Agriculture

This study was conducted to evaluation of different sources of nitrogen and biologic fertilizers on yield and some yield components of coriandrumsativum.Split plot in RCBD was used as experimental design and main plot included 100% organic, 100% chemical, 75% organic + 25% chemical, 50% organic+50% chemical, 25% organic + 75%chemical fertilizer and sub plot included incubate application (Azotobacterchroococcum, Azospirilliumbrasilense) and non-application.All treats had lowest means by 100% organic treatment and values increased by using of chemical percentages. Inoculation had positive effects on treats although application of organic fertilizer increased inoculation effects. The end of experiment, we recommended 25% organic + 75%chemical fertilizer as best as treatment for Coriander culture at research area.

Although Ethiopia has large number of chickens, their productivity is marginal and constrained by genetic, environmental and management factors. This paper has tried to review the socio-economic contribution of rural poultry production and its constraints in Ethiopia. Indigenous chickens account for about 98% of the total poultry population. The productive and reproductive performance of the local chickens is very poor with an average egg yield of 30-60 eggs/hen and 6 months age at first lay. To improve the livelihood of rural communities by improving the productivity of poultry, development endeavors and research institution should focus on introducing improved breeds along with full packages and investigating on means of improving the local genotype. Keywords: Chicken, extension, egg, gender

This study was conducted to evaluation of vermicompost and split nitrogen application on yield and some yield components of sesame. Experimental design was in RCBD with two factors and four replications, first factor included vermicompost with three levels (10, 20 and 30 ton/ha) and second factor included Urea with three levels (30, 60 and 90 kg/ha). Urea was used in two installments, one of them was applied at the 6 to 8 leaf and another 20 days after the first installment. According to our result, we suggest using of 20 ton/ha vermicompost for sesame culture, also using of 90kg/ha nitrogen is best treatment. For combination using, it suggest 30ton/ha vermicompost + 60kh/ha nitrogen for Firouzabad region and sesame.

A study on women’s involvement and their training needs in rice cultivation and in Chatra district of Jharkhand was studied in five selected villages one each from five selected blocks i.e. Kunda, Partappur, Simariya, Tandwa and Hunterganj covering 250 respondents. Results indicated that harvesting was the activity in which farm women were mostly involved followed by transplanting, weeding, seed selection and treatment, sowing and nursery raising and seed grain storage with weighted mean scores of 2.56, 2.57, 2.38, 2.25, 2.18, 1.96 and 1.37 respectively. Plant protection was rated first training need followed by seed and grain storage, land preparation, seed selection and treatment and sowing and nursery raising with weighted mean scores of 2.36, 2.24, 2.20, 2.08, 2.04, 2.01 respectively.

This study examined the economic analysis of modern beekeeping in Kogi State, Nigeria. The socio-economic characteristics, level of profitability, the factors affecting bee-keeping production and problems of modern bee keeping in the study area were analyzed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 70 bee farmers selected randomly in fifteen villages across the State. Analytical tools employed include Descriptive statistics; Net farm income Analysis and Production Function. Results of the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers reveals that majority (97.14%) of the farmers were males with a mean age of 43 years. And have an average family size of 8 persons. More than half (57.14%) of the farmers has been into beekeeping for more than 16 years and have a mean bee – keeping experience of 14 years. On the average the farmers employed 5 persons and have an average of 7 hives. Results revealed a net farm income of ?21, 000 per hives and profitability index of 0.76 indicating that modern bee keeping is profitable in the study area. Production function analysis showed that size of the bee hives, number of harvest, numbers of employee and capital have positive and significant effects (p<0.01) on bee keeping. The major constraints associated with beekeeping are inadequate capital, high cost of equipment, illiteracy, inadequate of extension visit, bororo invasion (Fulani), and inadequate management/managerial skills or knowledge. It is therefore recommended that youth ,women, retiree’s should be encouraged to venture into bee-keeping as a means of reducing unemployment and farmers should be ready to adopt modern bee-keeping techniques in the study area.

In this study, estimation capabilities of response surface methodology and optimization acceptability of desirability functions methodology in an air drying process were investigated. The air temperature, air velocity, drying time and banana thickness were selected as independent factors in the process of drying banana slices. The dependent variables or responses were the moisture content, drying rate, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency. A rotatable central composite design as an adequate method was used to develop models for the responses. The regression coefficient, regression equation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also obtained to analysis of responses. In addition to this 3D response surface plot were helpful to predict the results by performing only limited set of experiments. Simultaneously, a minimum value for the moisture content and maximum value for the other responses was desired. Finally desirability functions found a maximum desirability equal to 0.49.

