Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences 

About: Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Agriculture & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 2276-7770. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 346 publications have been published receiving 1435 citations.

Logit and Tobit analyses of the determinants of likelihood of adoption and extent of adoption of improved soybean seed in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the determinants of adoption of improved soybean seeds among farmers in southern Borno State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from 360 respondents selected through multi-stage sampling procedure. Inferential statistical techniques namely the Logit model and the Tobit model were used to estimate the likelihood of technology adoption among respondents and the extent of adoption of improved soybean seeds by the respondents, respectively. Yield of soybean and distance to source of improved seeds were statistically significant factors (ρ ≤ 0.01) that influenced the likelihood of adoption of improved soybean seeds among the respondents. Farm size and distance of respondents to source of improved soybean seeds were statistically significant factors (ρ ≤ 0.01) that influenced the extent of adoption of improved soybean seeds among the respondents. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that improved technologies in the form of high yielding seeds varieties should be made available to farmers. Farm service centers should be established within reasonable distance from farming communities. This is the bring technologies closer to farmers, thereby reducing the risks that farmers have to encounter to get farm inputs.

Climate Change, Effects and Adaptation Strategies; Implication for Agricultural Extension System in Nigeria

Abstract: Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges this generation faces. African countries, Nigeria inclusive are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their dependence on rain fed agriculture, high levels of poverty, low levels of human and physical capital, inequitable land distribution and poor infrastructure. Generally climate change is already affecting agricultural activities with the most devastating adverse effects in Nigeria as: extreme weather condition, frequent drought ,increased environmental damage, increased infestation of crops by pests and diseases, depletion of household assets, increased biodiversity loss, depletion of wildlife and other natural resource base, changes in the vegetation type, decline in forest resources, decline in soil conditions, increased health risks and the spread of infectious diseases changing livelihood systems.. These conditions emanating from climate change are bound to militate against agricultural production (crop, livestock forest and fishery resources), nutritional and health statuses and the general livelihood activity of the people. Therefore building up resilience and developing adaptation strategies becomes very important if agricultural production in the country will experience any boost. This paper concludes that the agricultural Extension system in the country need to generally revisit its role and in particular the role of the Extension agents. This is very important since the challenge of climate change if neglected will surely render the effort of increasing food production through the dissemination of technical information fruitless.

Effects of Aloe Vera Coatings on Quality Characteristics of Oranges Stored Under Cold Storage

Abstract: Three hundred and twenty (320) oranges of Valencia variety were stored under cold conditions in the refrigerator for 8 weeks. The following parameters were carried out during the course of storage: Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, firmness, pH, vitamin C and sugar/ acid ratio. The final value for firmness for coated oranges was found to be 1781.25 + 118.30N, while that of uncoated oranges was 1531.25 + 185.53N. The pH was gradually increasing during the course of storage in the two treatments, whereas vitamin C was found to be decreasing in storage. The total soluble solid for coated oranges was 9.79+ 1.14% while that of uncoated oranges was found to be 9.34 + 0.06% at the end of storage. There was a linear decrease in titratable acidity during the course of storage. It was found that the value obtained for coated oranges was higher than that of uncoated oranges which was obtained to be 1.14 + 0.07 at the end of storage. Converse to this was obtained for % weight losses in the two treatments. The weight loss for coated oranges was 29.20+ 0.55%, while that of uncoated oranges was 53.30+ 1.17% at the end of storage. A linear increase was observed in sugar/acid ratio in the two treatments during the course of storage with higher value being recorded for uncoated oranges as 8.90 + 0.87, while lower value was gotten for coated oranges as 7.43+ 0.34%.

Technical Efficiency in Poultry Broiler Production in Umuahia Capital Territory of Abia State, Nigeria.

Abstract: Evidence had shown that the critical issue in poultry production in Nigeria is that of low production and inefficiency in resource allocation and utilization. This has adversely affected the production and supply chain. This study was designed to measure the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in poultry broiler production in Umuahia Capital Territory of Abia State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 poultry broiler farmers from which the input-output data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The estimated stochastic (Cobb-Douglas) frontier production function showed that stock-size, feed intake and labour input were critical variables that affected farmers output at 1.0% risk level respectively. Drugs and medication and depreciation cost were not significant at given levels. The result showed that the estimated farm level technical efficiency ranged from 08% and 97% with a mean of 75%. The socio-economic determinants of technical efficiency were Extension contact, household size, age and educational level. Therefore, to close the protein insufficiency gap, government should motivate Extension Agents to increase the frequency of contact to the farmers and thus, aid in increasing broiler production efficiency. Though the technical efficiency of the poultry broiler farmers is high but they are not fully technically efficient. There is room for efficiency growth

Effect of Moringa Extract on Growth and Yield of Maize and Common Beans

Abstract: An evaluation on the potential benefit of using Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a growth hormone on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris ) and maize ( Zea mays ) was done. Trials were carried out in the greenhouse and field. In the greenhouse, five treatments were used: control (M0, only water applied), second control (ME, only ethanol applied), moringa extract (in 80% ethanol) applied (on leaves) once at 2 weeks from emergence (M1), moringa extract applied at 2 and 4 weeks from emergence (M2), and moringa extract applied every 2 weeks to maturity from two weeks from germination (M3). The same treatments were adopted in the field except ME, which was considered unnecessary after observing the results of the greenhouse experiment. Results showed that moringa extract increased growth and yield of beans in both greenhouse and field, and of maize in the field. However, the extract showed no significant effect on DM yield, root DM or plant height of maize in the greenhouse. The highest DM and root weight, height and crop yields in greenhouse and field experiments for beans, and for maize in the field only, were obtained at M3. The study recommends the application of extract at M3.