Southeast Agro-ecological Zone Research Articles

Factors Affecting Production and Consumption of African Yam Bean (SphenostylisstenocarpaHochst. Ex. A. Rich) Harms) in South-East Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

The study assessed factors affecting production and consumption of African yam bean, identified the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, assessed factor affecting their production, and consumption of AYB and then identified factors affecting the adoption of African Yam Bean technologies in Imo and Enugu states. All the objectives were achieved using simple descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means. Mean score were determined using likert point scale measurement. The result revealed that African Yam Bean is cultivated majorly by women and middle aged farmers who are still within their productive age with high level of farming experience in the studied locations. Meanwhile, only a few of the farmers belonged to a cooperative societies of farmers organizations in Imo state while majority of the farmers belonged to farmers organization in Enugu state. Below revealed the factors affecting production of African Yam Bean to include high yielding ( = 4.7); early maturing (=4.2); resistant to disease (= 4.1); soil selection (=4.0); drought tolerant (=4.2); ability to maintain its colour over time (=4.0); high nutritious value (=5.0); accessibility (=3.8); affordability (=4.7); complexity (=3.6); and compatibility (=3.8). Also, factors influencing African Yam Bean technology in the studied area which include high nutrient content (=5.0); simple to process (=3.6); palatability (=4.6); less expensive (=4.5); high markatebility (=3.9); high economic value (=4.6); durability (=4.5); health benefits (=4.7); and it is demand driven (=4.3). Keywords : African Yam Bean, Effect, Production, Consumption DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-10-06 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Effects of covid-19 on poultry production in south-east agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

This study investigated the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on poultry production in South East, Nigeria. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a total of 150 respondents for the study. The instruments for data collection was questionnaire and interview guide or schedule Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and In-depth Interview (IDI) of actors in the poultry sub-sectors were also used. Qualitative method was used for data analysis. Data collected were analyzed using both mean score analysis and content analysis. The results of the study showed that all the items considered attribute of the effects of Covid 19 as perceived by the respondents turned out positive with an accepted mean values above 2.5 except for the attribute 'Covid-19 pandemic have affected the way I relate to my customers' which gave mean score value (2.4) below the cut-off mark. The study concluded that covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the poultry industry during the period under review. It resulted in scarcity of inputs and high cost of feed ingredients leading to high cost of production and high selling price. It also led to difficulty in accessing the markets leading to dumping of products and egg glut. It was recommended amongst others that government should incentivise the production of input materials (such as maize, soyabean, etc) especially feed production through an effective input subsidization mechanism to ensure cost-effective production of the various poultry subsectors. 
 Cette étude a examiné les effets de la pandémie de Covid-19 sur la production de volaille dans le sud-est du Nigéria. Des techniques d'échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés et téléologiques ont été utilisées pour sélectionner un total de 150 répondants pour l'étude. Les instruments de collecte de données étaient un questionnaire et un guide d'entretien ou un calendrier. Des discussions de groupe de discussion (FGD) et des entretiens approfondis (IDI) des acteurs des sous-secteurs de la volaille ont également été utilisés. Une méthode qualitative a été utilisée pour l'analyse des données. Les données collectées ont été analysées en utilisant à la fois l'analyse du score moyen et l'analyse du contenu. Les résultats de l'étude ont montré que tous les éléments considérés comme attribut des effets de Covid-19 tels que perçus par les répondants se sont révélés positifs avec des valeurs moyennes acceptées supérieures à 2,5, à l'exception de l'attribut `` La pandémie de Covid-19 a affecté la façon dont je me rapporte à mes clients qui ont donné une valeur de score moyenne (2,4) en dessous du seuil. L'étude a conclu que la pandémie de covid-19 avait eu un impact négatif sur l'industrie de la volaille au cours de la période considérée. Cela a entraîné une raréfaction

Perceived Effects of Resource-Use Conflicts on Rural Women Farmers in South-east Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Worldwide, land remains an important natural capital for every nation and individuals, and because of this, it’s not unusual that there is land conflict across the world

