<div>The study examines the effect of economic and agricultural diversification on economic growth in Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the effect of government agricultural spending on Nigeria&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product. Data were collected from secondary sourced using the time series data which was extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) annual Statistical Bulletin for the period and The Nigeria Bureau of Statistic annual reports. Data were analyzed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach or Bound Test Method. The findings revealed that Government agricultural expenditure does not have a significant effect on Gross Domestic Product. The investigation suggested that the government at all level should increase their budgetary allocations for agriculture and also develop a functional agricultural long-term blueprint to improve the sector.</div>

<div>Effect of Economic and Agricultural Diversification on the Economic Growth in Nigeria</div>

<div>Background: This study assessed the perceived influence of agricultural extension on cassava production in southern Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the perceived influence of agricultural extension on cassava production in the study area and constraints in the production of cassava by farmers in the study area.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique. Stage one was a purposive selection of municipalities in Southern Nigeria due to its endowment with cassava production. Stage two involved a random selection of five (5) municipalities in Southern Nigeria namely; Uyo, Calabar, Umuahia, Abakaliki and Owerri. Stage three equally involved a random selected of twenty (20) respondents from each of the municipals, giving a total of hundred (100) respondents used for the study. Data were obtained from primary sources using structured interview schedule. Objectives were analysed using descriptive statistics such as; percentage, frequency, mean, rank and standard deviation. 
 
Result: The result on the house hold size showed that 39% had between 6-10 persons, while 27% had 11-15 persons, 21% had 1-5 persons. Also 13% had 16 and above number of persons. The result also revealed that the respondents observed help in reducing soil compartment, training of farmers on pest/disease control, production practices, processing and marketing with mean scores of <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.43, <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.27,&nbsp;<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 1.92,&nbsp;<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 1.86 and <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> =1.69 respectively; as perceived influence of extension on cassava production. This implied that extension workers had no significant influence on cassava production in the study area, this may be attributed to inadequate funding of extension services in Nigeria. Majority (60%) believed that language barrier and unfavourable attitude of farmers with mean of <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.43 and <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.42 respectively were the constraints of agricultural extension workers in enhancing cassava production in the study area. This implied that influence of extension agents in the area may not be significant. This may be due to ineffectiveness of extension services in Nigeria. the study concluded that, rural farmers need to be involved in the mainstream of extension services in order to identify and prioritize their production activities. The study therefore, recommended that agricultural extension workers should be involved in all areas of agricultural production and not on cassava production alone, so as to improve on the gross domestic production of the nation.</div>

Perceived Influence of Agricultural Extension on Cassava Production by the Farmers in Southern Nigeria

<div>Background: This research was conducted in Enugu State. Nigeria is motivated by the fact that small scale rice farmers in Nigeria are faced with severe credit risk. This has increased their instability in productivity and resulted in high loan default. A multiplicity of research in Nigeria has neglected the aspect of credit risk management, especially in crop farming. The study explores the determinants and preferences of credit risk management in rice farming in Nigeria.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. Specifically, a random sampling technique was used to select 10 crop farmers from eight selected communities, which gave 80 respondents for the study. However, after data cleaning and other exercises of data editing, 75 questionnaire were collected and used for the analysis. Finally, in the selection of financial institutions, a purposive sampling technique was used to 16 formal financial institutions that had operated for more than ten years in each of the selected local government areas. 
 
Result: The study identified that credit risk management is affected by education, diversification of income sources, farming experience, banking with commercial banks and informal financial institutions, amount of credit and experience in the past credit risks. In addition, the preference of rice farmers to credit risk aversion is appropriate management of production risks, price risks and moratorium risk.</div>

Determinants and Preferences of Credit Risk Management in Farming: Evidence from Rice Enterprise in Nigeria

Background: The rising feed cost is a major challenge in Nigeria&rsquo;s poultry industry. It impacts production costs and threatens the industry&rsquo;s sustainability as well as poultry farmers welfare. Implementing effective coping strategies is crucial for poultry farmers to maintain profitability by optimizing resource allocation. This study therefore examined the effect of coping strategies of rising feed costs on poultry farmers technical efficiency in South-West, Nigeria. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey research design. Multistage sampling procedures were used to select three states (Lagos, Ogun and Oyo) from the South-West zone in Nigeria. In the second stage, 575 poultry farmers from all Poultry Association of Nigeria zones were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data on production activities of poultry farms were collected from the farmers using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results of the study showed that the adopted strategies used by the farmers were use of finished feed (UFF), mixed farming (MF), downsizing of flock size (DFS), no change of strategies (NCS), verge of exiting the venture (VEV). Of the poultry farmers, 48.00% adopted MF to cope with the rising feed cost while 24.70%, 16.10%, 6.20%, 5.20% adopted UFF, DFS, VEV and NCS, respectively. The study, therefore concluded that mixed farming as a coping strategy enhances the poultry farmers&rsquo; efficiency, it is therefore recommended that the poultry farmers should engage in mixed farming as a coping strategy to rising feed costs.

