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Cationic Malachite green has been identified as a candidate for the endocrine disruptive compound found in the environment. In this study, the mechanism and isotherm modeling of effective adsorption of cationic malachite green dye onto acid-functionalized maize cob (AFMC) was investigated by batch technique. The operational parameters such as initial concentration (100–600 mg/L); contact time (10–120 min) and pH (3–10) influenced the removal efficiency and quantity adsorbed. A maximum of 99.3% removal efficiency was obtained at optimum conditions. AFMC physicochemical properties (surface area 1329 m2/g and particle size 300 μm < Ф < 250 μm) enhanced its efficiency. Based on R2 > 0.97 and consistently low values of adsorption statistical error functions (ASEF), equilibrium data were best fitted to Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic data were best described by a pseudo-second-order model with consistent R2 > 0.98 and validated by ASEF. The mechanism of the process was better described by intraparticle diffusion. Evidence of the adsorption process was confirmed by the change in morphology via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and surface chemistry by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR). The performance of AFMC enlisted it as a sustainable and promising low-cost adsorbent from agro-residue for treatment of endocrine disruptive dye polluted water.

The hot air drying characteristics of fermented‐cooked (FC) cassava chips were investigated at a temperature of 50, 60, and 70°C and the fan speed of 0.5, 0.9, and 1.3 m/s. Proximate compositions, functional characteristics, and moisture diffusion parameters of the FC cassava chips were also studied. Furthermore, the applicability of mathematical (MM) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) – based modeling approaches for modeling drying kinetics of the chips was analyzed. Effective diffusivity (Deff) increased with an increase in temperature and fan speed and ranged between 1.1 × 108 and 6 × 108 m2/s. The activation energy (Ea) decreased with fan speed level up to 0.9 m/s and fluctuated between 0.9 and 1.3 m/s. Ea was from 46 to 57 KJ/mol. The drying rate decreased with an increase in temperature and fan speed. Process variables also showed a significant effect on the proximate compositions. FTIR result revealed that drying affected the functional characteristics of the chips. The GPR‐based model showed superiority and can therefore be used for optimization and control monitoring which are necessary for product standardization. Practical Applications Drying of food materials happens to be a major unit operation in the most food process line, prompting the establishment of its drying conditions important. Drying kinetic modeling is very crucial for accurate control of the drying process in the industries. This study shows that GPR‐ based models performed better than mathematical models for modeling the drying curve of FC cassava chips. It also shows how some processing operation affects the functional properties of the chips. GPR‐models are useful in developing robust control systems for industrial drying processes.

This study determined the effects of off-farm income on poverty and food security status of farmers in Paikoro Local Government area of Niger state, Nigeria. A total of 150 farmers were selected randomly from six wards across the Local Government Area. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit primary data from the farmers for the study. Descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbeck (FGT) model, Logit regression and Tobit regression models were used for data analysis. Results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 42 years, majority (89.33%) were male while 90.67% were married and 63% had no formal education. The most prevailing off-farm enterprise was trading (74%). The poverty status of the respondents were classified under poor and non-poor with poverty incidence of 41.33% for the poor, poverty gap and severity indices were 37.63% and 14.16% respectively. Logit regression showed membership of association, household size, gender, food expenses, years in formal education, and off-farm income were significant at p=0.01, p=0.01, p=0.05, p=0.05, p=0.05, p=0.05 respectively. The food security status analysis revealed that 67% of the farmers were food secure while 33% were food insecure. Tobit regression results showed household size, farming experience, size of farm and off-farm income at p=0.01 respectively were significant determinants of food security. It was concluded that off-farm income had significant positive effect on the poverty and food security status of the farmers. However, poverty and food insecurity still remain major issues in the area that cannot be over-looked, and as such, efforts should be made to ensure that farmers are encouraged and empowered to engage in profitable off-farm activities while the government should also make policies that will favour their off-farm enterprises.

The study tried to address optimum production plan for maize-based crop farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collection with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting a total of 133 farm households engaged in maize-based crop production. The results showed that maize-based arable crop production in the study area is predominantly male activity, with a mean age of 37 years. The average household size of the respondents was 5 persons. Majority (86.46%) of the farmers had one form of formal education ranging from tertiary, primary, secondary and adult education. Also, 81.95% of the farmers earned less than ₦100,000 per annum from off-farm activities. An average farmer had 20 years of farming experience and cultivated 1.88 ha of land. Linear programming solution prescribed maize/soybeans on 1.1988 ha and maize/cowpea on 0.0468 ha respectively in the optimum farm plans for the farmers. It also indicated gross margin could be increased from ₦120,122.73 ha −1 in the existing crop production plan to ₦211,555.70 ha −1 in the prescribed optimum crop production plan. It was concluded that production inputs were not optimally utilized and that crop mixtures were in a better competitive position than sole crop to increase the farmers' income in maize-based crop production systems in Niger State. It was recommended that farmers should produce crop mixtures maize/soybeans and maize/cowpea based on their hectarage allocation as prescribed in the optimum farm plans and that farm advisory services should give attention to optimum cropping patterns towards promoting increased agricultural productivity among farmers.