The study assessed the effect of utilization of manual screw press for gari production on output, income, and standard of living of gari processors in four local government areas across the ADP zones in Kwara state, Nigeria. Using multistage sampling technique and a semi-structured questionnaire as instrument, data for the study were collected from a sample of three hundred and eighty four (384) gari processors who use the screw press in the state. Descriptive statistics namely frequency count, percentages and mean was used for analysis of generated field data. The study revealed a 35.5 percent increase in gari production was achieved with utilization of the screw press for gari production. Also, average annual income from gari processing after utilization went from N809662 to N1249375; 35.19 percent increase. Furthermore, average household properties owned by processors went from 2.31 before utilization to 3.24 after utilization which is an increase of 28.7 percent. The study concluded that utilization of manual screw press by gari producers in Kwara state has lead to increased output, a higher income, and a better standard of living for gari producers. These increases would most probably lead to increase in their probability of escaping poverty, and in the long run would lead to sustainable food security for the country.
A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive cropping seasons (2015-2017) on farmers’ fields in Welmera, Ada’a Berga and Ejere district of Oromiya Regional State. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of barley and soil chemical properties. The treatments included eleven selected combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient sources (Farm yard manure, vermicompost, Compost, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Boron). The design was randomized complete block with three replications. Results showed that barley yield, yield components and soil chemical properties were significantly affected by the application of organic and inorganic fertilizer sources. The highest barley grain yield (4277.1 kg/ha) was obtained from the applications of half doses of vermicompost (3.8t/ha) which is based on recommended N equivalent and half doses of the recommended nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers (30kg/ha N and 34.5kg/ha P2O5 that half dose contains) and followed by 3911.5 kg/ha for grain yield due to the application of the full recommended N and P rates (60kg N/ha and 69kg P/ha)from inorganic fertilizers. The highest biomass yield (9937.2 kg/ha) was obtained from the applications of the full recommended N and P rates (60kg N/ha and 69kg P2O5/ha). Application of organic fertilizer improves organic matter from 1.26% to 1.56%, N from 0.14% to 0.23% and phosphorous from 7.84ppm to 12.59pmm. The result also showed that the highest marginal rate of return was obtained from application of 50%VC(based on equivalent N rate)+ 50% N and P, which is economically the most feasible alternative on Nitisols of central Ethiopian highlands.
Potato(Solarium tuberosum) are a source of both food and income in the growing countries of the world which can change greatly the food security ensuring capacity of countries as result of high productivity per unit area and time in relation to other crops. In addition, high prospects for growth of the market for fresh potatoes (Scott et al. 2000); make the commodity fundamental for rural development particularly in countries where there is dramatically increase in cereal purchase costs.