Effect of Coping Strategies of Rising Feed Costs on Poultry Farmers&rsquo; Technical Efficiency in South-west Nigeria

<div>Background: Limited information on impact of oil exploration on soil fertility in Nigeria is hindering the efforts toward soil improvement. Hence, the impact of oil exploration on soil fertility in four local government areas (LGA), Delta State, Nigeria was evaluated in 2020. 
 
Methods: Two LGAs in oil producing (Ukwani, Ndokwa) and non oil producing (Aniocha South, Ika South) and three communities in each LGA and one crop largely cultivated was purposely chosen. Soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth at 10 meters intervals along transverses cut at 100 m apart. The samples were air-dried at room temperature, crushed and made to pass 2 mm sieve. Soil pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium were measured. Data were statistical analyzed and least significance difference at &alpha;0.05 was used to separate means while Parker&rsquo;s nutrient index was used to rate the fertility. 
 
Result: Ukwani soil was strongly acidity (5.30), Ndokwa was moderately acidity (5.83) while Ika (6.61) and Aniocha (6.27) were slightly acidity. Organic matter (2.54 and 2.48%) and phosphorus (16.98 and 14.51 mg/kg) were medium in Ika and Aniocha whereas, both were low in Ukwani (1.49%, 10.14 mg/kg) and Ndokwa (1.74%, 12.52 mg/kg), respectively. Nitrogen was high in Ika (0.27%) and Aniocha (0.42%), medium in Ndokwa (0.18%) and low in Ukwani (0.15%). Potassium and sodium were high in Ika, Aniocha and Ukwani but medium in Ndokwa. Calcium was high in Ika, medium in Aniocha but low in Ndokwa and Ukwani. Magnesium was high in Ika, Aniocha and Ndokwa but was medium in Ukwani.&nbsp;</div>

​Impact Assessment of Oil Exploration Activities on Soil Fertility in Delta State, Nigeria

<div>Background: Groundnut had been established to have great health benefits on account of its biochemical constituents. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Eight cultivars of groundnut grown in Nigeria were analyzed using standard protocols for proximate compositions, amino acid and fatty acid profiles with the sole aim of selecting the most promising cultivars in terms of nutrient composition and oil stability. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results indicated that crude protein was the highest in MK 373 and lesser in Samnut 22. Crude fat ranged from 44.68% in Samnut 21 to 49.98% in Samnut 23. The major amino acids were leucine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid. The cultivars Samnuts 21 and 22 showed higher essential amino acids (EAA), while higher non-essential amino acid (NEAA) was recorded in MK 373. The major fatty acids were palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Among the cultivars, Samnut 11 was the only cultivar with better oil quality on account of higher oleic and linoleic O/L and total poly unsaturated fatty acid and total saturated fatty acid (TPUS/TS) ratios that compared well with Codex/WHO standards. The results, in general, have shown that Samnuts 11, 21, 22 and MK 373 are the potentials cultivars that could be selected for breeding programme to improve the quality of groundnut in Nigeria.</div>

​​Proximate Composition, Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profiles of Eight Cultivars of Groundnut Grown in Nigeria

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The study was motivated by the lack of poultry waste management policy in Nigeria to develop better initiatives for the development of green and alternative energy sources to mitigate climate change. Multiplicities of researches have neglected the research in this area despite the environmental health concerns and benefits associated with it.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in 2019. Three states with a high concentration of poultry farmers in South East Nigeria were selected. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select poultry farmers and policy actors for the study. Data sourced from primary sources were analyzed with descriptive statistics inferential statistics and a choice experiment model.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The result from the study showed that all the farmers depended on fossil fuel for processing and preservation while only 5.79 per cent depended on biogas energy sources. In addition, the study showed that the farmers&rsquo; preference for pollution control was significantly determined by pollution fee (p&lt;0.01), biogas subsidy (p&lt;0.01), technical standard (p&lt;0.01) and manure handling rate (p&lt;0.01) and the manure market (p&lt;0.01). The result of the interaction of the coefficient of variable showed that socio-economic characteristics were significantly determined by education (p&lt;0.05) and environmental condition assessment (p&lt;0.01). The study suggests the incorporation of biogas subsidy in the national subsidy framework to attract the deserved attention from farmers, private and public on the economic and health benefits of environmental protection.</div>

