FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
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Item AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN WESTERN AND KWARA STATES OF NIGERIA(1978-01) ADIO, D. A.The objective of this study is to assess the economic performance of tobacco processing industry in Western and Kwara States of Nigeria. After a brief discussion of the development of tobacco industry in Nigeria, some technical aspects of tobacco leaf production, cigarettes manufacture, and blackfat manufacture were discussed. Three firms were selected for the study. These are Nigerian Tobacco Company Limited, Philip Morris (Nigeria) Limited and Premier Tobacco Company Limited. The data used for the study were obtained from two main sources. The Federal Office of Statistics, Lagos; and through questionnaires and personal interviews with the selected tobacco processing firms. Investigations on the economic characteristics of the selected firms indicated that the firms differed not only in year of establishment, but also in ownership patterns (private vs. quasi government), size of capital, labour employment; output size, and value-added to the Nigerian economy. The largest firm (NTC), employed 3,302 workers in 1973 whilst Philip Morris (Nigeria) Limited, which is a medium-sized firm, employed 836 workers during the same period. The smallest firm, Premier Tobacco Company, employed only 40 workers during the same year. Also in terms of capital investment, NTC invested N15,000,000 in 1973, Philip Morris invested N2,400,604, and Premier Tobacco Company invested only N746,150 during the same period. In terms of value-added, NTC contributed N21,4l5,604 whilst Philip Morris added N6,582,75C and PTC added only N33,350 to the economy for the year 1973. The analysis of costs and returns involved in cigarettes manufacture revealed considerable disparity in the cost outlay and in the net returns to each firm. In 1973, for instance, the total cost for NTC was N31,387,419; that of Philip Morris was N10,l30,457; while that of PTC was only NI02.877. The net returns were Ml8,387,581 for NTC, «5,3l3,8o4 for Philip Morris and Nl4,346 for PTC for the same period. From the balance sheets and income statements of these firms, a financial analysis was carried out. This analysis revealed some favourable liquidity and solvency ratios for each firm and thus, each firm could easily qualify for loans advancement from financial institutions for the period under review. Using some time series data collected from the firms, production functions for tobacco processing industry were estimated. The estimated functions revealed that the level of productivities of tobacco leaf input, labour, and capital inputs varied from one firm to the other whilst excise tax had some negative effects on cigarettes manufacture. The sum of elasticity coefficients (which was less than one) implied a decreasing return to scale. The policy implication of the study stressed the need to check smuggling of cigarettes into the country from the neighbouring countries and the need for expansion and better management of the cigarette firms.Item RICE INDUSTRY IN KWARA STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS(1978-08) ADENIYI, J. P.The objective of the study is, broadly, to examine the structure and performance of rice production and processing enterprise in Kwara state with a view to identifying possible ways of transforming the industry. The study also aims at identifying and evaluating some of the factors determining the level of marketed surplus and consumption of rice. The analytical tools employed are mostly a combination of farm record analysis and Statistical regression/production function techniques. Most of the survey data were collected during the 1977/78 crop season from 230 farming units, 20 rice mills, 50 rice parboilers and 183 rice consumers in Kwara state. Chapter I deals with the general introduction, problem Situation, objectives and methodology, followed by literature review in Chapter II. Chapter III is devoted to an analysis of resource Situation in rice production while Chapter IV deals with resource productivity and resource-use efficiency in rice farming. The structure and economic performance of rice processing industry is analysed in Chapter V; the Chapter also examines the least-cost milling facilities in Kwara state. Chapter VI is devoted to the analysis of the marketed surplus and home consumption of rice while in Chapter VII, the functional relationship between the quantity of rice consumed and selected variables are examined and some consumption elasticities are computed. The findings are summarised in Chapter VIII. The analysis of resource Situation showed, among other things, that Capital is the most limiting factor in Kwara state peasant rice production. It was shown further that while non-institutional sources of credit play a dominant role in peasant rice production, the role of