Aims: This study sought to identify the personal characteristics, climate adaptation/coping strategies and enterprise characteristics of cocoa farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study also aimed at determining constraints faced by the cocoa farmers in the course of carrying out the coping strategies. Study Design: Multistage sampling technique. Place and Duration of Study: Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: This research work examined cocoa farmers’ coping strategies for climate change adaptation in Ogun State, Nigeria. A sample size of 60 respondents was used. Data were collected from selected cocoa farmers with the aid of structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results revealed that the mean age of respondents was 46.5 years, indicating that most of them were still in their active age. The findings also revealed that majority (78.3%) of the respondents were married, while 90.0% of them were educated at various levels. Planting of cocoa under a weeded forest was ranked first in the coping strategies used by the farmers. Poor access to credit facilities was ranked first among the constraint faced by the respondents in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. However, educational qualification (χ2=22.949, p=0.000) indicated that they were significantly related to the rate of adoption of farmers’ coping strategies to climate change in the study area. Conclusion: The study established that poor funding, among other challenges was a major constraint to farmers’ adoption of climate change coping strategies. Researchers therefore, need to commence developmental interventions aimed at addressing the identified constraints and work towards the development of drought tolerant cocoa varieties in order to boost cocoa production and improve farmers’ livelihood.
The study examined farmers’ awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio economic characteristics of the respondents, ascertained the levels of awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies and identified the sources of information on cocoa production technologies by farmers. Multi stage random sampling was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) cocoa farmers. Data was collected using a comprehensive questionnaire and analysis was done using means, frequencies percentages, Chi square and Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that 62.4% of the respondents were within age bracket (<30-50) years, male 83.3%, married 76.6%, mean house hold size 7.5 and mean farm size 4.1ha. There was relatively high awareness (60.8%) of cocoa production technologies among respondents. Also, there was high utilization of site selection/land preparation, control of pest insect and pathogens, regular weeding and timely harvesting /processing (x= 1.0), use of improved cocoa varieties, shade management and regular pruning (x=0.9). However, there was low utilization of gapping up of missing/death stands and planting period and spacing(x=0.7), cocoa rehabilitation (x=0.5) and appropriate fertilizer application with a means of 0.6. About 60% of the respondents accessed information from cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN). Chi-square analysis showed that there was significant relationship (p, < 0.005) between age (x=19.233) and utilization of cocoa production technologies. However, the significant relationship was not found between sex (x=0.754), marital status (x=3.359), religion (x=1.416), level of education (x=2.254) and utilization of cocoa production technologies. PPMC analysis (r=0.633) revealed that there was positive significant relationship between awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies by respondents. Farmers need to be trained on various cocoa rehabilitation methods and improved cocoa varieties should be made available at affordable price to farmers.
The problem posed by insect pests of kola nut in storage is a major one. Thus, various control measures are employed by kola nut traders to combat the growing menace. A field survey was conducted to assess the prevailing methods of weevil control among kola nut traders in southwestern Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on personal characteristics of respondents, kola weevil control methods employed and the perceived effectiveness. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that 95% of traders were female, 56.67% were above 50 years with the mean age at 53.25. Most of the respondents (82.5%) lack formal education while the remaining (17.5%) had primary school education. Of the respondents 80% were married with most (62.5%) trading exclusively with kola nut while others (37.5%) also added bitter kola. Most of the respondents (95%) identified Balanogastris kolae as the weevil attacking kola nuts storage while others identified Sophorhinus species also. Majority of the respondents (83%) adopted the use of Aluminium phosphide (purchased from hawkers in the market) in controlling weevils during kola storage. Some store kola nuts for as long as a year before selling it, thus re-application of chemical is done to keep the nuts weevil-free. Re-infestation after treatment is low and majority disposed weevil-infested kola nuts at a cheaper rate, causing economic loss. Though traders use recommended chemicals, there is the need to provide safer alternatives due to high level of illiteracy among kola traders which could cause wrong use of the chemicals. Government agencies should check sources of chemical supplies to kola nut traders and train them on proper usage.
World’s calories supply from maize accounts for 20% but global postharvest grain loss caused by insect pests was estimated to be 10%. Control is mostly by synthetic insecticides with consequences such as insect resurgence and resistance and negative effect on non- target organisms. Maize grain losses to weevils are so enormous that effective local solution has to be sought. Thus this research aimed at assessing the effectiveness of powders and ash of rice husk and melon shell in controlling Sitophillus zeamais (Mots) in stored maize. Four treatments, Rice husk powder (RHP), Rice husk ash (RHA), Melon shell powder (MSP) and Melon shell ash (MSA) were applied at eight levels of 0 - 2.0 g 20 g-1 maize grain in three replicates. Five pairs (males and females) of freshly emerged S. zeamais were introduced into each treatment. Mortality test was carried out on the insects at 48 and 96 hours after introduction. Germination test was conducted on ten randomly selected grains after weevil emergence. Significantly higher (p≤0.05) mortality was recorded in treated seeds than the control. Virtually 100% mortality of S. zeamais was attained in both RHA and MSA treated maize in 96hrs at all application rates. Mean adult emergence in maize treated with both RHA and MSA were zero, with no weight loss like those of grains treated with standard control of P. guinensis. Also maize grain treated with Rice husk ash (RHA) and Melon shell ash (MSA) recorded a mean WPI of zero irrespective of application rates as in P. guinensis. The mean percentage germination of maize grain was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in P. guinensis than those recorded on treatments, while germination of treated maize is higher than the control. Thus rice husk and melon shell are effective alternatives to insecticides against S. zeamais in stored maize.
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