Abstract: A study was carried out to analyze the sources and amount of energy consumed for groundnut processing in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government of Nasarawa State with the aim to determine the energy use pattern, the relationship between energy inputs and outputs and to determine the productivity of energy use in groundnut processing. A total of 100 Groundnut processors were identified and 50 processors were randomly sampled for the study. Data was collected through the use of structured questionnaire on inputs and outputs in groundnut processing. Data was collected once a week from each processor for a period of six weeks. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, production function analysis and correlation analysis. The result revealed that the circle of groundnut production is completed in 4 days. Groundnut processing in the study area is mainly dependent on direct, indirect and renewable energy forms especially fuelwood which accounts for 75.04% of the daily total energy used and the total amount of energy used for processing groundnut on a daily basic is 1410.42MJ and all forms of energy had direct relationship with processed groundnut output. The result of daily energy inputs and outputs shows that the quantity of raw Groundnut processed daily range from 70kg to 280kg with an average of 165.2kg which is equal to 1372.8MJ of energy equivalent and that an average of 6 machine hours, 32 liters of water were used and 58.8 Kg of fuel wood were also used. It was therefore recommendations that more labour and fuel efficient Groundnut processing machines be introduced to enhance energy productivity in groundnut processing and save cost and that sustainable alternatives energy such as briquette be exploited instead of fuelwood.Abstract: A study was carried out to analyze the sources and amount of energy consumed for groundnut processing in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government of Nasarawa State with the aim to determine the energy use pattern, the relationship between energy inputs and outputs and to determine the productivity of energy use in groundnut processing. A total of 100 Ground...Show More
Abstract: Conservation of soil and water resources is important for sustainability of agriculture and environment. Soil and water resources are under immense pressure due to ever increasing population thereby ensuring growing demand for food, fiber and shelter. Soil and water resources are being deteriorated due to different anthropogenic and natural factors. Soil erosion is one of the several major deteriorative processes which results in deterioration of the soil. Agriculture in Ethiopia is subjected by rain fed farming with low productivity especially dry land Part of the country, like bambasi distrct of Benishangul gumuz region. As a result, crops have severe moisture stress through their growth stages. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at bambasi distrct farmers own land by newly established selected conservation measures in the year of 2016 to analyze the impact of selected soil and water conservation measures (soil bund, grass mulch and contour cultivation), enhancing soil moisture and thereby land productivity. The experiment was arranged in a random complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance for the results of the study indicated that significant differences were observed in soil moisture content at different soil depths at an interval of 15 days. Statistically not significant measurement were recorded between soil bund and contour cultivation in some measuring interval and depths, but reasonable difference was obtained in grass mulch treatment throughout the season in all measuring depth. Therefore, grass mulch should be recommended to reduce the risk of moisture stress and to ensure sustainability of soil moisture in the study area.Abstract: Conservation of soil and water resources is important for sustainability of agriculture and environment. Soil and water resources are under immense pressure due to ever increasing population thereby ensuring growing demand for food, fiber and shelter. Soil and water resources are being deteriorated due to different anthropogenic and natural factors...Show More
