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Recent Submissions
Effects of agroforestry on household food security as perceived by rural women farmers in Imo State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-12) Nwozuzu, Sunday Obioha
The study was designed to analyze the effects of agroforestry on household food security status as perceived by rural women farmers in Imo state Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics in the study area, identify agroforestry practices women farmers are involved in the study area, identify products which women farmers obtain from their agroforestry farms, determine reasons for practicing agroforestry as perceived by women farmers, determine the food security status of rural woman farmers in the study area, ascertain rural women farmers perceived effects of agroforestry on household food security status in the area, identify constraints to agroforestry practices in the study area as perceived by women farmers. Agroforestry farmers in Imo State formed the population for the study, and a sample of 270 rural women farmers were selected through Multi stage sampling techniques. Data for the study were collected using structured and validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean, frequency, score, percentage, Ordinary least square (OLS) and analysis of variance (Anova) were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that rural women had a mean age of 51years. About 77 % were married, with a mean household size of 6 persons. Average farm size and mean monthly income were 1.8 ha and ₦34,426 respectively. About 63.3 % were not members of social organizations and 34.4 % had farming as their major occupation. Majority (79.6%) were particularly involved in the practice of leaving few fruit bearing trees on farm land when clearing. The women were found to have positive food security status. The result also showed that the effect of agroforestry on household food security status of rural women farmers was high with a grand mean of 2.95; rural women farmers considered the following factors, viz: land security, lack of processing machineries, lack of control overland, high cost of farm inputs, unfavorable agricultural policies, lack of incentives, incidence of pest attack, high mortality of tree seedlings and high incidence of bush fire as the major constraints that affect agroforestry practice among rural women farmers. The hypothetical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the rural women farmers and the perception of rural women farmers about the effect of agroforestry on food security in Imo state; rural women farmers do not differ significantly in their perceived effect of agroforestry on food security status in the three agricultural zones in Imo state. The study recommended that land being used for agroforestry practice should be secured through measures like perimeter fencing, local fencing with woods and bamboos and mobilizing youths to keep constant watch along the boundary lines so as to prevent encroachment as revealed from the study.
Performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics of broilers and pigs fed diets containing fermented palm kernel
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, 2016-09) Ikpamezie, Linda Chidinma
Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the growth performance, carcass and meat quality of broilers and pigs fed diets containing fermented palm kernel cake (PKC). PKC weighing about 50kg was divided into 3 parts (Samples A, B and C). Sample A was kept in a plastic container to serve as control, B was weighed and mixed thoroughly with equivalent weight of water while sample C was mixed with equivalent weight of 2% sugar (sucrose) solution. The three samples were spread out on a mat under shade at room temperature. The following morning, sample A was transferred to its original container while samples B and C were packed and compressed into a polyethene bag and tied. Samples B and C were left to ferment for 6 days under room temperature. Each differently processed PKC was used to formulate one of three broiler finisher and pig grower diets at 30% and 40% levels of inclusion, respectively. Broiler feeding trial was from 5th - 8th weeks of age where as the pig grower trial was from 12th – 20th weeks of age. Feed intake, live weight gain, carcass traits, haematological profile and organoleptic quality were determined. Results from the two studies showed that fermentation significantly reduced crude fibre and ether extract content of PKC but did not lead to improvements in performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics of broiler finisher and pigs. However, percentage loin content was higher and connective tissue content in the meat lower in pigs fed 2% sugar fermented PKC diet compared to pigs fed unfermented PKC diet (p< 0.05). Broilers fed 2% sugar fermented diets were higher in cooking loss and juiciness compared to counterparts fed unfermented PKC (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences in haematological profile of broilers (p>0.05). In pigs, sex-related differences were observed in live weight, dressing percentage and percentages of ham, shoulder and belly contents (p<0.05). The similarity in feed intake and live weight gain across the three dietary treatments in broilers and pigs suggested that the fermentation technique adopted in this study significantly reduced crude fibre and ether extract but did not improve the nutritive value of PKC.
