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Recent Submissions
Impact of adoption of improved oil palm technologies on smallholder farmers' livelihood in South-South, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-02) Gere, Solomon Ogheneochuko
The study assessed the “Impact of adoption of improved oil palm technologies on smallholder farmers‟ livelihood in south-south, Nigeria.” The objectives were to:- describe farmers socio-economic characteristics, sources of information, identify farmers awareness, livelihood activities, level of adoption of the oil palm technologies; assess impact of smallholder farmers‟ adoption; and identify constraints to technologies adoption. The Null hypotheses tested were:- relationship between farmers socio-economic characteristics and adoption of oil palm technologies; farmers perceived impact on livelihood and adoption of technologies; socio-economic characteristics and farmers perceived impact of adoption; and whether there was difference in farmers perceived impact among adopters in three selected states. A multistage random sampling method was used to select a total of 322 oil palm farmers from three states of Edo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom in south-south, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussion were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency counts, percentages, means, rank order; Ordinary least square regression analysis; Pearson product moment correlation and Analysis of variance. The results showed that the oil palm farmers were dominated by males (79.5%). While 77.3% of the farmers were married, 57% had household size of 5-8 persons; while 31.1% of the farmers have 11-15 years farming experience. The age distribution of farmers were within age bracket of 41-50 years; about 53.1% of the farmers belong to farmers‟ social organization, and only 20% of the farmers had no formal education. The mean monthly income of the farmers was N30,800.00. The result also revealed the following characteristics of oil palm farms, where 62.1% of the farmers had oil palm plantation farm size of 1-3ha; 55.3% of the farmers operated on sole planted oil palm farms; while 45.0% of the farmers had oil palm plantation aged between 11-20 years old, 51.6% of the farmers operated on self owned oil palm plantation; and about 46.6% of them had their oil palm plantation farms located between 1-2km distance from home. Sources of information on oil palm technologies used by greater proportion farmers were friend / neighbours, extension agents and agricultural development programs (ADPs) ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. The farmers had very high awareness of the oil palm technologies and hence high level of Adoption of improved oil palm technologies recorded among the farmers. The study revealed among the oil palm livelihood activities that marketing of palm produce = 3.65,transport of palm produce =3.58, harvesting of palm fruits =3.58 and palm oil processing = 3 were rated as very important activities by larger proportion of the farmers. Impact of farmers‟ adoption of improved oil palm technologies perceived at household and farm levels on farmers‟ social life (before and after), and at community level, had positive impact on the smallholder farmers livelihood at household and farm levels; impact on farmers and where perceived farmers‟ impact indicated increases in farm income, increase farm yields, improved food security, oil palm plantation expansion; improvement on the farmers social life of the material benefits and well-being. The study developed and described in perspective the “Impact Pathway” framework for the adoption of improved oil palm technologies generated by Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research (NIFOR), to demonstrate how oil palm technologies adoption could create impact in the lives of farmers/non-farmers in the study area. Major constraints affecting farmers‟ adoption of oil palm technologies were lack of capital/fund, lack or no access to land, high cost of inputs, high cost of labour and insecurity to life and properties. Regression analysis result showed that co-efficient determination of farmers‟ characteristics t-ratios of:- sex= 0.042, marital status=1.570, household size =3.52,and farm size = 0.170 had significant positive relationship on adoption of oil palm technologies while t-ratios of:- age= -2.880, educational level = -3.74 and farming experience = - 0.24 had negative relationship on adoption. Pearson product moment correlation analysis showed that significant and positive relationship existed between farmers‟ perceived impact of improved oil palm technologies on farmers‟ livelihood and adoption of oil palm technologies. Regression analysis results had p-values of :- age= 0.004, household size<0.001, farming experience = 0.008 and education level <0.001) had significant positive relationship between socio-economic and farmers perceived of impact at household level. ANOVA result showed that no significant difference existed between farmers perceived impact of adoption on farmers livelihood among farmers‟ adopters across the three selected states. Based on results of the study, recommendations were made:- provision of farm inputs subsidies to farmers; review of land use policy to make more land available for large scale oil palm expansion; among other recommendations.
