IOSR-JAVS   IOSR-JAVS   Volume-7 ~ Issue-12 ~ DEC-2014

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding raw or parboiled rice offal diet on rumen metabolite and haematological characteristics of bulls.20 Bunaji bulls aged 2-3 years with live weight 210-249kg were allotted to five dietary treatments having Four bulls per treatment in a 2x2 factorial arrangement with a common control. Feeding trials lasted 90 days. Rumen fluid was collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 hrs intervals to determine the rumen pH, rumen ammonia nitrogen (RAN) and rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) for all the bulls. Blood sample were obtained at the beginning, middle and end of the feeding trial to determine haematological parameters.

[1]. Lamidi, O.S., Adeyinka, I.A., Alawa, C.B.I., Balogun, A. R. and Barje, P.P. (2008). Survey of Dry season feed Resources for smallholder fattening schemes in Northern Nigeria. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 3(2): 92-97.
[2]. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G.T., Otchere, E.O., Tegbe, T.S.B., Jegede, J.O. and Abeke, F.O. (2002). A Review of some Agroindustrial by-products in the nutrition of pigs. National Animal Production Research Institute Ahmadu Bello University Shika-Zaria, Nigeria.
[3]. Roberts, K.M., Daryl K.G., Peter, A.M., Victor, W.R (2003). Harper's Biochemistry 25th edition Mc. Graw Hill New York 763-765.
[4]. Taiwo, V.O and Anosa, V.O (1995). Fabrinogen, Leucocyte and Heamatoligical Values for cattle with various disease conditions. Tropical Vet. 13 (182): 51-57.
[5]. Ndlovu, T., Chimonyo, M., Okoh, A.I., Muchenje, V., Dzama, K and Raats, J.G (2007). Assessing the nutritional status of beef cattle: current practices and future prospects. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (24): 2727-2734.

ABSTRACT: The study examined the effects of social capital on well-being of rural households in Southwest Nigeria. The primary data employed in the study were obtained from 439 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, fuzzy set and ordered probit model. The results showed that well-being is low in the study area with an aggregate functioning index of 0.4375. The result of the ordered probit revealed that meeting attendance and cash contribution are negatively related to well-being while density of membership index, heterogeneity index and social capital aggregate are all positively correlated with achieved wellbeing. The study therefore recommends that investment in social capital by government and donors should be an important consideration in promoting the living conditions of rural households.

Keywords: Social Capital, Well-Being, Capability Approach, Functioning, Rural Households

[1]. Adeyemo, T. and Oni O. (2013): "A Functioning Approach to Well Being Analysis in Rural Nigeria" Sustainable Agriculture Research; Vol. 2, No. 1; 2013
[2]. Adepoju, A., Oni, O., Omonona, B. and Oyekale A. (2011): "Social Capital and Rural Farming Households‟ Welfare in Southwest Nigeria" World Rural Observations 3 (3), 150-161.
[3]. Alkire, S. (2007): Choosing Dimensions: The Capability Approach and Multidimensinal Poverty. CPRC Working Paper 88
[4]. Baliamoune-Lutz, M. and Lutz, S.H. (2004). "The Contribution of Income, Social Capital, and Institutions to Human Well-being in Africa" Center for European Integration Studies, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.
[5]. Chiappero -Martinetti, E. (2000). "A multi-dimensional assessment of well-being based on Sen's functioning theory," Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali, Vol. CVIII, No. (2), pp.207-39.
[6]. Grootaert, C. (1999). "Social Capital, Household Welfare, and Poverty in Indonesia" Local Level Institutions Working Paper No. 6, Washington D.C. The World Bank.

ABSTRACT: An experiment was carried out in naturally ventilated polyhouse with four fertigation levels viz., 110, 100, 90 and 80 per cent recommended dose to determine suitable fertigation dose for salad cucumber under naturally ventilated polyhouse cultivation. Fertigation levels significantly affected (P < 0.05) cucumber yield. Plants that received 100 per cent recommended dose of fertigation (175:125:300 kg NPK ha-1) showed higher nutrient use efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (508.93, 712.50, 296.88 kg ha-1 respectively) and recorded significantly higher yield (89.06 t ha-1) with highest water use efficiency (6167.78 kg ha-1 cm-1). The economic analysis of cucumber production revealed that 100 per cent recommended dose of fertigation has resulted into maximum Benefit Cost (BC) ratio of 3.42. Both increased and decreased fertigation levels showed almost equal yield which is significantly less than 100 per cent recommended dose.

