AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

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A management approach to construction and demolition wastes in ibadan metropolis
(2014) Omoniyi T.E.; Akinyemi B.A.; Nwosu S.C.
The construction and demolition waste impacts negatively on the natural economy and the environment. This paper examines some engineering and management approaches such as waste segregation, reduction concept, reuse concept, waste exchange concept and waste rethink concept to construction and demolition wastes in Ibadan Metropolis. Two sites each were visited for construction and demolition activities to observe and quantity their waste characteristics. Construction site A is of a 40.375m length by 39.225m width storey building at decking slap stage with a total waste components of 2500Kg having 32% of it as wood(planks) and 36% of it as bamboo. Construction site B has 42.1m length by 24.385m width storey building at lintel stage has total waste components of 625.5Kg with 48% of it being wood(planks) and 0.90% of it being cement bags(sacks). Demolition site C has a total of 10850Kg with 92.2% of it as concrete/brick wastes and 0.50% of it constitutes electrical and paper materials and demolition site D of total waste components of 8630Kg has 93% of it as concrete/brick materials and 2.3% as metal wastes. These figures show that an enormous amount of wastes are generated from construction and demolition activities and if not properly managed, it could negatively impact our environment. Therefore, it is ideal that appropriate measures are taken to ensure effective management of these waste hence the various waste components identified in all the sites under consideration can be harnessed and transformed into other uses.
A review on the renewable energy from agricultural and forest residues in nigeria
(2021) Olorunnisola A.O.; Richards,A.; Omoniyi T.E.
Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources among them are residues from agricultural and forest sources. Since these residues are usually dumped in landfills as waste, constituting environmental and waste disposal problems, the need to utilise them is necessary in achieving the seventh and ninth targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. One of the avenues where agricultural and forest residues can be utilised is through biomass technology. Therefore, this paper assessed the potential conversion of these residues into useful and sustainable electricity generation in Nigeria. In addition, the paper gathers information from a pool of relevant reports on the current state of Nigeria’s power sector and the domestication of some small-scale biomass power plants across the country. In this review paper, it was found that Nigeria is one of the biggest economic power in Africa and has the potential to generate electricity and other bioenergy products from the present stock of biomass available in the country, thereby making the country self-sufficient in the provision of power supply and fuel production.
A Technical Assessment of Grain Storage Structures in Oyo North Senatorial District of Oyo State, Nigeria Omobowale M.O.* and Hammed Akinsoji Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan,
(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan,, 2018) Omobowale M.O.
The need for updated information on storage practices by subsistence f rm rs in Oyo North Senatorial district of Oyo state, Nigeria necessitated a technical as^e^ 'men t of grain storage structures with particular interest on availability and features as well a ’ associated postharvest losses. Small-scale farmers who are not occupying government-o 'ned farm settlements were surveyed. Ten Local Government Areas, namely; Iseyin, Kajola, Iwajowa, Saki-West, Saki-East, Orelope, Irepo, Olorunsogo, Itesiwaju and Atisbo were surveyed. A total of 250 respondents, identified to be lead-farmers and storage facility owners, were interviewed using structured questionnaires. About 35.9% of respondents still mak' use of thatched rhumbu but rainfall and insect damage pose a major challenge to grains stored within. Lack of adequate design and poor maintenance culture are major causes of structu. A faaure. Efforts to reduce postharvest losses must include provision of adequate storage facilities to small-scale farmers where most crops are produced.
A Technical Report on the Development of an Analytical Calculator for the Design of Hydraulic Sections for Open Channel Flows
(Department of Civil Engineering, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, 2022) Mac-Eteli H.; Omobowale, M.O.; Arube, G.
Hydraulic structures are designed for conveyance, structural integrity and sustainability. Flood prevention and control is more than ever creating a significant gap for the research society. Particularly for the southern and deltaic regions of the globe. The ease of design embodies the beauty of design. With the ever-rising climatic effects on the earth primarily due to human activities, and prevalent rise in global sea and river levels, the design of channels to manage water bodies in cities and towns is of primary importance. This paper uses basic hydraulic principles to develop analytical equations which were programmed in Microsoft Excel to design for all sectional properties of op ’n channels as well as plot the cross section of the channel using four key variables of peak flow, channel bed sk ;e, c^ainel side slope, and roughness coefficient. The developed model is an enhanced calculator in the hydraulic engineering society due to its ability to function satisfactorily without prior knowledge of base with or flow depth
Agricultural engineering education in Nigeria
(CIGR Journals, 2005-08) Mijinyawa, Y.
