Analysis of crop enterprise combination among small holder farmers in delta north agricultural zone, delta state, Nigeria

Determinants of export-led cassava production intensification among small-holder farmers were investigated. Primary data collected with structured questionnaire from randomly selected 60 respondents, were analysed using appropriate statistics. The result showed a slow increasing trend in response to export opportunities. Farm size, credit availability, cassava product domestic prices, labour and frequency of extension contact had positive effect on cassava output while existence of efficient marketing system has negative effect on cassava output. Inadequate finance and high cost of labour were the problems facing cassava production intensification. Policy instrument on cassava production intensification should capture the significant determinants identified in the study.

The specific objectives were to collate a universe of socio-economic status indicators; carry out item analysis to validate socio-economic status indicators; select valid socio-economic status indicators for heads of farm families; and discuss the sociological implication of the valid items. Stratified and simple random sampling designs were used in selecting the towns and villages. Twelve percent of heads of farm families in selected Ibo speaking Local Government Areas of the state comprising Aniocha South (41), Ika South (47) Ndokwa West (55) and Oshimili North (31) were selected to give a sample size of 174 heads of farm families. Structured interview schedules were used in data collection. Data were analysed using point-biserial correlation coefficient and t-test. A universe of 106 items were collated from a preresearch survey. Sixty nine (69) items were found as valid indicators of socio-economic status. The number of relatives trained by the individual, axe, yam barn, motor cycle, motor car, bicycles and water cistern toilet had very important social and economic implications among the people. The indexes are recommended to development agencies for evaluating changes in socio-economic status of heads of farm families particularly after an agricultural development intervention programme. Key words: Indexes, item analysis, valid items, socio-economic status indicators, farm families.

In Nigeria to which Delta State is a part, lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS has been projected as a major factor influencing the spread and pattern of HIV/AIDS prevalence. This research examined the gender and awareness pattern of HIV/AIDS in Delta State from a geographical perspective. The specific objectives are to; identify the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS by gender in Delta State, generate spatial map of the gender and awareness pattern of HIV/AIDS using GIS tool in the form of Arc view 9 and make recommendations. Data were sourced from both primary and secondary sources. Stratified sampling method was used to stratify Delta State into three senatorial zones following the existing strata i.e Delta North, Delta South and Delta Central senatorial districts. Within each Stratum, simple random sampling was employed to select the local government areas from where data were obtained. A total of nine (9) local government areas were selected from the three senatorial districts. 2350 copies of questionnaire were administered and 2169 copies were successfully retrieved. An independent sample ttest statistical technique was used to test the hypothesis of the study. The findings are; that awareness of HIV/AIDS is high in Delta state and that gender is not a factor of awareness variation in Delta state. By these findings, the research has contributed to existing knowledge by proving that ignorance is no longer a factor of HIV/AIDS spread, therefore, researches will now be redirected to other factors perpetuating the spread of HIV/AIDS in Delta state other than ignorance. Behavioural change campaign is recommended in Delta state in addition to the ongoing awareness campaign.

This study is about gas flaring and its impacts on temperature, agriculture and the people of Ebedei in Delta State, Nigeria. The study utilized empirical research design.The stratified sampling technique was used to stratify the area into six layers using distance from the flare site as a yardstick, thus the strata include 150m, 250m, 350m, 450m, 550m, 650m from the flare site. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for the analysis of data. Findings include: majority of respondents (93.75%) suggest that the temperature in Ebedei was cooler than it is now as compared to the 6.25% that responded otherwise; the effects of gas flaring on the environment include acid rain (73.3%), air pollution (92.1%), temperature rise (84.6%), and deforestation (82.1%). The following crops are currently being affected by Gas flaring in Ebedei; yam 94.6%, cassava 90%, Okra 98.75%, plantain 50.4%, potatoes 5%. Places closer to the flare site were hotter than places further from the flare site (mean annual temperature at 150m from the site is 29.1 0C at 650m it is 28.10C). The ANOVA model was significant at P>0.000. This implied that the variation in temperature in terms of distance from the flare site within Ebedei area is significant.

This study examined cattle and beef marketing in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to identify and describe distribution channels for beef; ascertain the factors that determine selling price at the wholesale and retail level of cattle and beef; and determine the marketing margins for cattle and beef at both wholesale and retail levels. A total of 180 respondents (60 wholesalers and 120 retailers) were selected from the three agricultural zones in the state which are divided into local government areas. Data were collected from the respondents by using two sets of structured questionnaire. Marketing channels, regression analysis and marketing margin analysis were used to analyse the data collected. The mean price per cattle was N130,000.00 ±27098.82 while a kilogram of beef cost N750.00 on the average. The wholesale margins for cattle was N22,850.00 while the margins for beef retailers was N236,156.00 weekly. The regression results showed that transport cost (p<0.10), market charges (p<0.10) and cost of renting land (p<0.10) and buying price (p<0.05) significantly affected cattle wholesale price. The regression results showed that sales price (p<0.05) and transportation cost (p<0.05), while tax rate (p<0.10), cost of loading (p<0.10) and cost of offloading of cattle (p<0.10) significantly affected the retail prices. The study showed that cattle marketing in Delta State is lucrative and the government is encouraged to invest in its production to help in national development in the future.

