Agro-Science

Perceptions of the attributes of fish farming in floating cages on Lake Toho in southern Benin: the case of fishermen

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Fishing is an economic activity that generates significant added value, contributes to job creation and improved food and nutritional security. For several years however, it has been confronted for several years with a decline in halieutic resources in the face of which fish farming in floating cages constitutes an optimal management solution. The objective of this article is to analyze the perceptions of the attributes of fish farming in floating cages by fishermen. The study involved a random selection of 210 fishermen from the three municipalities (Lokossa, Houéyogbé and Athiémé) of Toho lake. Analyzes of variance and correlation followed by principal component analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that there are three groups of fishers with different perceptions of floating cage fish farming. Fishers who perceived fish farming in floating cages as a form of fish farming that is efficient and very demanding but less suitable in the long term represent the first group. For the second group of fishermen, there are markets for the sale and sale of fish reared in floating cages, but there is difficulty in finding inputs (provend, veterinary products and antibiotics) of fish in floating cages. The third group perceived that fish farming in floating cages is a very flexible, rigid and efficient activity compared to other fish farming techniques. According to this study, it is important that the Government of Benin take into account the perceptions of fishermen before installing floating cages on Lake Toho.

Characterization and classification of three major soils at the college of agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

P.K. Kefas , K.I. Ofem , A. Hammanjoda , Y.A. Garjila — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Adequate information on land resources have been identified as a pre-requisite for sustainable land management. The present study was carried out to characterize and classify the soils of College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, and to suggest soil management recommendations for optimum crop yield. Digital elevation model (DEM) of the study location was obtained and the slope map of the area generated using ArcGIS (ESRI, US) software. This was used to identify the major soils (MU1, MU2 and MU3). Two soil profile pits were sited in each of MU1 and MU2, and one pit was sited in MU3. The soils were described and sampled for laboratory analyses. The results revealed the dominance of transitional horizons namely; AB, BC and CB which also showed raised proportions of clay. The soils were shallow to bedrock and dominated by brown, dark yellowish brown and gray colours (moist) in the surface soils and reddish to yellowish brown in the subsurface horizons. Sand size fraction dominated the particle size distribution and resulted in sandy loam and sandy clay loam textural classes. All the soils had bulk density < 1.50 g cm−3. Soil pH was slightly acid to neutral and values in water were higher than those in CaCl2 in all horizons. Organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable bases were low in most of the soils, while base saturation was high. Two of the soils (MU1 and MU2) were classified as Alfisols while MU3 was classified as an Entisol according to the USDA system. According to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources system of classification, MU1 and MU2 were classified as Lixisols and MU3 as a Gleysol. The incorporation of organic manure, cropping across slopes, and practicing afforestation are recommended for soil nutrient management.

Microbial evaluation of borehole water used by selected bakeries in Ijebu-North, Ogun State, Nigeria

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Water is one of the most important components of dough systems used to produce bread and other bakery products. Water could serve as a direct or indirect source of microbial contamination during baking, handling, or packaging, thereby affecting the quality and safety of bakery products. This study investigated the presence of faecal coliforms in water sources of selected bakeries in Ijebu North Local Government Area. Water samples were collected from the main sources of three bakeries located in the Ijebu North Area. Physical and microbiological parameters were then investigated and compared to the WHO guidelines. The average temperature and pH ranged between 24.30 and 25.27^oC and between 6.40 and 6.73, respectively. The average total bacterial and coliform counts of the water samples collected from the three bakeries were in the ranges of 1.80-3.60 x 10⁴ CFU ml⁻¹ and 1.60-2.70 x 104 CFU ml^–1, respectively (p < 0.0001). Twenty-nine isolates comprising four species (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella spp.) were observed in this study. The study showed that all water samples under analysis were tainted with faecal coliform, which makes the water unsafe for use in bakeries.

