Ife Journal of Agriculture

ATTITUDE OF YOUTH TOWARDS AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES ON CASSAVA ENTERPRISE IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

2026-02-17T15:11:05+00:00

The Delta State government, over the years, have mapped out various programmes to address the challenges confronting its citizenry. These programmes were established to gainfully engage the youths in cassava production; create jobs and wealth, reduce rural-urban migration and curb youth restiveness. Cassava youth farmers who benefited from Agricultural Intervention programmes and non-beneficiaries were selected. Simple random sampling was used to select 50% of beneficiaries (137) and non-beneficiaries (137). Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Post Hoc test. The result shows that the majority of beneficiaries (74.5%) and a few non-beneficiaries (29.2%) had a favourable attitude, while most non-beneficiaries (70.8%) and only 25.5% of beneficiaries had an unfavourable attitude towards the cassava enterprise. The ANOVA result also reveals that there exists a significant difference in the attitude of the cassava farmers across the study area (F = 43.63, p = 0.000). The study concluded that beneficiaries had a more favourable attitude compared with their non-beneficiary counterparts towards agricultural intervention programmes on cassava enterprise. Consequently, the programme implementer should organise seasonal training/workshop for the youths in order to establish confidence, self-reliance and sustainability in case the sponsor/government withdraws their funds.

TRENDS IN WEATHER FLUCTUATION AT ILE-IFE, A TROPICAL RAINFOREST LOCATION IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA, 2011 – 2022

2026-02-17T15:24:43+00:00

Weather in the tropical rainforest agro-ecologies is highly variable, and as such, it calls for an accurate and timely observation of the defining meteorological parameters. Intensified weather variability observed in the recent years (2011-2022) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (7.5^oN, 4.5^oE) and the attendant climate change scenarios are well manifest. The objective of this study was to provide up-to-date information on fluctuations in weather variables and the influence of climate change at the location. Minimum and maximum air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall amount, solar radiation, soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil heat flux were monitored from installed automatic weather stations (AWS). Hourly meteorological data thus obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses; bar charts, mean, standard deviation, standard error of the mean, range, and variation index. Regression analysis was also carried out on the datasets. The mean annual rainfall obtained for the 12-year study was 1505 mm with a range of 675 – 2829 mm and a b-value of - 45.62 mm with a significant R² value of 0.48. The period minimum, mean, and maximum values of the air temperature were 22–25 °C, 25.2–28.2^oC and 32–33^oC respectively, for the location. The air temperature was shown to have a positive correlation with the solar radiation. Increase in weather variability is being attributed to frequent high rainfall amounts recorded within a few months (June – August) rather than reduced total annual rainfall or increased temperature. An increase in weather variability is attributed to climate change.

FOREST CONTRIBUTION TO SOIL CARBON STORAGE IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS: A CASE STUDY OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

2026-02-17T15:33:42+00:00

This study investigated the effect of land use on soil carbon stock in selected forest and non-forest areas of Gwale, Kano Municipal, and Kura Local Governments in Kano State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected using random sampling techniques and analyzed for soil organic carbon content, bulk density, moisture content, and total carbon stock. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance using GENSTAT (version 17) to test for significant differences in soil properties between land use types. The study revealed that organic carbon and moisture content in the forest areas (1.45% and 13.04%) are significantly higher compared to non-forest areas (0.48% and 10.42%). The carbon stock was also significantly greater in forest soils (4,617,933 g kg⁻¹) than in non-forest soils (1,639,156 g kg⁻¹), suggesting that forest vegetation plays a critical role in carbon sequestration. Bulk density showed no significant variation between land use types. These findings highlight the importance of forest conservation and sustainable land use practices for enhancing soil carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change in semi-arid environments.

NUTRIENT INTAKE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF BUCKS FED VARYING LEVELS OF SHIVAN (GMELINA ARBOREA) AND SANDPAPER (FICUS EXASPERATA) LEAF MEALS

2026-02-17T15:41:02+00:00

Livestock farmers face significant challenges during the dry season due to a shortage of quality feeds, leading to reduced productivity among livestock. Utilisation of total mixed rations (TMR) has been employed as an alternative feeding strategy to overcome this shortage. Five experimental diets were compounded of which four contained either Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GLM) or Ficus exasperata leaf meal (FLM). Control diet, having no GLM or FLM (0GLM0FLM), the other four cassava peel-based diets each containing either 10 or 20 % inclusion levels: 10 % GLM, 20 % GLM, 10 % FLM, 20 % FLM. Thirty (30) growing WAD bucks, weighing 5.00 ± 0.08 kg, were randomly allotted five experimental diets in a completely randomised design. Hence, this study evaluated nutrient intake and growth performance characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks fed shivan and sandpaper leaf meals in a 56-day feeding trial. Results showed that nutrient intake and growth performance were significantly (p<0.05) affected by dietary treatments, with improved values at 10 % inclusion levels of either of the two fodders in cassava peel-based diets. However, negative values were observed on growth performance on 20 % inclusion levels of either of the two fodders with Diets 20 % GLM and 20 % FLM, resulting in losses of weight of 14.29 and 3.57 g/animal/day, respectively. It could therefore be concluded that inclusion of GLM and FLM fodders at 10 % in cassava peel-based diets improved nutrient intake and performance characteristics of WAD bucks.

EFFICACY OF BIOCHAR AND COMPOST AMENDMENTS ON LEAD AND CADMIUM IMMOBILIZATION AND GROWTH OF CORCHORUS OLITORIUS IN CONTAMINATED SOILS

2026-02-17T15:46:49+00:00

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils poses significant risks to ecosystem health and food safety, particularly in tropical regions with intensive industrial and farming activities. This study evaluated the efficacy of organic amendments, biochar (poultry litter-PLB; maize cob-MCB), and compost (CM), applied singly and in combination for simultaneous remediation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination and performance of Corchorus olitorius as a test crop. The experiment was conducted for two years on an iron-pot industry dumpsite and a Fadama soil using compost and biochar alone and in combination (ratio 3.2), at the rate of 10.7 g/kg soil. The study assessed soil pH, heavy metal concentrations, plant growth, biomass yield, and metal uptake, determined 6 weeks after planting, following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, polynomial regression, and ANOVA. Results demonstrated that MCB alone achieved the highest metal immobilization, reducing Pb and Cd bioavailability by 79.3% and 65.2%, respectively, through pH-dependent precipitation and surface complexation mechanisms. Combined PLB+CM treatment optimized plant productivity, increasing fresh biomass 4-fold compared to controls while maintaining effective metal immobilization (56.8–59.8% Pb reduction). Notably, amendment effects were soil-context dependent: dumpsite soils exhibited greater remediation potential, while fadama soils showed superior growth responses. Bioaccumulation factors confirmed C. olitorius as an effective excluder for Pb (BAF: 0.01 – 0.02) but indicated higher Cd uptake (BAF: 0.06 - 0.38), mitigated by amendment applications. The study establishes that: (1) biochar-compost synergies balance remediation and agronomic goals, (2) amendment selection should consider soil type and contamination level, and (3) locally-sourced organic amendments offer sustainable solutions for tropical metal-polluted agroecosystems. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and farmers, advancing phytomanagement strategies that reconcile environmental safety with food production in developing economies.

INVOLVEMENT OF IN-SCHOOL FARM YOUTH IN FAMILY- BASED ANIMAL REARING ACTIVITIES IN GOODHOPE-MABULE REGION OF BOTSWANA

2026-02-17T15:54:41+00:00

Family-based animal rearing plays a significant role in sustaining rural livelihoods and promoting agricultural skills development among youth in many developing countries, including Botswana. In-school farm youth often contribute to household livestock enterprises, yet empirical evidence on the extent and nature of their involvement remains limited. The study assessed the involvement of in-school farm youth in family-based animal rearing activities in the Goodhope-Mabule region of Botswana. It described demographic characteristics of in-school farm youth who were involved, determined their extent of involvement, identified the benefits derived, and determined the in-school youths’ perception as it affects their performance in school, with a focus on the involvement in family-based animal rearing activities. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 197 respondents. Data were collected using structured interviews, scheduled and analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient). The results indicated the majority (78.2%) of the respondents were male, with a mean age of 16.4±7.1, household size of 6.1±1.6. All (100%) respondents highly benefited from family-based animal rearing activities, and 51.8% spend less than 8 hours per week at the farm. The majority (78.2%) of male respondents had a higher involvement in family-based animal rearing activities than females. A significant relationship existed between respondents’ age (r= 0.031; P ≤ 0.05) and involvement in family-based animal rearing activities. It was recommended that agricultural and rural development stakeholders should provide a conducive environment and encourage the in-school students to take up agriculture with a view to promoting interest in agribusiness and their standard of living.

EVALUATING GROWTH AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (Hermetia illucens) REARED ON THREE DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUAFEED PRODUCTION

2026-02-17T15:58:56+00:00

As a result of the escalating cost and unsustainable production of fishmeal, a primary protein source in aquaculture, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, nutritionally comparable alternatives, with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae emerging as a promising feedstuff due to their nutritional profile. This study evaluated the growth performance and nutritional composition of BSF larvae reared on Wheat Offal (WO), Brewers Dried Grain (BDG), and a 50:50 mixture of both substrates to determine the most suitable option for sustainable production. Larvae (416 g per treatment) were reared in a completely randomized design for six days, with substrates replaced every three days. Biomass gain, survival rate, feed consumption, and proximate composition of larvae were determined. Biomass gain and feed consumption did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among treatments; however, BDG-fed larvae achieved the highest survival (57.83%). Larvae raised on BDG had superior protein and lipid contents compared to WO and the mixture. These results suggest BDG offers better nutritional support, likely due to higher protein content, digestibility, and moisture retention. BDG is therefore a viable substrate for BSF production, a promising fishmeal replacement in aquaculture feeds