Faculty of Agriculture

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A binary logit estimation of factors influencing awareness about grasscutter farming among rural and sub-urban households in Kwara state, Nigeria
(World Journal of Agricultural Research, 2017) SA Salau, OJ Yusuf, DF Apata, OM Adesina
Hunting of grass cutter for food in Nigeria is unsustainable due to serious challenges posed to the ecosystems, adequate bush meat supply and human health. To enhance sustainable exploitation, grass cutter farming is desirable but large percentage of the population still lack awareness about grass cutter rearing. This study was aimed at investigating factors influencing awareness about grass cutter farming in Kwara state. A two–stage sampling technique was used to select 540 participants from rural and sub-urban households for the study. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the respondents had an average age of 46 years with an average family size of 7 persons. Majority (77%) of the respondents were males. The Nagelkerke R2 , explained 80.9% of the total variation in awareness of households. The coefficient of age, gender, household size, education, and access to credit with the t-values of -2.333, 1.959, 2.000, 2.235 and 13.832 respectively were all found to be critical in explaining awareness among the sampled households. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that any intervention strategy on grass cutter farming by government and international development agencies should have a capacity-building component center on educating households about the management practices and livelihood merits of farm grass cutters. Increase awareness through media should be promoted and policies like loan schemes that would substantially improve households’ access to use and acquisition of credits should be encouraged.
A Comparative Analysis of Crop Production Intensification and its Determinants among Kwara and Niger States Maize-Based Farming Households
(Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2011) SA Salau, MO Adewumi, OA Omotesho, OE Ayinde
Nigeria has been faced with food supply deficit in the past decades. Continuous increase in population density and the consequent pressures from competing demands for land over time have the tendency of worsening the Nigerian arable land situation in the foreseeable future, if unaddressed. Thus, this study compared crop production intensification and its determinants among Kwara and Niger States maize-based households. A total of two-hundred and fifty-two maize-based households were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using crop intensification index and Tobit regression model. Analysis revealed that Niger state households have higher crop intensity scores than those of Kwara state households. The estimated Tobit model revealed that market access, farm income and adoption of land management practices; and extension contact, farm income and adoption of land management practices are the significant variables among Kwara and Niger State maize-based households respectively. For sustainability of maize based production, there is the need for a policy option that addresses the provision of qualitative extension education and farming households’ access to market in the study areas.
A Comparative Study of Energy Demand of Instant- Pounded Yam Flour Production Methods
(2014)
Traditionally, method of producing pounded yam by pounding cooked yam using pestle and mortar is time and labour consuming, thus discouraging consumption of the food among urban elite. Conversion of yam tubers to instant-pounded yam flour requires quantifiable magnitudes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine energy conservation potentials of the established three instant-pounded yam flour methods of production. Data were collected from nine instant-pounded yam flour producing factory using structured questionnaires, oral interview, and direct measurement of processing parameters. The data were fit into standard equations to estimate energy demand. Energy required for processing 1000 kg of yam to instant-pounded yam flour using cooking method, steaming method and wet-milling methods were 6720.15MJ, 6934.48MJ and 4296.56MJ respectively, equivalent to 6.7 MJ/kg, 6.9 MJ/kg and 4.3 MJ/kg respectively. Energy intensity for peeling, washing, slicing and packaging were 0.0055 MJ, 0.003 MJ, 0.0076 MJ and 0.2 MJ respectively, and are the same for all the methods studied. Drying consumed more than half of the total energy requirements in each method; cooking (66.26%), steaming (79.04%) and wet-milling methods (76.57%). Using energy demand as criterion, wet- milling method is recommended
A preliminary study on nutrient digestibility by West African dwarf goats fed graded levels of shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) cake-based rations
(2016) Ogunbosoye, D. O; Tona, G. O.; Akinfemi, A.; Ajani, M. R.
