https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja The <i>Bowen Journal of Agriculture</i> serves to provide information for effective management of agriculture and associated innovations. It publishes papers in the fields of agricultural economics, forestry, crop production and mechanization, wood technology, food sciences and technology, rural sociology and extensions, environmental management, soil science, animal science and fisheries management. Faculty of Agriculture, Bowen University en-US Bowen Journal of Agriculture 1597-2836 Copyright is held by the faculty of Agriculture, Bowen University. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161048 No Abstract John Olusola Akingbala Copyright (c) 6 1 iv iv 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161050 <p>The study examined the determinants of job effectiveness of extension personnel of OYSADEP and FADU organizations. Disproportionate sampling procedure was used to select 94% and 81% from the population of extension personnel in the two organizations to obtain 120 respondents for the study. Structured and pretested questionnaire was utilized to collect data from the respondents based on the objective. Data was collected on socioeconomic characteristics such ass age, gender, educational qualification, income and year of experience. Level of job effectiveness was sought on a number of specific task of job performance and measured on Very Desirable, Desirable, Moderately Desirable, Desirable and Not Desirable. Incentives to job effectiveness was taken on Very High Satisfaction, High Satisfaction, Moderate Satisfaction, Low Satisfaction and Very Low Satisfaction while constraints to job effectiveness was measured on the basis of All the time, Frequently, Occasionally, Rarely and Never with their means of determination. Frequency counts, percentages and means were used to present the results on descriptive levels while inferential statistics such as Chi-square, t-test and PPMC were utilized to test the study hypotheses. Results revealed that 39.41% of the respondents fell within the ages of 31- 40 years with mean age of 32years. Majority, 58.4%, were males while 72.5% have married. Further on the table,34.1% of the respondents had bachelor degrees while 12.5% were PhD holders. Majority (55%) had worked between 5-10 years with 62.5% earned between #41,000 and #80,000. Personnel were mostly effective in professional work performance ((X=4.35) and competency ((=4.28). Incentive to job performance were recognition programmes ((=3.16) and treat ((=3.12). Constraints to job effectiveness were mindsets in the parts of the managements staff ((= 3.27) and poor transportation ((=3.13). Tested hypotheses revealed significant 2= relationship between effectiveness and age (X 18.013,p&lt;0.05), education 2 (X =21.003, p&lt;0.05) and years of working experience (X=35.069). There was a significant difference in the effectiveness (F=8.646) between personnel in OYSADEP and FADU however, no significant association existed between level of incentive given and personnel effectiveness (r=0.008).Organizations were recommended to enhance the effectiveness<br />of their personnel with training programmes and assigned duties to the different personnel based on their job experience levels.</p> S.O Ayansina R.A. Oyeyinka A.O. Adekunmi A.O. Awoyemi Copyright (c) 6 1 1 10 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161053 <p>Tourism is a major driver of economic growth and development in any society. This study examines the socio-economic determinants of on-day site demand for recreation in Agodi Park and Gardens in Ibadan, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 114 tourists, randomly selected from the site using semi-structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, single-site travel cost approach and Poisson regression. Majority of tourists were male and in their active working years with an average household size of six. The qualities identified by tourists as affecting their decision to spend more time in the park include view, historical significance, facilities, cleanliness and maintenance, reasonable entrance fee and accessibility of the park. The result of the Poisson Regression revealed that sex, age, adult education, monthly income, cleanliness and maintenance of the park had positive significant effect on the number of trips taken to the park by tourists. However, trip cost had a negative significant effect. The park has great economic benefits in providing tour and recreational functions as a public resource with an access value of ₦895,684.80.The study recommends that government should provide suitable working environment for increased incomes and the education of tourists should be encouraged. In addition, policies and efforts on park cleanliness and maintenance is required.