[1] H. Magen. Fertigation: An overview of some practical aspects. Fert. News, 40 (12), 1995, 97-100.
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ABSTRACT: Data from three agronomic traits were used to assess the genetic dissimilarity between 209 yam (Dioscorea sp.)genotypes. The data were analyzed using the method of nearest neighborand the technique of grouping throughanalysis of variances using the distance Mahalanobis generalized as dissimilarity measure. The genotypes tested were four distinct groups by grouping. The character width of tubercle contributed the most to thetotal genetic dissimilarity. The results allowed to discriminate genotypes that could be used in the genetic breeding programs for the species. Terms for indexing:Dioscorea spp., multivariate analysis, grouping methods

[1]. CRUZ, C.D. Programa Genes: Análise multivariada e simulação. Editora UFV. Viçosa (MG). 175p. 2006
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ABSTRACT: Wheat is an economically important Rabi crop for the state, which is grown on around 26% of total available agriculture area in the state. There is a variation in productivity of wheat crop in hilly and tarai region. The agricultural productivity is less in hilly region in comparison of tarai region due to terrace cultivation, traditional system of agriculture, small land holdings, variation in physiography, top soil erosion, lack of proper irrigation system etc.

[1]. Ajai 1992. Cotton Acreage Estimation and Condition Assessment. In Natural Resources Management- a new perspective, NNRMS Bangalore p267.
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ABSTRACT: Haemonchus contortus a blood sucking nematode parasite of small ruminants across the tropics and subtropics causes an insidious drain on production, retarded growth and even mortality in young animals. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of haemonchosis in randomly selected and slaughtered sheep and goats in four different restaurants in Finoteselam town, Amhara region. The study was performed on a total of randomly selected 397 small ruminants (37 sheep and 360 goats). A questionnaire survey, coprological examination,

[1] CSA. 2012/13. Agricultural sample survey. Report on livestock and livestock characteristics. The Federal Democratic republic of Ethiopia, Central Statistical Agency (CSA). Private Peasant Holdings. Statistical Bulletin 570, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April, 2013.
[2] Sissay, M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P. 2007. Prevalence and Seasonal Incidence of Nematode Parasites and Fluke Infections of Sheep and Goats in Eastern Ethiopia. Global veterinary, 2: 46-91.
[3] Perry, B., Randolph, T., McDermott, J., Sones, K.R. and Thornton, P. 2002. Investing in Animal Health Research to Alleviate Poverty International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya, p. 148.
[4] Biffa, D., Jobre, Y. and Chakka, H. 2007. Ovine Helminthosis, a Major Health Constraint to Productivity of Sheep in Ethiopia. Animal Health Research Reviews, 7(1/2), 107–118.
[5] Abebe, W. and Esayas, G. 2001. Survey of Ovine and Caprine Gastro-Helminthosis in Eastern part of Ethiopia during the Dry Season of the Year. Medical Veterinary, 152: 379-384.
[6] Asha, A. and Wossene, A. 2007. Gastrointestinal Ttract Nematodosis of Small Ruminants in Three different Agro-Ecological Zones in Southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 11(1), 83–94.

ABSTRACT:Organic agriculture in Africa has grown in the past years, to a point where it has become visible and measurable. However, West Africa lags behind other African regions in organic agriculture. Effective management of plant diseases is very important for profitable organic crop production. Economic losses incurred from the devastation of cocoa by the black pod disease of cocoa from different producing regions worldwide are quite enormous and crop losses estimated at 44% have been reported. Similarly, cassava mosaic disease epidemics are frequent in subsistence agriculture with crop losses throughout sub-Saharan Africa between 19 and 27 metric tonnes and an estimated economic loss of over US$1.5 billion per year. We review available options for management of black pod disease of cocoa, on an economic security crop, and cassava mosaic disease affecting cassava, a food security crop under organic production system. Additionally, we further encourage organic production of cocoa and cassava in West Africa, and recommend an integrated pest and disease management approach which will involve a systematic combination of the management methods that are feasible for smallholder farmers to practice. Future research needs are also identified.