English

The study was conducted to characterize and evaluate the agronomic potentials of eight Musa accessions in Ebonyi State University Musa field genebank. Qualitative descriptors were used to characterize the genotypes, while eight growth and yield traits were evaluated. Results indicated that the accessions were similar in thirteen characteristics, but differed in nine traits including pseudostem/foliage pigmentation, pseudostem/foliage waxiness, pseudostem blotching, petiole margin clasping, peduncle hairiness, persistence of neutral flowers, persistence of male bract, pulp colour of unripe fruit, and pulp colour of ripe fruit. Analysis of variance results indicated significant differences among the accessions for all the agronomic traits except fruit circumference. In terms of bunch weight, SH 3436 yielded the heaviest bunch (12.45 kg), followed by FHIA 25 (10.03 kg) and FHIA 17 (8.43 kg), respectively. These three genotypes were all banana hybrid varieties and may have adapted well to the climatic conditions of Abakaliki in southeast agro-ecological zone. Key words: Germplasm, hybridization, Musa species, qualitative descriptors.

Use of Information Communication Technologies Among Female Block Extension Agents in South-East Agro-Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Use of Information Communication Technologies Among Female Block Extension Agents in South-East Agro-Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Technical Efficiency of Small-holder Sweetpotato Farmers in Southeast Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

The paper investigated the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in sweetpotato production in South-East agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in the selection of states and respondents. Two states, Abia and Enugu were randomly selected from the five states of south-east agro-ecological zone (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States). 120 respondents were randomly selected (60 respondents from each state). Data collecting instrument was a well-structured questionnaire. Stochastic frontier production function Original Research Article

Analysis of Determinants of Farm Size Productivity among Small- Holder Cassava Farmers in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Analysis of Determinants of Farm Size Productivity among Small- Holder Cassava Farmers in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Analysis of Determinants of Farm Size Productivity among Small- Holder Cassava Farmers in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Aims: To examine the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers and determinants of farm size productivity among small-holder cassava farmers. Study design: Time series data. Place and Duration of study : The study was carried out in 2009 in the south-east agro ecological zone of Nigeria. April-June, 2009. Methodology : A multistage randomized sampling method was used in selecting four states – Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Cross River and then 240 cassava farmers in the area of study. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. Information sought bordered on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and input use. Analysis of data was carried out using log-linear regression model and descriptive statistics such as tables, percentages and mean. Results: The results revealed that farm size was negative and significant at 1% and productivity of cassava increases with hired labour which is positively correlated with productivity at 1% level of probability. The coefficient of mode of occupation was positively correlated to productivity at 5%. It signifies that full time farmers are more productive than part time farmers. Conclusion: The results have shown that there is an inverse relationship between farm size and productivity. This call for policies aimed at redistribution of land targeted towards giving land to small-holder farmers in order to improve productivity. Research Article

Assessment of the Performance of Sweet Potato Marketing System in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Assessment of the Performance of Sweet Potato Marketing System in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Assessment of the Performance of Sweet Potato Marketing System in South East Agro Ecological Zone, Nigeria

Aims : To determine the sweet potato marketing channel, gross marketing margin and returns, marketing efficiency and state the policy implications of the study. Study design: Cross sectional study

Labour productivity among small- holder cassava farmers in South East agro ecological zone, Nigeria.

The study employed a Cobb-Douglas regression technique to measure labour productivity in the southeast agro ecological zone. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 240 respondents from the zone in 2008. The study found gender and age to be negative and significantly related to labour productivity at 1.0% level of probability. The coefficients for fertilizer and hired labour were positive and also significant at 1.0% level of probability. The coefficient for land ownership was positive and household size negative, both significant at 10.0% level of probability. The results calls for polices aimed at making more lands available especially to women who are stronger, as well as production inputs like fertilizer. Key word: Cobb-Douglas, labour productivity and cassava.