Objective: The objective of this paper was to identify the determinants of patronage of agricultural insurance in Delta north agricultural zone, Delta State Nigeria. Material and Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data were obtained through questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistics, logit model, and t-test were employed in the study. Results: The findings showed that the mean age was 48 years with 59.2% of female farmers. About 60% of them had secondary education with a mean farm size of 2.10 ha. The mean farming experience was 11 years with 75% of the farmers not belonging to a cooperative society with a mean income of N80, 278.33. The major risks were pests, high temperature, variation in yield, flood and the least were a fire outbreak. Only 39.2% of the farmers are aware of agricultural insurance. The logit model showed that the age of farmers, educational level, premium rate, farm size, accessibility to credit, gender, awareness, and land tenure influenced farmers' decision to patronize agricultural insurance. Conclusion: This study examines insurance patronage by highlighting the interaction between the socioeconomic factors of farmers and the decision to patronize insurance. As far as this study is concerned, the identified factors will significantly improve patronage and increase productivity.

Education is considered to be a key instrument of human and economic transformation in all nations of the world. The effectiveness of such education depends on the decision to review the content and approaches of the present education system in Nigeria. This paper, therefore, aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s education through adequate health facilities, using secondary schools in Delta State as a case study. From a population of ……… teachers and…………. Principals in the government owned secondary schools in Delta State, 50 principals and 600 teachers were selected as sample. Data were collected and analysed using mean and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), conducted at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female teachers on sources of drinking water in schools in Delta State. It also showed that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female teachers on availability of sanitation facilities in schools in Delta State. The findings indicated that there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female teachers on method of refuse disposal in schools in Delta State. The paper recommends that government and school authorities should make effort to ensure that students have access to good source of drinking water, good sanitation facilities and device safe method of waste disposal.

The black fly (Simulium damnosum) is the vector of onchocerciasis which is currently regarded as one of the neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria. Current global climate changes are being said to influence the distribution and the rate of spread of this disease vector. This research was conducted to identify the current habitat distribution of two cytospecies of the adult Simulium fly in Delta State, Nigeria. Adult black flies were caught using human attractants each day at the peak biting periods of morning and dusk once weekly; over a period of one year from three local government areas in Delta state. The trapped species were described and classified in situ using standard morphological keys and the collected data were analyzed statistically to reflect the annual population dynamics and seasonal species distributions. A marked disparity in the spatio-temporal distribution of the caught Simulium was noticed in the different locations. Two species: the forest dwelling species (FDS) and savannah dwelling species (SDS) were identified. The FDS were more abundant than the SDS in the three studied locations: Aganiki Camp, Oshimili North LGA (Mean 59.8: 12.3; ±47.5), Ugbodu, Aniocha North LGA (Mean 45.1: 10.7; ±34.4) and Umute, Aniocha South LGA (Mean 27: 7.9; ±19.1). Aganiki Camp has the highest number of the flies (total=867; monthly Mean=72) followed by Ugbodu (total=669; with monthly Mean=55.8) and the least Umute (total=424; with a monthly Mean of 35). The species distribution was significant F=4.844, (P<0.05). The average monthly population was 163; the distribution peaked in August (242) and ebbed in March (110). Overall, the FDS (Mean=132.3) were more abundant than the SDS (Mean=30.9); with a range value of ±101.4. It is critical that two cytospecies of the Simulium fly: FDS and SDS exist in the study area with significant presence all the year round. This will predictably make the transmission occurrence and intensity of the disease an annual event and therefore has the implications for a strengthened all the year round preventive measures and sustainable intervention approaches.

This paper is a review on lateness in public schools, which has posed a major problem to school administrators in Delta State, Nigeria, especially at the primary and secondary school levels. The author delimited his focus on students, staff and supporting staff in the school system. The salient point is that lateness to schools plagues school administrators, bringing about inefficiencies at work by way of administration. Therefore, this paper highlights the meaning, causes and effects of lateness to schools as related to the school administrator in Delta State, Nigeria. The study also highlighted various remedies to the sordid situation. This review will therefore help school administrators alleviate lateness, a hydra-headed monster plaguing schools in Delta State, Nigeria, and as such bring about easy administration of schools in the region. Key words: Censorship, information resources, information explosion, information overload, library, library materials, library resources, education, Nigeria.

This paper is a review on lateness in public schools, which has posed a major problem to school administrators in Delta State, Nigeria; especially at the primary and secondary school levels. The author delimited his focus on students, staff and supporting staff in the school system. The salient point is that, lateness to schools plagues school administrators, bringing about inefficiencies at work by way of administration. Therefore, this paper highlights the meaning, causes and effects of lateness to schools as related to the school administrator in Delta State, Nigeria. The study also highlighted various remedies to the sordid situation. This review will therefore help school administrators alleviate lateness, a hydra-headed monster plaguing schools in Delta State, Nigeria, and as such bring about easy administration of schools in the region. Key words: Lateness, school administrators, discipline, environment, punctuality.

