<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The study examined the factors affecting mushroom production in three states, namely, Ondo, Osun and Oyo randomly selected in Southwest of Nigeria. The sample size of twenty fi ve mushroom producers was used for the study and this comprised all the mushroom growers in the southwest, Nigeria. The mushroom growers include two institutions and 23 individuals. The two institutions constitute (8%) while individual farms were made up of males (60%) and females (32%). The study revealed that 44% of the respondents were between 26 and 35 years of age, while 20% were between 46 and 50 years of age. It was found that 64% of the growers were married while 28% were single. The household size composition showed that 56% were between 1 and 5 while 36% were between 6 and 10. Only 36% and 32% of the respondents were found to consider taboos and other cultural beliefs, respectively, as important factors in their decision to grow mushrooms. Signifi cant relationship was found to exist between household size, information on mushroom production, cultural beliefs, storage and output size of mushrooms. With a gross margin of 4,129,000 Nigerian Naira (N) ($32,769.84) mushroom production was considered to be profi table. It was recommended that extension service should be stepped up to reach the rural dwellers with the message of mushroom production while equally educating the people on the source of input and production strategies.</abstract>

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Socio-economic and cultural factors that affect mushroom production in southwest Nigeria

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> In most parts of the world ratite farming (i.e. farming of ostriches, emus and rheas) is a new fi eld of livestock production. These birds are livestock with broad utilisation of their products. Both wild and captive ostriches, emus and rheas may be infested with their own specifi c parasites as well as with external and internal parasites of other birds and animals. <italic>Eimeria </italic>spp. (protozoa), <italic>Houttuynia struthionis </italic>(cestoda) and <italic>Libyostrongylus douglassii </italic>(nematoda) belong to parasites causing the most serious economic losses in ratites in the world. As farming of these big birds is still in the beginning, many years of research and development are necessary to reach levels of medical and technological progress that is nowadays practised in poultry industry.</abstract>

Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Institute of Tropics and Subtropics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic

Parasite Fauna of Ostriches, Emus and Rheas

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Though smallholder goat enterprise has been a major source of livelihood in most African communities for ages, yet little efforts exist to explore its full potential through commercialization. While much has been done to improve agricultural production in the small-scale sector, little is known and documented about the current state of goat production and marketing in most parts of Nigeria. Using proportionate sampling, data were collected from 160 smallholder goat producers and 220 consumers making a total of 380 respondents for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analyses, multiple regression and Likert Scale Technique. The study showed that smallholder goat enterprise was female-dominated with majority aged between 51 - 60 years. The average cost, average revenue and gross margin per production season were ₦12,471.78, ₦16,755.51 and ₦4,904.61, respectively. The farmers realized ₦430.20, ₦450.80, ₦252.00 and ₦363.50 on a kilogram of buck, doe, male and female kids, respectively. Smallholder goat enterprise was profitable in the study area because the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) showed that every ₦100 invested per goat yielded ₦34.00 more and above the money invested. The multiple regression model analysis showed that management practice (P &lt; 0.01), gender (P &lt; 0.1), age of cost of medication (P &lt; 0.01) and flock size (P &lt; 0.05) significantly influence the profitability of smallholder goat production in the study area. The result of Likert’s scale indicated that 66.8 % of the consumers preferred goat meat to other meats because of its availability (56.8 %) and taste (22.3 %). Therefore, it is recommended that efforts should be put into commercializing goat enterprise in the tropics using the intensive system.</abstract>

Market Analysis of Smallholder Goat Enterprise under Tropical Conditions

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Carotenoids are present in ingredients of feed for poultry. Their content can be further increased by supplementation of feed mixtures with synthetic or natural carotenoids. The present paper recapitulates knowledge on the use of carotenoids in broiler chickens and laying hens, and deals with synthetic or natural carotenoids derived from plants. The review describes effects of carotenoids on productive performance, oxidative stability of poultry products, colouring of yolks and accumulation of carotenoids in yolks. There are several alternatives to synthetic carotenoids which are usable in poultry diets and satisfy the interest of consumers in poultry products free of undesirable side effects.</abstract>