Feed shortage which rises from seasonal feed deficits, erratic supply of feed ingredients with competition between humans and livestock for available feed resources, possesses a major constraint to goat production in Nigeria. This has led to low level of livestock productivity. In this regards, there is need to search for alternative but cheaper feedstuffs. Shea nut cake (SNC), an agro industrial waste product could be used as one of the economic strategy to ameliorate feed shortage. The current study was focused on the effect of dietary inclusion of Shea nut cake on nutrients digestibility of West African Dwarf goats using six (6) growing males WAD goats. Diets consist of 0%, 10% and 15% shea nut cake inclusion levels in combination with wheat offal, corn bran, cassava peel, cowpea husk, and the dietary treatments were designated as T1, T2, and T3 respectively. The experimental animals were allotted to three treatments in a completely randomized design with two animals per treatment. The animals were transferred into a wooden metabolic cage fitted with facilities to collect faeces which lasted for 14 days. Crude protein, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre concentrations of the experimental diets were 9.18-11.37%, 2.03-2.79, 9.63- 12.11% and 30.69-48.51% respectively. The result obtained for average daily weight gain was higher (p<0.05) for T2 (64.29g) compared to T1 (35.72g) and T3 (35.72g) which were similar. The feed conversion ratio showed no significant (p<0.05) effect among T1 (14.32) and T3 (14.07) while T2 (8.00) is significantly higher. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among treatment groups for nutrients digestibility. The goats placed under T2 (10%) recorded the highest digestibility coefficient for all the nutrients. However the crude protein, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were between 45.76- 74.26%, 57.19-67.73%, 56.09-76.66% and 55.28-78.28% respectively. It was however observed that T2 (10%) SNC inclusion had the highest digestibility coefficient in all the nutrients by West African dwarf goats.
A review of cassava semolina (gari and eba) end-user preferences and implications for varietal trait evaluation
(2020-10-22) Awoyale Wasiu, Alamu O. Emmanuel, Chijioke Ugo, Thierry Tran, Tchuente N.T. Hubert, Ndjouenkeu Robert, Kegah Ngoualem, Maziya-Dixon Busie,
The purpose of this review is to support breeders and food scientists by examining research carried out on end-user preferences for gari and its derived dough product, eba, in Africa. The review focused on gari regarding the physical and chemical composition of raw cassava roots, methods of storage, the composi tion of gari with or without enrichment, and the sensory evaluation of gari and eba. The primary sensory attributes identified to describe gari are colour, taste, texture, aroma and flavour. Texture attribute of importance is crispiness for uncooked gari, and hand feel before consumption for eba. There was a signif icant correlation between the sensory characteristics of gari and the starch and cyanogenic potential (CNP) contents of the raw roots. Hence, the correlation of the end-user preferences with the chemical composition of the cassava roots could be helpful to breeders in refining selection criteria and developing high-throughput screening methods.
Abundance and diversity of insects associated with stored grains and tamarind in Nigeria
(Entomological Society of Poland, 2021-09-30)
Detailed information on insect pests of stored grains in Nigeria is lacking. A two-year survey was conducted to determine the species composition and abundance of insects associated with maize, millet, rice, sorghum and tamarind in eighteen locations across five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Sixteen coleopteran, lepidopteran and hymenopteran species were associated with stored products, with high species richness on cereal grains but low species richness on tamarind. Most of these insects are polyphagous on cereal grains, whereas the tamarind weevil Sitophilus linearis (Herbst, 1797) (Curculionidae), and Caryedon serratus (Oliver, 1790) (Chrysomelidae) were found only on tamarind in this study. The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky, 1758), rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Linneaus, 1763), lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Bostrichidae), rusty grain beetle Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens, 1831) (Laemophloeidae) and red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Tenebrionidae) were most abundant on stored grains. The tamarind weevil, C. serratus and the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linneaus, 1758) (Silvanidae) were most abundant on tamarind. The hymenopterans Theocolax elegans (Westwood, 1874) (Pteromalidae), Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard, 1881) (Pteromalidae) and Cephalonomia waterstoni (Gahan, 1931) (Bethylidae) were the dominant parasitoids of larvae and pupae of the storage pests. Simpson index of diversity of insect species across locations ranged from low (0.63) to high (0.89).
