Challenges Militating against the Effectiveness of Knowledge Management in Sustainable Land Use and Agricultural Production among Extension Workers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The study assessed the Challenges Militating against the Effectiveness of Knowledge Management (KM) in Sustainable Land Use and Agricultural Production among Agricultural Extension Workers in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A sample size of 188 was drawn using well-structured questionnaires and was used for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit model were as tools of data analysis. The result of the study indicated that 53.7% of the extension Workers highlighted that lack of top Management support as major challenges for effectiveness of knowledge management among agricultural extension workers. The result of the logit model indicated that marital status, education level, experience, cosmopolitness and means of transportation had positive and significant relationship with effectiveness of Knowledge management. It was recommended therefore that Knowledge Management should be given top management support in all government establishments.

Empirical Analysis of Interactions of Agricultural Sector and HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Africa

This study examines long run economic cost of HIV/AIDS on agriculture. Twenty-two African Countries were identified through purposive sampling. The sampling procedure helped to identify 1420 affected households. However, 1300 observations were found suitable for the subsequent analysis. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Overlapping Generation (OLG) model. The causes of high prevalence rates are the issue of poverty, fertility, myth and migration among others. Factors responsible for the classification of high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates were the patterns of spread of infectious disease that are closely associated with patterns of human mobility. For lower HIV/AIDS prevalence rate factors were low values of procreation and high values placed on morals. A positive correlation between HIV prevalence and GDP per capita was found. The study found out that there is a curvilinear relationship between the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and agricultural/economic growth in terms of human capita development.

Assessment of Fish Farming Practices, Operations, Water Resource Management and Profitability in Katsina State, Nigeria

This study assessed the fish production, culture facilities, operations, water resource management and profitability of fish farming in Katsina State, Nigeria, with a view of understanding the status of aquaculture development in Katsina State. Data were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 35 out of the active 42 farms in Katsina State at the period and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Among the respondents, 37.1% used concrete tank alone and another 37.2% used concrete tank with other types of culture facilities, 57.1% practised mono-culture techniques and 77.1% used stagnant renewal system as culture system. Management of water quality was done by majority(82.9%) with mere visual evaluation, while 68.6% did not use any forms of water treatment. Most of the farms(80%) depended on imported feed for feeding their fish and gross profits of ■7.29±1.81 and ■157.83±118.08 were obtained on fingerlings and adult fish, respectively. The tested explanatory variables were responsible for 45.4% change in profitability and profitability was found to be dependent on feeding cost(t=–3.38 and p=0.002) and size of fish at harvest(t=2.70 and p=0.011). The research findings established that fish farming in Katsina State was under developed.

Acceptability of Bush Meat as a Source of Animal Protein in Delta State, Nigeria: Implication for Extension Services

The study examined the acceptability ofhnsh meat to Deltans. The specific objectives were to ascertain the consumption pattern of bush meat; identify the major types of bush meat consumed in the area; determine the likely constraints to bush meat consumption; and stipulate the extension implication of the findings. A systematic sampling technique was used to compose a sample size of 410 respondents. Data used for this study were collected using well structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, percentages, means and standard deviation, and inferential statistics （linear regression model）. The result of the study indicated that almost all the respondents （402） representing about 98% was formally consuming bush meat. The findings also revealed that as many as 323 individuals, representing 78.8% of the respondents did not consume bush meat currently. Only about 12.7% and 8.5% occasionally and regularly consumed bush meat respectively. It was therefore very obvious that people no longer consumed bush meat in Delta state as before. The results further indicated that the predominant bush meat consumed in the area were cane rat （97.70%） and the African giant snails （Achatina and Archachatina） （94.25%）. The result of the multiple regression analyses indicated that the coefficient for education （X3）, income （Xs）, Ebola （X6） and availability of game （XT） were significant at 5%, indicating that these variables were important factors influencing the consumption of bush meat in the study area. However, the coefficients of education level and Ebola factor were negative and significant, suggesting respondents with higher education and aware of Ebola disease were not likely to consume bush meat. As the result, it was concluded that bush meat was now almost unacceptable due to several factors like dread of Ebola disease, unavailability of game, educational level and income, which significantly affected the consumption of bush meat. It was therefore recommended among others that extension delivery services on how to domesticate game species should be available to farmers.

Assessment of Economic Viability of Mini-livestock Production in Delta State,Nigeria:Implication for Extension Delivery Services

The study examined the popularity, role and economic viability of mini-livestock keeping in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of mini-livestock farmers, identify the types of animals reared as mini-livestock in the area, ascertain the reasons for keeping mini-livestock by farmers, determine the benefit level of mini- livestock farmers, and identify the problems facing mini-livestock farmers in the study area. Using snowball sampling technique, 674 respondents were sampled with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Various descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses. The results of the study indicated various types of mini-livestock reared in the study area, mainly snail farming or heliciculture （about 90%） and rearing of cane rat （84.27%）; the most important reasons for keeping mini-livestock were income （99.6%）, employment （99.26%） and food （94.96%）. The result further indicated that protein consumption and improved income were the most important benefits to respondents. In spite of these benefits, the respondents faced some constraints, amongst which were lack of technical information （X=4.70）, lacking of enough space for expansion （X=4.58）, inadequate training （X=4.20）, poor extension delivery services （X=4.20） and problems of feed availability （X=3.86）. In spite of these constraints, the production of mini-livestock was found to be profitable in the study area. Based on the t＇mdings, it was recommended, among others, that mini-livestock farmers in the study area should be trained on various aspects of the management of mini-livestock especially by organising workshops for them.