Use of carotenoids in feed mixtures for poultry: a review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Sweet Sorghum (<italic>Sorghum bicolor </italic>(L.) Moench) is an annual herbaceous species used for centuries in a multitude of countries, especially in Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa), but also in the Americas and Asia, mainly for its grain and fi brous remainders, these used as animal fodder or as a combustible. Already for some decades the non-structural sugars from Sorghum stalks became of interest for the ethanol production business either for industrial, beverage or fuel uses. The species is particularly interesting because of its characteristic low energy, chemicals and water inputs. In addition, this is achieved with a very interesting performance in terms of Greenhouse Effect Gases (GEG) emission mitigation. This paper discusses the Sweet Sorghum production under climatic/soil conditions in Portugal and its possible use in a combined bio-energy production plant. Results from experimental fi eld trials ran in Portugal (Province of Beira Interior) for two years showed yields up to 90 tonnes of fresh biomass per hectare at very low inputs. They confi rm that this crop cultivation is technically feasible and economically effective for the above region and can become a cash crop. The technical aspects of the Sweet Sorghum growing processes and profi table use are especially discussed. These include the ethanol production, co-generation of heat and power as well as biogas generation. The interest in some valuable co-products use is raised, too. Advantages of integrating these processes are also analyzed.</abstract>

Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco – College of Agriculture, Castelo Branco, Portugal

Institute of Tropics and Subtropics, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic

Sweet Sorghum (sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Bioenergy Value – Importance for Portugal

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The study examined the participation of women in cassava production and processing in Imo State, Nigeria. Stratifi ed and simple random samplings were used to select 60 women that engage in the enterprise in the state. Descriptive statistics, participation index and an econometric tool were used to analyze data. The main enterprise objective of the women was household consumption. A grand mean participation index of 3.02 obtained is an indication that the women always participated in the enterprise in the state. The dominant activities of the women were cultivation, cutting of cassava sticks, frying and fi re preparation. Level of education, number of visits by extension agents, access to farm credit, farm income, and cooperative membership were the statistically (<italic>p &lt; 0.05</italic>) signifi cant factors that affect the respondents in the state. The major constraints faced by the respondents were non-ownership of farm land, pre-occupation with household chores, inadequate farm size and high cost of processing. It is recommended that the respondents should belong to cooperative associations, and form effective linkage with agricultural extension agencies in the area. There is need to review the existing system of land acquisition and ownership in the area in order to give women greater access to and control of productive resources.</abstract>

Analysis of women participation in cassava production and processing in Imo state, southeast Nigeria

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study evaluated the health effects of feeding diets of different feed particle sizes supplemented with multienzyme to broiler chickens. Cobb500 (n = 450) broiler chicks (as hatched) were randomly distributed to nine treatments, with each treatment consisting of five replicates of ten birds. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial (three feed particle sizes [3, 4, and 5 mm] and three multienzyme supplementations [0, 1, and 2 g/kg]). The blood indices of the chickens were evaluated. The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using the Tukey Test at a 5 % probability level. The correlation between the growth performance and blood indices was also calculated. Birds fed the 3 mm particle sizes had decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) red blood cell (RBC) and lymphocyte counts with increased multienzyme at the starter phase, while the other haematological indicators increased as the multienzyme supplementation increased. Feeding the 4 mm particle size yielded similar (<italic>p</italic> &lt; <italic>0.05</italic>) total protein, triglyceride, and uric acid for all multienzyme inclusions. An increase in the multienzyme inclusion increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) the RBC of birds fed the 5 mm particles with a decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil counts. At the finisher phase, serum albumin increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), with increased multienzyme inclusion in birds fed the diet of 3 mm particles. Birds fed 4 mm particles had increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) ALP and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with increased multienzyme, while those fed the 5 mm particle size had increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST) as multienzyme supplementation increased. The correlation between growth performance and blood indices showed that feed intake (FI) has a significant (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) impact on the blood profile of broiler chickens. The study concluded that other growth performance indicators, except the feed intake, have no impact on the blood profile of broilers. Feed particle sizes impact feed intake in broiler chickens which consequently impacts their blood composition. Therefore, the size of broiler feed particles has an impact on the health and well-being of the birds.
</abstract>

Blood profile as a health indicator in broiler chickens fed diets of different particle sizes supplemented with multienzyme

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The study determined the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption on crop yield, income, and food security status of smallholder farmers in north-western Nigeria using a sample of 377 farming households. Descriptive statistics, farm budgeting, probit regression model, and treatment effect model were used for data analysis. The result revealed that 82 % of the respondents are adopters of the CSA practices. Significant differences exist in the socioeconomic attributes of the adopters and non-adopters of CSA practices. More so, adopters had significantly larger farm sizes of about 4.0ha compared to 3.4ha for non-adopters. The major CSA practices adopted include crop rotation, application of organic and inorganic fertilisers, and multiple cropping. The major determinants of CSA practices adoption are age, membership of an association, and awareness of climate change impact. The result further shows that CSA adoption will increase technical efficiency scores by 21.9 %, crop income by ₦19,389 ($17.62) per hectare, while the household per capita expenditure on food will also increase by ₦21,938 ($20.0) This implies that the adoption of climate-smart agriculture significantly improved crop yield, income and food security status of smallholder farmers. To sustain the benefits of CSA practices adoption, farmers should be supported so that they do not discontinue its adoption. Credit availability should also be facilitated by the government to enable farmers to obtain relevant agricultural inputs to complement the adoption of CSA practices.
</abstract>

Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and its impact on smallholder farming households in some rural areas of North-Western Nigeria

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Land use changes influence soil quality, which is of fundamental importance in sustainable crop production and environmental management. This study evaluated land use impact on soil quality at Samaru College of Agriculture farm, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The land use types were Tomato/Pepper, Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin, Mango/Orange, and Guava/Mango. A profile pit was dug in each land unit. Soil samples were collected from genetic horizons, prepared, and analysed in the laboratory using standard methods. Sand, silt, and clay differed significantly (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) among the land uses. The soil texture varied from clay loam to clay. Bulk density (BD) was significantly (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) higher under Mango/Orange and Guava/Mango than other land use types. The soil reaction (pH) ranged from 5.0 to 5.8 and was strongly to moderately acidic. Soil organic carbon was low (&lt; 10 g/kg), total nitrogen values of 0.19 – 0.24 g/kg were low, and available phosphorus values of 1.8 – 27.4 mg/kg were rated low to high across the land use types. Soils under the Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin land use type were significantly higher in organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, sodium, and effective cation exchange capacity than the other land use types. Soil quality under Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin was rated best (80 %), whereas soil quality under Tomato/Pepper land use type was the worst (40 %). The soils were low-to-high in quality and had a higher potential to support crop production if management practices that encourage the build-up of nutrients in the soil system were adopted. The application of manure, liming materials, and phosphorus-based fertilisers is advocated.
</abstract>

Evaluation of land use impact on soil quality in Samaru College of Agriculture, Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study aims to update the list of Nitidulidae species observed on date palms in Algeria (Ziban region), their spatial dynamics according to the development stages (larva, pupa, adult), and the effectiveness of the bagging operation. In 2020, we sampled and examined 1800 dates of the Deglet Nour variety from three palm groves managed with different protection modes: yellow bagging, white bagging, and no bagging. The results obtained mention the presence of nine species of Nitidulidae with five species reported for the first time on dates in Algeria. The highest relative abundance (RA) of Nitidulidae beetles was noted in the southern (28%) direction. However, the variation of infestation rate (IR) according to the direction was not very accentuated. The GLM analysis showed that, except for the adult stage, the direction presented a highly significant effect on the RA variation of the total Nitudilidae, the larva and pupa stages (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001), but there was no significant effect of direction on the IR in all studied cases. The highest RA of total Nitidulidae was found on the white plastic-protected dates (RA = 42%), the IR of the total Nitidulidae was higher on dates protected by yellow plastic (IR = 38%). The unprotected dates recorded the lowest RA and IR for all studied cases and the effect of bagging type on the RA variation of Nitidulidae, in all studied cases, was statistically highly significant (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). This effect on the IR was very highly significant only for total Nitudilidae, larvae, and adults (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). So, the southern direction presents the best conditions for sheltering the largest numbers of Nitidulidae. The latter also has a marked preference for bunches covered by plastic bags rather than for those left uncovered. This implies the ineffectiveness of the operation of protecting dates with plastic bags, especially the yellow-coloured ones.
</abstract>

Sap beetles (Nitidulidae) of date palms of the Deglet Nour variety in the Ziban region (Algeria): distribution patterns and effectiveness of date bunch bagging

