Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Economics of maize (Zea mays L) production in Kazaure Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria

2025-01-15T16:39:12+00:00

The research was carried out in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State to analyze the economics of maize farming. A sample of 119 maize farmers was selected using a multistage sampling method. The findings regarding the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers revealed that 32.8% were aged between 41 and 50 years, 95% were male, 42% had not received formal education, with an average household size of 8 people, and 45.5% were members of a cooperative society. Moreover, the regression analysis demonstrated that age, membership in a cooperative association, and level of education were statistically significant at a 1% level, while household size was significant at a 5% level. The study further found that the total revenue per hectare of maize was ₦228,780, while the total production cost was ₦146,030 per hectare, resulting in a net farm income of ₦82,750 per hectare. Constraints identified in maize production included the high prices of farm inputs (26.5%), pest and diseases (18.1%), poor storage facilities (15.1%), and low market prices (10.1%). Despite these challenges, it is recommended that public-private partnerships be promoted to provide inputs at subsidized rates, develop pest and disease-resistant varieties, and improve market prices for maize.

Blending African oil bean seed oil with sesame seed oil: physicochemical properties and phytochemical contents

2025-01-15T16:52:56+00:00

The effect of blending on the physicochemical properties and phytochemical contents of African oil bean seed oil and sesame seed oil was investigated. Vegetal oils were extracted from African oil bean seeds (AB) and sesame seeds (SS) through Soxhlet extraction and blended in the following proportions: AB100:SS0, AB0:SS100, AB90:SS10, AB80:SS20, AB70:SS30, AB60:SS40 and AB50:SS50 respectively. The physicochemical properties and phytochemical contents were evaluated and emanated data was statistically analyzed at 95% confidence level. Physicochemical results showed that moisture decreased from 1.87 to 1.76%, specific gravity increased from 0.92 to 0.93 g/cm³, melting point increased from 33.80 to 35.87⁰C, Smoke point decreased from 191.85 to 188.22°C, flash point decreased from 337.94 to 319.40°C, fire point decreased from 376.10 to 373.60°C and cloud point increased from 3.50 to 5.51°C. Control oil sample had lower moisture, refractive index, melting point, flash point, fire point and cloud point than the experimental oils. Phytochemical results are significantly (p<0.05) from each other in all the studied parameters. Flavonoid content ranged from 0.14-8.35 CE mg/g, total phenolic content ranged from 0.00 to 26.73 mg GAE/100 g, tannin content ranged from 0.00 to 0.97 mg/100 g, saponin content ranged from 0.00 to 4.49 mg/100 g and alkaloid content ranged from 0.00 to 8.82 mg/100 g. Control had the lowest values for all phytochemical contents. Conclusively, findings showed that there is need for refining of experimental oil samples and blending African oil bean seed oil with sesame seed oil reduced the moisture content and improved thermal stability.

Use of climate-smart practices among small ruminant farmers in Kwara State

2025-01-15T17:08:57+00:00

This study describes the demographic characteristics of small ruminant farmers, identify farmers' information sources on climate-smart practices, identify the climate-smart practices used and the constraints to use of climate-smart practices. One hundred and eighty (180) small ruminant farmers were randomly selected for the study. Analytical tools such as descriptive; frequency, mean, percentages and inferential statistics; linear multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that 56.1% of the small ruminant farmers were male, mean age of 40.1 years with mean of 6.2 years in small ruminant production. The most used climate-smart practices were stocking species that are tolerant to harsh weather conditions (mean=3.4), water conservation (mean=3.2) and use of weather forecast information (2.7±1.09). Difficulties in the provision of adequate feed for small ruminants during the dry season (mean = 4.3) was the highest-ranked constraints inhibiting the use of climate-smart practices. The result of the linear multiple regression analysis showed that age, level of education, rearing system were the determinants of the use of climate smart practices among the ruminant farmers. This study thus recommends the provision of adequate information on how to use climate smart practices effectively and training on how to produce feed such as hay or silage for feeding ruminant animals during dry season.

Risk management strategies adopted by small-scale arable-crop farmers in Khana Local Government Area Of Rivers State, Nigeria

2025-01-15T17:18:35+00:00

The study investigated risk management strategies adopted by small-scale arable crop farmers in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Crop farmers grapple with clusters of factors on climate change, environment, pests and diseases consequent upon poor yield, post-harvest loses and food insecurity. Adequate risk management strategies are required to forestall the above problems among small-scale crop farmers in the study area. Two-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 17 communities out of 28 communities that constitute the local government area and 6 arable crop farmers from each of the selected communities to give a total of 102 sample size for the study. Structured questionnaire validated by the researchers was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistical tools namely, frequency, percentage and mean. Result on sources of risks encountered by the arable crop farmers showed that storage losses (Mean = 3.74), poor farm maintenance (Mean = 3.59), changes in price of farm inputs (Mean = 3.53) are the highest among others. It was found that maintaining health and safety culture (Mean = 3.69), monitoring market prices (Mean = 3.27), direct sales of farm produce without storage (Mean = 3.22) ranked the highest among the other risk management strategies adopted by small-scale arable crop farmers covered in the study. It was concluded that though small-scale arable crop farmers in the study area faced farm risks arising from several factors, they adopted some risk management strategies to mitigate the risks. It was recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant Research Institutes should invest in storage facilities as a solution to storage losses and storage pest for farm produce in the study area.

