International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 18

Abstract: The study was conducted to examine the effect of rural urban migration on labour supply in cocoa production. Data were collected from one hundred farmers in Ondo East Local Government area of Ondo state. Five villages were selected from which twenty respondents were randomly selected making a total of 100. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis used for analysis of data. The study revealed that people migrate for social, educational and economic reasons. Based on this, the study recommends that rural areas should be developed so as to make it more habitable for the rural people as this will discourage emigration.

Abstract: The present study is aimed at investigating the properties of Cassava starch for the production of adhesives as a career opportunity in chemistry education. Method of starch extraction, characterization and adhesive production for quality assessment was performed. The results showed that adhesives produced with sodium hydroxide as a gelatinization enhancer has a maximum drying time of 8.60 minutes and had a stronger bond. The work concludes that the adhesive produced is of good quality and can lead to re-inventing chemistry education as a career opportunity. However, the Cassava adhesive met the basic requirement for adhesive use and application. At the end recommendations were made, among others increase employment opportunities, also diversify the economic base of farmers and there is need for reorientation and attitudinal change towards entrepreneurial job.

Abstract: This paper on the role of Fisheries resources in National development is aimed at highlighting the role of Fishery products in Nation building. Fishery products of finned Fish species like Cod, Flounder, Salmon, Catfish, Goldfish, Sea urchins, Shrimps, King crab, Halibut, Mollusk and Echinoderms that come from both capture Fisheries and Aquaculture provide employment, food security, improves welfare, nutrition and a healthy population. Also serve for International trade and foreign exchange in goods like Leather and polishing materials that come from the skin of Cartilagenous Fishes. Ice Fish, dried and canned Fishery products, Salmon roe (egg) and Fish oil used for the manufacture of Soap and Medicinal Oils like the Cod Liver Oil. Fish intake also reduces the condition atherosclerosis thereby combating cardiovascular diseases. However, the Fishery Subsector has some constraints such as by Catch, improper funding, poor input Facilities, Poverty in Fishing Communities, Water barriers, effect of climate change and lack of comprehensive Man power development and training programmes. It is therefore recommended that Government, Donor agencies and international trade unions make effort to increase the educational and capital base of small-scale Farmers; distinguish between Farmed and Wild products, provides Comprehensive Man power and training programmes for all Cadre, providing transportation systems for better appreciation and Productivity in the fishery sub-sector. Laws and by-laws should also be enacted to prevent indiscriminate fishing to avoid over exploitation and extinction of our Aquatic Species.

Abstract: With recent developments in the wireless networks field, new and innovative medical applications based on this technology are being developed in the research as well as commercial sectors. This trend has just started and the paper predict wireless networks are going to become an integral part of medical solutions due to its benefits in cutting down healthcare costs and increasing accessibility for patients as well as increasing the efficiency of the healthcare professionals. Same papers give some background on applications of wireless networks in the medical field and discuss the issue and challenges. It also tried to identify some of the standards in use. Another contribution due to this paper is the identification of innovative medical applications of wireless networks developed or currently being developed in the research and business sectors and also talk about the future trends in this field.

Abstract: This paper examined the food security challenges vis-á-vis the paradox of increased domestic food production and food import in Nigeria. The study used time-series data from National Bureau of Statistic, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria’s National Dailies and CIA Factbook reports. The trend analysis showed that the share of agriculture to the total Gross Domestic Product, GDP had a downward trend, especially from 1960-1979, where food import hovered around 2.92 % from 1960-74 and up to 9.85 % in 1975-79 of GDP. The result depicts an undulating trend in the contribution of agriculture and food import values to 2009 where food import rose astronomically from N2.6trillion (3.83 %) in 2005-2009 to about N20.6trillion (25.02 %) in 2010-2012. Results of the regression analysis confirmed that agriculture has a positive relationship with GDP, and contributes significantly with a coefficient of 0.852. The paradox however is that food import negates the a priori expectation as it is found to be positively related to the GDP: as food production increases marginally, food importation increases asymptotically. The paper recommends that reliance on food import could be minimized through increased budgetary allocation to the sector, and improvement in postharvest management practices that have hitherto, aggravated food insecurity in the country.