institutional sources is almost nil. The costs and returns analysis showed that, within the limits imposed by the quality of data, an average rice farmer was making a quite satisfactory performance. With an average paddy rice yield of 1,506.9 kg. per hectare, and an estimated cost of £1205.8 per hectare, the net revenue accrueing to an average farmer was estimated at £1251.6 per hectare. In all the areas under study, the land variable alone accounted for over 70% of the variability in the aggregate production of rice, showing clearly that land is the most crucial determinant of rice production in Kwara state. On the whole, only few significant inefficiencies in resource' use were observed, implying that a mere re-allocation of resources may not have any appreciable effect on aggregate rice output. The study also revealed constant returns to scale on both large and small rice farms, and rejected the hypothesis of inverse relationship between output and farm size in paddy rice farming. The analysis of rice processing Operation revealed that rice processing units were making satisfactory performance in spite of the rather high processing costs, the estimated net returns being N7.96 and N51.5 per ton for parboiling and milling units respectively. It was further shown that small rice mills are the least-cost milling facilities in Kwara State. The emphasis on the marketed surplus study was both on the conceptual framework of the models and of the numerical results, The study showed that the allocation of rice output between market sales and home consumptions were both sensitive to price changes. Total price elasticity of marketed surplus ranged from 0.90 to 1.91 while that of home consumption elasticity fell in the range of -0.27 to -1.6. Output elasticity of marketed surplus ranged from 0.64 to 2.5. It was further shown that volume of production was more significant than family size and producer price in their influence on the marketed surplus of rice. With regards to rice consumption by non-rice producing households, the result showed that while family size and income are positively and significantly correlated with the consumption of rice, education appears to be an insignificant Variable. Household size elasticities ranged from 0.46 - 0.58 while income elasticities of rice consumption fell in the range of 0.02to 0.38. The result also points to the conclusion that, at present, consumers' preference for imported rice is rather strong, owing largely to the relatively high cooking quality of this commodity vis-a-vis that of the locally produced rice. Suggested policy measures include the development of irrigation facilities in the state, the expansion of farmers' credit base, selective mechanisation of rice farming operations, the use of modern rice mills in rice processing, a vigorous use of price instrument for the purpose of increasing the marketed surplus of rice in Kwara state and the removal of marketing bottlenecks, not only to facilitate efficient distribution of rice, but also to ensure that farmers are aware of the existing market conditions.Item STUDIES ON THE INFECTION OF YAMS BY SCUTELLONEMA BRADYS (STEINER AND LEHEW)(1975-08) ADESIYAN, S. O.A general survey of phytoparasitic nematodes associated with yam (Dioscorea spp.) in the Mid-Western State of Nigeria showed that Seutellonema bradys and Meloidogyne spp. were the economically important nematodes of yam tubers. S. bradys was associated with the ’dry rot' of yam tubers causing storage losses estimated between 80 and 100%. Nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne were found associated with galling of tubers of water yam (D. alata). Studies on the rate of population build-up of S. bradys in storage showed that S. bradys increased 9-fold, 8-fold and 5-fold in the tubers of D. rotundata, D. cayenensis and D. alata respectively during 6 months of storage. These increases in population influenced the severity of ’dry rot’ disease. Results of investigations into the depth of penetration of S. bradys in 5 different varieties of D. rotundata showed that there were differences in varietal susceptibility. The bulk of the nematode population was found in the periderm to a depth of between 0-1.5 cm, but depth of penetration was greater in the head portions of each of the tubers than either the middle or bottom portions. Observations on the activities of the nematodes in tuber tissues (histopathology) suggested that the 'dry rot' was mainly due to mechanical damage to the cells and the host reaction to intracellular feeding by S. bradys. Studies on changes in the carbohydrate constituents of the yam tuber infected by S. bradys showed an increase in the percentages of monosaccharides and disaccharides like sucrose, glucose and galactose, fruobose with a concomitant decrease in starch, amylose and amylopectin when compared with healthy yam. Qualitative and quantitative determination of amino acid constituents of nematode-infected