</p> Olufemi A Popoola Grace O. Popoola Adetola I Adeoti Tinuola Osho Copyright (c) 6 1 11 20 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161054 <p>This paper evaluates the effect of production season on pulp yield, apparent viscosity and colour of tomato (<em>Lycopersiconesculentum</em> var. Roma VF), watermelon (<em>Vitrullus vulgaris</em> var. Babyblack) and pineapple (<em>Ananascomosus</em> var. Smooth cayennes) pulps. Tomato, watermelon and pineapple pulps from two harvesting seasons (January and April) were blended in the ratios 1:1:1, 1:1:2 and 2:1:1 (v/v/v) to produce a phytochemically active fruit pulp blends. Apparent viscosities and colour were determined using a digital rotational viscometer and Macbeth Munselltristimulus disc colorimeter, respectively. Apparent viscosity of the blends was in the range 25.90 - 37.90 cPa.s and 25.30 - 30.20cPa.s in the January and April batch, respectively. Thea – values of the blends were between 26.34 – 28.41and 25.99 – 28.89 for January and April batch, 2 respectively. The highest redness factor (a/b) , of 2.50 was recorded for tomato pulp in the April batch and the blends' total color difference (ΔE) ranged between 1.93 and 8.46.The study showed seasonal variation in pulp yield, apparent viscosity and colour and the consistency of the blends.</p> Femi Ojo Oludemi Charles Taiwo Akanbi Copyright (c) 6 1 21 31 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161055 <p>The physicochemical properties of Maize-Ogi samples enriched with Watermelon seed were studied. Watermelon maize Ogi was produced by supplementing Maize-Ogi with 10% Watermelon seed either by adding the Watermelon seed flour to Maize-Ogi flour (sample A) or fermenting the Watermelon seed and maize grains together (sample B) and then reconstituted. The bulk density, swelling capacity (SC) and solubility index (SI), pasting characteristics and water absorption capacity (WAC) of the Watermelon supplemented Maize-Ogi samples and Maize-Ogi (control, sample C) were investigated by standard methods. Result showed that there was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in terms of WAC and SC among the Watermelon seed-Maize Ogi but their bulk density and solubility indices differ. The swelling capacity and bulk density of 100% Maize-Ogi (sample C) were however higher than that of the Watermelon seed Ogi samples. The pasting properties of all the Ogi samples were significantly different except the pasting time and temperature. The 100% Maize-Ogi had the highest peak and final viscosities indicating that it will produce thicker gruels compared with the other samples. Differences in the physicochemical properties among the Watermelon seed Ogi samples indicate that the method of enrichment may influence some of the physicochemical and pasting properties. The thinner gruel of the Watermelon seed Ogi compared with the 100% Maize-Ogi sample indicate that it has potentials to be a complementary gruel for infants.</p> Omolara Bolanle Otegbayo Deborah Owolabi Oluyinka Oroniran Olufemi Oludemi Copyright (c) 6 1 32 40 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161056 <p>Gurundi is a popular wheat-based snack among school-age children. An acceptable gurundifrom a blend of wheat flour (WF) and pigeonpea flour (PPF) of 90:10 ratio had been reported in the literature. This study investigated the effects of yellow flesh cassava on pigeon peasupplemented gurundi. Gurundiwas produced from composite blends of yellow flesh cassava flour (YFC), WF and PPF (YFC:WF:PPF) ratios of 50:40:10, 60:30:10, 70:20:10, 80:10:10, and 90:0:10. Gurundifrom 100% WF served as the control. The functional properties, proximate composition, and anti-nutritional factors of the flour blends, and sensory properties of gurundi were determined using standard methods. The functional properties of the blends varied between 0.65 and 0.80 g/ml for bulk density, 56.21 and 75.83% for dispersibilty, 5.07-7.80 g/g for swelling power, 0.54-1.35 ml/g for water absorption, and 0.72-0.83 ml/g for oil absorption capacity. Except for bulk density, significant (p&lt;0.005) differences were observed in the functional attributes of the flour blends. The fat and protein contents of the flour blends which respectively ranged from 7.8-11.9% and 2.6-4.5% decreased while the ash (1.95-3.10%) and crude fibre (2.9-6.6%) increased as YFC level increased. The antinutrient contents of the blends ranged from 0.6-0.93 mg/100g, 0.48-1.01 mg/100g, 0.19-0.45 mg/100g, and 0.05-0.37 mg/100g for tannin, phytate, oxalate and hydrogen cyanide, respectively. Gurundifrom the composite blends had better sensory attributes than control. However, gurundifrom 80% YFC, 10% WF and 10% PPF had the highest overall acceptability.