• OpenAccess
    • List of Articles Ralph Iheke

      • Open Access Article

        1 - Effect of Land Fragmentation on Smallholders’ Productivity in Imo State, Nigeria
        Onwuchekwa Iheke Ebuka Amaechi
        This study analyzed the determinants of the productivity of smallholder arable crop farmers with a particular focus on land fragmentation using the Simpson Index as measures of land fragmentation in Imo state of Nigeria. Data collected by using structured questionnaire More
        This study analyzed the determinants of the productivity of smallholder arable crop farmers with a particular focus on land fragmentation using the Simpson Index as measures of land fragmentation in Imo state of Nigeria. Data collected by using structured questionnaire and interview schedules were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics; Simpson index and regression analysis. Results showed that a greater percentage of the respondents were females, while the average age of the respondents was 52 years. About 90% of the respondents had formal education. The average farm size cultivated by the respondents was about 1 ha. Farming was the primary occupation of majority (73.33%) of the respondents. About 63.33% of the respondents were not visited by extension agents during the last cropping season. The Simpson index was 71.91%, indicating high degree of land fragmentation. The significant factors influencing the productivity of the farm were fragmentation, fertilizer, labour, and planting materials. Land reform policies and programmes that would give farmers access to more contiguous land holdings for increased agricultural production was recommended. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Analysis of Livestock Waste Management Practices among Rural Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria
        Onwuchekwa Iheke
        This study was on the analysis of livestock waste management practices among rural farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the 60 respondents for the study. Primary data used the study were collected using well-structured More
        This study was on the analysis of livestock waste management practices among rural farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the 60 respondents for the study. Primary data used the study were collected using well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and multinomial logit regression were used in data analysis. Result showed that the mean age of the livestock farmers was 34.3 years and the average household size was 6 persons per household. The average years of educational attainment was 9 years and the livestock farmers have on the average spent 8 years in the business. The average distance to livestock farm from residential dwelling was 0.4km. The average number of livestock reared was 111, while the average monthly expenditure on water was N1470.80. The average cost of waste management per month was N2195.80 and the average monthly net return from the livestock business was N27400. The significant determinants of use of waste management systems were distance from livestock farms to residential quarters, number of livestock reared, frequency of visitation of livestock sanitation officers, number of farm labour, and the quantity of faecal material generated. The major benefits from livestock waste management were environmental sustainability, reduced cost of fertilizer, increased in income, reduced cost of agrochemicals, reduced incidence of pests, increased productivity, and biogas production. Strict enforcement by supervisory agencies of the existing sanitation/health policies aimed at environmental preservation and protection was recommended so as to ensure environmental sustainability. Manuscript profile