Background: The importance of pesticides in the economy especially in agriculture, cannot be over-emphasized. It is therefore very crucial to uphold and maintain the efficacy of these pest control agents. This study seeks to explore the effect of climate variables on the potency of pesticides. Climate change has emerged as one of the most significant global challenges, disrupting weather patterns and altering ecosystems. These changes pose serious implications for pest dynamics, distribution, and behavior, thereby directly influencing the performance of pesticides. This study analyzed relevant articles related to climate change and pesticides systematically sourced from credible reference databases for a period of 21 years from 2002 to 2023, using the most suitable keywords. Recent scientific research and empirical evidence, analyzing the effects of rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and changing humidity levels on pests and their interactions with pesticide applications were studied. The relevant impact of these effects is seen in reduced agricultural yield, loss of livelihood and source of income, infestation and destruction of agricultural crops, and reduced living standard in the society amongst others. The projected changes include; the development of adaptive agricultural practices and integration of climate-resilient pest management strategies that could improve the efficacy of pesticides. This involves exploring the potential of eco-friendly and biologically-based pest control approaches to reduce the destructive impacts that arise from climate change. These sustainable practices and novel technologies aimed at improving pest control under changing climatic conditions must be encouraged and upheld tenaciously.

Background: This study looked into the survey of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their contribution to rural household livelihood in adjoining communities in Ago-Owu Forest Reserve of Osun State. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select four villages around the study area. A total of 116 questionnaires were used to obtain data on NTFPs obtainable, commonly sourced NTFPs, Most used NTFPs, Profitability of NTFP, impact of NTFPs on the livelihood, constraint facing NTFPs in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive and budgetary analysis. Results: Majority of the respondents were within the age group of 41-50 (53.6%) and mostly were male (56.4%), 46.4% had tertiary education while 11.8% had no formal education. Most of them were married (63.6%). Identified NTFPs include fuel-wood, medicinal Plant, Snail, wrapping leaves, charcoal, and mushroom. The result of profitability shows that fuel-wood the highest variable cost of ₦8,076.00 followed by mushroom ₦6,477.92. The rate of return is as follows mushroom (2.89%), charcoal (48.2%), snail (4.04%), fuel-wood (29.5%), medicinal plant (31.6%), wrapping leaves (6.54%). Impact of NTFPs showed that most of them were consumed while some are for medicinal plant, source of income, fuel wood e.tc. Constraint facing the supply of NTFPs include Finances (73.6%), storage facilities (64.5%), price fluctuation (64.5%), Transportation (67.3%) and a host of others. The study established the evaluation of NTFPs in the study area. Conclusion: It is understandable that price fluctuation may be seasonal dependent, but nevertheless NTFPs collectors should always try to fix reasonable prices so as to ease the evacuation and supply of the products to the end users.

Background: Fermented rice is known to possess probiotic capability. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confers consumer with enormous health benefits. This research was determined on isolation and molecularly identifies beneficial lactic acid bacteria from fermented rice water. Methods: Locally cultivated Osuemegbe Rice grains were steeped and fermented to isolate lactic acid bacteria strains. De Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) media was used for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria. The fermented rice water was serially diluted, plated and incubated at 37 °C for 48 hours under anaerobic conditions. Single colonies were subjected to biochemical analysis and gram-staining. Subsequently, 16s rRNA Identification of bacterial isolates was conducted. Results: The strains of LAB isolated were lactiplantibacillus plantarum CIP 103151and Limosilactobacillus fermentum CIP 102980 which are both beneficial and highly recommended as alternatives to antibiotics since their various mechanisms of growth inhibition against pathogenic bacteria have been extensively documented. Conclusion: The findings in this study confirmed rice to possess strains of probiotic Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which can be exploited to achieving quality advancement in one health: integrated and unify approach aim at sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystem.

Background: This study assessed the distribution of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) in Mbe Mountain Corridor of Cross River National Park with a view to estimate its spatial distribution, population structure and vegetation distribution for a period of four months (September to December 2020). Method: The sites were visited from 7.00 am- 10.00 am in the morning and 4.00pm to 6.00 pm in the evening. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The spatial distribution of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) revealed that Obue trail had the highest percentage of 56.3%, follows by Mbe trail with 31.2% and the least was sighted in Mbep trail with 12.5%. The highest number of observations was recorded in the month of December with 9 sighting, followed by October with 3 observations while the month of September and November recorded 2 observations each. The sex distribution of pangolin revealed that females were the higher in the observations with 11 sighting than the male with only 5 observations. The populations structure of pangolin (P. tetradactyla) shows that sub-adult was the highest in observation (7) while adult and juvenile recorded 5 and 4 observations respectively. 56.3% of the observations were sighted at Diospyros mistiliformis vegetation, Terminalia superba with 31.2% while 12.5% were observed at Brachystegia eurycoma vegetation. P. tetradactyla were seen running more than feeding with sleeping being the least activity observed. Conclusion: The study revealed the presence of P. tetradactyla (Pangolin) in all the three trails in the study area. This study has confirmed the presence of Pangolin in Mbe Mountain Corridor of Cross River National Park and their preferred vegetation.