tubers of white yam (D. rotundata). yellow yam (D. cayenensis) and water yam (D. alata) showed that the relative numbers of free amino acids were not materially changed following infection by 5, bradys. but a reduction occurred in the number of 'essential' amino acids in the infected tubers. Eighteen ninhydrin positive amino acids were detected in the protein hydrolysate. Except in the case of white yam and in a few other cases, increases in protein amino acids were recorded in the infected tubers of yellow and water yam. The percentage protein was also increased by infection in all species except white yam (D. rotundata). Observations on the rate of weight loss (cumulative percentage weight and mean percentage weight loss) in 3 different species of Dioscorea stored in a yam barn showed that there was a significant difference in the rate of weight loss between nematode-infected and nematode-free tubers of D. rotundata and D. cavenensis, but no significant difference was recorded between the infected and healthy yam tubers of D. alata. Estimation of the edible portions in nematode-infected and nematode-free tubers of D. rotundata. D. cavenensis and D. alata showed a significant difference in the percentage peeling losses between the infected and healthy tubers. Chromatographic analysis of the incubation solution of S. bradys showed that 5 amino acids - aspartic acid, phenylalanine, hydroxylnol acetic acid, leucine and isoleucine were discharged by this nematode. The absence of the steroid group of compounds in the nematode-infected yam tubers revealed by spectrometrie analysis might be disease-related as evidenced by its appearance in the healthy tubers. Polygalacturonase and amylase activities were detected in homogenates of S, bradys. Studies on fungi associated with the dry rot disease of yam tubers showed Aspergillus niger. Penicillium sclerotigenum. Triohoderma viride. Rhizopus nigricans and Fusarium oxvsporum. Botrvodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium moniliforme as the main species. Studies on the possible interrelationshipsbetween S. bradys and 3 fungi A. niger. P. sclerotigenum and F. oxysporum showed that the presence of the nematode seemed to increase the degree of pathogenicity of Fusarium and Penicillium species on yams. But the presence of S. bradys did not increase the degree of pathogenicity of Aspergillus niger. In greenhouse experiments, the interaction between S. bradvs and A. niger was found to be disadvantageous to the nematode. The presence of the fungus seemed to have some effect on the number of nematodes that invaded the roots and tubers and subsequently on nematode development. This was thought to be due to an anti-biotic action of A. niger on S. bradys. A host range study of 30 crop plants and weeds revealed that beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.), cowpea (Vigna unguioulata (L.) Walp.), were good alternative hosts of S. bradys. Small populations of the nematode also survived endoparasitically in the roots of Bupatorium. avnedrella. roselle faib1scus sab dar if f a L.). kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), melon (Cucurbita pepo L.); jute (Corchorus olitorius L.); yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) (Hochst ex A Rich) Harms., soko (Oelosia araentia L.) and pigeon pea (Ca.lanus ca.ian (L.) Druce). Non-hosts included maize and tobacco. Dipping nematode-infected tubers of D. alata and D. cayenensis in hot water at temperatures ranging between 50 and 60°C for 40 minutes completely eliminated the nematode. However, at temperatures above 55°C for an exposure time of 1+0 minutes, the tubers so treated suffered a physiological damage and rotted very rapidly. Temperatures between 50 and 55°C had no adverse effect on percentage emergence, growth, yield and palatability of tubers of D. alata. Field trials on chemical and cultural control of S. bradys on D. alata showed that the yield of yam was increased and the nematode population suppressed by the application of organic manure at the rate of 1.5 kg/heap or 1 ,886.3 kg/ha. Although the application of nemagon at the rate of 35.2 kg/ha. considerably suppressed nematode population, the yield of yam was significantly reduced. The results showed that there is a good deal of potential for experimentation with various cultural methods of nematode control. Studies on the effect of gamma irradiation on S. bradys showed that dosages between 5 and 15 Krad did not eliminate the nematodes completely, but suppressed sprouting and signs of deterioration in tubers. Dosages between 20 - 30 Krad eliminated about 70 - 80% of the nematode population.Item STUDIES ON THE BLAST DISEASE OF SEEDLINGS OF THE OIL PALM (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS JACQ.)