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Agriculture is the major component of the rural economy in Katsina State. Livestock production is a major component of agricultural activities practised there and is a source of income and a form of security for farmers. Increasing attacks by cattle rustlers have disrupted the stability that had been enjoyed by pastoralists in rural communities within the State. This study investigates the prospect of adopting community cattle ranches and radio frequency identification (RFID) as strategies for containing cattle rustling. Primary data were sourced via structured questionnaires and dichotomous dependent variable models in the form of probit and logit were used. Siting cattle ranches near rural communities is an important determinant for community acceptance of a cattle ranch, while fees as well as ranch sanitation levels would have significant effects on pastoralist decisions to use group ranch schemes. On the other hand, occupation, number of cattle rustled and education are significant factors in determining the use of RFID. There is growing scepticism over the cruelty in the military approach embarked upon by the current administration in combating cattle rustling, which seems analogous to the intervention used to combat the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Therefore, the time is ripe for the government to generate participatory policies whereby consultations should take centre stage in finding solutions to livestock theft. Relevant authorities should urgently build ranches in rural communities, while RFID will be vital to track livestock movement, which will ensure precision for the timely identification of stolen livestock.

Vegetables play important roles in human nutrition and health. They can also contain some undesirable components that can be harmful, e.g.  Pesticides and heavy metals. The objectives of the study were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in sampled Baobab leaf in Katsina state Nigeria and assessed the human health risks associated with the consumption of the Baobab leaves. The content of these metals was assayed by the AAS method. The health risk to the local inhabitants was evaluated by estimating daily heavy metal intake and computing the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for cancer and non-cancer risks. The results were compared with the safety standards established by the WHO/FAO and USEPA. With the exception of the heavy metal Pb (0.526-0.981) the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Cr (0.116-0.352), Cd (0.041-0.054), Fe (1.016-1.951) and Zn (0.940-1.229) in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ < 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children. The THQ for the samples was in the decreasing order Zn>Fe>Pb>Cr>Cd, for all the baobab leaf samples respectively. All the studied samples showed the risk level (HI < 1). ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) for cancer in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for Pb in samples from Dabai and Daura have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in rest of the samples and ILCR for Cd of all the samples are beyond the moderate risk level (>10−2). The consumption of the Baobab leaf sample may contribute to the population cancer burden.

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in maize cultivated in Katsina state Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in the cultivated maize in the study area, compare the concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards and asses the health risks to the local consumers. Samples of cultivated maize were collected in the year 2017 from the selected areas.  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the samples were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). The possibility of cancer risks in the samples through the intake of carcinogenic heavy metals was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR).  Results from this study have shown that with the exception of the heavy metal Pb the concentration values of Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The results have also indicated that the estimated daily intake of the heavy metals was lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA in all samples. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ < 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children.. The THQ for the samples was in the decreasing order Zn>Pb>Fe>Cr>Cd, for all the samples respectively. All the studied samples showed the hazard index (HI < 1) with highest in the sample from Dabai and lowest in the sample from Funtua. In adults the ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) in all the studied samples, while the ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) except for the sample from Kafur which is above the limit (>10−2). In children ILCR for Cd in all samples and Pb for samples from Birchi, Katsina and Malunfashi has reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) while the ILCR for Pb in samples from Dabai, Funtua and Kafur is above the limit (>10−2). The trend of risk for developing cancer as a result of consuming the studied maize samples showed: Kafur> Dabai > Funtua> Malunfashi > Katsina. Cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) in adults of all the studied maize samples reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) except for sample from Kafur which is above the moderate risk limit (>10−2). While the cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) in children of all the studied maize samples is above the moderate risk limit (>10−2) except for sample from Katsina which is within the moderate risk limit (>10−3). Among all the studied samples maize sample from Kafur has the highest chances of cancer risks (ILCR 1.297980 × 10−2 in adults, 1.510018 × 10−2 in children) and sample from Katsina has the lowest chances of cancer risk (ILCR 1.68603093 × 10−3 in adults, 7.775840 × 10−3 in children). The study suggests that consumption of the studied maize samples in Katsina state is of public health concern as they may contribute to the population cancer burden.

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