Adoption of improved cassava varieties by processors is linked to processing characteristics and products biophysical attributes
(Wiley, 2022-01-09) Abass B. Adebayo, Awoyale Wasiu, Ogundapo Ademola, Oluwasoga Olayemi, Nwaoliwe Gregory, Oyelekan James, Olarinde O. Luke,
Evidence from community cassava processors on product quality traits that influence variety adoption was combined with laboratory methods to identify potential predictors of quality traits of new varieties. The study revealed that high product yield, high starch content, high solubility index (SI), high peak viscosity (PV), low setback viscosity, and delayed root color change (delayed postharvest physiological deterioration) are possible laboratory indicators that could be used as proxies for predicting product quality and variety adoption decisions of cassava processors. Fufu exhibited higher swelling power, SI, and PV than gari from the same varieties. Processors preferred quality characteristics are difficult to measure for several hundreds of new germplasms in the early stages of the breeding cycle. The information presented may be helpful during the breeding of new, improved varieties by using the physical and chemical properties of the roots that predict processors’ preferred quality traits
ADOPTION OF IMPROVED YAM PRODUCTION PRACTICES AMONGST FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
(2022) Olatinwo Latifat Kehinde; Yusuf Olayinka Jelili; Komolafe Sola Emmanuel; Ibrahim Adamu
This study assessed the adoption of improved yam production practices (IYPPs) to sustain yam production amongst farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) yam farmers were randomly selected in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas. Primary data was collected with the use of structure questionnaire. Data collected was analysed with frequency count, percentages, mean score, and regression statistical tools. Findings reveal that 94.7% were aware of improved yam production practices. IYPPs adopted by farmers were agro-chemicals and fertilizer application (58.0%), minisett technology-improved yam seed variety (52.7%), and seed treatment-preservation/packaging techniques (23.3%). A t-test (t = 9.434; p < 0.01) indicated farm size after adoption was statistically greater than farm size before adoption. About 82.0% indicated that the reason for the adoption of the IYPPs was to sustainably increase yam production. The study concludes that yam farmers adopted some IYPPs to sustainably increase yam production.
ADOPTION OF IMPROVED YAM PRODUCTION PRACTICES AMONGST FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.
(2022) Olatinwo, Latifat Kehinde; Yusuf, Olayinka Jelili; Komolafe, Sola Emmanuel; Ibrahim, Adamu
This study assessed the adoption of improved yam production practices (IYPPs) to sustain yam production amongst farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) yam farmers were randomly selected in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas. Primary data was collected with the use of structure questionnaire. Data collected was analysed with frequency count, percentages, mean score, and regression statistical tools. Findings reveal that 94.7% were aware of improved yam production practices. IYPPs adopted by farmers were agro-chemicals and fertilizer application (58.0%), minisett technology-improved yam seed variety (52.7%), and seed treatment-preservation/packaging techniques (23.3%). A t-test (t = 9.434; p < 0.01) indicated farm size after adoption was statistically greater than farm size before adoption. About 82.0% indicated that the reason for the adoption of the IYPPs was to sustainably increase yam production. The study concludes that yam farmers adopted some IYPPs to sustainably increase yam production.
Aflatoxin content and heavy metals composition of powdered pepper from selected markets in Kwara state, Nigeria
(2024-10-07) Wasiu Awoyale, Nwineh L. Zorbari, Lateef Oladimeji Sanni
Aflatoxin and heavy metal concentrations may pose health risks to pepper consumers. No research has been published concerning aflatoxin and heavy metal contamination of powdered pepper in Kwara state, Nigeria, hence the need for this study. Powdered pepper samples from various Kwara state markets (Offa, Oja-Oba, Ganmo, Shao, Elemere, and Malete), were analyzed using standard methods for aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), and G2 (AFG2), and lead, cadmium, copper, and arsenic. A laboratory-prepared sample was used as the control. The samples’ mean AFB1 was 2.86 μg/kg, AFG1 4.34 μg/kg, AFB2 2.03 μg/kg, and AFG2 1.88 μg/kg. In general, the levels of aflatoxin in the powdered pepper samples were found in the order of AFG1 > AFB1 > AFB2 > AFG2. The samples’ aflatoxin concentration is less than the US Food and Drug Administration’s (20 μg/kg) contamination threshold. The FDA’s guideline for lead level in food, which is 0.1 mg/kg, was surpassed by the lead concentration, which varied from 1.84 to 3.45 mg/kg. The range of arsenic concentration was 10.18-22.68 mg/kg, which is higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 0.0003 mg/kg. The copper concentration met the FDA’s 10-mg/kg threshold, which ranged from 2.66 to 4.42 mg/kg. The study’s findings demonstrate the need for a monitoring and education programme in Kwara state to ensure the public’s safety while consuming powdered pepper.