Characterization of 20 Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria

2025-01-15T17:28:30+00:00

The problem of protein deficit in the diets of individuals in South-eastern Nigeria led to exploring affordable plant-based protein sources, hence, the introduction of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) to curb this issue. Mung bean seeds were sown on ridges and the experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated thrice. Data generated on agronomical and morphological characters were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) which revealed significant differences (p<0•05) amongst characters and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was utilized for the separation of means. Results showed higher variations existed in agronomic characters like: days to 50% seedling emergence, seedling vigour, number of pod cluster, plant height at maturity, 10 pod weight(g), 100 seed weight(g), seed yield/plant(g), yield/plant(g) and yield in kg/ha. Considerable variations subsisted for characters including: number of primary branches, plant height at maturity, pod length, and number of seeds per pod. However, low to no variation was present in days to 50% seedling emergence, days to 50% flowering, days to first pod maturity, primary leaflet length and width and terminal leaflet length and width. Euclidean Distance Cluster Analysis grouped the genotypes in six clusters; Cluster IV had maximum genotypes (six), while Clusters V and VI possessed only one genotype in each. The closest intra-cluster distance was observed between Tvr1172 and Tvr125 and the maximum inter-cluster distance existed between Tvr10 and Tvr161. We recommend that more research should be done in other agricultural areas to give more universally acceptable findings.

Effect of varied flour composition on some nutrient characteristics of cookies from Akidi, wheat and yellow maize composite flour

2025-01-15T17:43:49+00:00

The effect of varied flour composition on the proximate and anti-nutritional properties of high fibre cookies from flour blends of wheat, akidi (black bean) and whole yellow corn was studied using D-optimal mixture design of response surface methodology (RSM) of which ten (10) experimental runs were generated while 100% wheat flour served as control. The cookies were subjected to proximate and anti-nutrient analysis using standard methods. Statistical analysis and optimization of mixture components were carried out using Design-Expert software version 6.0.8 while means were separated using ANOVA. Significant differences were accepted at p<0.01 for regression analysis and p<0.05 for mean separations. The results of proximate composition of the cookies showed significant (P<0.05) difference among the cookies with the ranged of 5.12-6.49% for moisture, 3.53-4.93% for ash, 3.82-5.44% for fibre, 9.84-11.69% for fat, 10.32-18.47% for protein, and 54.28-65.04% for carbohydrate. The anti-nutrients factors of the cookies ranged from 0.07-0.35% for saponin, 0.21-0.56 for phytate, 0.05-0.41% for Trypsin inhibitor and 0.17-0.50 for tannin content. The study revealed that quality and nutrient-dense cookies can be processed from blends of wheat, cowpea and whole yellow corn flour of the proportion (10:50:40) which exhibited high level of fibre, fat, protein and lower level of anti-nutrients as evaluated. Optimization of mixture variables showed that optimal response is generated for flour mixture comprising 10% wheat, 10.89% akidi and 79.11% whole yellow corn with desirability of 55.80%.

Farmers' adoption of climate change mitigation strategies and their effects on livelihoods In Kaduna State, Nigeria

2025-01-15T17:53:46+00:00

The study analysed Farmers adoption of climate change mitigation strategies and their effects on livelihood in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study utilized a sample of 85 respondents, applying descriptive statistics to analyze the objectives and employing a binary logit model to test the first hypothesis. Results showed that the average age, household size, farm size, and farm experience was 38.06 years, about 8 persons, 2.52ha. and 12.76 years respectively. Most (41.18%) farmers rating on level of adoption of adaptive strategies was low and this negatively affected the farmers income. Also, the farmers respectively earned N463,176.48 and N329,623.52 before and during effects of climate change. Farmers experienced a loss difference of N133,552.96. Most (54.2%) farmers agreed that climate change has high effect on their livelihood status due to low adoption rate of climate change mitigation strategies. Several factors like poverty and hunger (mean = 3.59) and farmers health challenges (mean = 3.52) affected adoption of climate change mitigation strategies, coupled with socio-economic factors like age, education, household size, farm size and farm income significantly influence climate change mitigation strategies. Conclusively, the farmers encountered a loss amounting to N133,552.96 of farm income to climate change which resulted to low livelihood status of the farmers. It was recommended that there should be adequate provision of improved resistant varieties of crops and animals to the reach of the farmers and there should also be provision of adequate and timely information regarding climate change adaptive strategies to the farmers through their extension agents.