Abstract: First let me state categorically that the Republic of Nigeria is completely unprepared to detect, deter or defend against an attack utilizing bioweapons to cripple any of its critical complexes including government, among oil & gas, banking and health services. This lack of capacity of Nigeria biodefense may currently being exploited and probed by interest determined to undermine the unity of the Republic of Nigeria and attack our interest in the region. Science has the potential for creating even more effective and horrific biological weapons. The U.S government should assist Nigeria in establishing a biodefense program in Nigerian university, modeled after biodefense program at George Mason University, which would provide students with a background in the science and technology of biodefense and the specialized areas of threat assessment, on proliferation and medical and public health preparedness.

Abstract: Climate change is widely rec ognized as one of the most complex challenges that humankind has to face in the next decades. As agriculture is likely to suffer the biggest impacts, sound adaptation processes are required to sustain agricultural production and food system as a whole. IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, stressed the ability of decision-makers to manage information as an important factor determining the chance for a community to adapt to climate change. We all know that information and communications technologies (ICTs) have revolutionized our world. ICTs are also very vital to confronting the problems we face as a planet the threat of climate change. Indeed ICTs are part of the solution. Already these technologies are being used to cut emissions and help countries adapt to the effects of climate change. This is one of the reasons why the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can play an important role in this challenge

Abstract: The most important losses in agricultural production which involve the greatest costs on the farm economy occur postharvest. It is estimated that worldwide between 10 and 40% losses of agricultural produce occur postharvest. Losses are more severe in developing than developed nations of the world. Several species of fungi and in some cases bacteria participate in postharvest deterioration and rots of tubers and agro- produce. These include species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Macrophomina, Penicillium and Rhizopus amongst several others. In a bid to control these storage diseases several control techniques including physical, biological, and chemical and in recent times plant-based pesticides are employed. Chemical control has been identified as the most popular and most effective means of controlling plant diseases. However, it is being de-emphasized due largely to mammalian toxicity occasioned by chemical residues in crops. This in addition to many other demerits on ecological health and build-up of pathogens’ resistance to some of the most effective fungicides have prompted search for alternatives. Recently in plant pathology many tropical plants are being screened for fungitoxic properties. This review presents highlights of the different control techniques for control of myco- induced storage rots of tubers and agricultural products in the tropics.

Abstract: The study focused on the profitability of pigeon pea production in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. Data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Questionnaires were administered to 80 targeted farmers to get information on their socio-economic characteristics, years of experience in pigeon pea production and the reason for growing pigeon pea. The analytical tool used includes descriptive statistics to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and farm budgeting technique (gross margin analysis) for assessing the profitability of pigeon pea production. The study also identified the constraints encountered by farmers such as high cost of labour, inadequate processing / storage facilities, problems of access to credit/loans and weed/pest infestation. The results shows that pigeon pea production is profitable with a total variable cost (TVC) at N22620.68 per ha, while gross revenue (GR) was N50185.25 per ha, the profit margin (GM) at N32564.59 and the net return per Naira invested was N0.69. It was recommended that farm inputs and improved seed varieties should be made available to farmers at affordable rates so as to enable them operate at a commercial and profitable level of pigeon pea production. These farmers should be encouraged to form a cooperative society so as to alleviate the problem of credit/ loan acquisition and procurement of genuine products as well as avoid exploitation

Abstract: Performance characterization of some selected conventional cook stoves in South Eastern Nigeria had been carried out. Three conventional cook stoves (3-stone stove, charcoal stove and sawdust stove) were selected and evaluated. Their performances were compared with those of improved stove. The results show that the time spent in cooking 1 Kg of rice/(yam) is significantly different in all the conventional stoves under test; (maximum 0.75 (0.44) kg/hr for 3-stone stove and minimum 0.61 (0.35) hr/kg for charcoal). Fuel utilization also differs for instance lesser quantity of charcoal would be required to cook the same quantity of food on the charcoal stove than the open fire stove. Also the specific fuel consumption value of charcoal stove is lesser than all other stoves. The 3-stone stove have higher specific fuel consumption values indicative of more fuel consumption but lower thermal efficiency. This indicates a poor performance when compared to other improved stoves such as kerosene stove with higher thermal efficiency of 64.38 %.