A translog stochastic frontier analysis of plot size and cost inefficiencyamong smallholder cassava farmers in south-east agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

A stochastic frontier translog cost function model was used to measure the level of cost efficiency and its determinants in small-holder cassava production in South-east Agro-Ecological Zone, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 320 cassava farmers in 2008. The parameters of the stochastic frontier cost function were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The result of the analysis shows that individual farm level cost efficiency was about 69%. The study found age and farm size to be negatively and significantly related to cost efficiency at 1.0%. Farming experience and membership of cooperative societies had a positive relationship with cost efficiency. There is need for policies aimed at encouraging the youths who are agile and stronger as well as the experienced to increase production. Land re-distribution policies are advocated to make lands available to the small-holder farmers who form the bulk of the farming population.Keywords: Translog stochastic frontier, plot size, cost inefficiency.

Factors influencing cassava - pulp fermentation period for gari processing among cassava processors in southeastern Nigeria.

paper examined factors influencing cassava pulp fermentation period for gari processing among cassava processors in South-eastern Nigeria. Five out of nine states that constitute South-east Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria were purposively sampled on the basis of being notable for cassava production. From each sampled state and by simple random sampling technique, 64 cassava processors were selected evenly from across the agricultural zones of the state. This summed up to a sample size of 320 respondents from the entire study area. Using structured interview schedule, data on age of farmers, educational status, years of gari processing experience, marital status, membership of cooperative societies, etc were collected from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Probit model analysis. Result of probit model analysis at 5% significance level shows an R value 0.4728 indicating that 47.28% of factors affecting cassava-pulp fermentation practices in the study area were accounted for by the variables considered in this study. Marital status (2.236**) and respondents' cultural influences (1.960**) were positively related to long period fermentation of cassava-pulp among the respondents. On the contrary, socio-economic statuses (-2.466**) of the respondents were negatively related to long period fermentation of cassava-pulp among the respondents. It is therefore, recommended that awareness campaign should be mounted to sensitize cassava processors to the health risks associated with short period of fermentation of cassava-pulp during gari processing. Similarly, extension agents should use occasion of personal visits to farmers to educate them on the importance of adequate fermentation of cassava pulp during gari processing. Cultural groups and activities should be explored by extension agents and nutritionists in disseminating information on need for longer period of fermentation of cassava pulp during gari processing. Keywords: Cassava-pulp, Fermentation, Gari Processing, Cyanide, Toxic

Factors influencing the adoption of National Institute of Horticultural Research (NIHORT) Technologies in southeastern Nigeria

The study assessed the factors that influence the adoption of horticulture technologies in Southeast Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Three states were sampled for study from the nine states in the zone. Abia, Imo and Akwa Ibom were randomly selected for study. One hundred and ninety two (192) farmers were randomly sampled from the three states. Sixty (60) extension agents were also randomly selected from the zone. Questionnaire was the instrument used for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage scores), and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that the mean adoption score of National Horticultural Research Institute technologies was very low (1.1). The reasons proffered were scarcity and high cost of technology packages. Factors that influenced adoption by farmers were age, mass media exposure, contact with extension agents and household size. It was recommended that technology inputs be multiplied and distributed to farmers at affordable prices.

Utilization Of Iita/Nrcri Cassava Pulp De-Watering Machine In Rural Communities Of Southeastern Nigeria

Cassava-pulp de-watering machine was developed by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ibadan and National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike to replace manual methods of expressing water from cassava pulps. The technology was introduced to farmers in South eastern Nigeria over two decades ago. This paper seeks to evaluate the use of the technology among farm households in rural communities of South eastern Nigeria. The study was carried out in five states within south east agro-ecological zone. A total of 320 respondents were randomly selected across agricultural zones of each state. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed with probit model statistic. Result of the analysis showed an R2 value of 0.8974 indicating that 89.74% of variations in use of the machine was explained by the variable considered in this study. Farmers' cosmopoliteness, accessibility of the machine, quantity of cassava processed and processing for market were positively related to use of the machine, while cost of processing and household labour were negatively related to use of the machine. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be made by governments and non-government organizations to enhance accessibility of cassava-pulp de-watering machine to farm households by establishing modern cassava processing centres especially in remote rural communities. Potentiality of the machine for quick de-watering of large quantity of cassava-pulp should be harnessed for development of cassava processing and marketing enterprises. Keywords: Cassava Pulp De-watering Machine, Rural CommunitiesGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 70-77