Early agricultural engineering services required on Nigerian farms were provided by civil engineers and agronomists some of who later retrained to form the first crops of Nigerian agricultural engineers. Agricultural engineering training was substantially done overseas until about the early 1960s when local opportunities started to be available. Agricultural engineering education started with training in farm mechanization laying emphasis on tractorization in the colleges of agriculture and polytechnics, and later expanded to cover all aspects of agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineering education in Nigeria is offered by the universities, polytechnics and colleges of agriculture. Ownership and funding of tertiary institutions include the federal and state governments, private individuals and religious organizations. Quality assurance is achieved through setting of minimum academic standards and occasional programme accreditations by the Nigerian universities commission, the national board for technical education and the council for the regulation of engineering in Nigeria. Agricultural engineers are engaged in virtually all sectors of the economy. This paper discuses the historical development of agricultural engineering education in Nigeria highlighting the entry requirements, training and regulations, professional bodies and the sectors where the products are making their contributions towards the national development. It concludes by calling on all stake holders to understand and appreciate the role of the profession in national development and give it the desired support.
An Investigation into the Thermal Properties of Termite Mound Clay Applicable to Grain Silo Construction
(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 2015) Omobowale M.O.
Provision of suitable grain silos in humid tropical climates has generated research interests on the possibility of using local materials for construction. Termite mound clay (TMC), a material available in abundance was investigated as a potential construction material. A major factor determining the suitability of construction materials for grain silos is its thermal properties. Therefore, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity and thermal mass of TMC were determined and compared with those of concrete and stainless steel which are commonly used for silo construction. TMC was collected, crushed and sieved using a 500pm sieve to remove coarse particles and foreign materials. The TMC powder obtained was mixed with water using volumetric ratio of 1:5 (i.e. water to clay) after which the thoroughly mixed clay was carefully fed into the mould and left to air-dry for 5 days. The samples were dried in the oven at 105oC for about 48 hours to remove all the moisture. Results revealed that thermal conductivity ranged from 0.17 to 0.24 W/(mK) with an average value of 0.21 compared to concrete and steel which range between 0.8 - 1.28 and 16.3 - 16.7 W/(mK) respectively. Specific heat capacity had an average value of 2576.94 J/(kgK) compared with concrete and steel which had values of 960 and 490 J/(kgK) respectively. Thermal diffusivity had a mean value of 1.47*10-8 m2/s in comparison to concrete and steel whose calculated values were 6.63 ><10-7 and 4.18 ><10-6 kJ/(m3 K) respectively while thermal mass had a mean value of 4723.5 kJ/(m3 K) compared to 2112.0 and 3831.8 kJ/(m3K) for concrete and steel respectively. It was concluded that TMC offers a thermally suitable alternative to these two for grain silo construction in the humid tropics.
Analysis of climatic factors for the selection of greenhouse glazing materials in Ilorin, Nigeria
(The Nigerian institution of Agricultural Engineers, 2011) Mijinyawa, Y.; Ajayi, S. A.
The effect of climate change in recent times has necessitated the need for a controlled environment for the cultivation of many crops which were hitherto cultivated under natural tropical condition. An appropriate method of accomplishing this is through the use of greenhouses which modify the environment to produce a micro-climate suitable for optimum plant growth. The successful use of greenhouses depends on the choice of appropriate glazing material. Tomatoes are precious crop demanded all year round but the production of which is being reduced by the effect of climate change. Desirous to increase the level of production, the study attempts to identify appropriate glazing material for greenhouse: for the production of tomatoes in Ilorin, Nigeria. Climatological data were collected from the Ilorin International Airport and analyzed in order to identify appropriate - covering materials for the development of greenhouse structures in Ilorin. Double layer polyethylene and white corrugated polyvinylchloride were the two glazing materials that have the lowest inner surface temperatures arid also satisfy the condition of heat load. To derive the maximum benefits of greenhouses, in addition to using these materials, Proper ventilation and shading of the greenhouses are recommended.