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The use of antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production has been the norm in developing countries, however, the increased rate of antibiotic resistance in humans has resulted in the search for alternatives without negative residual effects. This study investigated the effect of dietary olive garlic extract oil (OGEO) supplementation on the performance and haematological indices of broilers. The experiment lasted for 42 days and broilers were fed varying levels of OGEO‑supplemented diets at the starter (0–21 days) and finisher (22–42 days) phases using two hundred and forty unsexed Ross broilers. Four experimental diets were formulated for the two phases and the diets were designated as diet 1(control (without OGEO)) while diets 2, 3, and 4 were supplemented with OGEO at 1 % (10 g/kg diet) 3 % (30 g/kg diet) and 5 % (50 g/kg diet). Each had four replicates containing fifteen birds per replicate. Performance was measured weekly and haematological indices were determined on days 21 and 42. Data collected were analysed in a one‑way analysis of variance (SAS, 2000) and significant differences were determined using Tukey’s test. Body weight (BW) increased linearly (L) (<italic>p</italic> = 0.003) and quadratically (Q) (<italic>p</italic> = 0.006) with dietary supplementation of OGEO at 1 % for broilers on day 21. Similarly, at day 42, BW increased (L, <italic>p</italic> = 0.006; Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.029) for the broiler on the same treatment. Mortality reduced (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.035) for broilers fed 1 % OGEO‑supplemented diet at day 42. At day 21, Packed cell volume (PCV, 47.33 %) (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.033) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV, 130.83pg) (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.008) increased for broilers fed 1 % and 3 % OGEO supplemented diet respectively. Supplementation of OGEO at 3 % increased (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.036) PCV (37.33 %) and haemoglobin (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.021) (137.30 g/L) at day 42. In conclusion, the supplementation of OGEO in the diet of broilers at 1 % resulted in improved WG and reduced mortality. The PCV and haemoglobin of broilers can be increased with the supplementation of OGEO up to 3 % in the diet of broilers; it is thus a suitable alternative to antibiotics for improved performance and immunity.
</abstract>

Dietary olive‑garlic extract oil supplementation: influence on performance and haematological indices of broilers

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Pigs for commercial production are often housed intensively because of its benefits, such as proper management of the animals, record‑keeping, feed and water provision and management. However, intensive systems of production may also produce stress in animals, arising from operations such as weaning, feed reduction or manipulation, and vaccination. In Africa, pig farmers feed cassava peels to pigs to reduce the cost of production despite its low protein content and anti‑nutritional factor (hydrocyanide). However, little is known about the effect of this feed change in terms of stress on weaners. In this study, we replaced maize with cassava peels and supplemented the diets with a fixed amount of tryptophan (Trp) to investigate its effect on performance, haematology, behavioural response of pigs to weaning, and their response to metabolic stress. Crossbred weaner pigs were used and randomly assigned to three treatments in a completely randomised design. Each treatment had three replicates and each replicate had three animals. The feeding trial lasted for four weeks. Dietary manipulations did not influence the growth performance characteristics and behavioural response of the animals. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, and neutrophils were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher for 20 % cassava peel as a replacement for maize but lower for a 40 % cassava peel‑based diet when compared with the control group. Feeding cassava peels as a replacement for maize in weaner pigs may be carefully considered, although further studies in this direction are recommended.
</abstract>

Influence of dietary manipulation on coping with stress in pig production

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Giraffe social behaviour and relationships are currently in the period of scientific renaissance, changing the former ideas of nonexisting social bonds into understanding of complex social structures of giraffe herds. Different giraffe subspecies have been studied in the wild and only one was subject of detailed study in captivity. Our study focused on the neglected Cape giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). We investigated the social preferences of 28 introduced giraffes in semi-captivity in Bandia reserve, Senegal. Our aim was to assess the group size of Cape giraffes outside their native range and describe their social relationships. Mean group size in Bandia was 7.22 ± 4.06 (range 2-17). The dyads were classified according to strength of relationship (weak, medium, strong) using the association index. We reported weak and medium relationships in all types of dyads except female-juvenile. The strongest bond was found in mother-calf dyads. Three of 21 possible female dyads also demonstrated strong relationships. Those three dyads included six of seven adult females, which we labelled as friends. Females associated more frequently with calves of their friends then with calves of non-friend females. The strength of the relationship between calves depended on the strength of relationship between their mothers. We concluded that Cape giraffes in new environment have shown similar group size and nonrandom preference for conspecifics as shown in wild and captive studies. The research was supported by CIGA 20135010, CIGA 2134217, IGA FTZ 20135123, ESF/MŠMT CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0040.</abstract>

Department of Animal Sciences and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech Universityof Life Sciences Prague

Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Social Preferences of Translocated Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Giraffa) in Senegal: Evidence for Friendship Among Females?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Saliva sampling is a non-invasive, simple and low-cost procedure. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence and changes of saliva crystallization in domestic cattle during synchronized oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. We verified saliva crystallization as a method for early pregnancy diagnosis. Eight Holstein cows were included into the research. The samples were collected daily from 16th day before to 34th day after artificial insemination (in total 51 days). We observed the following types of crystallization: none, dotted, branch-like, fir-like, fern-like and combinations of them and an atypical pattern. We confirmed the presence of saliva crystallization in cattle and its changes during oestrus synchronization process, insemination and post-insemination periods. We found significant differences in pregnant and non-pregnant animals between 20th and 29th day after insemination. We concluded that pregnancy diagnosis by saliva crystallization might be possible but the practical application of this method is currently unfeasible.</abstract>

