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Plastic particulates and chemicals are emerging environmental pollutants with significant impact on aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the effects of oral uptake of melamine, melamine formaldehyde,...

This paper examined climate change adaptation strategies in fish farming and the effect of such methods on the profit of fish farmers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Using cross‐sectional data obtained from 420 fish farmers from the region and applying multivariate probit and instrumental variable regressions, the study found that fish farmers have adopted a broad range of strategies to address climate risk and that these have significantly increased farmers’ profit. Our findings indicated important relationships between certain farm, socio‐economic and institutional characteristics and the adaptation actions. The study provides useful insight into factors that potentially encourage the adoption of livelihood‐enhancing climate risk adaptation strategies by fish farmers in the Niger Delta region and similar contexts.

This paper explored the status of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in southeast Nigeria using qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection. One hundred and sixty farmers were selected from the area. Also, focus group discussions were conducted. Data collected were subjected to qualitative analysis and logit regression. The study identified five broad and important practices relevant to CSA in southeast Nigeria, which include: adjusting agricultural production systems, mobility and social networks, farm financial management, diversification on and beyond the farm, and knowledge management and regulations. The determinants of CSA in southeast Nigeria include: education, income, credit, extension, livestock ownership, farming experience, land area cultivated, distance to the market and water resources, leadership position, risk orientation, gender, land ownership, household size, and mass media exposure. Government policies need to support research and development that develops and diffuses the climate-smart technologies to help farmers respond changes in climatic conditions.

The search for alternative protein sources in aquaculture nutrition is still trending as the use of costly traditional feed stuffs in aquaculture diet formulation is no longer sustainable. The present study investigated the effects of partial and total dietary inclusion of cashewnut meal on growth, haematology, carcass composition, serum biochemistry and intestinal histology of juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) . Soybean meal (SBM) was substituted with cashewnut meal (CM) at 0, 50 and 100% in formulated fish diets. A total of 135 juveniles of C. gariepinus (30.25± 1.02 g; 16.08±0.34 cm) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (0, 50 and 100% CM based diets) at a stocking density of 45 fish per treatment and further randomised into triplicates of 15 fish per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days and fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight. Statistical analysis was carried out for all the parameters evaluated in this study. Fish group fed 50% CM based diet had the best growth performance and haematological profile when compared to 100% CM fish group and the control group. Insignificant changes in serum biochemical parameters were observed in CM fed fish groups when compared to the control. Histological examination of fish intestinal morphology revealed no adverse changes in the cellular structure of mucosal layer and villi in 50% CM fed fish, while mild histo-morphological changes were observed in 100% CM fed fish group. Significant increases in villi length and weight were observed in fish group fed CM based diets when compared to the control. The findings of the present study revealed that partial replacement (50%) of soybean with cashewnut meal improved growth performance and haematological profile of C. gariepinus. Keywords: Anacardium occidentale , Alternative protein sources, Cashewnut meal , Clarias gariepinus, Growth metrics, Haematology, Histology, Intestine .

Empirical evidence is lacking on the nexus between coffee commodity output, climate change and commodity price volatility of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria and other developing countries. To fill this gap, this study analyzed the reaction of coffee output to climate change and commodity price volatility. We used secondary data from 1961 to 2015 from reliable sources for Nigeria. The study adopted GARCH, ARCH and FMOLS in analysis of coffee output reaction to climate change and commodity price volatility. The findings show that coffee output in Nigeria is influenced by climate change and the international commodity price of coffee. The study demonstrates the potential benefits of improving coffee output and export through climate mitigation and adaptation measures and revival of Agricultural Commodity Marketing in Nigeria and other developing countries.

The study assessed farm and non-farm income diversification activities among rural households in Southeast, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to collection data from three hundred and sixty (360) rural households using structured interview schedule. Means, percentage and frequency count were used to analyse the objectives of the study. The result showed that 82.5 % of rural households diversified their income sources into other non-farm activities as against 17.5% that depended solely to farm activities. Further analysis indicated that 64.4 % of the rural households engaged in crop production, 46.9 % practiced livestock production, 5% were into collection of forestry products, 13.1 % engaged in farm products processing while 23.3 % engaged in storage and marketing of agricultural products. However, the various non-farm activities diversified into by the households were: petty trading (53.53 %), storage and marketing of agricultural commodities (31.31 %), sale of landed property (15.82 %), agricultural wage labour (16.84 %) and hire purchase (9.09 %). Others included rental services (19.52 %), transportation (example taxis, motorcycle and tri-cycle business) (21.21 %), craftsmanship (13.46 %) and civil/public service jobs (28.28 %). The study recommended that government should improve rural infrastructures like good road network, electrification, potable water, telecommunication service, and affordable healthcare system since they are important for enhancing socio-economic activities. It is also recommended that government should initiate policy for reducing risk and uncertainties inherent in agricultural activities in order to encourage farmers to remain in the business of farming. Keywords: Diversification, economic activities, rural households, livelihood, South East Nigeria