Application for patent stabilized cassava gel and its production technique
(2021) Kehinde A.; Omoniyi T.E.; Onilude M.A.
An invention in the production of a stabilised, and durable gel (having a long shelf-life of about two years), from cassava starch for applications as sizing-agent in pulp and paper making, wood-composites production, textile/laundry services and other relevant uses is presented. The new product called KAMOGEL is made by combining the pre-mixed and pre-determined quantities of cassava starch, water, preservatives, stabiliser/emulsifier, and essential oil sequentially.
Appraiser of roadsid carpentry workshop in Iwo, Osun state, Nigeira
(2012) Adewole, N. A.; Bello, R. O.
Cardiovascular disease has been recognized as the world’s leading cause of death and disability accounting for about 40% of all human mortality. Cardiac arrhythmia is a name for a large family of cardiac behavior that shows abnormalities in the electrical behavior of the heart. Cardiac action potential depicts the electrical wave propagation within the heart. This work presented the mathematical modeling of the action potential within the human cardiovascular system. The electrical activity of the heart is best mathematically modeled by coupled systems of differentials equations consisting of ordinary differential equations(ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs), mainly reaction-diffusion types. These equations are non-linear and present themselves as stiff problem, hence, difficult to solve numerically. More so, whole heart simulation using these models is a challenging scientific computing problem due the complex geometry and small scale details of human heart. In this work, the bidomain model was adopted for the modeling due to its ability to reflect the actual wave propagation in the cardiac tissue. The bidomain model was coupled with FitzHugh-Nagumo’s ionic model and then discretized in time using the explicit forward Euler method. A 2-D Java-based computer program was developed to simulate the adopted model. The generated wave was compared with the theoretical standard. The obtained results are very useful in that they provided valuable information on cardiac arrhythmias
Assessing efficacies of insect pest management methods for stored bagged maize preservation in storehouses located in Nigerian markes
(Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2019) Nwaubani, A.; Otitodun, G.O.; Ajao, S.K.; George P.O.; Ala, A.A.; Omobowale, M.O.; Ogwumike, J.C.; Grace I.E.; Ogundare, M.O.; Braimah, J.A.; Busari S.G.; Akhere E.O.; Kolayemi, O.R.; McNeill, S.G.; Ilelejif, K.E.
Stored product insect pests cause significant losses in maize in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Control of these pests with conventional insecticides is fraught with health and environmental risks. Globally, several reduced-risk methods have been deployed as alternatives to conventional insecticides. In this study, conducted ir February—December 2016, efficacies of five treatments to control insects in bagged maize stored in Nigerian market storehouses were evaluated. Treatments included a botanical (Piper guineense), Bularafa diatomaceous earth (DE), permethrin powder (Rambo™), PICS (hermetic) bags and ZeroFly® bags. The study also had a negative control comprising untreated maize in polypropylene bags. Study locations were in three grain markets, namely Eleekara market in Oyo town and Arisekola market in Ladan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria, and Ago market in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Except in the case of PICS bags, each storehouse had six 100-kg bags for each storage method or trea.ment; these bags were sampled monthly. For PICS, each storehouse had 18 bags (~80 kg each) and six were destructively sampled every 4 months. Psocids (total 3,614) and S. zeamais (total 1,255) were the most abundant types of insects found during the study. However, among all treatments, PICS bags were the most effective at mitigating population growth of all species of stored product insects encountered, and the number of psocids and S. zeamais found in PICS bags during the entire study were 0 and 8, respectively. The order of effectiveness of the treatments were PICS > Permethrin > ZeroFly > DE > Botanical > control. Data showed PICS, Permethrin, ZeroFly, and DE when used according to manufacturer's instructions or label are effective and can be incorporated in integrated pest management of stored-product insects in maize storehouses. More research is required to explore how P. guineense can be made more efficaciou
ASSESSING EFFICACIES OF INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT METHODS TO PRESERVE NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF BAGGED MAIZE IN STOREHOUSES LOCATED IN MARKETS IN NIGERIA
(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 2021) Omobowale, M.O.; Otitodun, G.O.; Ala, A.A.; Ajao, S.K.; Ogundare, M.O.; Olenloa, A.E.; Busari, G.S.; Abel, G.I.; Braimah, J.A.; Kolayemi, O.R.; Ogwumike, J.C.; Opit, G.P.; Ileleji, K.E.; McNeill6, S.G.