Assessment of domestic trade barriers in South-East Nigeria: The case for yam
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-11) Eze, Juliet Adaugo
The study investigated domestic trade barriers in South East Nigeria, focusing on yam trade. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of yam traders in the region, characterize the barriers to yam trade (tariff and non-tariff barriers), determine the effects of trade barriers on the volume of yam traded, estimate the profit of yam traders, and determine the effect of trade barriers on the profit of yam traders. Multistage, purposive and random sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 respondents via structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, profit model, and Ordinary Least Squares Multiple regression. The descriptive statistics results showed the traders' mean ages in the region was 47 years and that 61% of them were male. Most of the traders were married (73%) and had attained up to secondary education. These traders maintained a mean household size of 5 persons and had been in the yam trading business for an average of 13 years. and the mean volume of yam traded across the south east was 1.8tons. The study categorized trade barriers into tariff barriers (TBs) and non-tariff tariff barriers (NTBs) alongside their associated costs. The result of the effect of trade barriers on the volume of yam traded in South East showed that quantity demanded (P< 0.1), municipal permit (P< 0.1), illegal charges (P<0.05), roadblock (P< 0.05) were significant to the volume of yam traded. The result of the extent of trade barriers affecting the volume of yam traded showed that in the south east, a total of 16747kg of yam traded and barriers such as roadblocks, produce charges, municipal permit, security charges, illegal charges and tollgates affected the volume of yam traded. There was a 12% return on investment of the yam traders in the region. This means that yam trading in the region is very profitable. The result of the effect of trade barriers on the profit of yam traders showed that tollgate (P< 0.1), produce charge (P< 0.05), roadblocks (P<0.1), and illegal charge (P<0.1) were significant to the profit of yam traders. The study recommends that the government invest in better transportation infrastructure, like road networks and rail systems, to enhance yam trading efficiency. Policymakers should also pursue reforms to address trade barriers especially those barriers that greatly affect the volume of yam traded and profits of the traders in the area.
Effects of adoption intensity of digital marketing techniques on the efficiency of food commodity marketing in Imo State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-11) Anyanwu, Amarachi Theodora
The study examined the effects of adoption intensity of digital marketing techniques on the efficiency of food commodity marketing in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, describe the various digital food marketing techniques in food commodity marketing, determine the adoption intensity of digital marketing techniques in food commodity marketing, analyze the factors influencing adoption intensity, in digital food marketing techniques, determine the effect of adoption intensity, its features on the rate of return in capital investment on digital food marketing techniques, and determine the effect of adoption intensity, its features on the efficiency of digital food commodity marketing techniques in the study area. Primary data were collected from 150 respondents using a well-structured questionnaire and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, adoption index model, multinomial logistic regression model, and Ordinary Least Square multiple regression models. Descriptive statistics revealed that the average age of digital food marketers was 34 years. The majority were female (61.33%) and possessed tertiary education qualifications (68.67%). Most respondents were married (56%), had an average household size of four persons, and had six years of experience in digital marketing. Findings on digital marketing techniques indicated high adoption rates for Facebook (5.00±0.00), WhatsApp (5.00±0.00), Instagram (4.88±0.432), TikTok (4.11±1.190), X Handle (3.42±1.459), SMS (5.00±0.00), YouTube (3.03±1.211), and Affiliate Marketing (3.02±1.712). Adoption intensity scores further showed Facebook (5.00), WhatsApp (5.00), Instagram (5.31), TikTok (5.30), X Handle (4.88), SMS (5.00), YouTube (4.24), and Affiliate Marketing (4.73) as key platforms used. The usage distribution revealed universal use of Facebook, WhatsApp, and SMS (100% each), while Instagram (90.67%), Affiliate Marketing (61.33%), YouTube (59.33%), TikTok (56%), and X Handle (36%) followed. Classification based on adoption intensity identified Late Adopters (22%), Late Majority (63.33%), Early Majority (13.33%), and Innovators (1.34%). Multinomial logistic regression showed that factors such as age (P<0.01), educational attainment (P<0.05), and access to information (P<0.1) significantly influenced adoption categories, with a pseudo-R² value of 63.2%. Analysis of the impact on capital investment returns indicated that 73.8% of the variation was explained by the model's variables. Significant factors included adoption intensity (P<0.1), cost of platform use (P<0.01), educational level (P<0.01), and marketing experience (P<0.01). Similarly, the model assessing efficiency showed that 74.5% of the variation was accounted for by the explanatory variables. Cost of use (P<0.01), education (P<0.01), and marketing experience (P<0.01) were key influences on the efficiency of digital food marketing. In conclusion, the study recommends stakeholders should consider subsidizing online training costs to encourage wider participation in digital marketing. Greater public awareness initiatives are also necessary to boost digital food marketing adoption, while regulatory bodies should enact laws to safeguard users of digital platforms.