</p> A.A. Adeola M.A. Idowu B.A. Olunlade C.E. Nnamani O.G. Olufowodu E.K. Oke Copyright (c) 6 1 40 47 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161057 <p>The effect of different levels of fertilizer treatment on some chemical and functional properties of high quality cassava flour (HQCF) was investigated. Cassava cultivar (TMS/98/0505) was intercropped with maize (TZSR-Y) and fertilized with urea at 4 weeks after planting. The fertilizer was applied at the -1 rates of 0 (control), 30, 60, 90 and 120 kgha . Cassava tubers were harvested 12 months after planting.The cassava roots were processed into HQCF, and standard laboratory methods were used to evaluate the chemical and functional properties of the flour. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and mean values were separated using Duncan's multiple range test. Fertilizer treatment had no significant (p&gt;0.05) effect on the crude fat, crude fibre, loose bulk density, packed bulk density, swelling power, oil absorption capacity and dispersibility of HQCF. The ash contents of HQCF treated with fertilizer were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than control. All the flour samples had pH of less than 7.The phytate and tannin contents of HQCF decreased as the level of fertilizer treatment increased. Loosebulk density, solubility index, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and dispersibility values were 0.42-0.43%, 3.00–7.66%, 140.00–178.00%, 141-265.00% and 69.00–189.00%, respectively. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the pasting properties of HQCF, except peak viscosity and peak time. In conclusion, high quality cassava flour obtained from cassava treated with fertilizer exhibited quality characteristics within regulatory limits in terms of moisture content, ash, pH, total titratable acidity and crude fibre.</p> B. A Olunlade A.A. Adeola O.A. Singeer M.B. Akinnuwesi S.O. Adigbo Copyright (c) 6 1 48 55 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161064 <p>This paper examines critically the key factors influencing demand formicrocredit among rural households in north central Nigeria.. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 462 microcredit beneficiary households across two states (Kogi and Kwara) in the study area. Data were obtained on socio-economic characteristics, social capital variables, microcredit use as well as food and non- food expenditures of sample households using structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and multinomial logit. Mean age of the household heads and household size were 42.7 years and 7.0 persons respectively while 81.8% of them were married. Mean number of years of formal education was 11.6 years. The mean monthly expenditure on food and non-food was N15, 335.85 per month. Common sources of credit available to the households were cooperative societies (53.0%), banks (25.1%) and government agency (6.5%). The average amount of credit granted by credit institutions was N164926.4 per month. Only 46.0% of the credits needed by the households were granted with an average interest rate of 10.10%. Being married by household head increased the probability (p&lt;0.05) of getting credit from commercial banks, cooperative societies and friends and family. Household size increased the likelihood (p&lt;0.01) of demand for credit from government agency. Heterogeneity index and level of participation in decision making increased the likelihood of demand for credit in commercial bank, cooperative and money lenders respectively. Cash contribution index increased credit demand in commercial bank and cooperative (p&lt;0.1). Interest rate increased the probability of sourcing for credit in bank, cooperative and money lenders (p&lt;0.05). The study concluded that microcredit and social capital had significant impact on rural household's demand for credit. The study recommended that households should be encouraged to participate more in social group</p> M.K. Lawal S Momoh D.A. Adegbite O. Oyeyinka Copyright (c) 6 1 56 70 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161066 <p>Social is as a veritable factor for getting access to resources. Thus, the effect of social network on productivity of maize farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria was investigated. Primary data were collected from one hundred and fifty maize farmers using a multistage random sampling procedure. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity and Least square (LS) regression. Results showed that labour contribution and decision making index of farmers are the only significant variables affecting productivity. Results of the two stage least square reveals the exogeneity of social capital. The existence of bi-directional causality between social capital and maize farmers' productivity indicated the absence of direction of cause-and-effect contrary to a common presumption and thus confirms the exogeneity of social capital. The study recommends that farmers in the rural areas should improve involvement in local level institutional and participate in decision making process geared towards reducing poverty, which consequently will improve agricultural productivity at large.