ABSTRACT Technology of milling and grinding machine is one of the simplest methods of processing agricultural raw materials alternative to the traditional methods of grain/tuber processing using stone, mortar and pestle. However, machines constructed using metal plates results in tearing and wearing away of the materials of construction. The effect of this is the contamination of the processed foodstuff. This is known to have negative health implications when accumulated and consumed in larg...
ABSTRACT The traditional system of producing crops using soil (geoponics) is currently facing major challenges resulting in food deficits. An alternative is the adoption of soil-less culture (hydroponics) which is regarded as key in increasing production of vegetables, herbs and ornamentals. The study aimed at preparing a hydroponic medium from black cotton soil and rice husks. The process entailed moulding, firing, size reduction and performance evaluation. The aggregates were evaluated on ...
ABSTRACT A research was carried out at the Ngongongeri Farm Kenya to determine effects of tillage depth and speed on drawbar power and performance of disc and mouldboard ploughs so as to develop a mathematical model that would assist farmers, machinery managers and policy makers to properly match implements to tractors and the size of tractors to import based on soil types and conditions. The implements used were a standard 2-bottom mouldboard plough and a 3-bottom disc plough. Tillage depth...
ABSTRACT Land use/cover change alters the hydrologic response of river catchments. The response depends on the soil characteristics such as; infiltration capacity, porosity, organic matter content and bulk density. Understanding the effect of the land use change on soil hydrologic response in Upper Njoro River catchment is crucial for formulation and adoption of proper soil and water conservation techniques for increased agricultural production. Additionally, the characteristics of extreme ev...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to develop a Power Tiller Operated Rice Combine Harvester (PORCH) for small holder farmers in Tanzania. PORCH can be attached to a power tiller during harvesting operation and detached to give the power tiller a room for other operations. The study aimed at designing, construction and testing performance of PORCH prototype.Design specifications and drawings were developed and prototype was constructed.The performance of PORCH prototype was tested in Lower Mo...
ABSTRACT Several studies (Rivera and Cary 1997; AFC Consultants International 2011) show that effectiveness and efficiency of extension services have increased where governments have shifted from being the sole provider towards developing more pluralistic kind of extension system. The general objective of this study was to assess involvement and performance of Private Extension Service Providers in Rungwe District. An interview schedule and a note book were used to collect primary data during...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Mbarali District of Mbeya Region with the objective of assessing the average annual utilization rates of farm tractors for both on-farm and off-farm activities during the cropping season of 2012/13. The study conducted aimed at addressing the following research questions: who are the owners of farm tractors in the study area, what models were in use and what were the available support services that could enhance sustainable utilization of tractors? Question...
Abstract. Studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of drip irrigation and fertigation system on the yields of sweet maize and telfairia OCL·irtclltalis. Three treatments: watering once per week ((i.JR lures) (W;), twicc (11M:, 1itrcs) (W2), ,Ind thrice. (17.16 1itrcs) (V)) WCIC applied to sweet 1II'li;,(. Four tl'L'.;ltIIIClils: 17 litl'l:s (WI), I S7() lit res (W,), 170 litrcx ('IV}), 22.05 litrcs (W4) and lour Icrtigation levels: SLi.0kg/iJ'l (I:I!: 68.0Gkg/ha (F2); 81.92kg/ha (F...
ABSTRACT Several factors influence the quantity of charcoal production in different parts of Nigeria. The study investigated species selectivity for charcoal production in three ecological zones of Nigeria. Data were obtained through the use of structured interview schedule administered to three hundred and twenty seven respondents selected through snowball. The data were subjected to descriptive and analysis of variance. The results show that the mean age of respondents was 44, male (88.1%),...
ABSTRACT Plant biodiversity and ethnobotanical potentials of University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) Wildlife Park and Ikwe Games Reserve, Benue State, Nigeria, were investigated in this study. Floristic survey was conducted in the two reserves using stratified sampling technique based on the three identified microhabitats in each of the reserves. Nine plots measuring 25 m x 25 m were laid in each of the reserves to survey trees and shrubs with diameters at breast height (dbh) 5 cm and above....
ABSTRACT Wastewater irrigation can pose a variety of potential health risks and also excessive and often imbalanced addition of nutrients to the soil to affect crop production. Thus its use in agriculture without adequate safeguards has been noted to have serious drawbacks for human health and the environment. This study modelled the levels of microbial and chemical contaminants in wastewater used for peri-urban vegetable crop production for both dry and wet seasons and also assessed the eff...
ABSTRACT It is essential that smallholder farmers in developing countries have access to the benefits that modern irrigation technology seeks to offer. However, this has not always been so because of the inability of smallholder farmers in developing countries to adopt this advanced technology due to cost constraints. The objectives of this study were to design and construct a simple low cost drip irrigation system suitable for smallholder farmers, and to evaluate the technical performance ch...