobranchus longifilis Valenciesnnes, 1840 under Water Recirculation System
Adams Femi Yakubu,
Nkemakolam Akajiaku Nwogu,
Ebenezer Dayo Olaji,
Olufemi Oluseun Ajiboye,
James Ocheme Apochi,
Temitope Esther Adams,
Esther Eriromurun Obule,
Mercy Eke
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
30-33
Received:
9 December 2013
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: The growth performance and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus burchell, 1822 and Heterobranchus longifilis valenciesnnes, 1840 under water recirculation system were examined. The post fingerlings of the two species were stocked at 486 fish/m3/tank and fed coppens® feed for sixteen weeks. Fish body weights were determined bi-weekly using electronic weighing balance. Final mean weight of 170.49a ± 14.39g (C. gariepinus) and 42.78b ± 1.57g (H. longifilis) were obtained. H. longifilis had a better survival rate (86.21%) compared to C. gariepinus (66.94%). The performance index (PI) showed that C. gariepinus (PI=101.90b) performed better than H. longifilis (PI=30.50a). The water quality variables were similar in the culture tanks. The results of the present experiment showed that post fingerlings of the two species of clariid catfish have different growth performance, survival and feed utilization efficiency under water recirculation system with C. gariepinus having better growth performance and yield than H. longifilis.Therefore, the culture of Clarias gariepinus clariid catfish under water recirculation system is recommended for better yield and profitability.
Abstract: The growth performance and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus burchell, 1822 and Heterobranchus longifilis valenciesnnes, 1840 under water recirculation system were examined. The post fingerlings of the two species were stocked at 486 fish/m3/tank and fed coppens® feed for sixteen weeks. Fish body weights were determined bi-weekly using electronic...
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Diversity of Tree Flora in Homegardens in Urban Proximity of Anuradhapura City, Sri Lanka
Chaminda Egodawatta,
Rasika Warnasooriya
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
34-39
Received:
22 January 2014
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: It was hypothesised that the land ownership with clear titles has an influence on incorporating perennial tree flora. Hence, this study compares the types and density of tree species in homegardens of inherited and settled lands in close proximity of Anuradhapura city, with subsistence farming activities. Mean harvestable tree density was 54.5 trees/ac in inherited lands compared to 40.3 trees/ac in settled lands. In spite of the general similarity in tree flora between the two categories of homegardens, certain tree species are more abundant in one than the other. Exotic timber tree flora represented approximately 30% of total tree population in settled compared to 16% in inherited. Exotic timber tree flora mainly dominated by Tectona grandis and Berrya cordifolia in settled lands concerning more economic returns. In inherited lands, multipurpose trees i.e. Artocarpus heterophyllus, Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica were highly abaundanat concering diversity and food security. Cocos nucifera was the most abaundant tree specis in both categories accounting more than 40% abaundance. Tree species such as Tamarindus indica was restricted to inherited lands and Felicium decipiens and Swietenia macrophylla to the settled lands. It is advocated that the settled farmers should preserve more diversity among trees as inherited farmers, which enhance food and economic security under diminishing climatic suitability for crop production. Nonetheless, this study awaked an important entity for future carbon crediting programmes, which would be a win-win situation in forestry and farming aspects.
Abstract: It was hypothesised that the land ownership with clear titles has an influence on incorporating perennial tree flora. Hence, this study compares the types and density of tree species in homegardens of inherited and settled lands in close proximity of Anuradhapura city, with subsistence farming activities. Mean harvestable tree density was 54.5 tree...
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Study of Phosphorus Adsorption and Its Relationship with Soil Properties, Analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich Models
Fisseha Hadgu,
Heluf Gebrekidan,
Kibebew Kibret,
Birru Yitaferu
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
40-51
Received:
6 January 2014
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity and its relationship with some properties of five different soil types (Fluvisols, Cambisols, Vertisols, Arenosols and Nitosols) of Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia were studied during the main cropping season in 2012. Besides, fractionation of the total soil P in to Ca-P, Fe-P and Al-P was carried out and their relationships with P adsorption characteristics of the soil type under study were also studied. Adsorption data for the different soil types were obtained by equilibrating the respective soil samples for 24 hours at room temperature with 25 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2, containing 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 480 and 540 mg kg-1 of applied external P as KH2PO4. The results of this study showed that Ca-P was highest followed by Fe-P in all the soils except in the Arenosols. Testing the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms both showed well fitted with the correlation coefficients (r) that ranged from 0.951 to 0.999 in all the soils. Comparing the two adsorption models, the Freundlich model was slightly better in Vertisols, Arenosols and Nitosols while the Langmuir model was better in the Fluvisols and Cambisols in predicting P adsorption. The adsorption maximum (b) obtained from the Langmuir isotherm ranged from 296.6 mg P kg-1 soil in Fluvisols to 820.4 mg P kg-1 soil in Vertisols. The constant related to bonding energy calculated from the Langmuir adsorption model varied from 0.0151 to 0.0447 L mg-1. The Freundlich adsorption parameters also ranged from 7.28 to 30.15 mg kg-1 for the Freundlich isotherm constant (Kf) and from 0.4874 to 1.012 for slope of the Freundlich isotherm (1/n). Among the soil properties (CaCO3, CEC, organic matter, EC, pH, and sand, silt, and clay contents), clay content, CEC and CaCO3 were positively correlated with the Langmuir adsorption maximum. The adsorption maximum significantly (P ≤ 0.05) correlated (r = -0.902 but decreased with increasing sand content. The constant (Kf) positively and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) correlated (r = 0.953) with EC of the soil. The remaining soil properties studied were not significantly correlated with the adsorption parameters.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity and its relationship with some properties of five different soil types (Fluvisols, Cambisols, Vertisols, Arenosols and Nitosols) of Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia were studied during the main cropping season in 2012. Besides, fractionation of the total soil P in to Ca-P, Fe-P and Al-P was carried out and their r...
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Integrating Improved Beekeeping as Economic Incentive to Community Watershed Management: The Case of Sasiga and Sagure Districts in Oromiya Region, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
52-57
Received:
15 January 2014
Published:
28 February 2014
Abstract: Beekeeping gives local people economic incentive for the retention of natural habitats, and is an ideal activity in watershed conservation program. A project was carried out in sagure watershed in Arsi Zone and Sasiga watershed in East Wollega Zone. The objective is to introduce improved beekeeping as the incentive for watersheds conservation. Data were collected through interviews, observation, bee forage assessment, improved beekeeping implementation and honey production. After training, beekeepers highly acquainted in improved beekeeping management and this resulted in increased honey production simultaneously increased local initiative in watershed rehabilitation and protection. Beekeepers maintained diverse honeybee floral resources designed to achieve maximum honey production and watershed rehabilitation. The study identified that watershed integrated improved beekeeping is important as a strong economic incentives that integrate watershed conservation with economic development from honey and beeswax production. Efforts of the government are highly required to organize landless and marginalized peoples by providing them with the necessary beekeeping technologies and inputs to ensure maximum honey production while promoting watershed rehabilitation and conservation.
Abstract: Beekeeping gives local people economic incentive for the retention of natural habitats, and is an ideal activity in watershed conservation program. A project was carried out in sagure watershed in Arsi Zone and Sasiga watershed in East Wollega Zone. The objective is to introduce improved beekeeping as the incentive for watersheds conservation. Dat...
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