ABSTRACT. Nigerian rice production is mainly rain-fed and naturally prone to vagaries of rainfall variability. The objective of this study was to determine the probable effect of rainfall variability on average yield of rice in Nigeria during a 22-year period . The mean annual rainfall data from major rice producing states and national average rice yields were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results of the analysis revealed a significant variation in mean annual rainfall across vegetation grouping in a descending order from swamp forest to Sudan savanna. Mean rainfall was adequate for rice production in all vegetation grouping except Sudan savanna where rainfall was less than the prescribed minimum quantity for rice production. Rainfall was positively related to yield of rice in all vegetation grouping except Sudan savanna but relationship was not statistically significant at 5% level. It was concluded that annual rainfall variability had statistically negligible effect on national average rice yield. It was recommended that the cultivation of rice should go along with farming practices that aimed at mitigating adverse effects of rainfall variability on the yield of rice especially in the Sudan savanna.

Nigerian rice production is mainly rain-fed and naturally prone to vagaries of rainfall variability. The objective of this study was to determine the probable effect of rainfall variability on average yield of rice in Nigeria during a 22-year period (1992-2013). The mean annual rainfall data from major rice producing states and national average rice yields were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results of the analysis revealed a significant variation in mean annual rainfall across vegetation grouping in a descending order from swamp forest to Sudan savanna. Mean rainfall was adequate for rice production in all vegetation grouping except Sudan savanna where rainfall was less than the prescribed minimum quantity for rice production. Rainfall was positively related to yield of rice in all vegetation grouping except Sudan savanna but relationship was not statistically significant at 5% level. It was concluded that annual rainfall variability had statistically negligible effect on national average rice yield. It was recommended that the cultivation of rice should go along with farming practices that aimed at mitigating adverse effects of rainfall variability on the yield of rice especially in the Sudan savanna.

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Low soil nutrient limit maize production in Nigeria, and inorganic fertilizer used in augmenting yield are expensive and hazardous.<strong> Objective.</strong> In search for a sustainable alternative, the effect of methods of application (foliar and incorporated) of different levels of moringa-banana peel-maize stalk fertilizer (MBPF) on the growth and yield of different maize varieties was investigated. <strong>Methodology.</strong> Pot and field experiments were conducted. Each experiment consisted of 2 x 4 x 6 factorial combinations. In the pot experiment, the treatments were laid out in CRD while RCBD was used in the field experiment. All treatments were replicated three times. Data collected on agronomic, aesthetic and yield traits were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.4 version. PCA was done, thereafter, structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, and GGE biplot used to cluster treatment interaction using GEA-R 4.1 version. <strong>Result.</strong> The results of both pot and field experiments had similar trend except that pot experiment had reduced height, poor phenotypic appeal and reduced grain yield. The result showed that mode of application, fertilizer treatments and maize varieties had significant (<em>p&lt;0.05</em>) mean square for grain yield. 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K rate of MBPF applied to single cross hybrids (SCH) with grain yield of 1.85 t/ha clustered with standard national recommended rate of NPK fertilizer. Grain yield was in the order of SCH LY1312-11 &gt; SCH check &gt; Double-cross hybrid &gt; Three-way hybrid &gt; Top-cross hybrid &gt; OPV-STR. <strong>Implication</strong>. MBPF was most effective when incorporated into the soil a week before planting. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. Therefore, MBPF at 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K are sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to inorganic fertilizer.</p>

Increasing demand for maize in Nigeria has resulted in high use of inorganic fertilizers and these fertilizers are expensive for peasant farmers who dominate farming in the country. The use of inorganic fertilizers also results in hidden cost borne by man and the ecosystem. In a search for a cost-effective and safer alternative, six maize varieties were evaluated using moringa, banana-peel, maize-stalk fertilizer (MBM) both in solid and foliar forms. Gross benefit, net benefit and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were used to determine enterprises with the highest economic returns. The results showed that maize varieties treated with 90 kg/ha of NPK had the highest grain yield which was significantly comparable with MBM. The application of 120N+50P+40K rate of MBM to single cross hybrid, SCH LY1312-1, resulted in the highest benefit-cost ratio (15.16). MBM is economically more viable than NPK Fertilizer and its application in the solid (powdered) form before planting produced double economic returns compared to foliar application. Single cross hybrids gave better economic returns when the fertilizer was applied in solid form.

This study analyzed the profitability and marketing margins obtained by actors at various nodes of the yam value chain; and examined the organizations of the value chain, linkages among the key actors as well as the challenges faced by actors in the value chain in Nigeria using Baruteen Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State as a case study. 120 respondents consisting of 40 producers, 20 processors, and 60 sellers were selected through a three-stage sampling technique and were interviewed accordingly using structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed with; descriptive statics, statistics budgetary, marketing channels and Chi-Square analyses. Findings revealed significant difference in the net income of the value actors, with the processors having the highest share 3,558,63statistics 0, followed by the marketing agents 1,426,497 and the least 26,773.34 by the producers. Marketing margins also differed markedly among the actors. Sellers had the highest marketing margin per kg of yam. The identified constraints affecting yam value chain were high cost of production, inadequate market information, storage facilities, transport facilities, record keeping, and unfavourable government policies. The study recommends the need to scale up level of awareness in the value chain among smallholder farmers