(1972-12) ADERUNGBOYE, F. O.The series of investigations carried out into the blast disease of oil palm seedlings, a disease of high economic importance, showed that the disease was widespread in nurseries throughout south-western Nigeria, The disease was prevalent between October of the year of planting and March of the following year and appeared to be severest in November and December. The incidence of the disease was lower among seedlings planted into the nursery at the beginning of the rainy season in April than, among seedlings planted in June, July or August. Coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn.) and other palms of economic and ornamental importance, for example, Are ca catechu Linn., Ptychosperma elegans Blume, and Roystonea regia (H. B. K.) Cook also showed heavy blast infection. Pythium splendens Braun (Accession No. IMI 149554) and Rhizoctonia lamellifera Small (Accession No, IMI 149556) were consistently isolated from infected roots. Pathogenicity tests with these fungi showed that the blast disease developed as a result of the co-infection of oil palm seedlings by both fungi, P. splendens was found to be more pathogenic than R. lamellifera under experimental conditions. The infective propagules of P. splendens were found to be more abundant at the ploughline depth of 9 inches than at depths of 1, 3, 6, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 36 inches. The recovery of the fungus from nursery soil by the root baiting technique was high in July-October and low in November-January. These variations in the recovery of the fungus from soil were found to correspond with variations in soil moisture but not with soil temperature. The cultural practice of incorporating organic manure with soil increased while air-drying of soil decreased the recovery value of the fungus from soil. In vitro studies on P. splendens and R. lamellifera showed that the linear growth, sporangial and sclerotial production and germination were better in agar media rich in simple sugars than those deficient in them. The best temperature range for the linear growth, sporangial and sclerotial production and germination was found to be 25-30°C. Longevity of sclerotia of R. lamellifera was highest at a relative humidity value of 95% and at a low temperature of 20°C. Soil temperature in polythene bag planting was found to be positively correlated (r = 0.7758) with the blast disease at the 1% level of significance. There was no statistically significant correlation between the disease and soil temperature or soil moisture in ground bed planting. The incidence of the blast disease was found to be higher in the subsoil and ground bed planting than in the topsoil and polythene bag planting respectively. Shading of nursery seedlings in the dry season particularly from October to December was found to be more effective than Chemical soil treatment with Femasan or Benlate in reducing the incidence of the blast disease. Soil treatment with pentachloro-nitrobenzene appeared to aggravate the disease. Extension work seedlings produced at NIFOR were found to be more resistant to the blast disease than grove palm seedlings.Item LEAST-COST RATIGNS FOR BROILERS - A LINEAR PROGRAMMING APFROACH(1979-09) ADESIDA, M. A.It has been established that Nigeria has a food problem especially where protein intake is concerned. The poultry industry has been identified as the quickest means of expanding protein supply and lowering its cost within the short run (10-12 weeks for broilers). However, feeds account for 65-75 percent of the total costs of production. Moreover, the numerous problems facing the feed industry coupled with the poor quality of feeds produced have greatly limited the profitability and rapid expansion of the industry. The linear programming (L.P.) tool was utilized to formulate least-cost diets which made use of locally available ingredients. The scarcity and rising costs of the grains (maize and guinea-corn) which provide over 60 percent by weight of broiler feeds prompted the use of cassava flour as an energy providing Substitute. Feeding trials were carried out to test the efficiency of the least-cost diets. The objectives of the study are (1) To use L. P tool to formulate different least-cost rations which meet specific nutritional specifications for broilers, using readily available feed ingredients. Cassava and soya-bean are being tested as energy and protein providing substitutes respectively. (2) To compare the least-cost formulated diets with the diets used by some commercial farms. (3) To find the optimum killing age/weight. (4) To find the rate of Substitution of cassava flour for maize and guinea-corn in the ration for broilers. (5) To determine the economics of using different levels of cassava flour in the rations for broilers. Experimental results showed that starter diets with 24 percent Protein and 5 percent fibre level were better than those with 26 percent protein and 3 percent fib re levels. The computerised starter and finisher diets tested were cheaper and were found to perform better than the commercial diets. For the cassava based diets, analysis of