Sawah Rice Eco-technology and Actualization of Green Revolution in West Africa: Experience from Nigeria and Ghana

The development and dissemination of sawah rice eco-technology in Nigeria and Ghana as prerequisites for the actualization of green revolution in West Africa were described. It showed that the neglect of the eco-technology and the overemphasis of the biotechnology have rendered the ineffective transferability of the green revolution process from Asia to Africa. The sawah eco-technology increases yield up to 5 t/hm2 through bunding and the use of inlet and outlet connecting irrigation and drainage, which enhances effective water control and management, improves the efficiency of fertilizer, improves nitrogen fixation by soil microbes and algae, increases the use of wetlands, improves soil organic matter accumulation, suppresses weed growth, and enhances immune mechanism of rice through nutrient supply. The current experience has therefore established that the technology overcomes the constraints that have limited the realization of green revolution in West Africa.

Preference and Willingness of Consumers to Pay for Value-added Poultry Products in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

There has been a steady growth in demand for convenience and ready-cooked food has influenced the interest of poultry processors in developing value-added chicken products that meet consumers＇ demand/choice. A conjoint analysis was done in this study on the survey of 975 chicken consumers in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, between March and September, 2014 to valuate consumers, preferences and willingness to pay （WTP） for various chicken attributed parts, production method, processing method, storage method, the presence of flavor and cooking method. The estimates of consumers, WTP premium prices for various mixtures of value-added characteristics were ascertained. The consumers preferred chicken products refrigerated, from chicken produced under free-range management, chicken breast, chicken product that was addictive and flavor free, which could be oven-heated or pan heated. One half of the entire respondents were willing to pay about 25% more for value-added chicken product over the price for conventional products. On the whole, a premium for value-added chicken products was more likely to be paid for by young consumers, consumers who patronized farmers＇ markets and preferred free-range or organic chicken products. WTP by consumers was negatively affected by price of products. The poultry industry could utilize combined knowledge of consumers＇ WTP for value-added chicken product price as a guide of develop innovative value-added chicken products.

Influence of <i>Ocimum gratissium</i>Leaves Supplement on Growth Indices and Blood Constituents of Goats Fed Sweet Potato Peels with Cashew Nut Shell

The study was carried out to determine the influence of sweet potato peels and cashew nut shell supplemented with Ocimum gratissium leaves, using growth indices and blood constituents by goats. Eighteen goats with an average weight of 8.11 kg and aged between 8 and 9 months old were allotted to three dietary treatments with six animals per treatment in a complete randomized design. The compared diets which comprised combination of sweet potato peels and cashew nut shell with concentrate respectively were in different ratios which included diet I (30:25:45), diet II (25:30:45) and diet III (20:35:45). Each goat also received 8 grams of Ocimum gratissium leaves as supplement in the diet. The results showed that average feed intake (6.42 kg) and fed conversion ratio (2.15) were highest in diet I and significantly different from other diets. Diet II had the highest significant (P 3/L), lymphocytes (56.01%), monocytes (1.06%), total protein (7.65 g/dl), albumin (3.58 g/dl), globulin (4.07 g/dl) and triglyceride (2.29 mmol/L). White blood cell (7.01 × 103/L), neutrophils (49.82%), cholesterol (42.34 mmol/L), creatnine (1.59 mg/dl) and urea (18.29 mg/dl) were (P < 0.05) best in diet III, whereas initial bodyweight, average daily weight gain, eosinophils and basophils were not significantly different (P < 0.05). It is concluded that diet II has the potential to enhance growth rate and blood constituents of goats.

Assessment of the Cost-returns and Profitability Patterns of Tomato Production in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State,Nigeria

The study examined profitability of tomato production in Yamaltu-De­ba Local Government Area of Gombe State.A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 96 tomato producers.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics,farm budget model,and t-test analysis.The results revealed that,the mean age of tomato producers was 38.94 years,92.48%were males,71.56%were married with the majority(95.44%)had family size ranging from 1-6 persons,and had 6.55 mean years of farming experience,having an average of 0.6 ha farm size holding.Furthermore,the result revealed that only 8.74%that have attained tertiary education.The results also revealed average variable costs constituted 88.98%and 88.84%of the average total costs of production in the dry and rainy seasons respectively.The per hectare average net income realised were found to be₦154,444.20($398.05)and₦39,725.14($102.38)in the dry and rainy seasons respectively.Hence,the returns per naira invested was₦0.67($0.00173)in dry season and₦0.18($0.00046)in rainy season(P<0.05).Moreover,the results revealed positive and desirable gross and operating ratios of<1;implying the tomato farms in the study area maintained profitability levels both in the short and long run.However,inadequate capital was critical;which was attributed to lack of affordable sources of credits.Lack of storage and processing facilities were among the impediments to large scale tomato production in the study area.However,improvement in the existing patterns and as well as the provision of adequate essential factors of production will help expand the present scale of operations.Therefore,governments and other financial institutions should do more to provide soft loans to the farmers to improve efficiency.