Keywords: Disease management, organic crop production, cassava mosaic disease, black pod disease of cocoa

[1]. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming. United States Department of Agriculture, July 1980.
[2]. R. Troedson, Organic farming - A Growing Role in Canadian Agriculture? Background information brief no 20. Queensland parliamentary library, publications and resources Section (Brisbane, Australia, 1991) 1-34.
[3]. M. Barbercheck, N.E. Kiernan, A.G. Hulting, S. Duiker, J. Hyde, H. Karsten, and E. Sanchez, Meeting the ‗multi-‗ requirements in organic agriculture research: Successes, changes and recommendation for multifunctional, multidisciplinary, participatory projects, Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 27(2), 2011, 93-106.
[4]. S.K. Yadav, S. Babu, M.K. Yadav, K. Singh, G.S. Yadav., and S. Pal, A review of organic farming for sustainable agriculture in Northern India, International Journal of Agronomy 2013, 2013, 1-8.
[5]. H. Bouagnimbeck, Organic farming in Africa, in Willer, Helga and Lucas Kilcher (eds), The World of Organic agriculture statistics and emerging and trends 2009 (FIBL-IFOAM Report. IFOAM, Bonn; FiBl, Frick, ITC, Geneva, 2009) 114-126.
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ABSTRACT: Prepubertal growth rate (GR-1,2) of Bali cattle and its crosses with Simmental breed in the hot environment of lowland (0-100 m) and the cool environment of highland (700-1100 m above sea level) of West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, were evaluated by measuring the birth weight (BW), 150 d weaning weight (WW.150), preweaning growth rate (GR-1), yearling weight (YW), and post weaning growth rate (GR-2) of 187, 166, 216, and 156 calves for Bali breed (B), Bali x Simmental crossbred (SB), SB x Simmental back crossed (SBS), and SB x Bali back crossed (SBB), respectively. The results showed, GR-1,2 of the calf were significantly different between B calves and the crosses, and between the two altitudes of farms for the crosses calves. The B calves were found to have an average 0.29 kg/day GR-1,2 which was not different between raised in the lowland and highland environment. The crosses calves grew 75.02, 60.71, and 82.14% faster than those of B calf in the lowland for SB, SBS, and SBB calves, respectively, and 83.55, 115.48, and 70.97% faster than those of B calf in the highland for SB, SBS, and SBB calves, respectively.

Key words: Bali cattle, Simmental, crossbred, prepubertal growth, altitudes

[1]. H Bazzi and M. Alipanah, The effects of some environment factors on the weaning weight of Sistani beef calves. J. Anim. and Vet. Advances, 10(11), 2011, 1480-1483
[2]. Zulkharnaim, Jakaria, and R. R. Noor. Identification of genetic diversity of growth hormone receptor (GHR/Alu I) gene in Bali cattle. Media Peternakan, (33), 2010, 81-87
[3]. S R A Bugiwati, Body dimension growth of Bali calf in South Sulawesi. J. Sci. and Tech. (7), 2007, 103-108 (Article in Indonesian with an English abstract)
[4]. K. Entwistle and D.R. Lindsay, Strategies to improve Bali cattle in Eastern Indonesia. ACIAR proc., (110), 2003, 1-2
[5]. R R Noor, A. Farajallah, and M. Karmita, The purity test of Bali cattle by haemoglobin analysis using the isoelectric focusing method. J.Hayati, (8), 2011, 107-111
[6]. K Diwyanto and I. Inounu, The impact of crossbreeding on productive performance of beef cattle. Wartazoa, 19(2), 2009, 93-102 (Article in Indonesian with an English abstract)

ABSTRACT: Rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is still rated high in terms of increasing and wide spread poverty despite the government support programmes like establishment small-scale irrigation schemes, input grants, and agricultural loans. Small-scale subsistence agricultural productivity is recorded low and anticipated to decline the more in this province. The low productivity and low gross margins accrued to subsistence farming has discouraged many rural farm householdsresulting in abandonment of their fields, and worsening the increasing rate of food insecurity, unemployment rate and high poverty levels in the Province. For survival, small-scale farmers have resorted to cultivating high value crops including vegetables, and these are thought to be an alternative source of incomes able to lift them out of the pathetic poverty.