the experimental results showed significant (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, differences in Feed Conversion Efficiency (F.C.E.) in both starter and finisher diets in which guinea- corn and maize were replaced. For weight gain, significant (P 0.01) differences were found only in Starter and finisher diets in which cassava replaced maize. For feed intake, significant differences (P < 0.0l) occurred only in Starter diets in which cassava replaced maize. The diets that caused significant differences were those in which the cassava contents were very high (25-40 percent) and they performed poorest. Even though growth is suppressed due to reduced feed intake caused by the powdery nature of the feeds, it is pertinent to note that diets with 40 percent cassava are still highly tolerable to the birds. Analysis of the weight response as cassava level increases showed that the decrease in weight gain was more rapid when cassava was being substituted for by maize rather than by guinea-corn. This could be attributed to the availability of nutrients or the amino-acid balance of the guinea-corn based diets. Carcass qualities of the birds were not taken into consideration because they are not highly rated in this society. The diets were further investigated to see how the nutrients contents and energy-based ingredients influenced performance, using the multiple linear regression model. The square root and quadratic functions were fitted but the quadratic forms gave the lead equations using the laid down criteria. Feed, protein, energy and the amino-acids intakes proved to be significant explanatory variables for the live- weight gain in the birds. Marginal Analysis was performed on some selected functions. The elasticity of production for energy and protein showed increasing returns to scale in the Starter and finisher diets at the mean value of inputs. As higher levels of inputs are used, diminishing returns is likely to set in. The elasticity of Substitution exhibits a unitary one also at the mean value of inputs. A percentage increase in the energy content of the feed results in an equal percentage decrease in the protein level of the diet. The extent of substitution is limited by the requirement of the birds. Optimum quantities of the energy-based ingredients to produce the Optimum broiler weight gain were determined. Production surfaces, isoquants and isoclines were produced for selected functions of the energy-based ingredients. The rate of Substitution between guinea-com/cassava and maize/cassava were found to be declining with increasing level of output as more of cassava and less of maize or guinea-corn are used. Estimates of revenue over feed costs for the various diets were computed. It was discovered that non-significant differences between diet without cassava was not synonymous with equal revenue yielding diets. In general, the computerised diets without cassava gave higher revenue than the commercial diets. For the diets in which cassava replaced the grains, the revenue accruing to the farmer decreased as the percentage cassava content increased. The revenue from guinea-corn diets were however higher than in the maize diets. Diets with 10 percent cassava had higher or equal revenue with the commercial diets. Diets with higher cassava levels were costlier because cassava is costlier than the grains. It is however envisaged that prices of cassava may fall in the near future because of increases in production. Revenue from the diets was therefore obtained using varying costs of diets as cassava price varies. When cassava was made to assume the same price with guinea-corn, all the computarised diets except that with 30 percent cassava level had higher revenues than the commercial diets. The revenue increased as the cassava prices were reduced but the diets with 30 percent cassava gave the lowest revenue all the time. Optimum killing age determined suggested that broilers be sold at eleven weeks for most of the diets except those in which five and 10 percent cassava replaced guinea-corn. The implications of this study are that efforts to improve returns — poultry farmers must be focused on the cost and quality of feeds. Particular attention must be paid to cheap sources of protein, carbohydrate and oils. There is a very high potential for the use of cassava if its adoption becomes a reality in the future. Further investigations are necessary in testing the least-cost diets with the existing various breeds of broilers. Comparison can also be made of the use of soya-bean and groundnut cake as a protein providing ingredient in broiler diets.Item AN ECONOMIC APPRAISAL OF THE RUBBER PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN BENDEL, OGUN AND ONDO STATES OF NIGERIA(1977-09) ADESIDA, A.This study attempts to assess the economic performance of the rubber processing industry in Bendel, Ogun and Ondo States of Nigeria. The Nigerian rubber industry which experienced a boom