</p> O. G. Balogun S.A. Yusuff M.T. Oloniniyi M.K. Lawal Copyright (c) 6 1 71 80 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161070 <p>Cowpea (<em>Vigna unguiculata</em> L. Walp) is an important grain legume in sub- Saharan Africa. It is useful both as grain and vegetable. The crop is affected by many factors that constrain its production, with pests and diseases being the most important. Seed-borne pathogens have been found to be foundation to a myriad of crop diseases that affect cowpea and it is imperative to find alternative means of controlling their abundance seeing that excessive use of synthetic pesticides can be baleful to both man and the environment. An experiment was set up to isolate and identify seed-borne pathogens of cowpea seeds obtained from Institute of Agriculture and Research, Samaru, Zaria and to investigate the efficacy of plant extracts as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Three treatments [Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>), Garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em>) and Ciba plus (Jubaili Bros.)] were tested for their efficacy in inhibiting mycelial growth of seed-borne fungi of cowpea. A total of eight fungal pathogens were observed with Aspergillus flavus having the highest frequency of occurrence (70%) and <em>Fusarium</em> spp. having the highest mean mycelial growth (77.66% P&lt;0.05). Garlic was highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of <em>Fusarium</em> spp. (93.97% P &lt; 0.05) and Cibaplus completely inhibited the growth of Macrophominaphaseolina and Aspergillus flavus (100% P&lt;0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the efficacy of all three treatments in the control of <em>Collectotrichum gleosporioides</em> and <em>Rhizoctonia. solani</em>. Plant extracts which are ecofriendly, have shown that they have fungitoxic effects on seed-borne pathogens of cowpea but they require further investigations into their standardization and formulations to ensure sustainability.</p> O. O. Omilani T. E Sangoyomi O. Alabi Copyright (c) 6 1 81 86 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161072 <p>Policy guidelines are needed to drive wood market transformation through concerted efforts with timber exploiters and sellers to (a). Halt deforestation (b). Promote best practices in sustainable forest management (c). Promote economic and social impact of the forest communities (d). Encourage recyclability of waste wood (e). Discourage sale and use of illegally harvested wood - 'flitches' (f). Emphasize the use of forest certified materials and (g). Support the role of community forestry in the wood supply chain. It is essential for wood-suppliers to carry out periodic self assessment of their activities which should, once in a while, be verified by independent audit arrangements. Operational modules of timber contractors should be verified and certified. Appropriate exploitation is achievable if wood is not harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights; if technology innovations reduce the volume of wood used and ensure that the conservation value of forests is not threatened. In essence, timber exploitation should strive towards zero tolerance for corruption, minimal wastage, no health hazard to workers and full compliance with applicable forest laws.</p> John A. Akande Copyright (c) 6 1 87 90 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161076 <p>Survey data obtained from Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, was used to determine the willingness of households to pay (WTP) for organically produced fresh tomato. Consumers' knowledge of organic products, as well as their perceptions of these products was also ascertained. Contingent valuation method was employed to gauge the amount that households were willing to pay for organically grown tomato. Majority of the respondents (39.4%) agree that organic products define a healthy lifestyle. Organic products are perceived to have a superior quality by 37.5% strongly agreeing to the defining statement. About 35% of respondents agree that organic products have no harmful effect on the environment. Over 50% of the participants attested to having prior knowledge of organic farming and organic products, whilst 30.4% affirm to have consumed organic produce in the past. Overall, 77.1% of the respondents declared willingness to pay at least 10% price premium for 1kg organically grown tomato, whereas, 21.9% of the respondents are willing to pay price premium to the tune of 100%. On average, consumers' in Accra Metropolitan Area are willing to pay GHS3.22 for 1kg organically grown tomato. The conclusion that arise from this study is that; the average consumer is willing to pay some premium for organically grown tomato. Thus, there is a large potential market for organically grown tomato in Accra Metropolitan Area. As such, entrepreneurs and agro-food industries should take advantage of this opportunity to augment production, as well as effective marketing and distribution of organically grown tomato, so as to tap into this potential customer base.