Maize needs to be stored using effective and safe postharvest management measures to prevent physical insect damage as well as ensure stability of nutritional quality during storage. In this study, conducted in February-December 2016, insect pest management methods for bagged maize preservation in storehouses located in markets in Nigeria were evaluated for their ability to preserve nutritional quality. Study locations were :n three grain markets, namely Eleekara market in Oyo town and Arisekola market i ' Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria, and Ago market in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Treatments comprised Piper guineense (Botanical), Bularf diatomaceous earth (DE), permethrin powder (Rambo™) (Permethrin), PICS bags (hermetic) and ZeroFly® bags (non-hermetic). The study also had negative control (Control) comprising untreated maize in polypropylene bags. In geeras a result of insect infestation, protein content increased in all treatments except KCS which had the least infestation. After 11 months of storage, Permethrin and PICS treatments had the lowest insect infestation levels and the highest energy levels. Energy level in the Botanical treatment was also high and similar to levels in Permethrin and PICS treatments most likely due to fats and essential oils in P. guineense being adsorbed and/or absorbed by kernels. Fat content was lower in the Control and DE treatments likely due to the Control having the highest insect infestation and the DE adsorbing and/or absorbing fat from kernels. During stor g„ carbohydrate content decreased in all treatments except the Control. However, even in the Control, there was a clear trend of decrease in carbohydrate content. Because the Control had the highest insect (Sitophilus zeamais) infestation and insect damaged kernels (IDK), this trend in decrease in carbohydrate content may be insect related. Ash content increased in the ZeroFly treatment, was unchanged in Botanical, Control, and PICS treatments, and decreased in DE and Permethrin treatments. Nutritional quality variables in this study were within or close to known value ranges for maize. Therefore, use of maize that had been fumigated well and had a relatively low initial grain MC (9.1%), in addition to the effects of the treatments most likely slowed down population growth of the several insect r pe^es that were found and contributed to preserving nutritional quality. The relatively low insect populations in all treatments, including the Control, during the February-September period probably reduced the clarity of effects of infestation on nutriti nal composition reported in this study.
Assessing environmental impact of wastes from animal husbandary practices in a tropical environment
(Namik Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture., 2011) Ewemoje, T. A.; Ewemoje, O. E.
Dumping of decaying wastes from animal pen as soil conditioners and pen wash water for irrigation is a common practice in developing countries. Releasing wastes to land and water may affect biological, chemical and physical properties of soils, plants and water. Hence, this paper assesses pollution effects of untreated animal husbandry wastes in tropical environment. Samplings were done on a daily basis over a 6-weeks period from the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research Farm which had been in operation for over 25-years. Assessing the degree of pollution was performed on the basis of Nitrate, Phosphorous, Potassium and Magnesium measurements in dump yard soil samples with average values ranging 0.38-0.40, 0.54-0.86, 0.16-0.37, and 0.58- 1.05 mg/I respectively. These values are higher than recommended FEPA standard, which makes the wastewater and slurries unsuitable for irrigated farming. Consumption of soluble nitrates and nitrites at this concentration could result to health problems such as methemoglobin. The pH of feacal discharge, wastewater, dump yard Soil being 6.5, 5.8, and 6.2 respectively were acidic. Heavy metals; Manganese and Iron ranged between 191-324 and 1.3-2.3 mg/kg respectively. Presence of heavy metals and trace elements in excess of FEPA/WHO recommended standards makes both feacal discharges and wastewater unsuitable for use as manure. Values of BODs, DO, and Temperature ranged 1350-1420mg/l, 0.55-0.75mg/l, and 27.0-0-33.5°C respectively. Observed high BODs and low DO values at an average temperature of 28-33°C fall short of the WHO water standard for irrigation, this is indicative of high polluting power of the wastewater.
