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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Cereal-legumes intercropping is among the most effective agronomic strategies to boot biomass production, contribute to soil nitrogen through fixation which benefits soil productivity and sustainability. The main objective of this study was to analyze the changes in morphological traits of sorghum in legume-sorghum intercropping patterns. The experiment was conducted at KALRO Kibos station, Kisumu during long and short rainy 2020 seasons. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eleven treatments replicated thrice. Data was collected on growth and yield parameters of sorghum, cowpea and soybean. Sorghum morphological traits measured were plant height, number of leaves and number of tillers, while yield data was measured on grain yield and yield components. In addition, data on competition indices was also determined using land equivalent ratio (LER) and area time equivalent ratio (ATER). Data collected was compiled and tabulated for statistical analysis using Microsoft excel software. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out using R software version 4.2.2. Where means were significant, Tukey’s test ad hoc method was used separate treatment means at 95% probability level. The results showed that sorghum morphological traits differed significantly (P<0.001) in the two seasons as influenced by intercropping. The greatest plant height was recorded in sorghum in alternate holes with soybean across the four months, while the highest plant height of 226.3 cm and 219.70 cm was recorded in seasons one and two respectively in 120 Days after planting (DAP). Similar results were recorded in sorghum number of leaves and tillers. Yield data showed that means of number of harvested heads, weight of harvested heads, and grain weight were statistically significant at p<0.001. Sorghum in alternate rows with soybean registered the maximum number of harvested heads: 21.33 and 19.67 seasons one and two respectively. Similar results were obtained .....
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Coffee (Coffea sp.) is an important crop globally, employing millions along its value chain. It is the second most traded commodity after oil and the most consumed beverage in the world. In Kenya, it is one of the largest foreign exchange earners, grown by about 800,000 smallholder farmers and supporting many livelihoods. Its productivity, however, is hampered by several factors; climate change, pests, diseases, socioeconomic factors and technology adoption levels. Technology adoption is a process in which information acquisition is a prerequisite. The current study investigated the power of information and coffee variety choice on the yields of smallholder coffee farmers in West of Rift, Kenya. The study adopted an ex-post facto survey design and data were collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 140 farmers sampled through purposive and multi-stage sampling schemes. Farmers’ Agronomic information were measured using self-evaluation ranking scales (1-10), coffee varieties were separated into ‘new’ and ‘traditional’ and reported yields were measured in kilograms of cherry/tree. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis, computed by SPSS. Ruiru 11 variety dominated (53%), Batian (22%), K7 (18%) and SL28 (6%). New variety (Ruiru 11 and Batian) growers’ had significantly higher agronomic information score than traditional (K7 and SL28) as tested by Mann-Whitney U-test; U (N1=35, N2 =14) =143.500, Z = -2.295, P < .05. The ‘new’ variety growers had significantly higher mean yields compared to ‘traditional’; t (47) = 2.108, P = .040. Crop nutrition and canopy management were dominant areas of information needs. In conclusion, farmers with higher self-reported levels of agronomic information preferred new higher yielding disease resistant varieties and recorded higher yields. The linkage between farmers’ information levels, variety choice and yields is confirmed. It is recommended, information asymmetries needs to be addressed.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Cotton breeding programs are mainly focus on improving fiber although the oil extracted from cotton seeds is the fifth vegetable oil consumed in the world due to its good quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate six cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum regarding their oil content on four locations in the northern Cameroon during two consecutive seasons, in order to select stable genotypes for high oil content. In each location, the experimental design was a completely randomized block with three replications. The determination of the oil content of the cottonseeds was done by the Soxhlet method. Genotype x environment interaction (GEI) and analysis of stability of the varieties were determined by different methods using GEST 98 package. The variability among genotypes was high across environments for oil content (20.34% in Berem to 26.08% in Kourgui). The top ranked lines for oil were Irma Q302 (26.61%) and Irma A2249 (26.40%). This showed that there is genetic and environmental variability that can be exploited for the selection of genotypes at each site. The broad-sense heritability for oil content varied from 0.79 (Pitoa) to 0.83 (Berem) and expected genetic gain ranged from 14% to 23% with an overall average of 19%. Genotypes, environment and GEI effects were all significant and accounted respectively 35.65%, 43.41% and 20.93% of the total variation. Stability analysis identified high-yielding genotype Irma Q302 as specifically adapted to favourable environments of Kourgui and Pitoa.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a succession dispute in the Sabga Lamidate in Cameroon in 2007 between Abdouliy Mamouda and Yerima Adamu Buba, both princes of the Lamidate and argues that the dispute emanated from manipulation by interest groups and the violation of the succession tradition of the Lamidate by government authorities. For about nine decades since creation in 1925, the Sabga Lamidate has experienced a relative and uninterrupted peace until 2007 when this succession dispute provoked uproar and drew attention both from within and without the North West Region of Cameroon. On Monday 20 August 2007, the then Senior Divisional officer (SDO) for Mezam, Jules Marcelline Ndjanga, Alhadji Baba Danpullo and the Lamido of Banyo, Mohaman Gabdo Yaya accompanied by 200 armed mixed gendarmes and police officers, moved into the Sabga Lamidate and performed an enthronement rite placing Abdoulaiy Mamouda as the designatory successor of the late Lamido Adamou Sabga. This action provoked open opposition resulting in a succession dispute in the Lamidate as Adamu Buba, a contender and choice of the people elected democratically by kingmakers and according to tradition was denied the throne. In order to put our facts in a logical order and to ensure the flow of these narratives, we employed a triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, besides knowledge on participatory observation. We also relied more on live video images provided by the MBOSCUDA (Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association) office in Bamenda including Newspaper reports on the issue at the time. The paper reveals that: The dispute emanated from the determination of Danpullo to grab the Sabga grazing land, The enthronement of Mamouda was contrary to the succession tradition of the Sabga Lamidate and against the will of its kingmakers and their kith and kin; Danpullo and the fon of Kedjom-Ketingo were at the fore front of the manipulation; the Cameroon Government tolerance paved ...