Consumers’ aversion to food safety risk associated with cowpea storage In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

N.E. Nelson , Q.E. Eneyo , N.A. Etim — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

When consumers are averse to food risk, they take proactive steps that will eliminate or reduce their exposure to such risks, which in turn can contribute to reducing the global burden of disease. This study assessed consumers’ aversion to food safety risk associated with cowpea storage. The analysis used survey data from 120 consumers collected through interviews with the use of questionnaire. Consumers’ response to the food hazard information under consideration was analyzed descriptively and the predisposing factors for receiving information and being averse to food risks were analyzed using probit regression. About 22.50% of respondents were implicitly excluded from making informed decisions given that they did not receive the food hazard information. Most respondents (55.91%) who received the information are averse to the associated risks, but majority of those who are averse (92.31%) focused on reducing their risk exposure and the severity of possible health effects rather than eliminating the risk. Also, up to 86% of those who initially exhibited extreme risk avoidance behaviours switched to tolerant ones. These findings highlight the extent to which behaviours are sustained while food hazards at issue may still exist, the importance of ensuring non-exclusivity in disseminating food safety alerts and information, and the need to design consumer focused interventions to ensure safe food consumption pending the strengthening of relevant food safety institutions in developing regions.

Evaluation of selected burnt plant residues and mineral fertilizers on soil properties and nutrient uptake and growth parameters of oil palm seedlings

L.S. Ayeni, I.A. Agbona , O.S. Akinola — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Oil palm seeds are difficult to grow due to poor viability; that is why they are raised in nursery. Addition of right and adequate fertilizer is needed to improve soil fertility. Thus, an experiment was conducted in 2022 to compare the effect of empty palm bunch (EPBA) ash, cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA), kola pod husk ash (KPHA), NPK 20:10:10, urea, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizers on soil properties, nutrients uptake and growth parameters of oil palm seedlings in Ondo, southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from Adeyemi Federal University of Education oil palm plantation. Each of the dried empty palm bunch, kola pod husk and cocoa pod husk was burnt and applied as treatments at the rate of 0, 2, 4 and 6 g 900-g⁻¹ soil while NPK 20:10:10, urea, MOP and CAN fertilizers were individually applied at 2 g 900-g⁻¹ soil. The 16 treatments were replicated four times and arranged in completely randomized design. A 900 g of soil was put in each poly pot and planted with Tenera variety of oil palm and watered with 50 cl water daily. The native soil used for the experiment was deficient in major nutrients and adequate in minor nutrients. Relative to the control, application of 2, 4 and 6 g ash types significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, root length and plant girth. NPK, recorded the highest increase in plant height. Leaf length and root length were highest with the application of 6 g KPHA. Application of 6 g EPBA recorded the highest biomass, dry and wet weight and seedlings moisture content. Kola pod husk ash applied at 6 g plant⁻¹. Empty palm bunch ash applied at 6 g plant⁻¹ and cocoa pod husk ash applied at 4 g plant⁻¹ compared favourably with mineral fertilizers in raising vigorous and healthy oil palm seedlings.

Determinants of engagement outcomes of N-power agripreneurship graduates’ social investment programme in Abia State, Nigeria

C.U. Nwaobiala , F.O. Onwukwe , J.C.I. Ukoha , G.N. Mbagwu — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzed the determinants of engagement outcomes of N-power agripreneurship graduates’ social investment programme in Abia State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of 80 graduate beneficiaries that participated in N-power programme. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive (frequency counts, percentages and mean scores) and inferential (multiple regression analysis) statistics. Results show that the participants had high engagement (X̄ = 2.30) and outcomes (X̄ = 3.30) from N-power agripreneurship programme trainings. Psychological development (B = 3.81***), mastery of skills (β = −3.99***), positive identity (β = 2.63**), civic participation (β = −2.68**) and understanding needs/wants (β = 2.73**) influenced engagement outcomes derived by beneficiaries of N-power agripreneurship programme trainings. The study therefore recommended the provision and creation of an enabling environment for graduates to ensure psychological balance, skill acquisition and need assistance through provision of infrastructures for effective civic engagement in the programme.