Assessment of crop storage structures in Swaziland
(CIGR Journals, 2006-10) Mijinyawa, Y.; Mwinjilo, M.; Dlamini, P.
A survey was carried out to identify the types of crops popularly stored, the structures commonly used and problems experienced with produce storage in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Respondents included operators of government storage facilities, non-governmental organizations providing food relief, millers, large-scale farms, homesteads and artisans who fabricate metal tanks. Maize, the national staple food, was stored by all homesteads essentially for family consumption. It was the commercial staple crop, the major raw material for the millers and the produce commonly distributed as food aid by the non-governmental organizations. Significant quantities of groundnut, beans, sweetpotatoes, jugobeans and cowpeas were also stored. The crop storage structures found in use were metal silos, bags, platforms, cribs, metal tanks, concrete tanks, warehouses/rooms/old houses, metal/plastic drums, earthen/metal pots, plastic/metal buckets, bottles and tins. Metal silos and warehouses were the predominant structures used for large scale storage. The most common storage structure for maize by smallscale farmers was the metal tank as reported by 78.8% of respondents followed by cribs for both drying and storage (76.3%) and bags for the storage of maize, beans and groundnuts (65.7%) Moisture penetration and condensation, moulding, caking, insect infestation and rusting were some of the problems experienced with metal silos and tanks. In addition to these, the cracking of the solder used at the joints was a common problem with metal tanks. Bags often got torn by rodents that infested the produce. The absence of rodent guards in platforms and cribs encouraged rodent attack on produce stored in these structures. The use of inadequate –sized members and overloading often resulted in buckling and collapse of cribs and platforms. Losses of produce through these sources are a major problem. Remedial measures adopted towards solving these problems included the use of weevil and other types of tablets for produce storage, replacement of rusted and broken parts. The use of rodent glue and cats were also employed as control measures. About 48.2%,35.7%, 70.3% and 81.2% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the use of bags, platforms, cribs and metal tanks respectively. These groups and those who rated them as unsatisfactory requested for intervention by way of arresting the problems identified with existing storage structures and provision of new ones. The use of rat guards on cribs and platforms should be emphasized; riveted joints on metal tanks should be appropriately spaced to provide structural stability and the amount of solder to minimise or eliminate cracking used.
Assessment of injuries in small scale sawmill industry of South Western Nigeria
(CIGR Journals, 2010-03) Bello, S. R.; Mijinyawa, Y.
Body injuries sustained in sawmill industry as a result of miII activities in Ondo, Oyo and Osun states in the Western part of Nigeria was investigated. Nigeria Sawmill Industries are essentially distributed between small, medium and large scale in the proportion of 81%: 13%: 6% respectively (RMROC, 2003). A survey involving the use of questionnaire, participatory approaches, on-the-spot assessments and interviews were used as tools for investigation. A total of 140 injury cases were recorded among 64 workers from investigated sawmills.The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics. Results indicated that mill workers suffers highest injury rate of 83% while moving logs to mill from log yard or stack while timber stacking accident is the least at 36%. Other accident cases recorded include; log transport to the mill is 22%, milling operation 41% and maintenance accident 38%. Injuries occurring to body area include upper limb injuries (Neck and head, arm, wrist, hand and shoulder) 68%, back and lower back injuries 58%, and less prominent lower limb (Legs, knees and ankle) injuries at 13%.
Assessment of Kwara state tractor hiring unit
(The Nigerian institution of Agricultural Engineers, 2010) Mijinyawa, Y.; Adebayo, S.