[1]. Aliberetet al.(2009), Strategies to support South African smallholders as a contribution to government's second economy strategy: Situation analysis, Research report 41, Volume 1: fieldwork findings and main conclusions, Published by the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, School of Government, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
[2]. Allemann L. and YoungB.W. (2008), Vegetable production in a nutshell: Directorate Agriculture Information Service, Department of Agriculture in cooperation with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs: Printed and published by Department of Agriculture, Pretoria, South Africa.
[3]. BalunywaW.,and Ntamu D. N.(2012): "Social Marginalization of Women, Business Start-up and Poverty Alleviation: A Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Roadside Markets in Uganda": Makerere University Business School, Uganda: Chapter Twenty four of Africa Casebook - Synergies in African Business and Management Practices: ISBN 978-9966-1570-0-3: AJBUMA Publishing, University of Nairobi - School of Business: VOL. I, 2012.Pgs 372-382.
[4]. CIA World Fact book(2012), "South Africa Geography", Web page: http://www.theodora.com/ wfbcurrent/south_africa/south_africa_geography.htm

ABSTRACT:the FLD programme sponsored by ICAR through KVKs is in operation in MP under the jurisdiction of each KVK. The level of adoption of improved production technology practices on pulses crops (50.00 per cent was medium, 43.33 per cent high and 8.33 per cent low. The maximum adoption level was reported in practice like selection of high yielding varieties 90.00 per cent). the study has been conducted in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh out of 11 blocks the Mahkhed block has been selected purposively with 60 respondents.

Key words: Production technology, adoption score, pulses

[1]. A.D. Raj (2013) "Impact of FLD on the yield of Pulses. Gujarat, India International journal of scientific and research publications, volume 3,
[2]. Jatav, H.R. (2010) "A Study on impact of FLD on scientific temperament of wheat growers in Indore and Dewas, district (M.P.), M.Sc.(Ag.) thesis RVSKVV, Gwalior.
[3]. Singh, A.K. (2009) "A Study on impact of oilseed FLD in adoption of production technology by farmers in Tikamgarh District (MP)‟ M.Sc. (Ag.) thesis,JNKVV, Jabalpur.

ABSTRACT: This paper describes to the major factors responsible for decline in wheat productivity in the Balochistan during 2012-13. It involved gathering of data from primary as well as secondary sources, particularly on cropping systems, input use, management practices and other related issues. Survey was conducted in the upper zone (Loralai, Killa Saifullah) and plain zone (Nasirabad, Jaffarabad). Total 80 respondents were interviewed from both zones. The production system was found to follow traditional practices resulting in low production as compared to the potential yield. Major of causes of low yield identified were less rain and water shortage. Wheat variety Inqlab was dominant in the study area and 43.7 percent growers planted this variety during 2012-13. During 2012-13 wheat growers applied only phosphorus 37.5 kg/ac and there was no much variation in application of chemical fertilizer during 2011-12. The area under wheat during 2012-13 showed a decline of 0.04% in the study area. Among growers 57.5% reported high price of chemical fertilizer and 25% reported non-availability of high yielding varieties seed, responsible for decline in wheat average.
Key Words: Triticum aestivum, Facor affecting, Productivity, Balochistan

[1]. Government of Pakistan (2010-11). Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan. Federal Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Division, Islamabad
[2]. Government of Pakistan (2012-13), Economic Survey of Pakistan. Economic Advisor's Wing. Finance Division Islamabad.
[3]. Government of Balochistan (2011-12). Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan. Agricultural Statistics Wing, Agriculture (Extension) Department Balochistan, Sariab Road, Quetta.
[4]. Byerlee, D. 1993, Technical change and returns to wheat breeding research in Pakistan Punjab in the post green revolution period", the Pakistan Development Review, 32(1), pp: 69-86.
[5]. Qureshi, A.H, M.Iqbal, N.A.Shah and M.Afzal 2001. Determinant of Wheat Productivity in Irrigated Balochistan. Research Report of AERU, ARI, Sariab Quetta, PP 7-8.

