Abundant coal resources that were previously neglected due to a crude oil boom need revitalisation and integration into the national electricity mix to address the energy demands of the Nigerian population. Selected coal samples from the Benue Trough sedimentary basin in Nigeria were examined by various techniques, including proximate and ultimate analyses, organic petrography, Fourier transform infrared ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Based on vitrinite reflectance, the Lafia-Obi (OLB), Garin Maiganga (GMG), Imiegba (IMG), and Okaba (OKB) coals are classified as subbituminous, while the Lamja1 (LMJ1), Lamja2 (LMJ2) and Chikila (CHK) coals are high volatile B bituminous. The Enugu (ENG) coal is on the boundary between subbituminous and high volatile C bituminous. Organic petrographic results indicate vitrinite and fusinite contents steadily increase from the Lower Benue Trough coals to the Upper Benue Trough coals, while semifusinite and total mineral contents follow a reverse pattern. Thermal decomposition occurred in three stages, i.e., drying, devolatilization, and coke formation above 700°C; and the coal reactivity follows the following order, ENG [IMG[IGH[CHK[LMJ[OKB[GMG[LFB. The higher temperatures (above 900°C) are required to decompose the coals for efficient energy recovery. The LMJ1, LMJ2, OLB, CHK, GMG, and OKB coals can be exploited for electricity power generation. However, the Imeagha and Enugu coals are best suitable for both cement and power generation.
The role of oyster shell as calcium supplement in the utilization of gossypol-containing cottonseed cake (CSC) was assessed using Hypeco broiler chickens. The results showed that of the organ measured, only the relative weight of the spleen was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased by oyster shell supplementation in the CSC diets. Spleen weight correlated negatively (r = -0.45) with dietary calcium. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased due to the levels of oyster shell supplemented while the activities of serum and liver alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not significantly influenced. The results also showed that although oyster shell supplementation generally increased alkaline phosphatase activity, bone mineralization was relatively uninfluenced as judged by the low coefficients of variation (CV) of 3.14-3.51% and 3.39-4.82% for calcium and phosphorus content in the femur and tibia respectively.
Nigeria's bean market is still characterized by inefficient and weak integration due to inadequate price information and market infrastructure. Therefore, the study investigates the price variation and transmission of beans markets in Nigeria's Southwest region. The study employed an average monthly price of white and brown beans in rural and urban markets spanning March 2014 to July 2019. Coefficient of variation (CV), Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), Johansen co-integration test and Granger-Causality tests were the analytical tools used for the analysis. The results of CV indicated a spike variation of beans prices over the periods. Urban brown beans experienced the lowest variability of 1.56% in 2015, while rural brown beans experienced the highest variability of 30.03% in 2014. The co-integration test established a long-run dynamic between bean products of different varieties in the same market. However, it failed in the same products in different markets using a bivariate co-integration test. The multivariate co-integration test’s results affirmed that bean markets are strongly linked together in the long-run. The results of Granger-causality showed uni-directional and bi-directional causalities in the beans markets. Rural white beans assumed the lead position and formed the major price transmission in the beans’ markets in the area. Therefore, for more efficiency in the beans’ rural and urban markets, the government should design appropriate market strategies such as accessible market information and infrastructures.
Aims: An essential path to economic growth and expansion is commercialization of smallholder agriculture for the greatest number of emerging countries that depend on agriculture. Hence, the need to examine agricultural commercialization and food security nexus among maize farmers in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. This is due to the fact that maize is the most important staple food in Nigeria.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ondo State, Nigeria between March and July 2019.
Methodology: The sampling procedure used in the selection of a sample of 120 respondents was a two-stage random sampling procedure. Data for this study were drawn from the sampled respondents with the help of a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model.
Results: The results show that majority (35.8% and 65%) of the respondents were between 31 and 40 years of age and males, respectively. Also, majority (52.5%) of the respondents had between 81 and 100% level of commercialization, while 54.2% of the respondents were food insecure. Furthermore, household size, year of schooling, level of commercialization, farming experience, non-farm activities, and market information had significant influence on food security status of the respondents in the study area.
Conclusion: In conclusion, agricultural commercialization is capable of swelling the likelihood of being food secure. Therefore, policies and necessary supports that can enhance agricultural commercialization among maize farmers should be put in place by individuals, government and non-governmental organizations in order to alleviate the menace of food insecurity.
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