in the early 1950's started to face some serious set-backs during and after the civil war which broke out in 13G7. This set-backs were manifested in form of declining productivity and consequent decline in its contribution to foreign exchange earnings. The study which covers the period 7-1 assesses the economic performance of some rubber processing firms in the three states mentioned above in order to identify some of the factors responsible for the set-backs in the industry. The data used for the study were collected mainly through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews. Other sources of data include Federal office of statistics and ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources in all the three states. Chapter 1 assesses the economic importance of rubber industry in terms of foreign exchange earnings, employment generation and value added to the Nigerian economy. The rubber industry contributed 6.2 percent of the country's total export earnings in 1363. By 1972, it accounted for 4.7 percent of the country's industrial labour force and Chapter 6 uses non-parametric statistical technique to assess the factors limiting expansion and economic performance of the industry. The major limiting factors are lack of capital and inadequacy of raw materials. Labour is not a limiting factor although the industry i9 short of skilled and managerial personnel. A financial analysis for the industry and the estimation of a profit function for rubber processing industry were the major highlights of chapter seven. The financial analysis shows some weak points in financial management positions of some firms while the profit function shows that volume of sales, and selling expenses are the two major factors affecting profits in the processing industry. Some policy recommendations were advanced and these include the need for individual processors to strive to make use of their under-utilized capacity instead of plant expansion. Also, each processor must upgrade his management capability. The rubber commodity board should (i) appoint a committee to look into the present state of affairs of the rubber industry, establish rubber lumps marketing centres and make provisions for price incentives to producers of natural rubber at all levels.Item DIGESTION AND UTILIZATION OF PROTEIN IN THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP(1974-10) ADEGBOLA, T. A.West African dwarf sheep maintained on Cynodon nlemfuensis/Centrosema pubescens hay and concentrate supplements were used to study intake and digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen metabolism. Levels of ruminal metabolites of nitrogenous origin and blood urea were examined on the rations fed to the sheep. [15N] ammonium chloride and [15N] urea were used to study the production of ammonia and its utilization in the rumen, and the flow of blood urea into the digestive tract. Shredded paper impregnated with chromic oxide was used to partition digestibility in the stomach and intestines of the sheep. The results for the West African dwarf sheep were compared with those of other breeds of sheep in intake and digestibility of organic matter and nitrogen metabolism. The intake of dry matter by the West African dwarf sheep was similar to that of other breeds when expressed per metabolic size. Nitrogen retention values were high and this shows that absorbed N was being utilized efficiently. The metabolic faecal N values of 3.0 to 3.7g N/kg dry matter intake and the endogenous urinary N value of 0.0238 g/day/WKg 0.734 were obtained for this class of livestock. The biological values of the rations ranged from 85.7 to 100.0%. The digestible crude protein requirement for maintenance over the experimental period was 0.74g/day/Wkg, 0.734 by the N balance mehod, and 0,22g/day/Wkg 0.734 by the factorial method. The levels of nitrogenous metabolites in the rumen varied with levels of dietary crude protein. Ruminal ammonia was highly correlated (r = 0.99) with blood urea. The amino acids present in lowest concentration in bacterial and protozoal protein are methionine and histidine while there are high levels of lysine and leucine. Isotopic studies with [15N] ammonium chloride and urea shows that 4-7% of [15N] ammonium chloride administered into the rumen was recovered in the faeces, and 3.1% was recovered in milk. Also 30.5% of [15N] urea administered into the blood was recovered in the urine and the isotope was not recovered in the faeces. Ruminal ammonia contributed 26 – 33% of the bacterial N and 15 – 19% of protozoal N ten hours after feeding. Urea was synthesized in the body at the rate of 9.4 to 10.1g/day, and 4.7 to 7.3g/day were degraded in the digestive tract of the sheep. The chromic oxide - impregnated paper method showed that 72.5% of digestible dry matter and 72.6% of digestive organic matter of the rations were digested in the stomach. The corresponding values for small intestine were 10.1% and 11.4% for dry