Economics of Poultry Waste Management Policy in South East Nigeria: Exploring the Determinants using Choice Experiment Model

<div>Indigenous ducks are important biodiversity resources and genetic reservoirs needed for mitigating future challenges of food insecurity even though they are highly prejudiced in some parts of Nigeria. They can compare favourably with chickens to produce meat and egg, can adapt to different climatic conditions since raising them does not require elaborate houses. These ducks are known for their high hatching rate that is higher than any other local poultry species and also have the potential to perform better under improved management systems. Average body weight of 2.7 and 1.6 kg have been reported for drakes and females respectively, egg weight of about 50-60 g have equally been reported. Each duck can lay between 60-80 eggs annually under scavenging conditions, while meat from duck is rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are advantageous for human health. Wide variations in phenotypic traits and also high genetic diversity exist among ducks. Thus the findings of this paper suggest that the genetic makeup of these ducks have not been altered through selective breeding therefore, their genetic improvement and conservation is highly essential towards achieving food security.</div>

Characteristics of Indigenous Ducks and Their Production System in Nigeria: A Review

<div>Background: The greenhouse and field studies were carried out to assess the effect of different rates of poultry manure (PM), pig slurry (PS) and the recommended NPK fertilizer on some soil physico-chemical properties and okra yield of coarse-textured Ultisols in Nsukka, southeastern Nigeria.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The PM and PS were applied at three different rates (10, 20 and 40 t ha-1) as well as no amendment as control and the recommended NPK fertilizer (300 kg/ha) and replicated five times. Soil and agronomic data collected were analyzed for variance (ANOVA) using Genstat 4.0. 
 
Result: The PM and PS significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved soil pH, soil organic matter, available phosphorous, total nitrogen, aggregate stability, mean weight diameter, bulk density, porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity in greenhouse and field studies. Significant improvement in CEC was obtained in the field study. The PM and PS significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved agronomic parameters e.g. plant height, number of leaves, biomass weight and yield of okra than the control. Poultry manure showed its superiority over other amendments in improving soil and agronomic properties. The study recommended 20 t ha-1 of PM and 40 t ha-1 of PS for sustainable soil and optimum productivity of okra in Nsukka, southeastern Nigeria.</div>

<div>Effect of Organic Manures Application on Soil Physicochemical Properties of Coarse-textured Ultisol and Okra Productivity in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria</div>

<div>Background: Soil characterization and classification is the foundation for sustainable land use and management. Upland soils are important in areas of high elevation and undulating terrain. This study characterized and classified Soils of an upland in southern guinea savannah of Nigeria. 
 
Methods: The prominent elevation points of the area were read with GPS device and four locations identified were labelled: UP1, UP2, UP3 and UP4. Profile pits were dug in each location, described for the morphological properties and sampled for laboratory analysis of soil physico-chemical properties. 
 
Result: The soils were slightly to strongly acidic with pH of 5.29 to 6.11, had low organic matter ranged of 1.52 to 1.79% and low soil nutrient reserve with the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 5.9 to 9.26 mol kg-1. In-situ soil development, transportation and deposition of materials were the major soil formation processes in the area. The soils were classified as Alfisols and were marginally suitable (S3) for yam.</div>

Effect of Economic and Agricultural Diversification on the Economic Growth in Nigeria

Perceived Influence of Agricultural Extension on Cassava Production by the Farmers in Southern Nigeria

Determinants and Preferences of Credit Risk Management in Farming: Evidence from Rice Enterprise in Nigeria

Effect of Coping Strategies of Rising Feed Costs on Poultry Farmers’ Technical Efficiency in South-west Nigeria

Impact Assessment of Oil Exploration Activities on Soil Fertility in Delta State, Nigeria

Proximate Composition, Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profiles of Eight Cultivars of Groundnut Grown in Nigeria

Economics of Poultry Waste Management Policy in South East Nigeria: Exploring the Determinants using Choice Experiment Model

Characteristics of Indigenous Ducks and Their Production System in Nigeria: A Review

Effect of Organic Manures Application on Soil Physicochemical Properties of Coarse-textured Ultisol and Okra Productivity in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria

Soil Characterization and Classification in an Upland of Southern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria