ABSTRACT The study looked at the economic potential of black pepper production in the Western Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were: to determine whether there is comparative advantage or disadvantage of producing black pepper; to determine the competitiveness of black pepper production; to determine whether the prices paid by local and international markets give any incentives for black pepper production; and to identify constraints that militate against the production of black p...
Abstract The local Government Service Act 203 of L.I 1961, was passed in 2011 and as part of its implementation, extension services at the local level was ceded to the local government service and Departments of Agriculture became units under the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. Given the importance of extension in agricultural development at the local level, this research aimed to assess the functionality and effectiveness of Departments of Agriculture under the Local Governm...
ABSTRACT The study was carried out to understand the genetic basis for yield under drought environments, and to map quantitative trait loci associated with yield and yield related components under drought stress in sweetpotato. The sweetpotato BxT mapping population, generated from a cross between sweetpotato varieties Beauregard and Tanzania was used for this study. Genotypes were evaluated in irrigated and drought environments to evaluate the effect of drought on yield and yield related par...
ABSTRACT The study was designed to assess researchers‘ utilization of e-learning and e-reporting of research findings in selected institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Some specific objectives were to identify the e-learning and e-reporting technologies available for use by agricultural researchers; determine the mastery level of skills in the application of elearning and e-reporting technologies possessed by the respondents; assess the level of utilization of these technologies by agricultu...
ABSTRACT The majority of the world’s silk is mulberry obtained from the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) with wild silk being minimal. A survey was undertaken in three agro-ecological zones in Ghana to document the wild silkmoth populations and their host plants. In addition, the effect of three mulberry varieties; Mysore local, Kanva 2 and S36 on the performance of five B. mori L. strains; G2xV2xH1xKK, M2xN2xSN1xI1, Z/Y, ICIPE I and ICIPE II was evaluated in ...
ABSTRACT The properties of similar soils under two agroforestry systems, a sole Leucaena leucocephala woodlot and alley (one with cassava and the other maize in between Leucaena leucocephala hedgerows) were compared at two depths (0 - 15 cm and 15 30 cm) to assess the relative changes in soil properties due to the agroforestry practices. Similar soils under conventional tillage, adjacent natural fallow and forest reserve were also used in the study for comparison of data and evaluation of imp...
ABSTRACT Sweetpotato has immense potential for food and nutrition security in Ghana. It is however, infrequently used in local cuisines. Breeders have attributed this low utilization to the fact that sweetpotato lacks quality characteristics that make it amenable to local food preparation. The present study was carried out to develop varieties that combine high dry matter, low sugar and high β-carotene traits, to meet the needs of Ghanaian consumers. A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and...
ABSTRACT The purpose of agricultural credit is to provide funds to people who are engaged in agricultural activities in order to improve their living conditions. These credits are normally to be repaid within the stipulated period to enable others benefit. However, credit recovery is an impediment to agricultural credit delivery in the Nadowli/Kaleo district of the Upper West Region. Microfinance has been advocated as the solution to both the failure in the public sector agricultural lending ...
ABSTRACT Pearl millet is a major food crop in the northern part of Nigeria. However, its production has been constrained due to several factors, among them is Striga hermonthica. To understand pearl millet farmers’ varietal preference traits, production constraints and knowledge of Striga infestation, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted across six districts in three local government areas of Jigawa State in Nigeria. Data were sourced using a semi-structured questionnaire among 143...
ABSTRACT Ephestia cautella is one of the most important stored product insect pests found in granaries. Its activities tend to reduce germination and nutritive capacity of the infested seed and grains. The increasing rate of pest resistance, high cost and health risk in the use of insecticides to control insect pest have become issue of public concern. Therefore the use of botanical has been found to be very effective against stored product insect pests. Several plant products (leaves, oil, a...
ABSTRACT A study to assess the effect of Mucuna pruriens mulch on the growth and yield of maize was conducted at the Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon from October 1994 to June 1998. Treatments comprised maize plants in Mucuna pruriens mulch plots and no-mulch plots superimposed with nitrogen rates of 0, 50, 100 and 200kg/ha arranged in a split plot design, with three replications. Maize plants in the mulch plots grew faster and yielded more than maize plants in plots withou...
ABSTRACT The imperatives of ICT in extension services delivery necessitated this study that analyzedVillage Extension Agents’ use of information and communication technology in extension service delivery in South-South Nigeria.Specifically, the objectives included to ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of the extension agents, ICT awareness, available ICT facilities, level of ICT knowledge, level of ICT use, benefits from the use of ICT and the constraints to ICT use. The study wa...
ABSTRACT The study analysed value addition in commercial catfish (Clarias gariepinus Heterobranchus spp) production in Rivers State. The specific objectives were to: examine the socioeconomic characteristics of catfish producers in the study area, determine the costs, returns and profit to the various actors in the value addition, determine other sources of income to the catfish producers in the area and identify the constraints faced by the catfish producers in the area. Data were collected...
ABSTRACT The study analyzed the use of fish farming technologies by fadama III fish farmers in Imo State. The specific objectives included to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers under Fadama III in the state; identify sources of information of the fishery technologies to the farmers; ascertain the fishery technologies used under the Fadama III in the study area; determine the level of use of fishery technologies in Imo State; determine effects of use of fishery techno...
ABSTRACT This study assessed the competitiveness of the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF)Value Chain in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socioeconomic characteristics of HQCF value chain players in the study area, examine the composition as well as functions of the stakeholders in the chain, identify and examine the effect of policies on the HQCF in the study area, assess the factors which influenced access to credit by stakeholders in the HQCF value chain , ...