Saliva Crystallization in Cattle: New Possibility for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The decline in youth population and the upsurge in ageing farmer population have resulted in low agricultural output and per capital productivity in rural Nigeria, which is a threat to the national food security. High school students’ perception of agriculture and factors influencing their willingness to study agriculture in tertiary institutions were therefore investigated in this study. Information from 285 science students in high schools was analysed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale and logistic regression. Age of the students was 15.30 ± 1.17 years with almost equal distribution of both sexes. About half (50.5 %) of them wanted to study medicine where as only 4.6 % of the respondents were willing to study agriculture in the university. A higher percentage of female students (57.6 %) were willing to study agriculture in tertiary institution than their male counterparts (42.4 %). A higher percentage of students from public schools (51.4 %) were willing to study agriculture whereas 48.6 % of those from private schools were willing to do so. The students were undecided about the contribution of agriculture to national development but strongly disagreed that agriculture gives less income than other professions. Major motivating factors that can stimulate the respondents’ willingness to study agriculture were career awareness program in agriculture, practical knowledge of agriculture and agricultural excursion. The likelihood of a high school student’s willingness to study agriculture increased significantly with having a father who primarily practised agriculture and supports agricultural education, attending a school where crude implements are not used, visit to a mechanized farm and the youth’s willingness to own a farm in the future irrespective of the course of study, while attending a private school will decrease it. In conclusion, high school students had average perception of agriculture and were not willing to study agriculture in tertiary institutions. Suggestions are presented on how to change this negative attitude towards this vital branch of science.</abstract>

Choosing a career path in agriculture: A tough calling for youths in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This paper aims to analyze the extent of off-farm income diversification of farm households in rural areas of Nigeria by age, gender, educational qualification, farm size, household size and across the different regions in the country. The determinants of such diversification were also identified. Data for this study were obtained from 836 rural farm households using the Nigeria General Household Survey, 2013. The Herfindahl Index was employed to analyze the share of income from different income generating activities, extent of off-farm income diversification. Tobit Regression Model was used to identify the determinants of such diversification.An estimate of 0.28 was observed for the Nigerian rural farm households with a higher extent of diversification in the Northern regions. Males, older farmers, and farmers without formal education had a higher extent of diversification. The results show that having higher landholdings, post-primary education, access to electricity and location are major factors. Identifying the extent of diversification into the different off-farm sectors is relevant to inform policy and provide opportunities for promoting the different off-farm sectors with an ultimate goal of improving rural farm households’ livelihoods. This has its resultant effect on development of the entire rural space.</abstract>

Off-farm income diversification among rural farm households in Nigeria

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Cocoa producing households’ access to livelihood capitals would help them to adopt EU approved pesticides successfully. However, no empirical studies have addressed these issues. This study therefore investigated the effects of access to livelihood capitals on adoption of EU approved pesticides among cocoa producing households. A multi stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 cocoa producing households for thestudy. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multivariate probit regression and double hurdle regression model. The majority of cocoa producing households (92%) have access to natural capital, followed by physical capital (67.5%), social capital (62.5%), financial capital (58%), whereas only afew (50.8%) have access to human capital. Multivariate probit estimates showed that age (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), gender <italic>(p</italic> &lt; 0.05), farm size (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), years of education (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), farming experience (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), household size (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) and membership in cooperative society (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) significantly influenced cocoa producing households’ access to livelihood capitals. The majority of cocoa producing households (81%) adopt approved pesticides. The first hurdle estimates showed that gender (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), education (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), membership in acooperative society (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) and access to some livelihood capitals such as human (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), physical (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) and financial (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) capitals significantly influence theprobability of adoption of EU approved pesticides. In thesecond hurdle, gender (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.1), farm size (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), household size (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), membership in acooperative society (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01)and access to some livelihood capitals such as human (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), physical (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) and social (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) capitals are significant in determining theintensity of adopting EU approved pesticides. The study concluded that access to livelihood capitals has potentials of accelerating adoption of EU approved pesticides. Other factors include gender, education, farm size and membership in acooperative society. Therefore, this study suggests that government policy on uptake of EU approved pesticides should pay more attention on cocoa producing households’ access to all these factors. Most importantly, policy package to encourage access to livelihood capitals must be strongly advocated.
</abstract>

Effects of access to livelihood capitals on adoption of European Union (EU) approved pesticides among cocoa producing households in Osun State, Nigeria

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Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

The Journal of Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

 Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica is an international peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) and managed by the Faculty of Regional Development and...

 Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica is an international peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) and managed by the...