Background: This study examined marketing of non-timber forest products as a means of income generation in Oja-Oba Market, Iseyin Local Government of Oyo State. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been located to play an important position in family financial system and food security. Methods: In the present study, a simple random sampling was used to choose ninety-four respondents (25 % sampling depth) from 376 marketers that were identified. A total of seventy-eight responses were retrieved from the 94 questionnaires distributed. Data were analyzed using descriptive information and budgetary evaluation. Results: Most of the of respondents (51.4%) were the ages of 31 and 40 years old, female (51.3%), married (73.1%), had adult schooling (34.6%), have been farmers (60.3 %), had 11-20yrs experience (44.9%), and had been indigenous (69.2%). Many of the marketed NTFPs had been bush meat (73.1%), honey and bee wax (71.8%), fuel wood (60.3%), and Shea butter (60.3 %). The charges of NTFPs numerous at diverse tiers, for example, bush meat that sells for #2500.00 on the farm level is in the end offered at #6000.00 to very last purchasers. This also carried out to different NTFPs advertised in the place, indicating that NTFP marketing turned into a profitable enterprise in the study area. Profitability of the very best marketed NTFPs (bush meat) revealed an average gross margin of #34,040.00 and a net profit of #28,040.00, whilst the benefit cost Ratio was 2.53, indicating that for each # 2.00 invested in the business, there was a go back of 53kobo. Poor transportation (35.9%), a lack of storage facilities (23.1%), deforestation (12.8%), and price fluctuation are the various fundamental issues encountered (11.5%). Marketing NTFPs is a rewarding commercial enterprise which could assist improve rural livelihoods. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was determined that the area was highly enriched with various varieties of NTFPs that serve the needs of the residents. It was recommended that Sustainable forest management of non-timber forest products should be implemented as a development strategy in the study area to ensure the continuous availability of non-timber forest products in the study area.

Background: A fifty-six (56) day experiment was conducted at the small animal experimental unit of Federal College of Wildlife Management, New-Bussa, Niger State to determine the effect of fortifying the feed of weaned rabbits with graded levels of Garcinia kola (G. kola). Methods: Forty unsexed New-Zealand white rabbits weighing between 0.90-0.92kg used for this experiment were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments tagged T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The experimental rabbits were fed with Iso-Caloric and Iso-Nitrogenous diets that are rich in lipids with a very high metabolizable energy (M/E). Rabbits in T1which served as the control were fed plain diets not fortified with G. kola. Rabbits in treatments 2 to 5 were fed diets fortified with graded level of processed G. kola seeds at 5g/100g, 10g/100g, 15g/100g and 20g/100g respectively and the animals were fed at 10% of their body biomass by monitoring the weight on weekly basis. Results: Data obtained from this study revealed that feeding of weaner rabbits with feed fortified with powdered G. kola seed produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent serum-lipid lowering effects as compared to the control group, this may be mediated by some of the phytochemical and nutritional constituents of G. kola. The phytochemical analysis revealed that values of Tannin Flavonoids, Saponin and Alkaloids ranges from 5.94 ± 0.58%, 1.57 ± 0.37%, 3.46 ± 0.365% and 6.58 ± 0.38% respectively while the results of the Proximate analysis revealed that G. kola seed contained 8.51 ± 0.045% Moisture, 2.39 ± 0.420% Protein, 4.65 ± 0.365% Ash and 75.91 ± 2.265%NFE. Conclusion: This research work has revealed that G. kola seed has a hypolipidemic effect when consumed and that consumption of G. kola seed may help in the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular.

Pesticides are substances or chemicals employed in the control of pests. The rate of food losses in the world especially in third world countries continues to be on an upward scale. These losses are often caused by the damaging and destructive activities of pests during cultivation, harvest and post-harvest activities including drying and storage. To curtail the huge problems these pests, pose to farmers and other players in the agricultural food chain, researchers have over the years developed different types and forms of pesticides and more efforts are still ongoing in the quest to develop more pesticides especially of natural origin. There is a general belief that pesticides of natural origin are safer to non-target species than the synthetic pesticides. While this may be expected given the fact that many synthetic pesticides are made from unhealthy chemicals and heavy metals and are non-biodegradable resulting in accumulation of residues in food and water, it is still a subject of serious debate among researchers. Also, lack of government support, incentives and poor regulatory policies especially for biopesticides, are part of the challenges facing the development of natural pesticides. This review is aimed at unravelling the characteristics of the two major classes of pesticides: synthetic and natural pesticides with a view to advising on which is safer for human health and the environment and the way forward for farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.