Assessment of the impact of concessioning on the productivity of Nigerian Ports
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-02) Nze, Obiageli Nneka
This study assessed the productivity of Nigerian ports. The study adopted ex post facto design. Using ship traffic, vehicle traffic, berth efficiency, turnaround time as input explanatory variables and output factors as average throughput to compare the pre concession and post concession. The six Nigerian ports: Tincan Island Ports, Apapa Port, Port of Delta Warri, Calabar Port, Rivers Port and Onne Port were sampled. A survey was conducted on 50 stakeholders in the port sector to determine the factors contribute to port’s productivity. These factors were examined for each of the ports under study and were analysed with t-test using a hypothesized mean. Secondary data was extracted from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Annual Reports, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) Annual Reports, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Annual reports.From the t-test, the factors with p-value less than 0.05 were the significant ones. Among the factors influencing the productivity of the ports in Nigeria are predetermined operational problems, frequent congestion of ship, poor inboard services and high cost of documentation etc. Using Data Envelopment Analysis as the fundamental analytical tool to test the most efficient port before and after the concession period. The result reveals that Onne Port and Tin Can Island Port productivity increased significantly after the concession. However, Rivers, Delta, Calabar and Apapa Ports experienced unstable efficiencies in the post concession era. The implication is that concession of Nigerian Ports have favourable effect on Onne Port and Tin Can Island Port and less favourable to Rivers, Delta, Calabar and Apapa Ports. In line with the result, it was recommended that since it was observed that there was element of improvement in the post-concession period of operation at Nigerian Ports, we recommend adequate provision of superstructure for the private operators to utilized them and compliment their infrastructure with them towards the achievement of goals of concession. However, concessioning is a good instrument to improve productivity in Nigerian Ports and requires continuity among Nigeria Ports. We recommend adequate and necessary cargo handling equipment at Ports that experienced fluctuating efficiency.
Effect of dietary inclusion of ginger meal (Zingiber Officinale) on broiler performance, serum lipid profile and carcass quality
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-03) Agu, Ekene Cletus
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of ginger meal (Zingiber officinale) on broiler performance, serum lipid profile and carcass quality. One hundred and eighty (180) day old broiler chicks (Cobb strain) were used, and divided randomly into 4 treatment groups, comprising 45 birds each and further subdivided into 3 replicates (15 birds/replicate). Each group was fed one of 4 formulated diets containing ginger meal at levels of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%, at starter and finisher stages, for 8 weeks in a completely randomized design. At the termination of the experiment, 20 birds (5 birds per treatment) were selected, sacrificed and used for analyses of serum lipid profile, haematological constitution and post mortem microbial load on the meat. Results showed no significant (P > 0.05) effects of dietary ginger meal inclusion on live-weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) while high density lipoprotein (HDL) was
significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 0.4% ginger meal dietary treatment group. No significant effect (P > 0.05) was found on the ether extract of broiler meat associated with ginger meal inclusion in the diet. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, total white blood cell and neutrophil were significantly increased (P < 0.05), but the lymphocyte was significantly reduced. Where the red blood cell, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration and platelet were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary ginger meal inclusion. Heavy bacteria growth of Salmonella species were observed in the broiler meat left after 10 hours of slaughter in all groups, including the control. Significant difference on organ proportion was observed only in the neck at 0.4% ginger meal level (P < 0.05). The 0.4% ginger meal treated group was significantly higher in dressing percentage (P < 0.05). Meat juiciness, flavour and hedonic score were not affected by ginger meal dietary treatment; however, meat tenderness was significantly higher at 0.4% and 0.6% ginger meal levels (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. Dietary inclusion of ginger meal in broiler diets within the levels reported in this study had positive effects on lipoprotein level and organoleptic quality of meat. It is therefore concluded and recommended that the dietary inclusion of ginger meal at 0.4% or 0.6% levels in broiler diets should be encouraged and adopted by poultry producers since it significantly increased broilers‘ serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) level, dressing percentage, carcass weight and meat tenderness.
Isolation and characterization of active principle in leaves of abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) and carica papaya (Paw-Paw)
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-09) Ukachukwu, Veronica Ifeoma
This study was aimed at the isolation, purification and characterization of the bioactive compound present in the neutral metabolites of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) and Carica papaya (Paw paw) leaves. The study has adopted both chemical analysis and biological assay to achieve this objective. Samples of Abelmoschus esculentus and Carica papaya leaves were dried at room temperature, pulverized and separately extracted with 250ml of ethanol using the Soxhlet extractor. Each crude extract was analyzed for its photochemical composition and then fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral metabolites. Antimicrobial analysis carried out on the crude extract and various metabolites clearly indicated that both plants possessed pharmacological properties. The neutral metabolites of both plants were found to be the most active of all and were purified by column chromatography using silica gel. The different fractions obtained from Abelmoschus esculentus leaf extract were labeled FA1, FA2, FA3 and FA4 whereas the fractions from Carica papaya leaf were labeled FC1, FC2, FC3 and FC4. A second antimicrobial evaluation was carried out on the purified fractions and the fractions which possessed the best antimicrobial potential (Fraction FA2 from neutral metabolite of Okro leaf and FC3 from neutral metabolite of paw-paw leaf) were selected for spectroscopic identification and structural elucidation using IR and GC/MS spectroscopic methods of analysis. Data analysis revealed that the bioactive compound in neutral metabolite of Okro leaf was Methyl oleate while that found in the neutral metabolite of pawpaw leaf was bis heptenoyl phythalate.