A survey was undertaken to assess the Kwara State Tractor Hiring Unit using fleet of equipment, personnel and workshop facilities, and its impact on the farming populace in the state as assessment criteria. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and interview schedules, focused group discussion and personal observation for data collection. Records available at the headquarters of the unit provided additional source of information. The unit has a total of 38 tractors which comprises of 29 Ursus 5312, six New Holland 5635, three heavy duty tractors, 22 disc ploughs, seven mouldboard ploughs, 18 disc harrows, eight disc ridgers, 10 trailers, two rice shellers, five multipurpose shellers, two maize shellers and one fourwheel drive jeep car. Majority (81%) of the equipment were functional, a few (13%) required minor repairs to be used on the farm and 6% were scraps. The unit has neither a workshop nor an implement shed thus exposing the machinery to inclement weather. Personnel in the unit are adequate but the maintenance culture is service driven. There has been a general increase in farm sizes since the introduction of the unit even though only a few farmers have been able to access the services rendered by the unit. Several reasons accounted for the limited beneficiaries from the activities of the unit prominent among which are inability to raise the cost of hiring, delay in service delivery, remoteness of farms and small holdings.The unit has great potentials for improving the agricultural productivity of the state if the equipment available can be effectively utilized. Towards achieving this, it is recommended that a functional workshop and implement sheds be provided at the headquarters and area offices, the activities should be decentralized while adopting a regular maintenance culture. As an agency of the government, there should be adequate funding by the state government.
Assessment of noise emission levels in a selected wood processing laboratory
(2018) Omoniyi, T.E; Fatoki, J.G.
The study is designed to evaluate the noise levels of locally fabricated wood working machines in the wood processing laboratory of the department of agricultural and environmental engineering, university of ibadan, nigeria. maximum, minimum and average noise levels at the source were measured and recorded using a noise meter for a period of 10-20 minutes operation of each machine in the laboratory, and at sampled locations around the laboratory at distances of 5 – 30m at 5m interval during critical operating conditions of the machines. the results revealed that average noise levels from planing/thicknessing and grinding machines were above the generally advocated safe limit of 90db(a). people engaging in different teaching and educational activities in buildings that are more than 10m away from the laboratory were not exposed even during critical operating conditions. it is recommended that noise preventive measures should be implemented in the laboratory before resorting to orientate the workers on the use of protective equipment as this is a precursor to improving quality of life of workers and to ensure environmental sustainability.
Assessment of noise levels generated in some feed mills in Ibadan, Nigeria
(Emerging Academy Resources, 2012) Mijinyawa, Y.; Ogbue, C. R.; Arosoye, O. E.
The recent upsurge in the demand for livestock and poultry products in Ibadan has resulted in increased demand for feeds resulting in expanding and increasing feedmills. Feedmills generate substantial level of noise which could be injurious to workers and remedial measures are best taken with knowledge of the level of noise exposure. This study aimed at establishing the level of noise exposure of feed mill workers in Ibadan using a structured questionnaire and noise level meter to obtain relevant data. The noise levels generated in the feed mills ranged from 82.5 - 113.9 dB while most of the employees work between 8-10 hours daily for six days in a week and in some of the mills, the employees work all days of the week. The noise levels and exposure periods in many of the mills were above the code specification of a maximum noise level of 85dB over an 8-hour working period. There is no provision of noise control devices for the workers in most of the mills and in the few cases where they are provided, the workers rarely use them. Towards ensuring a safe working environment, noise control devices should be provided for all workers in the mills and their use enforced, machines should be regularly maintained so as to reduce warbling of components which increase the noise generated and employers should consider the reduction in working period in order to minimize the noise exposure period.
Assessment of noise levels generated in swine production units in Ibadan, Nigeria
(Asian Researching Publishing Network(ARPN), 2012-08) Mijinyawa, Y.; Alege, F. P.
The increase in pork consumption globally in recent times has led to a corresponding increase in pig production with more people being employed in the industry to provide the needed services. Pigs are known to generate a lot of noise which could constitute a potential health hazard and against which remedial measures must be taken. The establishment of the levels of noise generated in piggery production units and their possible consequences on the workers in such units was the main objective of this study. The research execution consisted of a simple survey among piggery workers to obtain information relevant to noise generation and effect; and physical measurement of the levels of noise generated in selected piggery farms in Ibadan, Nigeria. The survey revealed that workers spend between 3-6 hours daily within the units and wear no noise protective devices. The levels of noise generated in the farms ranged from 95-103 dB (A) and especially during feeding period and other activities. The duration of these noises which are mainly intermittent ranged from 30 to 150 minutes. These levels of noise and the periods for which they last are above the maximum levels of 99 dB (A) over a period of 19 and 140 minutes specified by NIOSH and OSHA respectively. Swine workers in Ibadan, Nigeria are exposed to excessive occupational noise hazards and remedial measures are desirable in order to protect them. The provision of Personal Hearing Protective Devices (PHPDs), adequate medical check-ups as well as use of personal noise dosimeters for the swine workers and good housing structures and facilities for the animals are recommended.