Agricultural Commercialization, Fertilizer Use and Non-Farm Employment: What Options for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria?
(International Association of Agricultural Economists, 2018) S Salau, O Omotesho, A Muhammad-Lawal
Agricultural commercialization is necessary for increased agricultural intensification and productivity in Nigeria. However, there is paucity of empirical information on the effects of agricultural commercialization on input use, labor demand and engagement in non-farm employment across the country. This study examined the effects of agricultural commercialization at the household level on fertilizer use, demand for hired labor and participation in non-farm employment in Northern Nigeria. Household Commercialization Index (HCI), Two-stage Least Squares (2SLS) and Instrumental Variable (IV) estimations were used to analyze the primary data collected from 270 maize farming households in Kaduna and Kano States. The study revealed that commercialization had the potentials for increasing the demand for fertilizer usage and hired labor among maize farming households. However, it reduced the tendency for households to participate in non-farm employment. Smallholder commercialization of maize should therefore be promoted through adoption of complementary technologies that free labor from onfarm activities
AGRICULTURAL LAND-USE SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG SMALL FARMERS IN NIGERIA
(Proceedings of the Satellite conference of the International Association for Statistical Education (IASE), August 2019, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., 2019-08-10) Kayode Ayantoye; Apata T. G.; Idowu S. O.; G. Y. N’Guessan
In sub-Saharan-Africa (SSA), agriculture land-use supports the livelihoods of the majority of people. Landuse for agricultural-activity is an economic-activity that is highly dependent upon weather and climate that produce food and fibre necessary to sustain human life. Hence, land-use for agriculture is expected to be vulnerable to climate variability. This paper examines this relationship. The paper presents data and generated evidence-based decision making under risk and uncertainty as influenced by climate change and its effects on agricultural land-use/outputs. Farm-level cost-route survey of cross-sectional national-data of 800 respondents was used for analysis. Data were analyzed and presented using the tools of descriptive statistics, trans-logarithms model and multivariate probit model (MVP). The study indicated a strong relationship between efficient use of agricultural-land and adaptive-processes to climate-change. Thus, providing data and analysis that strengthen policy decisions on land-use and climate change. Hence, policies of promoting and motivating sustainable land-use management need to be entrenched.
Agricultural Researchers’ Awareness of the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Edo State, Nigeria
(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2012) Tajudeen Oyekunle Banmeke; Olugbenga Emmanuel Fakoya; Ibrahim Folorunsho Ayanda
The study assessed Agricultural researchers’ awareness of the causes and effects of climate change in Edo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 112 respondents and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that 45.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-50 years with 64.2% having a work experience of 5-10 years. Results revealed that 96.4% and 94.6% of the respondents were aware of gas flaring and oil spillage as causes of climate change. Also, 98.2% and 95.5% of the respondents were aware of increase in temperature and change in rainfall pattern respectively as some of the effects of climate change. There was a significant relationship between information sources and awareness of causes of climate change (r = 0.32; p < 0.05). It was recommended that agricultural researcher should be pragmatic and proactive in the pursuit of issues relating to climate change.
Agricultural Researchers’ Awareness of the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Edo State, Nigeria
(2011) Tajudeen Oyekunle Banmeke; Olugbenga Emmanuel Fakoya; Ibrahim Folorunsho Ayanda
The study assessed Agricultural researchers’ awareness of the causes and effects of climate change in Edo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 112 respondents and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that 45.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-50 years with 64.2% having a work experience of 5-10 years. Results revealed that 96.4% and 94.6% of the respondents were aware of gas flaring and oil spillage as causes of climate change. Also, 98.2% and 95.5% of the respondents were aware of increase in temperature and change in rainfall pattern respectively as some of the effects of climate change. There was a significant relationship between information sources and awareness of causes of climate change (r = 0.32; p < 0.05). It was recommended that agricultural researcher should be pragmatic and proactive in the pursuit of issues relating to climate change.