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted on Vertisols, Inceptisols and Entisols located in Ambajogai tahsil of Beed districtto evaluate the nitrogen fractionation in relation to physico-chemical properties of soil. For this purpose 125 representative soil samples were collected at 0.0-0.20 m depth from different villages of Ambajogai tahsil. These soil samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties and status of available P, K, S, exchangeable Ca, Mg and nitrogen fractionation of soil. The soils under the study were neutral to alkaline in reaction, safe in limit of electrical conductivity and moderately calcareous to calcareous in nature.

[1]. Bremner, J. M. (1965) Inorganic forms of nitrogen In : Methods of Soil Analysis, part II. Agronomy, America Society of Agronomy, Inc. Medison, Wisconsin.
[2]. Das, Indranil, Ghosh Koushik, Ray, S. C., Mukhopadhay, P.K. and Ghosh, S.K. (2006) Status and distribution of Sulphur vis-à-vis taxonomic classwise distribution of sulphur in selected soil series of Inceptisols in West Bengal. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 41: 776-777.
[3]. Egbuchua, C. N. (2013) Nitrate-nitrogen and related nutrient contents of some alluvial vegetable production system in Delta State, Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Nature, 4 : 420-424.
[4]. Ghatol, S. G. and Malewar, G. U. (1978) Influence of texture and organic matter on the physical properties of Marathwada soils. Research Bulletin, Marathwada Agricultural University,2 : 10-11.
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[6]. Jibhakate, S.B., Bhende, S.N., Kharche, V.K. and Sevalakshmi, V. (2009) Physico-chemical status of soils of Katol tahasil in Nagpur District. Journal of Soils and Crops, 19 :122-128.

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Baloza Experimental Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt, on Manfalouty pomegranate (cv.) shrubs planted on the slops of sandy dune. All the area subjected to the same agriculture practice. The study aimed to plan such model of farm management for planting the sand dune slops. The experimental work depended on modifying some traditional methods of irrigation, fertilization and protecting soil surface from erosion and water loss. Two irrigation systems (surface and sub surface drip irrigation) with organic fertilization (control 1 (without), compost and goat manure) and soil mulching (control 2 (without), plastic sheets and rice straw) were the main treatments applied to achieve the aim of the work and evaluate the improvement or that highly economic value fruit.

[1]. A. O. A. C., (1985). Official methods of analysis. Association of Official Agricultural Chemists,14th ed: Benjamin Franklin station Washington, DC, USA, pp: 490-510.
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[3]. Abou El-Wafa, M. (2002). Effect of Some Treatments on Drought Resistance of Transplants of Some Pomegranate Cultivars. M.Sc. Thesis, Hort. Dept. Fac. Agric., Cairo Univ. Egypt, pp: 132.
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ABSTRACT: The present investigation was carried out to study the forms of sulphur and their relation to soil properties in oil seed growing soils of Ambajogai tahsil of Beed District.For this purpose 125 reprehensive soil samples were collected from different villages of Ambajogai tehsil and these soil samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties and status of available N, P, K, exchangeable Ca, Mg and forms of sulphur (Total sulphur, Available sulphur, Organic sulphur, Water soluble sulphur and Non-sulphate sulphur).The soils under the study areas were neutral to alkaline in reaction, safe in limit of electrical conductivity and moderately calcareous in nature.These soils were low to high content of organic carbon,low in available N and P and high in available K. The exchangeable Ca was in sufficient quantity,