Assessment of pollution effect of direct use of poultry faecal waste in fish ponds
(2006) Ogedengbe, K; Ewemoje, T. A.
The performance of some environmental parameters in fish pond of 1.5ha at the National Institute For Freshwater Fisheries Research (NlFER) in New Bussa, Kainji dam resulting from the direct utilization of fresh poultry faecal waste as fish food was assessed along with three other ponds; South West Pond One (SWP1) using wheat offal, dough, maggot plus some poultry waste as fish feed and South West Pond Two (SWP2) using 100% concentrate, wheat offal and dough as fish feed. A Natural Water Pond (NWP) containing some fishes was also used as control pond along with SWPI and SWP2 to assess the pond at NIFER labeled Northern Pond ( NP). Environmental parameters of water quality in fish pond that are considered important in the assessment study are Dissolved Oxygen (DO); PH Value; Turbidity; Temperature, and 5-day Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5). The temperature range is between 26-35C throughout the assessment work and this correspond with the optimum temperature for warm water fish growth. PH value of the study ponds fall within the excellent range. Also, turbidity in NP and SWP1 are very good thereby promoting effective ecosystem while SWP2 and NWP turbidity values are rather on the high side, hence photosynthesis is slightly affected. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) for the four ponds fall within 5-12 mg/l which is excellent for fish culture in ponds. BOD5 in the ponds is fairly high due to heavy manure loading with the exception of SWP2 which uses only concentrates as feed. NWP sources have the highest BODs value of 3.3 mg/l due to recharge from runoff water. From this assessment work it is evident that the direct utilization of poultry faecal waste as fish feed in fish ponds has great prospects if well monitored.
Assessment of the Edo State of Nigeria tractor hiring services
(CIGR Journals, 2006-03) Mijinyawa, Y.; Kisaiku, O.O.
A study was undertaken to assess the tractor-hiring unit of Edo state, Nigeria. The criteria used were fleet of equipment, personnel and workshop facilities and its impact on the farming populace in the state. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and interview schedules. Among the information requested from the respondents were access to services rendered by the unit and increment in farm sizes. Records available at the headquarters and zonal offices of the unit provided additional sources of information. The unit has seven Steyr, 18 Fiat and nine Massey Ferguson tractors, eight ploughs, 17 harrows, seven tipping trailers, two boom sprayers, one fertilizer spreader, three maize shellers, two rotary slashers, one drilling machine, two ridgers and a pick-up van which are located in the various zones of the unit. Most of these equipment are either functional or require minor repairs to be used on the field. There is sufficient number of tractors but insufficient implements to fully utilize them. Workshop facilities and personnel are inadequate. The maintenance culture adopted is customer motivated. This is not a good practice as it has resulted in about 12% of the equipment being abandoned as scraps. There has been a general increase in farm sizes since the introduction of the unit. Some old time peasant farmers have been able to increase the sizes of their cultivated farmlands from below 2.5ha to between 5 and 10ha, while the aggressive new entrants have also been able to establish sizeable farms of over 25ha. This has considerably increased their economic fortunes. Some farmers have however not benefited from the activities of the unit. Three reasons account for this, and these are inability to raise the cost of hiring, the remoteness of their farms, which make them inaccessible to farm machinery and their small holdings, usually below 2.5ha, for which the use of farm machinery is unprofitable. The unit has great potentials for improving the agricultural productivity of the state if the equipment available can be effectively utilized. Recommendations made towards achieving this goal include adoption of regular maintenance culture; staff recruitment, retraining and motivation; upgrading of workshop facilities and establishment of new ones in the zones, and adequate funding by the state government.