Awareness,Attitude and Behavioural Intention of Medium and Large Scale Poultry Producers to Poultry Waste Management Practices in Lagos State:A Principal Component Analysis

The study analyzed awareness,attitude and behavioural intentions of medium and large scale poultry producers to poultry waste management practices in Lagos State with reference to problems of poor on-farm harness of excessive poultry waste,retrogression/unmet global environmental and economic waste management standards,exorbitant waste management charges imposed by LAWMA.Purposive and simple random sampling(using the lottery draw approach)was used in the selection of sixty(60)medium scale poultry farmers and forty(40)large scale poultry farmers,making a grand total of one hundred(100)medium and large scale poultry farmers interviewed in the study.A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected medium and large scale poultry farmers with the aid of a list provided by the Poultry Association of Nigeria(PAN),Lagos chapter.Principal Component Analysis(PCA)was used to analyse the data.In the principal component analysis for medium scale poultry farmers,the key component named was that LAWMA should offer special service for isolated dead bird collection(V75);and for large scale poultry farmers,the key component was that the disposal of poultry waste in an environmentally friendly way is LAWMA’s duty(V76).The study recommended that the government makes provisions to offer awareness campaigns in order to improve environmental knowledge and encourage environmental enthusiasm amongst society.

Adoption of Herbicides by Arable Crop Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the adoption of herbicides by arable farmers in Edo State. It assessed the proportion of arable farmers using herbicides, level of use and factors affecting adoption of herbicides. Simple random sampling was used to compose a sample size of 556 respondents. Various descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analyses. The results showed that onehalf of the respondents used herbicides(27.9% regularly using herbicides), and most of the adopters used non-selective herbicide. Avalanche of factors, including education attainment, farm size and farming experience also affected the adoption of herbicides.

Analysis of Marketing of Garri in Delta State,Nigeria

The study examined the marketing of a cassava-based product （garri） in Delta State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 168 respondents using structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 168 respondents from six markets in Delta State where garri is produced and marketed. Data was analyzed by the calculation of percentages, means and running of regression. The study revealed that the marketing of garri in Delta State was predominantly a female activity. The study also revealed that the garri was marketed in three channels and that 46.4% were retailers. The study further revealed a reasonable degree of freedom of entry and exit in the garri business in Delta State. Each trader or marketer was able to earn an average profit margin of N2 190.00 （for garri marketers）, while the marketing margins for garri was 13.1%. Although the marketers were faced with some challenges the average profit per marketer per month was reasonably high （N40 722）. The study further showed that the socio- economic characteristics of the marketers to a large extent had a positive influence on the quantity of garri sold in the study area. From the findings it was recommended that storage facilities, extension services and good road network among others should be provided to improve the marketing of garri in Delta State, Nigeria.

Effects of Human Trafficking on Household Farm Labor Availability Among Arable Farming Households in Delta State,Nigeria

Trafficking in persons, especially women and girls has been on for long and is still going on. Persons in the female group constitute the mostly trafficked humans. This study was conducted to determine the effects of human trafficking on household farm labor needs available among farming households. Arable farming households involved in human trafficking were identified and purposively selected for this study with the aid of key informants in purposively selected communities. This led to the selection of 60 arable farming household heads in Delta North Agricultural zone, 65 farming household heads in Delta Central Agricultural Zone, and 36 arable farming household heads in Delta south agricultural zone to give a total of 151 respondents. Data for the study were collected with the utilization of questionnaire and interview schedule. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis with the application of frequency counts, percentages and means derived from 4-point likert-type scale. The hypothesis was tested using Tobit regression analysis. Human trafficking was found to be age and sex selective and the causes of human trafficking included both push and pull factors, such as high income in destination countries poverty, low risk profit, nature of trafficking in persons, ease in control and manipulation of vulnerable women and girls, low risk involved in working in destination countries, lacking of legitimate and fulfilling employment, sex selective migration policies, less access to information and peer pressure. Shortage of household farm labor was experienced by farming households in clearing and brushing of farm land, sowing, weeding, harvesting and processing/storage. Human trafficking was found to affect household labor availability in clearing/brushing of farm land, sowing, weeding, harvesting and processing/storage of farm produce. It is recommended that poverty alleviation programs should be specially organized for poor women, government and NGOs and international agencies should develop strategies to mitigate human trafficking. The government needs to collaborate with community based organizations and law enforcement agencies to create anti-trafficking committee in fanning communities. Community education should be created for the farming communities to emphasize anti-human trafficking with the use of change agents; extension agents should integrate anti-trafficking messages in their interaction with farmers.