African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Establishing the basis for drought tolerance in maize (zea mays L.) using some secondary traits in the field

E. Obeng-Bio¹*, M. Bonsu¹, K. Obeng-Antwi² and R. Akromah¹

¹Crop and Soil Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi-Ghana.

²Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Crops Research Institute, Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 15 July, 2020

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out from October, 2009 to February 2010, to determine the drought tolerance levels of ten maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes and to establish a basis for the development of drought tolerant hybrids. The soil used belongs to the Asuansi series (Ferric Acrisol). Six inbred lines and four varieties with different genetic backgrounds were used. A total of 80 plots were prepared in the field, from which 50% constituted the water stressed site where water was withdrawn 6 weeks after planting (6 WAP) and the remaining 50% formed the non water stressed site where the crops received water until end of grain filling. Data were collected on leaf relative water content, leaf rolling, leaf senescence, anthesis-silking interval, ears per plant and grain yield. Pairwise comparison of means of water stressed and non stressed genotypes was done, drought intensity and indices were also formulated based on grain yield. Entries 24 and 5 were identified as apparently tolerant among the inbred lines while Mamaba, among the varieties appeared as relatively tolerant. The five secondary traits mentioned above for the ranking procedure proved to be effective indicators for the selection of drought tolerant maize genotypes.

Key words: Zea mays, genotype, drought tolerance, water stress, non water stress.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Anti–diabetic studies of aqueous extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon on platelets and associated parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

Prohp T. P.¹* and Onoagbe I. O.²

¹Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 09 July, 2020

Abstract

The effects of aqueous extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon (TS) on platelet and associated parameters, namely, platelet counts, volume and distribution width in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits (New Zealand strain) were carried out. Plasma glucose concentration was also monitored as the test rabbits were treated with at least 100 ml of the aqueous extract daily through clean drinking troughs for a period of 28 days. Haematological swelab auto counter 920E⁺ (UK) was used in blood analysis. Analysis of results showed that extract of TS did not have any significant effects (P>0.05) on the platelet counts, volume and distribution width. However, plasma glucose concentration decreased (P<0.05) on the 18, 24 and 28th days following treatment with aqueous extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon. The use of this extract in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in some part of Nigeria is not likely to accentuate any of the abnormalities or diseases/disorders of the platelets.

Key words: Anti–diabetic, Triplochiton scleroxylon, platelets, alloxan–induced diabetic rabbits.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-010, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The unexploited potential of BodaBoda cyclists in transporting agricultural produce in developing countries-A case of Busembatia Eastern Uganda

Raymonds Mutumba, Noble Banadda and Nicholas Kiggundu

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 02 May, 2020

Abstract

Postharvest losses in Uganda are unacceptably high which negates food security efforts. One of the major causes of such losses is failure to transport agricultural produce to markets. The state of roads in rural areas creates a transportation gap that can be covered by motorcycles commonly known as bodabodas. The aim of this paper was to assess the unexploited potential of bodaboda cyclists in transporting agricultural produce; a case study of Busembatia town council in Eastern Uganda. The study revealed that maize (20.2%) is the most transported product. A chi-square test showed that the volume of agricultural products transported is highly dependent on the frequency of bodabodas. Trucks are preferred for transportation of animals because of their greater carrying capacity. The low volume of fruits transported (1.6%) is attributed to the damages caused by bodabodas when transporting ripe fruits. Most riders were 26-35 years old and bodabodas cover a total distance of 1,848 km per week transporting agricultural products. The greatest challenge outlined was the poor road network. A conclusion is drawn that bodaboda cyclists play a pivotal role in agricultural transportation but their overall potential isn’t effectively exploited because of the constraints in their working environment. 

Keywords: Bodaboda, transport, roads, agricultural, Uganda.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cost-benefit analysis of common bean productionin the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia

Tamirat Fikadu, Mekonnen Sime and Yitayal Abebe

*Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center P. O. Box 436.

Accepted 12 April, 2020

Abstract

This study investigated the economic viability of smallholder farmer’s common bean production in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Plot level data were collected from 31 farmers in three districts using a well-designed datasheet. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, profitability ratio, and enterprise budget analytical methods. The result showed that labor, oxen draft power, fertilizer and seed were the major input costs of common bean production accounting for 58%, 20, 13 and 10 percent, respectively. Results further showed that farmers obtained about 14017 and 1807 (ETB) per hectare on average from common bean yield revenue and common bean straw sales, respectively. The total variable cost of common bean incurred by the respondents averaged ETB 9459.00/ha, with an average Gross Return (GR) of ETB 15825.00/ha, which resulted in a Gross Margin (GM) of ETB 6366.00/ha. The benefit-cost ratio (BRC) of 1.67 showing the enterprise is profitable in the CRV of Ethiopia.

Keywords: Common bean, gross margin, production economics, profitability and smallholder.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-017, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seasonality in cocoa spot and forward markets: Empirical evidence

Helyette Geman* and Seth Sarfo

Commodity Finance Centre, Birkbeck University of London and ESCP Europe, United Kingdom.

Accepted 21 January, 2020

Abstract

This paper first describes the main features of supply and demand in cocoa spot markets. A state-variable model is proposed to describe the random evolution of cocoa forward curves over time, which essentially adapts to agricultural commodities, introduced by Borovkova and Geman (2006) for energy. In contrast to most of the literature on the subject, the first state variable is not the spot price, as it combines seasonal and stochastic features and may not be observable, instead, the average value of all liquid futures contracts is a quantity devoid of seasonality and conveys a robust representation of the forward curve level. The second state variable is a quantity analogous to the stochastic convenience yield, which accounts for the random changes in the shape of the forward curve. We conduct estimation procedures for the cocoa market over the period of 1980 to 2009 and exhibit an interesting result on cocoa seasonality as well as an extension of the Samuelson effect.

Key words: Cocoa Spot markets, forward curve stochastic modeling, future curve average value.