Molecular identification and characterisation of schistosoma species in freshwater in Bodo community, Rivers State
(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2025-08) Sampson, Margret E.
Accurate identification and characterization of Schistosoma species in freshwater are crucial for understanding the transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis and guiding effective control measures. This study molecularly identified and characterized Schistosoma species in freshwater from four locations in the Bodo community, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 200 water samples were collected from Nuumu-Tekurun, Nuumu-Bari-aage, Bon-Sunday, and Nuumu-Kekpaban rivers. Structured questionnaires were also administered to 200 randomly selected residents to assess behavioural and environmental risk factors associated with infection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in SPSS version 23.0. Findings revealed that (139) 69% of households relied on pipe-borne water, while (159) 80% of participants frequently engaged in swimming and other water-contact activities lasting more than 15 minutes. Urination or defecation in water bodies was reported by 82% of respondents, and the presence of snails 177 (89%) and 189 livestock (95%), particularly cattle (61%), was common near rivers. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma infection was 18.5% (p < 0.001), with S. japonicum 15 (40.5%) being the most prevalent, followed by S. mansoni 12 (32.4%) and S. haematobium 10 (27%). Significant predictors of infection (p ≤ 0.027) included use of rivers as a main water source, daily exposure to water bodies, prolonged contact, and proximity of livestock and snails. The study concludes that schistosomiasis persists as a public health concern in Bodo community. Strengthened health education, improved access to safe water, and regulation of livestock activities near freshwater sources are recommended to curb transmission and protect community health.
Flammability properties of compatibilized dikanut shell powder filled natural rubber/poly (Vinyl Chloride) composites
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2015-12) Odidi, Okpo Donald
The major objective of the study is to evaluate the flame retardant properties of NR/PVC/DNS powder filled with KBr, Mg(Cl)2 and Mg(Oh)2as flame retardant bio-composites obtained by using MAPI (maleic anhydride-gpolyisosprene) and TETA (triethylene tetramine).Blends of natural rubber (NR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filled with dikanut shell powder (DNS) and carbon black (CB) were prepared by reactive compatibilization in a two-roll mill. A combination of maleic anhydride-g-polyisosprene (MAPI) and triethylene tetramine (TETA) was used as compatibilizers. Halogenated flame retardants (Mg(Cl)2 and KBr) and metal oxide flame retardant, Mg(OH)2 were used as flame retardants. Blend compositions of NR/PVC100/30 were filled with varying filler ratios of CB/DNS30/0, 30/5, 15/10, 10/15, 5/20, 0/25, 0/30 pphr. Blends were filled with flame retardants in the ratios of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0,
2.5, 3.0 pphr. The effects of filler loading, compatibilizer loading, mesh size (particle size) and flame retardants on vulcanizate properties of filled blends such as ignition time, auto-combusting time and flame propagation rate were investigated. The results show that dikanut shell powder significantly improved the flammability properties of the blends. The flame propagation rate was greatly reduced by increasing both DNS and CB filler loading. It was observed that the composites became more resistant to ignition and propagation of flame
with increasing filler content. The rate of burning of the composites also decreased with reducing filler particle size. The rate of flame propagation also showed a decrease with increasing flame retardant levels. Increases in the compatibilizer levels made the composites more resistant to burning and decomposition, thereby increasing the flame resistance. The NR/PVC/CB composite blends showed superior flame resistance characteristic than the NR/PVC/DNS composite blends. Flame retardancy of the composites showed improvements of about 200% and above in some cases. The NR/PVC/DNS can be used for high volume polymer products such as shoe soles, foot mats andcar exhaust hangers at low DNS filler loading of 10pphr.