Agronomic and economic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by seed bed configuration and weed control treatments
(Degruyter, 2021-05) Emmanuel Oyamedan Imoloame
Poor method of weed control and indiscriminate use of herbicides led to low yields, economic returns, and increasing environmental pollution in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. These prompted the conduct of field trials in the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to determine the effects of seed bed configuration and weed control treatments on the agronomic and economic performance of maize. The treatments consisted of flat and ridge seed beds and six weed control treatments. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with split plot arrangement and replicated thrice. Results showed that seed bed configuration had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on weed density, but not on maize grain yield. All the weed control treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced weed infestation and increased maize grain yields compared to the weedy check. Furthermore, Primextra at 1.5 kg active ingredient per hectare (kg a.i. ha−1) + One supplementary hoe weeding (SHW) at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS), Primextra + Paraforce at 1.5 + 0.7 kg a.i. ha−1, and Primextra + Guard force at 1.5 + 0.03 kg a.i. ha−1 applied on flat seed beds and two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS + ridge produced higher yields, profit, and economic returns. Therefore, the above reduced herbicide rates applied on flat seed beds are recommended to farmers as alternatives to two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS for profitable production of maize.
Agronomic Evaluation of the Soils of a Toposequence for Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production in Odeda LGA, Ogun State
(Nigerian Journal of Soil and Tillage Research, 2018-05) Alabi, K. O.; Ajiboye, G.A.; Okeleye, K.A.; Aiboni, V.U.
A suitability evaluation of some soil used for rice production in Odeda LGA of Ogun State was carried out. The result indicated that the identified soil types were currently marginally or unsuitable (N1) for rice production because of the index of current productivity IPc that ranged between 1.13 and 5.32. However the result further indicated that with improve agronomic and soil management technique, the suitability of these soil can be improved to S1 or S2 (highly suitable / moderately suitable) .This experiment was carried out to determine the level of agronomic and soil improvement that will result in acceptable yield of rice on these soils. A 2×2×2 factorial trial was used to evaluate the performance of rice under different management and fertilizer regimes within each mapping unit for two seasons. The factor considered were two rice varieties (Ofada and NERICAI), two types of fertilizers (N: P: K 20:10:10 at 400kg/ha and cured poultry manure at 10t/ha) and two different management methods (traditional and improved agronomic methods). The performance of the rice varieties did not differ across the land suitability units but was significantly affected by management practices (P=0.05). Fertilizer application increased the yield of rice by 30% while the difference in yield resulting from improved traditional farming was 10%. Application of both mineral and organic fertilizers significantly [P<0.001] improved the growth and yield of rice with organic fertilizer having higher effects. In conclusion, the productive capacity of soils for rice production can be improved through the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers.
An analysis of climate change and health hazards: results from an international study
(International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 2022-04) Walter Leal Filho, Linda Ternova, Muhammad Muddassir Fayyaz, Ismaila Rimi Abubakar, Marina Kovaleva, Felix Kwabena Donkor, Samuel Weniga Anuga, Abraham R. Matamanda, Ilija Djekic, Ibrahim Abatcha Umar, Felicia Motunrayo Olooto, Maria Meirelles, Gustavo J. Nagy, Julia May, Marta May, Eromose Ebhuoma and Halima Begum
The interconnections between climate change and health are well studied. However, there is a perceived need for studies that examine how responses to health hazards (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, ozone layer effects, allergens, mental health and vector-borne diseases) may assist in reducing their impacts. The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence on health responses to climate hazards and list some measures to address them. A mixed literature review, bibliometric analysis and an original online survey were undertaken on 140 participants from 55 countries spread across all geographical regions. The bibliometric analysis identified that most climate-related health hazards are associated with extreme weather events. However, only one-third of the investigated papers specifically analysed the connections between climate change and health hazards, revealing a thematic gap. Also, although Africa is highly affected by climate change, only 5% of the assessed studies focused on this continent. Many respondents to the survey indicated “heat distress” as a significant vulnerability. The survey also identified social determinants relevant to climate-induced health vulnerabilities, such as socioeconomic and environmental factors, infrastructure and pre-existing health conditions. Most respondents agree that policies and regulations are the most effective adaptation tools to address the public health hazards triggered by climate change. This paper presents some suggestions for optimising public health responses to health hazards associated with climate change, such as the inclusion of climate-related components in public health policies, setting up monitoring systems to assess the extent to which specific climate events may pose a health threat, establishing plans to cope with the health implications of heatwaves, increased measures to protect vulnerable groups and education and awareness-raising initiatives to reduce the overall vulnerability of the population to climate-related health hazards. These measures may assist the ongoing global efforts to understand better– and cope with– the impacts of climate change on health.