Quality assessment of breakfast gruel produced from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), soybean (Glycine max) and carrot (Daucus carota)

2025-01-16T11:14:58+00:00

This study aimed to evaluate the quality characteristics of a novel and quick breakfast gruel formulated from Sweet Potatoes, soybeans and Carrots, for children between 6 to 23 months contributing to developing nutritious and sustainable food products from locally sourced food materials. The breakfast gruels were formulated by mixing Sweet Potatoes, Soybean and Carrot flours in the ratio of 80:15:5, 70:20:10; 60:25:15 and 50:30:20 to obtain four composite blends designated as S1- S4. Functional analysis was performed on the flour samples before production while Chemical and sensory analysis were conducted on the breakfast gruels using standard methods, and the data obtained were subjected for statistical analysis. The flour blends showed: Bulk Density: 0.526% - 0.64%; Swelling capacity: 2.387 - 1.632; Water absorption capacity: 4.79 g/g - 1.47 g/g; Oil absorption capacity: 1.47 - 1.1 g/g; Foam capacity: 10 - 4.00cm3; and Gelation Temperature: 76 - 48oC. The proximate composition of the breakfast gruel samples showed 10.65%–11.78% moisture, 1.90%–2.59% ash, 1.09–2.96% crude fibre, 14.45–18.25% protein, 3.65–4.68% crude fat, and 61.22-25.42% carbohydrate contents. The ranges for vitamins A, B6, and C were 0.59–1.38, 11.88–54.86%, and 8.84–13.02%, respectively. With an overall rating of 6.73, the blend with 50% sweet potato flour, 30% soybean flour, and 20% carrot flour (S4) was the most preferred. This research showed that novel and nutritious breakfast gruels can be processed from mixes of sweet potatoes, soybeans, and carrot flours, which are readily available and accessible.

Effect of wood ash, sawdust, and moringa leaf powder on the shelf life, and sensory attributes of tomato varieties in Nigeria

2025-01-16T11:54:03+00:00

Reducing post-harvest losses is a critical challenge for food security in developing countries, particularly in communities where small-scale rural farmers lack access to advanced storage and preservation facilities. This study investigated the use of locally sourced wood ash, sawdust, and moringa leaf powder as plant-based preservatives to enhance the post-harvest shelf-life and sensory attributes of tomato varieties in Enugu, Nigeria. The tomato fruits treated with these plant-based preservatives demonstrated a significantly longer shelf life than the untreated control fruits. The efficacy of the preservatives varied: moringa leaf powder showed the highest effect (26 days) on the shelf life of the tomatoes before 100% decay, sawdust (21 days) and wood ash (20 days). Among the tomato varieties used in the study, Roma VF exhibited the longest shelf life at the end of the 28-day treatments with the plant-based preservatives. The tomatoes preserved in sawdust maintained better appearance, aroma, texture, and general acceptability, followed by those stored in moringa leaf powder, while those preserved in wood ash were rated the lowest across all sensory attributes. The preservation time was also influenced by the tomato variety, suggesting that farmers should consider the variability in spoilage between tomato varieties when using plant-based preservatives to extend tomato shelf life. Our findings highlight the potential of locally sourced wood ash, sawdust, and moringa leaf powder as alternative preservatives to mitigate post-harvest losses due to perishability, particularly when advanced storage facilities are inaccessible or unaffordable.

Characterization, classification and assessment of soil degradation caused by mining activities in the farmland of College of Education, Minna

2025-01-16T12:00:06+00:00

This study aimed to characterize and classify soils, as well as evaluate the impact mining activities on soil degradation within the College of Education, Minna farm land. A free survey method of an area covering 60-hectare was conducted. Three soil units were identified, two in the upland mapping unit (UL1, UL2) and one in the dissecting valley (DV3). Three pedons were excavated, one from each of the identified soil units. The pedons were described and soil samples from each genetic horizon were collected for laboratory analysis. In addition, six composite soil samples at three different distances away from two mining sites were collected for soil heavy metals determination. Morphological properties revealed that the soils are generally gravel at the surface with texture ranging between sandy loam and sandy clay loam in the subsoil. The presence of a textural horizon (Bt) is common in all the soil units. Buried stone line was identified in UL2 an indication of a lithologic discontinuity. Soil reaction revealed a slightly acid to near neutral pH in the soils. Soil organic matter, Available P and Total nitrogen are rated medium. CEC and the exchangeable bases are low in the soils. Base saturation is generally moderate to high (46 % to 70 %). Low nutrient content in the soils may be attributed to the low activity clay, uptake by plant and little or no addition from fertilizer application. The values of EC, ESP and SAR indicate soils without salinity/sodocity problem. Heavy metals in the soils are generally low according to the limit set by WHO, with the exception of Cd (1.5-5.4 mgkg^-1). The soils could therefore, be referred to as Cd polluted. The farm land soils were classified as Alfisols according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy System and correlates with Lixisols in the WRB system.