The culinary traits: cooking time and canning quality of pulses

J. Ukomadu , B.A. Odogwu , I.O. Agbagwa — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Pulses are one of the most important plant proteins and they contribute to food and nutrition security. Their long cooking time is a major factor that has rendered these pulses underutilized because high amount of energy is required to make them palatable. This report highlights two major culinary qualities (cooking time and canning quality) of some pulses with the aim of identifying their cooking time and canning quality methodology. It presents different reports on the cooking time and canning quality of pulses published from 2005 to 2021 for cooking time and from 1996 to 2021 for canning quality. Nineteen journals were selected for cooking time and canning quality. Google scholar served as main source of data. Key words such as determination of cooking time, and canning quality of pulses were used. This report showed that cooking methods of pulses were mainly sensory analysis, tactile, Mattson cooker, pressure cooker, VIS/NIR spectroscopy, solid loss, glass slide, and hyperspectral imaging. While canning quality parameter identified include: wash drain weight and percentage drain weight, firmness splitting, texture, visual appearance, colour, hydration coefficient, overall acceptance. The report also showed that 5% yellow pea, 5% lentil, 5% dolichos, 33% cowpea, 5% chickpea, 47% common bean were the pulses identified for cooking time. While canning quality is 6%, runner bean, 19% cowpea 75%, common bean 75%. We suggested that breeding should be focused on canning quality and shorter cooking time to enhance the utilization of these pulses. This result therefore provides information for researchers, pulse breeders, producers and agronomists in Nigeria and Africa.

Effect of Dactyladenia barteri mulch and NPK fertilizer on weed density, ginger production and soil recapitalization in Umudike, Southeast Nigeria

P.I. Ekeledo , G.O. Chukwu — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A field study conducted on a Gleyic Luvisol in Umudike, southeastern Nigeria, in 2017 and 2018 evaluated the effect of Dactyladenia barteri mulch and NPK fertilizer 15:15:15 on weed density, ginger production and soil health. Treatment consisted of three levels of mulch (0, 2 and 4 t ha^–1) and two levels of NPK fertilizer (0.00 and 400 kg ha⁻¹) laid in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates on 2 x 2 m plots, using 0.20 x 0.20 m spacing. Planting was done in May each year and harvested eight months after planting. Results showed that control plot had 187.80 higher significant weed density than 2 and 4 t ha^–1 mulch (88.20 and 81.80), respectively. Fertilizer had no significant effect on weed density. Ginger survival at 2.00 and 4.00 t ha^–1 mulch (94.40 and 96%) differed significantly from the control plot (42.20%). Number of tillers in mulched plots (t ha^–1) followed the order: 4 > 2 > 0 in both years. Fertilizer rate at 400 kg ha^–1 gave higher significant rhizome yield more than 0 kg ha^–1 in both years. Mulch at 4 t ha^–1 increased soil pH by 12% relative to 7.94% increase by NPK fertilizer. Total N, available P and exchangeable K were increased by 12.30, 64.30 and 14.30% respectively, by mulch at 4 t ha^–1, while NPK fertilizer increased total N, available P and exchangeable K by 5.60, 31.40 and 9.38%, respectively. It was concluded that application of Dactyladenia barteri mulch and NPK fertilizer reduced weed density, improved ginger production and recapitalized soil in Umudike, southeastern, Nigeria.

Edible insects as an alternative protein source in human and animal nutrition

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Entomophagy has received widespread attention in both developed and underdeveloped nations. However, the exponential increase in demand for the few available conventional food and feed ingredients that are limited
in supply and production has spurred the interest of food scientists and researchers to scale up their efforts to attain a more sustainable food ecosystem. This review, however, focuses on the current state of knowledge and the prowess of entomophagy to provide global faunas (micro and macro) with more extensive food and feed options. Edible insects potentially satisfy human dietary protein demands compared with other protein sources such as beef, chicken and pork. Unlike other animal-based proteins, edible insects contain higher protein levels, reaching 30% to 85% on a dry matter basis, and can quickly transform low-quality organic waste into edible protein. More so, studies have shown that replacing fishmeal with insect meal is a suitable alternative protein source for farm animals. Insect farming refers to the practice of raising and breeding insects as mini-livestock for the purpose of producing food or feed products that can be consumed directly by humans or animals. Insect farming is environmentally friendly due to its low ecological impact and the minimal need for arable land and water resources compared to other livestock species using about 80% of available agricultural land worldwide. When globally accepted, entomophagy and commercial insect farming have the potential to ease the hunger threat for the predicted world population, expected to be between 9.4 to 10.1 billion people in 2050.