matter and organic matter respectively, while in the ceacum and colon, the values were 17.5% and 16.0% for dry matter and organic matter respectively. Substantial amount of N of endogenous origin were secreted in the proximal small intestine but were efficiently absorbed before the distal portion was reached. The results show that the West African dwarf sheep utilize the hay and supplement rations efficiently and are adapted for survival in areas where the intake of N might be inadequate.Item LAND INHERITANCE AND ITS RELATION TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ONDO DIVISION, WESTERN STATE, NIGERIA(1972-07) ADEGEYE, A. J.The study was aimed at finding the relationship between land inheritance and agricultural development in Ondo division of Western State of Nigeria. Chapter one was devoted to the review of the economy of Western State, the requisites for agricultural development and the relationship between land inheritance and the requisites for agricultural development. The nature of our problem was considered in relation to the present mode of production, the rising population and the probable land shortage. Chapter two was devoted to the methodology and the setting of the thesis. Among others, it considered reasons for choosing Ondo division for a case study, the sources of data and their limitations. Chapter three considered land inheritance in theory and in practice. It reviewed the various meanings and interpretations of inheritance. Finally, we considered case studies of some selected countries. Chapter four was devoted to the analysis of the situation in Ondo division. It was divided into three sections. The first part discussed the inheritance pattern in Ondo division, the second part discussed agriculture and the third part related inheritance to agricultural development. Chapter five was devoted to the policy implication of the study. Our recommendations in this chapter include: (l) The imposition of death duties proportional to number of plots (2) Empowering local authorities to control the farms of those who die without wills. (3) That state farms organised as joint-stock companies should he introduced, where the government and farmers would he shareholder (4) That multi-cooperatives should he encouraged. (5) That individual ownership should he encouraged. Chapter six was devoted to the summary of the thesis. Major findings summarised in the chapter include (1) That land inheritance merely accentuates the process of fragmentation of holdings. Main causes were found to be the techniques of cultivation and safety in face of dangerous animals. (2) That the presence of the part-time farmers in farming, instead of being to the detriment of agriculture, is a blessing, since they bring innovation and capital to agriculture. However, in some cases, it leads to the growth of absentee landlordism. (3) That injection of capital and its efficient use in agriculture is impeded by aversion to borrowing, unwillingness to use inherited lands as collateral and the small sizes of farms. (4) That strangers though permitted in some cases to own farms, cannot decide to transfer their lands as they wish, (5) That consolidation of holdings may not be the answer to the fragmentation of holdings in this area, since in our situation, the farms to be consolidated involve cash-crops of varying ages.Item STUDIES ON DRY MATTER, ENERGY AND PROTEIN UTILIZATION OF THREE BREEDS OF DAIRY COWS AT IBADAN(1976-07) ADEBOWALE, A.Comparative studies were conducted on exotic (German Brown and Friesian) and indigenous (White Fulani) lactating cows to assess (a) the systems of management best suited for the newly imported lactating, exotic cows for maximum production (b) the effects of seasons, stage of lactation, breeds and diets on feed dry matter (DM) intake, liveweight changes, milk yield and composition, respiration and body temperature of White Fulani (WF), German Brown (GB) and Friesian (F) lactating cows and (c) the effects of DM intake, dietary level, stags of lactation and breed on productivity, digestibility of feed, milk composition, energy and protein utilization, rumen and blood metabolites. Results on management studies indicated that the grazed cows produced more milk, solids-corrected milk (SCM), butter- fat, ash and less milk protein than the stall-fed (P<.05). Although higher respiratory counts, water intake and body temperatures were recorded for the grazed cows than the stall-fed ones, the results were not statistically significant (P> 0.05) Lactation studies showed that the exotic breeds consumed more forage DM than the indigenous, giving 5.92±0.21, 5.59±0.l6 and 4.49±0.16kg/day for the F, GB and WF cows respectively. The peak forage DM intake was attained between the 5th and 10th week of lactation. The mean milk yield and SCM were 27.55±6.15 and 29.83±5.26kg/week respectively for the WF cows, 40.16±6.15 and 36.91±3.26 respectively for the F and 41.16±8.19 and 40.16±5.84kg/week