HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION OF GARI IN ASA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
This study evaluated household consumption of gari in Asa Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling techniques were used for sampling of respondents. The first stage involved purposive sampling of ADP (Agricultural Development Programme) zone C. The second stage was purposive sampling of one (1) Local Government Area from the Zone. The third stage was random selection of three villages in the Local Government Area. The fourth stage was the random sampling of fifty (50) respondents in each of the villages. A total number of 150 respondents were being interviewed with personal interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression. The data were analyzed to determine the relationship between independent variables (years of schooling of household head, household size, age, household income, cost of substitute) and the dependent variable (quantity of gari in kg). The mean years of schooling of the respondents was 4 years. This shows that most respondents were primary school drop-out. Majority (67.33%) of the respondents consumed gari because of its taste. The coefficients of cost of substitute, age of household head and household income were negative. The quantity of gari consumption rises as the price of its substitutes reduces. The rich household reduce their consumption of gari, Government should therefore do a national mobilization to discourage school drop-out and education should be made free at all levels. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) should promote, tasty, hygienic and attractively packaged gari to be able to compete with other food stuffs internationally.
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research
Grapefruit is the fruit of a subtropical citrus tree known for its bitter taste. The variety chiefly grown in Cameroon is yellow skinned and ranges in diameter from 10 –20 cm. They are mainly cultivated in the Southern parts of the country and transported to other regions by trucks and in bags stacked on each other. Due to poor state of farm to market roads, especially in the rainy season, delays in transportation create room for the development of a warm humid environment in the bags. This gives suitable ground for the growth of the green mold, Penicillium digitatum (Pers.: Fr.) Sacc., which further causes softening and decay of the fruits. We studied the effect of temperature and bagging on the growth of P. digitatum on grapefruit under different storage conditions for 14 days. Grapefruit was inoculated by P. digitatum and water as control. Samples were subsequently packed in paper boxes, bagged and un-bagged before storage at +4oC and room temperature (RT). Measurements were obtained for weight loss, total soluble solid (TSS), degree of damage and decay development. Results showed that the grapefruits inoculated with P. digitatum at room temperature both bagged and un-bagged were completely decayed. However, storage at +4oC could retard the growth of P. digitatum as there was no observable development of decay on the control that showed 40% and 65% decay development when bagged and un-bagged respectively at RT. Storage in bagged conditions reduced weight loss and prevented chilling injury when kept at +4oC. Results of TSS were not remarkably changed after storage in all treatments while degree of damage was observed to be higher in fruits which were stored at RT in un-bagged boxes. Combination of proper washing, International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research
Maize, food self-sufficiency and policy in East and Southern Africa
Abstract In recent years maize has become a major food staple in the East and Southern African region. National average yields of maize remain low and yield gains are generally below population growth rates. Agricultural policy (particularly maize pricing, marketing and trade) is examined and it is noted that, despite an objective of maize self-sufficiency, many countries in the region continue to face erratic supplies. Finally, a brief look is taken at the technologies available for maize, and at those groups of smallholders who are unable to meet their annual household food requirements.