This study examined constraints and strategies for enhancing pig production. The study was carried out in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 90 respondents was used for the study. Data were collected using a structured and validated interview schedule. Data for the study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequency count, percentage and mean scores were used to summarize data, while factor analysis was used to ascertain constraints to pig production. Results of the study reveal that economic, poor management and socio-cultural biases were the major factors hindering pig production in Delta State. Specific issues highlighting these factors were also identified. Strategies for enhancing pig production that were identified by the study include: establishment of functional market for pig and pig products, subsidy for pig housing and equipment, adoption of improved pig production technologies, provision of transport facilities, subsidy for pig feeds, special credit scheme for pig farmers, public enlightenment on the nutritional value of pigs, enacting legislation against discrimination of pig products, Â and making veterinary services available and affordable. Key words : Â Pigs, Constraints, Strategies, Production, Delta State, Nigeria

Adoption of improved agricultural technologies is fundamental to transformation of sustainable farming system, and a driving force for increasing agricultural productivity. This study provides empirical evidence on the determinants, and the perceived effects of adoption of improved food crop technologies in Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional survey of available technologies and 1,663 farm households in Nigeria. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed very low technology adoption index. Available food crop production technologies used by sampled respondents were assessed as effective, appropriate, readily available, affordable, durable, user and gender friendly, with requisite skill to use them. However, processing technologies such as cabinet dryer were observed as unaffordable, not durable, not gender or users friendly. Packaging machines are also not users or gender friendly; washing machine not affordable, durable and gender friendly. Grain processing technologies like De-stoner, grading, and packaging machines are still not locally available and affordable. While parboilers have a negative impact on product quality, farmers’ health and the environment, tomato grinding machines have positive impact on the quality of the product, health of the users, yield and negatively affect the environment. The main determinants of adoption are the crop types, farm size and locations. Adoption of herbicide and inorganic fertilizer were influenced by travel cost to nearest place of acquisition, while the age of farmer has a positive and significant influence on the adoption of pesticide, water management and cassava harvester. Interestingly, male farmers only exhibit greater likelihood of adopting land preparation, inorganic and organic fertilizer technologies compared to their female counterpart. Therefore, policy options that consider all users at the development stages, favour reduction of travel cost, increase farm size are recommended to encourage sustainable adoption of improved food cop technologies.

This paper investigated the place of academic libraries in knowledge management for human capital development in Delta State, Nigeria. Human capital development is an important agenda of any society. Consequently, the Delta State Government and various institutions have been paying priority attention to it. Samples of 6 academic libraries from the various senatorial districts of Delta State, Nigeria were investigated. The instrument used to generate data is the questionnaire and the data generated were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages, and chi-square statistic was employed in testing the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. This study showed that the library knowledge management practices entail the process of creating, storing, sharing and using ICT facilities to achieve human capital development. A significant relationship was established between knowledge management and human capital development. However, there was a significant relationship between the challenges of knowledge management and human capital development. Based on the challenges, recommendations were made. Key words: Knowledge management, human capital development, academic library.

Background: Obesity is a lifestyle disease with enormous public health challenges. Accurate self-perception of body size is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body size. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe self-perception of body size among adults in Delta State, Nigeria, and determine the level of misperception. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional exploratory survey of apparently healthy adults living in Delta State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Data on demography, self-perception of body size, and means of assessing body size were reported and documented. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Actual body size was compared with self-perceived body size. Results: About 85% of the respondents reported normal/healthy self-perceived weight while

Delta State has long been facing many environmental challenges, mainly from oil exploration activities by the multinational companies which have, to a large extent affected the ecological environment of the State. This study examines community response to environmental degradation in Delta State. The study specifically examines the influence of environmental degradation on communal conflict and pipeline vandalism. Survey research design was employed. Three oil-producing communities were sampled for this study. They are Ebedei in Ukwuani local government area, Uwheru in Ughelli North local government area and Esama in Bomadi local government area, representing the three senatorial zones of the State. Ukwuani local government area has a population of 119,034, Ughelli North local government area with a population 320,687 and Bomadi local government area has a population of 86,016. The total population of these three local government areas is 525,737. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table for determining sample size, for a given population of 525,737, a sample size of 400 would be needed to represent a cross- section of the population. The study employed simple percentages as the technique of data analysis and it revealed that conflicts in oil producing communities in Delta State are reflective of the extent of the environmental degradation in that area. The study also showed that pipeline vandalization is caused by youth restlessness resulting from the economic hardship in Delta State. The study concludes that environmental degradation is fuelling communal conflicts and pipeline vandalism in Delta State. The study recommends that the State government need to embark on programme and projects that have direct bearing on the people of the region. The study also recommends that the multinational corporations operating in the region need to address seriously their corporate social responsibility to host communities.