B.R. Nahata Smriti Sansthan Agricultural Extension Journal (AEXTJ)

Contributions of Women in Cassava Production and Processing Activities among Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

J. C. Udemezue — 2023-03-15

The paper investigated women’s contributions in cassava production and processing activities among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain the roles of rural women in cassava farming operation, determine socioeconomic benefit associated with cassava farming and the factors working against women’s participation in cassava farming activities. Multistage sampling procedure was used in this study. Three local governments out of the 25 local governments in the State were used for the research, based on their activities on cassava production. One hundred and twenty farmers were randomly sampled for the study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and mean score. Findings showed that majority (71%) of the farmers were women while 23% were men. The mean age, years of farming experience, household size, and farm size of the farmers were 38 years, 8 years, three persons, and three hectares, respectively. In terms of cassava production, it was observed that 79%, 71%, and 69% of the women were involved in cassava planting, weeding and harvesting while men highly contributed to land preparation and ridge making. The processing of cassava into Akpu (foo-foo), garri, and tapioca (abacha) was dominated by the women while men contributed significantly in grinding (71%) and pounding (70%) of cassava. Increases in household food security and income appreciation were some of the benefits derived from cassava farming by the farmers. The challenges faced by the women were inadequate laborers (M = 3.25), high cost of processing and storage equipment (M = 3.05), lack of access to bank credit (M = 2.17), climatic factor (M = 2.39), time consuming (M = 2.05), and inadequate extension services (M = 2.02). This paper recommended that women should be encouraged to form unions to enable them access loan for their needs. Farmers should also be encouraged to adopt agricultural mechanization through government support. Government at all levels should provide subsidies for processing and storage equipments to farmers to enable them have access to them.

Extension Roles and Community Development Projects on Building Nutritional Food Basket Program using Orange Flesh Sweetpotato Varieties in Nigeria

J. C. Udemezue — 2023-03-15

Community-based organization refers to a group aimed at making desired improvements to a community’s social health, well-being, and overall functioning. It is seen as the ability of people to apply their traditional institutions and creativity to initiate self-help projects aimed at responding positively to the problems of their environment. Community development offers individuals and groups the opportunity to take action and address issues concerning communities. It is a continuous effort to find solutions that benefit the community and enact collective action to empower individuals and agencies to support and improve the lives of disadvantaged communities. Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) project is a project implemented in Nigeria and Tanzania and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project mainly targets rural populations, especially young children under the age of five and women of reproductive age in Nigeria and Tanzania, respectively. Sequel to the above, this paper used available literature to assess the extension roles and community development projects on BNFB Program using orange flesh sweetpotato varieties in Nigeria.

Effect of Different Factors in Mortality of Lambs and Kids in High Hill of Nepal

Hem Raj Dhakal — 2023-03-15

The objective of the study was to study the major causes of lambs and kids mortality in high hill of Nepal. Data pertaining to various factors supposed to be concerned with mortality among lambs and kids were obtained from the record of the Sheep and Goat Research Program (SGRP), Jumla, Nepal, for the period from 2014 to 2019 (6 years). Lambs of different breeds (Romney marsh, Coopworth, Romney*Baruwal, Polworth*Baruwal, Coopworth*Baruwal) and kids of Sinhal, Chyangra, Sinhal*Chyangra, Chyangra*Sinhal were used for the investigation. The overall average lamb and kid mortality among different breeds were 24.54% and 28.02% respectively, 3.48% higher in kids than in lambs. In the case of lambs, higher mortality was observed in pure exotic breeds (Romney marsh and Coopworth) and cross exotic breeds (Romney*Baruwal, Coopworth*Baruwal, Polworth*Baruwal) than the indigenous breed (Baruwal). In the case of kids, the Sinhal breed was found the minimum susceptible breed with the least mortality (14.41%). The highest mortality (33.05%) was observed in Chyangra, followed by Chyangra*Sinhal and Sinhal*Chyangra with mortality percentages of 27.12% and 25.42%, respectively. In both lambs and kids, male mortality was found higher than female mortality. Among lambs, male mortality and female mortality were 56.15% and 43.85%, respectively. Similarly, among kids, male mortality and female mortality were 55.93% and 44.07%, respectively. Almost 60% of lamb mortality and 55% of kid mortality were observed in the summer monsoon and early autumn (from 16 June to 15 October). The least kids and lambs losses were found in late autumn with values of 5.35% and 5.93%, respectively. Pneumonia and parasites were found the major causes of loss in lambs and kids.

Influence of Irrigation Erosion on Agrochemical Characteristics of Mountain Brown Soils and Yield of Grain and Legumes

Z. H. Aliyev — 2023-03-15

Taking all these into account, it is important to increase the fertility of the soil from the erosion process in Ismayilli and to prevent the washing of fodder crops from perennial herbs. The cultivation of these plants in the mountainous regions protects the slopes from the terrible erosion process and provides the animals with a strong fodder. It is proved by the results of the research that restoration of fertility and ecological balance of erosion lands and the implementation of soil-agro-technical measures to increase productivity are of great importance. Due to the application of these measures, I, as a result of improving the water and physical properties of the affected land, prevent surface water flows. In addition, the results of the study have been proven by the fact that, for certain reason, erosion and erosion hazards are most likely to be taken over by the sowing of perennial herbs. Thus, perennial herbs, in particular, accumulate the nitrogen atmosphere of the legumes, enriches the soil with organic matter, accelerates the formation of water-resistant granular-topical structure, and improves its water-physical properties, which, in turn, facilitates the rapid digestion of foodstuffs.

Soil Erosion Estimation Using Remote Sensing Techniques in Theshirvan Plain of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Z. H. Aliyev — 2023-03-15

Soil erosion is one of the major environmental problems in terms of soil degradation in the Shirvan plain of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Soil erosion leads to significant on-and off-site impacts such as significant decrease in the productive capacity of the land and sedimentation.