</p> M.B. Lawi Y. B. Osei-Asare T. O. Ojo O. O. Omilani Copyright (c) 6 1 91 101 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161081 <p>Commercial poultry farming contributes to food security and employment generation but management problems often impede optimal performance. Therefore, the study investigated information needs of commercial poultry farmers in southwestern Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 163 members of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN). Snowball technique was used in identifying and listing 142 non-members of PAN from which 114 were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using mean scores, frequency counts and percentages. The results showed that most (41.5%) commercial poultry farmers were middle-aged, males (77.7%) and educated (31.5%). Rearing of layers was predominant with mean flock size of 933 birds. The most important information need was securing credits ( =4.09), followed by identifying diseases ( = 4.03), using drugs/vaccines ( = 4.02), selecting poultry breeds ( = 3.88) and compounding feeds ( = 3.65). Poultry stakeholders should work to focus training programmes on the identified information needs in order to boost poultry productivity.</p> E.O. Owoade Copyright (c) 6 1 102 109 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161084 <p>Fish is an important component of the population's diet in many parts of the world and production has increased rapidly over the past hundred years due to improved technology, which showcases powerful engines and solar equipment. This study was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic factors affecting small scale cat fish farmers in Eruwa Area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Primary data was obtained from 100 respondents with structured questionnaires, using multi-stsage smpling technique. The results revealed that majority (84%) of the fish farmers were male, 33% were in the active age distribution of 20-30 years, 64% were married and 44% of the respondents had a household size of 2-3 persons. Regression analysis revealed that Occupation r = 0.037, Labour r = 0.045, Type of farming practices r= 0.000 and Experience r = 0.014 have a significant relationship with fish farming in the study area. Implications for this study is that occupation, labour, type of farming practices and experience were essential factors affecting small scale cat fish farmers in the study area. Therefore, small scale farmers should be trained on modern fish farming practices, methods of reducing labour cost and form a cooperative for acquiring of inputs and equipment to boost production.</p> A. Ayandiji Copyright (c) 6 1 110 115 10.4314/bja.v6i1. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bja/article/view/161085 <p>Groundnut (<em>Arachis hypogea</em> L.) is an important food and oil legume but its commercial production is often limited to some regions in Nigeria due to attack by pests and diseases. Seven varieties of groundnut released by the Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru and a local variety papa were assessed for their response to three fungal foliar diseases (early leaf spots, late leaf spots and rust) and insect pest damage under natural infection during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons in the forest/savanna transition agroecology of Osun State. All the tested varieties and the local check showed varying degrees of susceptibility to early leaf spot caused by<em> Cercospora arachidicola,</em> late leaf spot caused by <em>Phaeoisariopsis personata</em> and rust caused by Puccinia arachids. At the end of the on-farm trial, SAMNUT 10, 11 and 23 consistently showed the least severity of infection and favourably compared with the adapted local variety papa while SAMNUT 14 had the highest level of infection by both the early and late leaf spots throughout the period of observation. Rust was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in SAMNUT 10 at 84 days after sowing but at the end of the assessment period, there were no significant (P&lt;0.05) differences among the varieties in their response to rust infection as well as insect damage. The introduction of SAMNUT 10, 11 and 23 to farmers as well as improvement on the management of these foliar diseases may enhance the productivity of the crop in the region.</p> T. E. Sangoyomi O. Alabi Copyright (c) 6 1 116 250 10.4314/bja.v6i1.