Original Research Article
Roles of Local Leaders in Community Development in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Nigeria
Popoola, O. P, C-Oluwatosin, T.J., Alagbe, O.D., Odesola, O, Olatunji, I. B, James-Ojibo, I. U
East African Scholars J Agri Life Sci; 2023, 6(3): 54-60
DOI: 10.36349/easjals.2023.v06i03.001
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ABSTRACT
The study examined the role of local leaders in community development decision making in Dutse Local Government area of Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multistage (4) stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 120 respondents for the study. Mean age and household size are 53 years and 10 persons. Majority (97.5%) were males, married (95.8%) with secondary education (57.6%). Only about 1/3 (33.3%) had tertiary education while 8.3% had primary education. Significant proportion (91.7%) claimed to have travelled within and outside the study area. The type of leadership existing and acting were; traditional and household leaderships (x ̅=1.011), religious and cooperative leaderships (x ̅=1.383). Areas of roles and influences of the leaders mostly were in; support for art and culture, mobilization, control of market activities, advice on religious matters and chieftaincy matters (x ̅=1.047). Participation in community activities were in the areas of; conflict resolution, chieftaincy affairs, religious matters, support for community development projects, mouth piece of the people, mobilization, political/LGA advice, cultural matter and council matters (x ̅=1.071). Major constraints to participation were; cultural belief and heterophili (x ̅=1.250), mindset of the people and poor socialization (x ̅=1.199) and exclusion from government development projects (x ̅=1.009) respectively. The Pearson Correlation analysis showed positive relationship between participation and degree of Cosmo-politeness, age, educational level respectively. It was recommended that local leaders should be engaged more in community development activities because they serve a catalytic function to the people. Community intervention or development programmes must be geared towards the socio-cultural structure of the people. Respondents should also be encouraged to visit other place in order to foster understanding of cultural differences and diversity, socialization and modernization emanating from ....
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Agricultural land accessibility and use in Burundi has been reviewed and analyzed in this study. SWOT and SOR analysis have been used to examine its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and some strategies that can lead to sustainable agriculture have been determined. It has been observed that Burundi has a serious problem with agricultural land atomicity. More than 40% of agricultural households cultivate plots less than 0.25 ha. Kayanza and Ngozi are most densely populated provinces. 44% of the agricultural land is on sloping hills and a total of 145.3 tons/ha of arable land is lost every year. However, thanks to the efforts of land development projects, arable land has increased and reached 79.17% of total area of the country in 2018. Unfortunately, it has been shown that the growth rate of agricultural production over the last decade was lower (2%) than the population growth rate (2.6%-3%). It is desirable to implement a land consolidation policy, especially in densely populated areas. For eroded soils, it is ideal to strengthen anti-erosion practices to protect soils and save water. Government of Burundi and NGOs should support agricultural sector by disseminating methods and techniques that will ensure sustainable management of agricultural land.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to examine the impact of changes in annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, carbon footprint, ecological footprint, and area harvested on cereal crop production in East Africa. The study was conducted in a panel cointegration framework using annual time series from 1980 to 2018 for five East African countries i.e., Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Unit root tests were performed using LLC, IPS, ADF-Fisher, and PP-Fisher tests, while panel co-integration tests were performed using Pedroni residual, Kao residual, and Johansen Fisher panel co-integration tests. Long-run coefficients were estimated using the Pooled Mean Group/Autoregressive Distributed Lag, Panel Fully-modified OLS, and Panel Dynamic OLS models. Empirical findings from the three models revealed that increases in annual mean temperature have adverse effects on cereal crop production, while increases in annual mean precipitation, carbon footprint, ecological footprint, and area harvested have positive effects on cereal crop production in East Africa. Based on these findings, it can be suggested that prioritization of climate change adaptation strategies in the region such as the development of drought and heat-resistant crop varieties, changing in planting dates, and investment in irrigation technologies to boost cereal crops productivity could play a role in minimizing the adverse effects of changes in climate factors.