ABSTRACT
The study assessed the costs, return and constraints to rice production in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It described the socioeconomic characteristics of the rice farmers, estimated their net farm income, and identified the constraints to rice production. Descriptive statistics and budgetary technique were employed in analyzing data collected from a sample of 200 respondents. The findings confirmed that the rice farmers had an average age, rice producing experience and formal education of 44 years, 17years and 13 years respectively while the average farm size was 10 plots (0.67ha). The results showed that rice production is profitable with an average selling price/50kg of processed rice, total cost of production on 0.67ha, total revenue and net farm income of N44,510.00, N765,150.00, N1,045,985.00, and N280,835.00 respectively. The net farm income/50kg bag of processed rice was N11,950.43, while the rate of return on investment was 0.37. The problems of climate change, inadequate processing and storage facilities, inadequate farmland, pest and rodent attack, and high cost of inputs were some serious constraints to rice production. The study recommended that adequate credit facilities and farm inputs should be made accessible to the farmers, rice farmers should be encouraged to use improved varieties of rice in order to increase their output, farmers should be exposed to farm practices that are less expensive to reduce the cost of production and increase the revenue, and land should be available and affordable for the farmers to increase their farm size.

ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effects of immersion duration and pineapple peel extract marination level on the physical characteristics of spent Sentul chicken breast. A completely randomized design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used. The first factor was immersion duration (10, 15, and 20 min), and the second factor was pineapple peel extract level (15%, 30%, and 45%), with two replicates per treatment combination. The observed variables were pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), instrumental tenderness response, and cooking loss. Data were analyzed using a General Linear Model, followed by Tukey and Duncan multiple-range procedures where appropriate. Immersion duration significantly affected pH, WHC, and the instrumental tenderness response (p<0.05). Marination level affected WHC and the tenderness response, while the duration x level interaction affected pH, WHC, and the tenderness response. Cooking loss was not significantly affected by either factor or their interaction (p>0.05). The reported pH values ranged from 5.77 to 6.01, WHC from 34.56% to 67.41%, the instrumental tenderness response from 13.99 to 39.86 instrument units, and cooking loss from 25.00% to 40.00%. The highest WHC was obtained after 10 min of immersion at a 30% extract level. Pineapple peel extract therefore modified several physical traits of spent Sentul chicken meat, although no single treatment combination optimized every response.

ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of agricultural credit in promoting productivity and rural development depends not only on farmers’ access to finance but also on their ability to manage financial resources efficiently. This study examined the relationship between financial literacy and credit utilization among rural farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 312 farmers from twelve rural communities. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while descriptive statistics, the Financial Literacy Index (FLI), Loan Utilization Index (LUI), and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed a moderate level of financial literacy (FLI = 0.70), with relatively stronger performance in credit management and budgeting than in record-keeping practices. Cooperative societies and microfinance banks emerged as the dominant sources of agricultural credit among respondents. The results further indicated a high level of loan utilization (LUI = 0.76), suggesting that most farmers allocated borrowed funds to productive agricultural activities. Regression analysis confirmed that financial literacy and educational attainment significantly influenced credit utilization behaviour. The study concludes that financial literacy and education are crucial determinants of effective agricultural credit utilization. Enhancing farmers’ financial knowledge and educational capacity can enhance loan utilization efficiency and improve farm performance. The findings provide important policy implications for strengthening financial capability and improving agricultural finance outcomes in rural development contexts.

ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Kacang goats fed complete feed containing different ratios of rice straw silage and concentrate. Twelve male Kacang goats aged between 1 and 1.5 years, with an average initial body weight of 16.9 kg (CV 22.85%) was used in this research, arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of three treatments and three replications. The treatments were: R1 = (60% rice straw silage: 40% concentrate), R2 = (50% rice straw silage : 50% concentrate), and R3 = (40% rice straw silage : 60% concentrate). The parameters measured included animal performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid characteristics. The results showed that average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio, intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), as well as rumen fluid characteristics, were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the treatments. It was concluded that feeding complete feed with different ratios of rice straw silage and concentrate resulted in similar effects on performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid characteristics of male Kacang goats.