respectively for the GB. Peak milk production was attained between the 5th and 9th week of lactation. Generally, results showed that the milk of the WF cows possessed higher milk quality, producing higher percentage of butterfat and protein, than the exotic breeds. Although there were more forage DM intake during the dry season than the wet, higher milk yield was recorded during the latter season than the former. Liveweight losses occurred from the beginning of the experiment to about the 10th week of lactation. The results of the relationship between rumen metabolites and milk yield showed that when the ratio of acetate to propionate was lower, there was a higher yield of milk and protein but when the ratio was higher, there was an increased butterfat. The digestible crude protein'(DCP) values for maintenance were 0.39g/day/W(0.734 kg) (91.82g/day available protein (AP), O.47g/day/(0.734 kg) (113.28g/day AP) and 0.52g/day/(0.734 kg) (121.77g/day AP) for the WF, GB and F cows respectively. The N-balance studies indicated that 6.69gDCP/day/W(0.734 kg) (304.80gAP/day) were required by the WF cows to produce 3.35kg milk/day (0.51%N), 6.34DCP/day/W(0.734 kg) (353.93gAP/day) by the GB cows to produce 6.17kg milk/day (0.47%N) and 6.54gDCP/day/W(0.734 kg) (359.20g AP/day) by the F cows to produce 7.08kg milk/day (O.49%N). The mean net efficiency of protein utilization were 27.95, 43.43 and 53.73% for the WF, GB and F cows respectively. The metabolizable energy values for maintenance were 0.53, 0.59 and 0.61 MJ/day/W(0.734 kg) for the WF, GB and F cows respectively. These are 72.29, 72.75 and 73.43% of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the United Kingdom (MAFF)(1975) recommendation respectively. The gross energetic efficiencies for milk production were 10.23, 12.79 and 14.33% for the WF, GB and F cows respectively while the net energetic efficiencies were 25.47, 31.31 and 37.50% respectively. Finally, the conclusions from the trials have shown that 8.3% (WF), 10.3% (F) and 11.2% (GB) of the energy intake were contributed by the protein fraction of the DM intake.Item EFFECTS OF VARIATIONS IN DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON THE GROWTH AND CARCASS QUALITY OF THE NIGERIAN DWARF SHEEP(1976-04) ADEBAMBO, V. O.A total of 76 animal experiments, involving young Nigerian Dwarf Sheep, were conducted to investigate the growth response to effects of varying levels of dietary energy. The studies also embraced digestibility trials and carcass evaluation. Results obtained appear to indicate that between the ages of 3 - 6 months, a daily intake of 107.1 kcal metabolizable energy was required for maintenance while from 6 - 9 months of age the requirement increased to 129.2 kcal per day. A growth requirement of 215 kca1 ME/day/W0.73kg and 1387 kcal ME/dayW0.73kg was obtained for animals between 3 - 6 months and 6 - 9 months respectively. An analysis of the pooled results seems to indicate that 134.04 kca1 ME per day and 647kca1/ME/day/W0.73kg was the requirement for maintenance and increase of 1 kg. live-weight respectively. Studies on digestibility of feeds revealed that the effects of variations in the type of ration on digestibility was less marked than the effects due to age of the animals. Crude fibre digestibility coefficient for the basal diet was about 68.04% for the older animals while the corresponding values for the younger animals ranged between 54.4% and 56.0%. values for the mixed diet and concentrate ration ranged from 68.3% to 77.45% and 71.3% to 79.5% respectively with the older animals while the corresponding values for the younger animals were in the range of 58:01% to 60.59% and 63:8% to 65.02%. Results of animal performance indicated that younger animals are capable of faster growth than older ones but the effect of low plane of nutrition as indicated by growth rates is more adversely felt by the younger animals. Thus the mean daily weight gains of the older animals were 79.6g, 83.8g, 82.2g, 55.7g for treatments A, B, C and D respectively while the corresponding values for the younger animals were 97.7g, 71.8g, 45.7g and 21.7g respectively. The carcass evaluation showed that dressing percentages and percentage flesh increase with age. At six months and in all treatments, the range was between 34.3% to 43.8% while at 9 months it rose to 49.7% to 60.8%. Percentage of flesh in the carcass has been shown to range from 62.6% to 66.2% at birth with a possible increase of about 0.7% to 0.9% per kg live-weight gain. The results of this study have shown that the younger animals are capable of faster growth and respond faster to high plane of nutrition but the effect of low plane of nutrition as indicated by growth rates of all animals on the lower energy level diets, is more adversely felt by the younger animals. It is to be noted that the early weaned lambs cannot survive on pasture alone. The results also were discussed in terms of the economics of production.