[1]. Aulakh, M. S. and Dev, G. (1976) Profile distribution of sulphur in some soil series of Sangrur district Punjab. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 24:308-313.
[2]. Bapat, P.N., Sharma, B.L., Rathod, G.S. and Khamparia, R.S. (1997) Forms of sulphur and suitability of sulphur extractions for linseed crop growth grown on Vertisols of MP.Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 45: 523-525.
[3]. Basumatari Anjali,Das,K.N.and Borkotoki Bikram (2010) Interrelationships of sulphur with soil properties and its availability index in some rapeseed growing Inceptisols of Assam. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 58 : 394-402.
[4]. Bhattacharyya, T., Pal, D.K. and Deshpande, S.B. (1993) Genesis and transformation of minerals in the formation of red (Alfisols) and black (Inceptisols and Vertisols) soils in Deccan basalt in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science,44 : 159-171.
[5]. Borkotoki, B. and Das, K.N.(2008) Forms of sulphur and their relationships with soil properties in Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols of Assam.Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 56:186-191.

ABSTRACT: The performance of a developed floating fish feed extruder was evaluated. The effect of some parameters such as; screw speeds (100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm), moisture content of ration (20 %, 25 %, 30 % and 35 %), and die diameters (3 mm, 5 mm, 9 mm) on specific mechanical energy requirements, expansion ratio, bulk density and pelleting efficiency were determined. Results showed that increasing the screw speed from 100 rpm to 150 rpm tend to increase in extrusion efficiency from 63.25 % to 68.50 %. And decrease in bulk density from 1.05 g/cm3 to 0.94 g/cm3; decrease in specific mechanical energy from 24.70 kJ/kg to 22.30 kJ/kg. By increasing the die diameter from 3 mm to 5 mm, the specific mechanical energy tends to reduce from 28.44 kJ/kg to 26.46 kJ/kg, reduce bulk density from 1.05 g/cm3 to 0.97 g/cm3. And increase extrusion efficiency from 63.25 % to 68.00 %. Results also showed that increase in moisture content from 20 % to 25 % tend to reduce the specific mechanical energy from 28.44 kJ/kg to 24.99 kJ/kg, reduce bulk density from 1.05 g/cm3 to 1.01 g/cm3. And increase the extrusion efficiency from 63.25 % to 72 %.

Keywords: extrudates, extruder, evaluation, fish feed, floating and performance

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[5]. Fayose, F.T., (2009). Development and Performance Evaluation of a Starch Extruder, Unpublished P.hD. Thesis, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
[6]. Guy, R.C.E., (2001). Raw Materials for Extrusion Cooking. in R. C. E. Guy (Ed.), Extrusion Cooking Technologies and Applications (Pp. 5-28, 89). Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited.
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ABSTRACT: In this study, a hot-air supplemented solar dryer was designed and fabricated for drying white yam slices Dioscorea rotundata. The capacity of the designed hot-air supplemented solar dryer was 14 kg. The equipment was tested in Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) using white yam Dioscorea rotundata to establish the effect of incorporating the hot-air section into the solar dryer. Drying experiments were conducted using a temperature of 60 °C for the hot-air supplemented solar drying process at a drying air velocity of 0.8 m/s. After the experiment, it was deduced that the total drying time used to reduce the moisture in the white yam slices to safe storage moisture content (SSMC) differs for the two different drying conditions giving a total drying time of 18 hours for solar dryer and 13 hours for hot-air supplemented solar dryer. The average dryer thermal efficiency for the solar dryer was 31.45 %, and the average dryer thermal efficiency is 42.10 % at solar/mechanical drying at 60 ºC, and also the solar collector highest efficiency was calculated to be 83.28 % at solar radiation intensity of 1199.46 W/m2 and lowest efficiency of the solar collector was 23.89 % at solar radiation intensity of 300.40 W/m2.

Keywords: Drying, solar collector, solar dryer, solar radiation, white yam.

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ABSTRACT: Increasingly, maize is becoming a staple food for many Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, and hence, it is regarded important in mitigating increasing incidences of hunger and famine in the region. This article reviews and compares literature related to farm level technical efficiency of small-scale maize production among countries of the SSA. A total of 17 studies from 11 different countries were examined. At least 2 studies related to small-scale maize farmers' technical efficiency were drawn from 6 countries, East African region being the most represented. Presentations of discussions were divided into three regions namely the West Africa, the East Africa, and the Southern Africa regions, respectively.

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