ABSTRACT
Organic food consumption is on the rise and becoming a trend in the United States. This may be attributed to increased awareness of its perceived nutritional, health, and environmental benefits. Understanding organic food perceptions of young adults in college is of significance in promoting the health and nutritional benefits of organic food products. A survey of 184 participants was conducted to understand the perception of organic foods among college students and its association with their socioeconomic factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations (P≤0.05). Results indicated that most students have a positive perception of organic foods. Furthermore, there was a negative association between family income and the perception of a high nutritional value. At the same time, other socioeconomic factors had a positive association with various perception indicators such as tastier, free from chemicals and pesticides, environmentally friendly, and certified label. With this growing awareness and positive outlook, organic food market producers must strategically address this increasing demand as college students are potential consumers of organic foods.

ABSTRACT
In the present work, an ethanolic extract of A. digitata has been tested in vitro against the bovine parasite Onchocerca ochengi and Caenorhabditis elegans. The both nematods were incubated in different concentrations of the plant extract solubilized in RPMI 1640 supplemented with penicillin/streptomycin (100 U/mL/100µg/mL) and on NGM-agar. Ivermectin, Levamizole were used as the positive controls. The worm viability was determined by MTT/formazan colorimetry method after 24, 48 and 72 h. The oral acute toxicity on rats (60-120g) of the fruit pulp and its phytochemical composition were also assessed. The LC50 values were determined using Probit Analysis and data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The extract was active on macrofilariae of O. ochengi and all C. elegans living strains. On O. ochengi, the LC50 values for ethanolic FPE were 36.01, 12.03 and 5.05 µg/mL respectively after 24, 48 and 72 h. C. elegans strains were sensible to the FPE. The calculated LC50 were 82.08, 60.02 and 49.01 µg/mL for the wild-type; 209.03, 151.21 and 95.61 µg/mL for CB211 strain; 370.10, 224.0.3 and 210.06 for VC722 strain respectively after 24, 48 and 72 h. Among the phytochemical constituents of the fruit pulp tannins (43.88 mg/kg GAE) were the most abundant followed by phenolic acid (21.28 mg/kg GAE), saponins (12.99 mg/kg) and flavonoids (0.07 mg of rutin/100g). The oral acute toxicity of FPE assessed on rats showed that the LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg suggesting no toxicity. The relative organ weights of liver of rats sacrificed for all group varied from to 3.94 ± 0.23g to 12.92 ± 0.61g. The group treated with CCL4 showed the highest values of relative organ weight with a maximum of 12.92 ± 0.61g for males and 12.78 ± 0.54g females. The difference is significant (p-value = 0.001) between the ALAT and ASAT values founded in liver of rats treated with FPE when compared to those treated with CCL4 (carbon tetrachloride), ivermectin and levamisole. However, not significant d

ABSTRACT
Physalis angulata is a medicinal plant with many benefits, which is used for the treatment of infertility related issues in traditional medicine. This study seeks to assess the prophylactic effect of Physalis angulata fruit extract on Hormone-induced uterine fibroids in Wistar rats. 60 animals were randomly divided into ten groups. The groups were as follows: Group I- Control group received distilled water for 6 weeks. Group II - Animals were induced with uterine fibroid by administering Diethylstibesterol (1.35 mg/kg/d) every day for 6 weeks orally using oral gavage, Progesterone injection of 1.0mg/180g in intramuscularly three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for 5 weeks. 0.9 mg/kg/d adrenal hydrochloride injection was given intramuscularly in the last two weeks of the experiment. Group III, IV - animals were treated with 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg body weight of Physalis angulata fruit extract respectively for 6 weeks respectively before inducement of fibroids for 6 weeks. Group V, VI - 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg of body weight of fruit extract respectively daily for 6 weeks, Group VII- received Mifepristone only. Plant extracts were administered orally using oral gavage. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration. Photochemical studies, gross morphology of the uterus, histological assessment of the uterus using H and E stains, apoptotic assessments were carried out using BAX and BCL2 and hormonal assay were assessed. Results showed increased levels of estrogen (16.38±0.80) and progesterone (9.66±0.58) in fibroid induced group which was reduced in low dose prophylactic groups (Estrogen= 10.99, Progesterone = 6.59) and high dose prophylactic groups (Estrogen= 10.33, Progesterone = 6.33) P≤0.05. Histopathological changes were observed in the uterus. Increased apoptotic marker reaction was seen in the low dose prophylactic group. The study successfully reduced the development of the uterine fibroid, evident by reduction of the uterine horn