An Analysis of Yam Storage Strategy to Promote Food Security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria
(2012) JA Akangbe; OO Oloruntoba; IF Ayanda; SE Komolafe
This study examines the analysis of yam storage strategy to promote food security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 110 respondents, using well- structured interviews schedule. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and probit model to test for significance. The study found that barn (47.3%) and indigenous plant materials (27.3%) were the common storage strategy used which are not capable of ensuring good storage for yam produce till off season. Probit model analysis revealed that the selected personal characteristics had significant (p<0.05) influence on farmer’s choice of strategy used. Deterioration of yam that reduces its quality (mean score 2.01) has also been the leading problem faced in marketing yam produce. It was concluded that these are one of the major reasons for food insecurity among farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage strategies as well as exposed to training on their use.
An Assessment of public relations among certified and non-certified cocoa marketers in Ondo State, Nigeria
(Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2021) Shehu Abdulganiyu Salau, Temitope Blessing Agbede
Public relations (PR) are often ignored in agricultural marketing, and organizations with imperfect utilization of PR are usually badly managed, ineffective and generate high labor turnover. Therefore, this study identified the different types of adopted PR strategies, described the structure of the cocoa market, estimated the marketing margin, identified factors affecting PR strategies and outlined the major challenges hindering the use of PR among certified and non-certified cocoa marketers. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to select 120 respondents for the study. The analytical tools used to achieve the research objectives are descriptive statistics, Likert-scale, Herfindahl Index, marketing efficiency model, marketing margin and multiple regression analysis. The result revealed that the most frequently used PR strategy was phone calls. The Herfindahl Index values of 0.19 and 0.12 suggested that the structure of cocoa markets among certified and non-certified marketers was moderately concentrated and non-concentrated respectively. Moreover, the higher efficiency (122.6%) and marketing margin (18.44%) values for certified cocoa marketers revealed that they are more productive than non-certified marketers. Age, marketing margin, cost of spoilt cocoa beans and household size are important variables explaining the adoption of PR strategies among certified cocoa marketers. On the other hand, marketing margin, cost of spoilt cocoa beans and household size are important variables influencing the adoption of PR strategies among non-certified marketers. The most important factors hindering cocoa marketing are high costs of transportation among certified cocoa marketers, and commission among non-certified cocoa marketers. We recommend the use of mobile phone and training of marketers on the use of PR strategies and modern cocoa processing techniques. The challenges of erratic network performance, high airtime tariff and input subsidies should be addressed by the government to reduce wastage in the industry
An assessment of youth migration and food security among farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria
(Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2020) Shehu Abdulganiyu Salau, Nofiu Babatunde Nofiu, Ibrahim Folorunsho Ayanda
Food insecurity is quickly becoming a key topic in economic growth and development. The Nigerian food inse- curity situation is deteriorating due to the frequent migration of energetic and able-bodied youth from rural to urban areas. Hence, this study examined the food security status before and after youth migration and assessed the impact of youth migration on farming household food security. A two-stage sampling technique was employed to obtain data from 240 re- spondents. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the food security index and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that most (86.3%) of the respondents were males with an average age of 48.5 years. The reasons behind youth migration are poor roads, the search for white-collar jobs and the laborious nature of farming. Furthermore, the av- erage yield before and after youth migration was 1878.8 kg/ha and 885.9 kg/ha of grain equivalent, respectively. Moreover, 61.7% of households were food-secure while 38.3% were food-insecure before youth migration. Worse still, after youth migration, 70% of the households were food-insecure and 30% were food-secure. The variables determining the food security of a given area were the ratio of rural youth migrants to household size, crop yield difference, level of education, household size, food crop losses, the volumes of cereal, leg- ume, and root and tuber crops consumed and access to remit- tances. Governments at all levels should provide basic infra- structural facilities in rural areas to encourage youth to stay home. Young people should also be made aware of the negative consequences of migration. Policies aimed at household size reduction should be implemented to increase household food security as well.

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