Although Nigeria has comparative resource advantage in terms of favourable climatic, edaphic and ecological conditions in the production of rice, local production has not been able to meet the growing demand. The inability of the Nigerian rice economy to satisfy the domestic demand and the consequent growth of rice import quantity and value remains a cause of concern. The study analyzed the difference between potential and actual yield of rice in North Central Nigeria. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaire administered to a sample of one hundred and forty four rice farmers in Niger state, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results indicated that rice farmers in the area cultivated four improved rice varieties WITA 4, FARO 15, FARO 35 and FARO 44 with average yield gaps of 1.48, 2.85, 3.03 and 3.20 tons per hectare respectively. This makes these rice varieties under-exploited as farmers operate at levels where they obtain an average of 49% of the potential yield. Factors which contribute to the reduction in the magnitude of rice yield gap include increase in the frequency of contacts between farmers and extension workers, increase in fertilizer use per hectare and higher intensity of tractor use. It was recommended that the yield potential of cultivated rice varieties should be fully exploited as a first option to meeting the current level of national rice demand because increased rice production towards the attainment of self-sufficiency may well hinge upon the ability of farmers to narrow the gap between current rice yields and yield potentials.
Jasmine 85 is the most popular and widely cultivated rice variety in Ghana. Samples of Jasmine 85 were collected from seven seed sources with a reference sample obtained from Africa Rice Center, Senegal. Morphological evaluation involved qualitative and quantitative data. Jasmine 85 from all sources were similar in terms of aroma, anthocyanin coloration, leaf pubescence, and ligule shape. The sources showed significant differences to pericarp colour, days to 50% heading, plant height, seed length and seed width.Physico-chemical analyses showed grain size and shape, grain chalkiness; cooking time, head rice yield, gelatinisation temperature, amylose content and viscosity properties differed significantly among the sources whilst grain hardness was not significantly different.Molecular characterisation using 15 SSR markers showed that although closely related, the sources differed significantly. None of the sources in Ghana was genetically identical to the reference sample. Seeds from different sources should not be mixed for sale or production, and these varieties should be treated separately in future evaluations.
The consumption of adequate quantities of fruits and vegetables is essential to a healthy life. The growing body of evidence on fruits and vegetable consumption mainly focus on urban areas with very scanty information and data on rural/peri-urban areas. This study was carried out in the peri urban interface of Ibadan. It examined the access of people to fruits and vegetables and the factors which affect their consumption. Through multi-stage sampling technique, two hundred respondents were selected from four peri-urban communities and data were obtained through the use of pre-tested questionnaire and interview schedules. Results revealed that more than ninety-five per cent of respondents are aware of the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. Majority of the respondents consumed more of indigenous than exotic fruits and vegetables, preferring fresh to processed fruits. More than seventy per cent of respondents obtained fruits and vegetables from local markets with an expenditure of less than six per cent of their monthly income. Major constraint to consumers’ access to fruits is the seasonality of these items, making them scarce during off seasons.Key words: Peri-urban interface, fruits, vegetables, consumption.
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