A study was conducted to identify the major dairy production constraints in Alaba Wereda, the Southern Nations and Nationalities People Region to provide base line information on the major dairy production problems in the area. A total of 60 respondents (10% from total population) were selected from 6 peasant associations and interviewed using structured questionnaire. Focus group discussion was also made with key respondents and the participants described the major dairy problems on their area. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) using SPSS software. A total of 60 farmers were interviewed. Among them 92 % were male household farmers and the rest 8 % was women household farmers. Maximum farmland size own by the respondents of the study area was 1.5 ha. Moreover, 1.8ha and 0.28ha is the mean farmland and grazing land own by the respondents respectively. Farmers reported that cattle were first (46.6%) rank follow poultry (23.4 %) as importance livestock used. Most respondents (70%) first and foremost keep cattle for draft purpose followed by milk products (65.2%), selling live animals (3.5%) and lastly for manure (5.25%). About 42.9% of respondents keep their Cross breeds animals in the same house where they live (Not separated). Only 57.1% out of the total respondents had separate shelters for their Cross breed’s animals. However, 50% of the interviewer was reported keep for their local breed’s animals on the separate shelters. The principal feed resources available to livestock in the study area include crop-residue (31.9%), natural pasture (22.3%) and concentrates (17%). The most critical periods of feed shortage were summer, autumn and spring (80% 12% and 8%) respectively. Out of the sample size 18.5% of the respondents used Artificial insemination for mating, 77.5% of the respondents were used natural mating bull with cross breed blood and 4% of the respondents also used a combination of AI and cross breed bull. The overall average lactation lengths and milk yields per cow per day of local and crossbred cows were 4 and 7 months, 2.1 and 7liters respectively. Mastitis, anthrax, ticks and black leg are the most prevalent disease that attacks dairy cattle’s. The respondents reported that shortage of feed (50.6%), low pasture land productivity (34.2%), low animal productivity performance (15.8%), and Disease (17.3%) was the major dairy production constraints on the study area.

Year-long supplies of fresh food have been made possible by improvements in controlled storage conditions, shipping and importing. A fresh weekly food supply at the local supermarket has eliminated the need for the home preservation and food processing of earlier days. Today, we may choose to preserve and process food for reasons besides availability such as the price of food, quality and nutrition. For these reasons, gardeners who find themselves with a surplus of fresh produce at the end of the season may decide to store and preserve. When conditions are not suitable for storage or immediate marketing of fresh produce, many horticultural crops can be processed using simple technologies. There are some processing methods that can be used by small-scale handlers, including drying, fermenting, canning, freezing, preserving and juicing which are highlighted in this review. Fruits, vegetables and flowers can all be dried and stored for use or sale in the future.

The prevention climatic changes induced by anthropological greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the of severe major challenges for the current and future generation of mankind hence this study investigates in providing a cheaper and cleaner fuel in burning from post harvesting agricultural wastes. Coal and wood have been the primary fuel used subsequently and produce lot of polluting gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide which has consequences on health. The agriculture waste is bio degradable and decomposes/burns. Since waste can be a source of energy after mixing the waste material of different calorific value, the agriculture waste can be converted into fuel cakes or by modifying charcoal by destructive distillation process by using of effective carbonizer. The results obtained with multifuel (Agri charcoal) further stronger the idea of setting small power plants, dedicated to rural sector of India.

The production of wheat crop for the year 2013-14 is estimated to be 24.2 million tons against last year’s production of 23.4 million tons. The major reasons for this enhanced production were increase in support price from Rs.1050 to Rs.1200 per 40 Kg which encouraged improved seed usage and fertilizers. There was also better weather and comparatively more water available from the reservoirs. The target for wheat production for 2013-14 has been fixed at 25.0 million tons. The fertilizer has raised the expenses of the inorganic farmers, which are not, used in organic farming. Cash cost in case of organic and inorganic farming is Rs. 23053.00 and 25846.00 respectively. The non-cash cost of organic and inorganic are Rs.19389.65 and 18815.10 respectively. Total cost is the combination of cash and non-cash costs that is Rs.42442.65 and 44661.00 in organic and inorganic farming. Gross margin (GM) is obtained by subtracting the cash cost from the gross value of product. GM is Rs.33142.65 and 36182.00 in organic and inorganic farming system. Net income is obtained by subtracting the total cost from the gross value of product. It is Rs.13752.35 and Rs.17367.00 in organic and inorganic farming, respectively showing a difference of Rs.2615.35. The analysis shows that low net income in organic farming than the inorganic farming is due to the low yield and high labor cost in organic system. Secondly health and environmental costs are not included in the analysis, because in the study site farmers are unaware of these costs.