ABSTRACT Internet has been introduced by Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve extension delivery in Ghana. However the extent to which extension agents have acquired the knowledge and skills to use it was not known in Eastern Region. The study assessed competencies of agricultural extension agents to use Internet in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study used descriptive survey design, stratified proportional sampling technique and validated questionnaire to collect data from 217 AEA...
ABSTRACT Provision and management of water and sanitation facilities is a major challenge in developing countries and governments in these countries are unable to deliver, manage and maintain basic infrastructure for their growing populations This study explored participants’ perceived impact of water and sanitation committee training implemented by Akuapem Community Development Programme (ACDEP) on community management of rural water and sanitation facilities. The study aimed at assessin...
Abstract: Nigeria used to boast of high surplus in agricultural trade and food self-sufficiency, especially in the 1960s. Today, Nigeria has lost the leading position it once occupied as it is now a major importer of food and agricultural commodities. Nigeria now spends billions of naira on importation of food and agricultural products. This situation is paradoxical as Nigeria is well-endowed with the requisite natural and human resources needed to be food self-sufficient. Besides, most gover...
ABSTRACT Increase in agricultural production is essential for agricultural development since it enhances profitability and income which leads to welfare improvements. In Nigeria agricultural production and rural welfare have worsened over the years. Adequate information on the link between agricultural production and rural welfare in Nigeria is expected to better inform policy makers on implementation. Agricultural production and its impact on rural welfare in Nigeria were, therefore, investi...
ABSTRACT : Some aspects of the current status and promotional strategies of rabbit production in Nigeria were appraised in this study. This was because such data are lacking and rabbit production offers a great potential towards attainment of food security in terms of animal protein intake. Data were obtained principally from field survey, questionnaires administration, personal observations and experiences of authors, structured personal interviews of identified rabbit farmers, personal inte...
Abstract: Microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) represent an abundant source of genetic markers which are highly abundant and dispersed evenly throughout eukaryotic genomes. They have become the markers of choice for a wide range of applications in population genetic, conservation and evolutionary biology. Microsatellites represent ideal molecular markers because they have multiple alleles which are highly polymorphic among individuals. Polymorphism is achieved by having variable ...
ABSTRACT Fishing as the main source of livelihood by artisanal fisherfolks is declining due to climatic changes and over exploitation. Fishing income can no longer meet fisherfolks‟s needs. Alternative sources of livelihood in addition to fishing are now being explored by fisherfolks. However, information on livelihood diversification in Oyan and Ikere Gorge has not been adequately documented. Therefore, livelihood diversification of fisherfolks around Oyan and Ikere Gorge reservoirs in Ogu...
ABSTRACT There is a dearth of research effort on the individual and household characteristics that affect the consumption of on-Timber Forest Products (TFPs) in parts of Southwest igeria. Yet, understanding the factors driving demand for TFPs is crucial for managing supplies sustainably. Therefore, this study examined the socio-economic determinants of consumer demand for TFPs in Ogun and Osun States, Southwest igeria. A survey involving 320 respondents randomly selected from eight communitie...
Abstract The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) plant species in Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, Southwestern Nigeria. Data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaires administered to households in forest communities. To complement information from the household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs) were also carried out in each of the sampled communities. In-depth interview (IDI) of forestry staff was furt...
Abstract Across West and Central Africa, duikers are important for trade and consumption; their populations are expected to become depleted. Reliable data on their status are scanty in Nigeria. We assessed duiker populations in the Oban Sector of Cross River National Park through diurnal and nocturnal surveys along 32 transects of 2 km each. After 508-km survey effort, only Ogilby’s duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi) and blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) were recorded. Using habitat as a covari...
ABSTRACT Khaya grandifoliola, an important economic hardwood species, has been severely depleted by overexploitation. This necessitates its ex-situ conservation and requires in-depth knowledge of nursery handlings, seed storage, in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation on which information is sparse. Therefore, silvicultural requirements for conservation and sustainable use of K. grandifoliola in some parts of southern Nigeria were investigated in this study. Seeds of K. grandifoliola were purposiv...
ABSTRACT The influence o f modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and storage temperature on the postharvest quality characteristics and biochemical properties o f green chilli peppers (Capsicum sps. cvs Legon 18 and KA2) was investigated. Packaging films; Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) 35fim non-perforated and perforated, Polypropylene(PP) 80^m nonperforated and perforated (twenty perforations were made on each perforated bag using a pin of diameter 0.14 mm) and LDPE micro-perforated 31.75p.m...
ABSTRACT Prevalence and antibiotic resistance (ABR) profiles of selected food borne pathogens in retailed fresh chicken, sold in the Accra Metropolis, were investigated. Fifty (50) fresh whole chicken carcasses, purchased from commercial cold stores, open markets, meat shops and local poultry farms, in the Accra metropolis, were used. Samples for evaluation were swabs from the breast, wing and vent area of the chicken carcasses. Target pathogens, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp. and E. coli were...
Due to inadequate personnel, information communication technologies (JCTs) have become an attractive option for delivery of extension information. This study examined awareness and use of ICTs by farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 192 farmers were interviewed. Results indicate that most farmers had no formal education and small farm holdings. Awareness of older JeTs like radio and television was more prevalent among farmers as compared with newer JeTs such as Jnternet and cable televis...
INTRODUCTION In Nigeria, about 75"0 of the population arc peasant fanners living in the rural areas. which arc the main stay of agricultural production, These fanners operate on small scale with farm holdings of 1-2 hectares, which arc usually scattered over a wide area. According to Olayide et al. (1981), about 75% of Nigeria's land is under arable cultivation with land-human ratio of 58 persons per square kilometer in south western Nigeria. This shows that the average sizes 01' farmlands ar...