This study examined health (malaria) as a determinant of productivity and the coping strategies employed during malaria incidence among gari processors in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria and suggest control strategy to ameliorate its effect. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed in ten communities using the simple random technique and information was gathered using a structured questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to identify significant variables affecting income while a framework was introduced to describe the socio-economic characteristics, identify the major health problems and coping strategies during malaria attack of gari processors. Regression analysis indicated that processing experience (α 0.01 ), prevalence of malaria (α 0.10 ), cost of tubers (α 0.01 ), cost of firewood used (α 0.10 ), and ownership of a cassava farm (α 0.01 ) were the significant factors affecting the income of the gari processors with the coefficient of 0.18, -0.87, 0.68, 1398.04, -0.26 respectively. An adjusted R 2 of 0.698 (69.8%) was obtained to explain the effect of the explanatory variables. The test of significant difference was used to test the null hypothesis, the effect of malaria on hours worked and output of gari processors showed statistical significance at 1% hence the null hypothesis was rejected. The coping strategies employed by 56 percent of the processors was the use of traditional herbs as a form of malaria treatment, 57 percent employed hired labour for processing during 119 malaria attack while 60 percent disclosed that they do not have access to health care within their community The study revealed that, malaria attack has a significant effect on productivity, workers output, income and work hours of gari processors. Therefore, the study recommended among others that provision of adequate health services with due accessibility, improve their health status, thereby reducing the poverty level among gari processors in line with United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for health by 2015..

This study investigated poultry farmers' perceptions, preferences, and use of commercially compounded and self-compounded feeds in the Oyo Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 poultry farmers through a structured interview schedule. The study concluded that poultry farmers prefer and use self-compounded feeds (SCF) instead of commercially compounded feeds (CCF) because (a) self-compounded feeds are of better quality than commercially compounded feeds, (b) there are no quality control measures in the poultry feed industry in the Oyo Area, (c) commercially compounded feeds cost more than self-compounded feeds, and (d) farmers choose feed based on the perceived quality of the feed, their technical ability to produce feed by themselves, the cost of CCF, the storability of feed, and the cost and availability of transportation. Based on these findings, it is recommended that interested public and private agencies should organize annual extension workshops and training for poultry farmers in the study area on (a) feed formulation; (b) feed ingredient mixing and compounding; (c) selection of ingredients, mixtures, and additives; and (d) the establishment, operation, and maintenance of feed mills. Farmers should be encouraged to form feed mill cooperative societies. The performance of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) should be monitored and evaluated to ensure its effective oversight of quality standards for agricultural products and inputs such as feeds and feed ingredients.

The study focused on the comparative evaluation of economic benefits of earthen fish ponds and concrete tanks in aquaculture enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo state. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedule, administered through personal interviews and observations to elicit information from 100 fish farmers using purposive and convenience sampling procedure. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive, budgetary and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the mean age, male, married, household size, educated and fish farming experience were 41 years, 83.0%, 87.0%, 5 persons, 96.0% and 8 years, respectively. Earthen fish ponds users earned mean revenue of N3,322,189.85 with gross margin of N2,188,397.89 while concrete tank users earned N2,412,271.08 with gross margin of N1,413,299.46. The results showed profitability indices (0.61 and 0.47), Variable Cost ratio (0.35 and 0.30), Benefit Cost Ratio (2.55 and 1.89), Gross ratio (0.40 and 0.54) and Expenses structure ratio (0.13 and 0.23) for both the earthen ponds and concrete fish tanks, respectively. There were significant differences (t = 42.53, p≤0.05) between the profit level of earthen fish ponds and concrete tanks. Major constraints affecting economic status of the respondents were high cost of quality feed, insufficient funds, poaching and poor marketing channel. In conclusion, aquaculture is a more profitable and viable business regardless of the culture system. Government should assist the fish farmers by subsidizing feeds cost, granting and monitoring of loan.

The marketing of forest tree barks used for medicinal purposes were investigated in some markets in Abeokuta metropolis. This was to provide the much needed information on the sellers, buyers and producers of these products for sustainable production and maximum socio-economic benefits.This

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