Awareness, perception and constraints to consumption of pro-vitamin a cassava foods among women of reproductive age in Ikire, Nigeria

O. Ariyo , E.O. Oladejo , M.A. Atojoko — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Pro-vitamin A cassava was introduced to Nigeria since 2011; however, the consumption remains low. Increased consumption of pro-vitamin A cassava foods can complement other vitamin A deficiency control initiatives. The study was designed to assess the awareness, perception and constraints to consumption of provitamin A cassava foods among women of reproductive age in rural and urban areas of Ikire, Nigeria. The cross-sectional study involved 200 women aged 15-49 years (100 each), selected using a three- stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire including awareness, perception, and constraints to biofortified cassava products consumption. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Chi square test at p < 0.05. Age of respondents was 31.50±9.30 years and 27.00±9.80 years among rural and urban respondents, respectively. More respondents from rural (22%) than urban areas (2%) had no formal education. More respondents from urban than rural had ever heard (55%; 53%), seen (49%; 43%), tasted (40%; 29%), were aware of the benefits (36%; 9%), and had ever consumed (20%; 16%) biofortified cassava foods, respectively. Acceptability of colour (29%; 24%), taste (27%; 20%), aroma/flavour (26%; 20%), and texture (26%; 18%) was higher in rural than urban areas, respectively. Only 12% and 2% of urban and rural respondents considered pro-vitamin A cassava foods affordable. Rural/urban variation exists in awareness and perception of pro-vitamin A cassava foods, however, knowledge of their benefits and perceived affordability remain major constraints in both areas. A multi-faceted approach to promote nutrition education and policy support for increased affordability are recommended.

Analysis of the profitability of avocado-based agroforestry value chain in the eastern province of Rwanda

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the profitability of avocado-based agroforestry value chain in the eastern province of Rwanda. This was aimed at investigating the degree to which it is lucrative for the value chain actors. Primary data were collected from 214 producers, 20 traders and 9 consumers. Descriptive statistics and net profit margin (NPM) were used to determine to what extent the avocado-based agroforestry is profitable along its value chain. The study’s results show that most of the existing avocado-based agroforestry fruit trees accounting for 86.50% were traditional non-improved varieties that had originated from fellow farmers. The use of fertilizer inputs remains less among the producers where the majority of them (84.30%) don’t apply it. The avocado-based agroforestry value chain is lucrative for all involved actors (producers, rural collectors, wholesalers, and retailers). Though avocado is a perennial crop with consecutive investments and returns across years, the study only dealt with the profitability analysis within one year of 2022 for matching the producers’ market supply with other value chain actors within the same channels in the same period. Designing and implementing the policies concerning the efficient use of agro-inputs in avocado-based agroforestry production and well-organized market integration will scale up the profitability for producers and traders and improve consumers’ needs along the value chain. This study provided useful information for subsequent studies with regard to fruit-based agroforestry value chains.

Shelling and characterisation of the technical parameters of a shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) shelling machine in Cameroon

G. Noubissi , B.M.K. Djousse, K.J. Tangka , R. Tchinda , M. Tchoffo — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Producers of shea kernels encounter difficulties in processing the nuts. This leads to greater losses of raw material and a reduction in the yield of shea butter, as processing is generally done manually by smallholders, who produce more shea kernels in local areas. Added to this is the arduous work involved in shelling, due to the lack of a shelling machine adapted to their level of production. This study was, therefore, carried out to improve local shea butter production capacity. The huller was designed using data on the physical, gravimetric, geometric and frictional properties of shea nuts, before being built and tested. The hopper has an angle of inclination of 62.64°, a concave clearance of 3.6 cm and a winnowing air flow rate of 0.53 m³/s. The machine has an hourly capacity of 136 kg/h. The performance test showed that moisture content had a significant influence on hulling efficiency, cracking rate and machine output. The best cracking rate of 3.68±0.74% was obtained with a moisture content of 10.24%. The hulling efficiency obtained with the above
content is 92.43±1.05%, a cleaning efficiency of 78.30±0.55% and a machine yield of 88.83±0.38%. Water contents of < 10.24% are ideal for better shelling efficiency.