GAJRC | Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Journal Name:	Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
Abbr. Title:	Glob Acad J Agri Biosci
ISSN(Print):	2706-8978
ISSN(Online):	2707-2568
Frequency:	Bi-Monthly
Language:	English
Chief Editor:	Dr. Abdul Wali A. Al Khulaidi
Publisher:	Scholars Middle East Publishers
Country of Origin:	United Arab Emirates

Journal Name:

Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Abbr. Title:

Glob Acad J Agri Biosci

ISSN(Print):

2706-8978

ISSN(Online):

2707-2568

Frequency:

Bi-Monthly

Language:

English

Chief Editor:

Dr. Abdul Wali A. Al Khulaidi

Publisher:

Scholars Middle East Publishers

Country of Origin:

United Arab Emirates

Abstract: This study analyzed the determinants of cassava production among smallholder farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it estimated the profitability of cassava production, identified the factors affecting cassava output, and assessed the level of technical efficiency among the farmers. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents, and data were collected using well-structured questionnaires. Analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics, the Cobb-Douglas production function, and the stochastic frontier production function. Results showed that 56% of the cassava farmers were male, with an average age of 45 years and an average farm size of 3 hectares. The total variable cost per hectare was ₦174,346.00, while total revenue was ₦990,826.67, yielding a gross margin of ₦816,480.67, a gross margin ratio of 0.82, and a rate of return on investment of 3.68. Cobb-Douglas analysis revealed that cassava cuttings, fertilizer, sex, age, household size, education, farm size and income significantly influenced cassava output (P<0.01). The stochastic frontier estimates also showed that planting material, fertilizer, herbicides, labour, and farm size significantly influenced production efficiency. However, inefficiency was significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, household size, extension contact, and access to credit. The average technical efficiency was 0.762, indicating a 24% efficiency shortfall. Major constraints faced by farmers included limited land access, weak land policies, insufficient finance, pest and disease infestations, and high labor costs. The study recommends the provision of subsidized inputs, access to credit, and greater inclusion of female farmers in cassava production in the study region.

The study examined small-scale farmers’ perception of the effect of insecurity on food security in Borno State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 360 respondents, and primary data were collected using well-structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Hypotheses were tested using t-test and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 75.5% of respondents were male, 60% were married, and 53% had formal education. The average age was 39 years, household size was 6, and farming experience averaged 20 years. Production significantly declined following insurgency, with 90.8% missing meals a few times within the year, while 63% attributed reduced food availability to diminished agricultural production. Limited market access was reported, with 62% indicating displacement as a key factor affecting food supply stability, and 49% perceiving increased malnutrition rates since insurgency began. The factor analysis shows that the causes of insecurity in the study area include socio-economic challenges, governance perceptions, trust and integrity, infrastructure conflicts, social issues, economic stability, and community land conflicts. The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that marital status, household size, education, and age significantly influenced production levels. Major farming constraints included herder-farmer conflicts, poor road access, high input costs, theft, and inadequate storage facilities. Hypothesis tests confirmed a significant difference in production without insurgency and with insurgency, with socio-economic characteristics (marital status, age, education, and household size) significantly affecting production levels. The study recommended that the government should prioritize security in agricultural sector to ensure farmers can access their land and engage in farming without fear of attacks or displacement in the region.

The composition of Chromaleana odorata and Aspilla africana leaf oil against cowpea seed storage bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus F. was evaluated in the laboratory under the ambient temperature of 28+20C and 70+5% relative humidity. The bioactivity of the vital oil removed by hydro distillation from Chromaleana odorata and Aspilla africana leaves was evaluated as well as 12: 12h light: dark regimes for its biological activity. Specific components of the important oil were recognized through GC, GC-MS as well as GC-Co injection with accurate standards. A total of 17 and 30 basic compounds identity of the vital oil of the two plants were established as well as their relative proportion determined. 6 – phenylhexanoic acid had highest percentage composition in Chromaleana odorata essential oil (24.53%), while 3 – Hydroxy-alpha-ionene is highest in Aspilia Africana oil (21.68). The main components were found to be basically responsible for the toxic action of its vital oil against bruchids. The uppermost dosage of the vital oil of the plant materials tested evoked the highest mortality after 7 days post treatment. The two botanicals were expressively effective at the bioactive concentration of 0.25ml invoked weevil bruchid mortality in treated cowpea seeds. The adult bruchid mortality improved slowly with botanical concentration as well as with the exposure time. There is need to expand the use of botanicals particularly in the agricultural management pest sector.

