Natural and forest-rich ecosystems are determinants of environmental sustainability, which are threatened by forest land conversion for agricultural purposes, especially in less-developed contexts. Moreover, human behaviour is central to achieving the much desired ecologically balanced environment. Hence, a partly novel model informed by the theory of planned behaviour was used in the examination of forest land conversion for agricultural purposes. The study design was a cross-sectional survey targeted at a group of farmers of southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire among 320 randomly selected crop farmers. Independent samples t test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test the significance of difference in respondents' forest conversion behaviour across subgroups of gender and age/education, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to identify the determinants of forest conversion behaviour. Results showed that 87.8% of respondents had ever engaged in forest conversion. Gender and education had no significant effect on forest conversion behaviour (p > 0.05), but age did (p < 0.05). Attitude was the best determinant (β = 0.289, r = 0.510, R 2 = 0.260, p < 0.001), subjective norm was better (β = 0.257, r = 0.496, R 2 = 0.055, p < 0.001), while perceived behavioural control was good (β = 0.131, r = 0.398, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.012, p < 0.005). The three variables correlated with intention by a degree of 57.2% (multiple R = 0.572), while they explained 32.7% of the variance in intention (R 2 =0.327). Intention was also found to be a significant determinant of behaviour (β = 0.222, r = 0.222, R 2 = 0.049, p < 0.001). Middle age predisposes to, whereas younger and older age protects against greater extent of forest conversion. The partly novel model derived from the theory of planned behaviour proves the likely viability of the pursuit of socio-psychologically predicated interventions to enthrone forest conservation.

This study focused on comparing two locally designed plantain slicers in other to economically and productively advice small scale chips – producers. The two selected slicing machines were horizontally inclined slicer (HIS) and vertically inclined slicer (VIS). These slicers were carefully chosen and it was ensured they had same power input, motor speed, and slicing blade of equal length. Evaluation result showed that the highest throughput capacity for HIS was 51.16 kg/hr and had an average throughput capacity of 50.10 kg/hr while the highest throughput capacity for VIS was 45.90 kg/hr and had an average throughput capacity of 45.34 kg/hr. The results of the slicing efficiencies showed that a maximum efficiency of 100 %, but had an average efficiency value of 92.84 %, while VIS had a maximum efficiency value of 87 % and an average efficiency value of 83.25 %. From the results of the throughput capacity and the efficiency of the two slicers, it can be concluded that HIS performed better and faster than VIS and is considered the better both economically and productively.

No abstract

Records on rate of timber exploitation are very essential for sustainable forestry. They help in managing the forest sustainably. Therefore, the study collected and analysed data on rate of timber exploitation in Shasha forest reserve in Osun state. Logs arranged and set to be taken out of the forest were identified and measured every Monday between December, 2017 and June, 2018 for twenty-eight (28) weeks. The species and families of logs encountered were identified. A total of 13,944 logs were assessed. Fifteen (15) families belonging to twenty-one (21) species of logs were identified. Result revealed that Sterculiaceae family with five species was the most exploited. Ricinodendron heudelotti has the highest number of exploited logs with overall frequency of 27.71%. Ricinodendron heudelotti had the highest basal area and volume with values of 18018776.71cm² and 113289.36cm³ respectively. The study concludes that the population of Ricinodendron heudelotii tree was high in Shasha forest which made it available for extraction at high rate. The study recommends strict monitoring and enforcement of sustainable forestry laws with regular inventory and up-to-date inventory of timber exploitation rate from the reserve.

No abstract