Empirical evidence is scanty on the nexus between caregivers&rsquo, nutrition knowledge, market accessibility, and preschool children&rsquo, s dietary diversity in remote communities of Africa&rsquo, s most populous country, Nigeria. To fill this gap, this study evaluated the effects of caregivers&rsquo, nutrition knowledge and access to food market on dietary diversity of preschool children. We used cross-sectional data from four hundred households selected from twenty remote communities in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted instrumental variable regression to estimate the impacts of nutrition knowledge and food market access on preschool children&rsquo, s dietary diversity. The findings show that in remote communities, caregivers&rsquo, nutrition knowledge and households&rsquo, closeness to the market improved preschool children&rsquo, s dietary diversity. The study demonstrates the potential of improving preschool children&rsquo, s nutrition outcomes through enhancing access to food market and the nutrition knowledge of the caregivers.

This study explored rural-urban migration and agricultural investment in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling procedure in the selection of respondents. Cross-sectional data gathered from 200 household heads (100 male-headed households and 100 female-headed households) were used. Using percentage, mean and ordinary least square regression, the findings revealed that the major determinants of migration were sex of the household head (3.53), male to female ratio of household members not resident at home (14.86), age (0.50), access to credit (10.53), number of migrants in the working age (2.6), occupation (11.56) and number of livelihood activities pursued by the household (1.87). The average annual remittance from male migrants in maleheaded households was ₦204,269.3 while that of their female counterparts was ₦161,297.76. The average annual remittance from male migrants in femaleheaded households was ₦189,282.9 while that of their female counterparts was ₦170,297.8. The average amount of remittance invested in agriculture in maleheaded households was ₦131,334.8 while that of their female counterparts was ₦151,676.5. Gender drives migration, remittances from both the sender and receiver perspectives and household investment decisions. Gender should be mainstreamed in migration policies to consider the peculiarities of both men and women in migration and remittances. Key words : Migration; gender; remittance; investment in agriculture

Empirical evidence is lacking on the nexus between coffee commodity output, climate change, and commodity price volatility of Africa&rsquo, s most populous country, Nigeria, and other developing countries. To fill this gap, this study analyzed the reaction of coffee output to climate change and commodity price volatility. We used secondary data from 1961 to 2015 from reliable sources for Nigeria. The study adopted generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH), autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH), and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) in analysis of coffee output reaction to climate change and commodity price volatility. The findings show that coffee output in Nigeria is influenced by climate change and the international commodity price of coffee. The study demonstrates the potential benefits of improving coffee output and export through climate mitigation and adaptation measures and revival of agricultural commodity marketing in Nigeria and other developing countries.

This study prioritised sustainable agricultural practices in Ebonyi State, Nigeria by using a participatory methodology and selected 240 farmers from the state for interview and group discussion through a multistage sampling technique. Scoring and bidding exercises using pseudo money were employed to check the willingness to pay for various SAPs. Stated preference and chi-square were adopted for data analysis. Strong similarities and differences characterise preferences of different SAPs by farmers in different agricultural zones. Insurance, climate change-based advisory services, improved crop varieties, mounds and adjusting planting dates were the commonly preferred practices. Farmers' scoring and bidding differed significantly for insurance, improved crop varieties and climate change-based advisory services. Adopting a stated preference methodology in prioritising farmers' preferences for sustainable agricultural practices in a changing climate provides relevant information on climate risk management.

The study analyses the performance and determinants of adoption of improved cook-stoves (ICSs) in Benue and Kaduna States of Nigeria. Cross-sectional data obtained from 440 households (ICS users and non-users) using questionnaire and subjected to statistical analysis indicate that the fuel-wood used and time spent in boiling 6 litres of water through Save80 and Greenwatch cook-stoves were less compared to the open fire. Save80 cook-stove released less carbon monoxide than the Greenwatch cook-stove and open fire. Income, contact with Save80 disseminator agents, mass media exposure, and knowledge of the benefits of the cook-stove significantly influenced the adoption of Save80 while age, gender, household size, and contact with Greenwatch Initiative agents significantly determined the adoption of Greenwatch cook-stove. Therefore, there is a need to increase awareness of the benefits of using improved cook-stoves through mass media by the promoters of the stoves.