Feb. 8, 2025

Effectiveness of ICTs in Extension Service Delivery among Smallholder Farmers in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Ayoola Faith Joel, Joseph Bamidele, Beatrice Itoya Oyediji, Mudashir Adeola Olaitan, Ugochinyere Princess Eleke, Oluwamayowa Joseph Joel, Abubakar Tukur Tata, Samson Olayemi Sennuga
Glob Acad J Agri Biosci, 2025; 7(1): 8-17
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/gajab.2025.v07i01.002

This study examined the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in extension service delivery among smallholder farmers in Kwali Area Council, Abuja. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 smallholder farmers on which structured questionnaire was administered complemented with interview schedule. Primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean. Findings from the study revealed that majority farmers are male (91.7%), 63.3% aged between 36-45 years, married (66.7%), 60% have secondary education. Household sizes typically range from 4 to 6 members (45%), with farming experience mainly between 6 to 10 years (80.8%). Despite the importance of ICT in agriculture, only 10% of farmers currently use these technologies, primarily mobile phones (75%), with infrequent use overall. ICT-based extension services have notable impacts, including expanded information accessibility (75%), timeliness and relevance of information (90%), knowledge exchange (83.7%), skills development (72.5%), advancements in agricultural methods (85%), market access and financial integration (55%), risk management support (67.5%), and collaboration opportunities (73.3%). However, 80% of respondents find ICT tools not accessible or moderately accessible, and 90% have difficulty accessing ICT for farming information and support. Key constraints include limited ICT infrastructure (97.5%), high costs of devices and services (99.2%), low digital literacy (75%), language barriers (66.7%), geographical isolation (70%), limited content relevance (45%), inadequate technological support (95.8%), privacy concerns (47.5%), cultural barriers (90%), and poor connectivity (93.3%). Therefore, the study recommends; enhancement of ICT infrastructure, subsidizing ICT devices and services, improving digital Literacy, developing relevant and accessible ICT content and establishing technological support systems in the study region.

Dec. 14, 2024

Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) as Influenced by Plant Spacing and Harvesting Age

Basazinew Degu, Sulti Amano
Glob Acad J Agri Biosci, 2024; 6(6): 218-225
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/gajab.2024.v06i06.005

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) is the most important aromatic and medicinal plant in the world grown for its essential oil predominantly extracted from its aromatic leaves and inflorescence. The experiment was conducted with irrigation supplement during the 2017, and 2018 cropping seasons at the Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center experimental field in Southern Ethiopia. One of the study's goals was to investigate the ideal plant spacing and harvesting age for lavender growth, yield, and yield components under supplemental irrigation circumstances. Three levels of harvesting ages following transplant (9, 10, and 11 months after transplanting (MAT)) and four levels of intra-row spacing (45, 60, 75, and 90 cm) with an inter-row spacing of 60 cm made up the experiment. Three replications were used in the factorial arrangement in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experiment. The combined analysis's findings showed that the number of branches per plant, fresh leaves and inflorescence weight/plant, fresh leaves and inflorescence yield/ha, and essential oil yield/ha were all significantly impacted by plant spacing. Conversely, it had no discernible impact on the amount of essential oil or plant height. Plant height, fresh leaf, and inflorescence weight/plant, inflorescence yield/ha, and essential oil yield/ha were significantly impacted by harvesting age, but not the number of branches/plants. Fresh leaf and inflorescence yield/ha and essential oil yield/ha were significantly influenced by the interaction of plant spacing and harvesting age. The highest essential oil yield/ha (98.72 kg) and fresh leaf and inflorescence yield/ha (24.56 t) were achieved at 10 MAT and 60*45 cm spacing. Conversely, the 60*90 cm spacing and 11 MAT had the lowest essential oil yield/ha (34.42 kg). Therefore, it is highly recommended to grow Lavender with a supplement of irrigation at Wondo Genet and a place that has the same agroecology with a spacing of 60*45 cm and harvest it at 10 MAT to get the highest essential oil yield/ha.