Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry

Assessment of Soil Physicochemical Properties of Four Selected Silvicultural System Practices in Mubi North of Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

H. Saidu — 2026-05-26

Globally, sustainable silvicultural practices have been recognised for their potential to support forest productivity while conserving soil resources. This study assessed the effect of soil physicochemical properties on four different silvicultural practices in Mubi Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Four different silvicultural system sites were selected for this study. In each of the sites, three plots of 50 X 50 m in size were laid and demarcated. Sub-plots of 1m x1m was laid at each corner and at the centre of the plot. In each plot, five points were marked for soil sampling collection at three different soil depths. Soil textural class results revealed that Clear cutting (CC), Agroforestry (AF) and Natural regeneration (NR) had the highest percentage of 59.6, 50.6 and 14.0% for sand, clay and silt, respectively, while AF, CC and Selective logging (SL) had 40.3, 28.2 and 8.4% for sand, clay and silt, respectively. Soil chemical properties showed variations in pH, OC and OM values across the four studied silvicultural practices. The ANOVA conducted showed that sand, clay, silt and porosity had a significant effect (P < 0.05), but the bulk density showed no significant effect (p> 0.05) on silvicultural practices in the study area. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a moderate negative relationship between the silvicultural practices, MC (-0.66) and WHC (-0.65). TN and Avp had a low negative correlation of -060 and -0.61respectively, while Na⁺, Ca⁺ and H⁺ had a high positive correlation of 0.97, 0.99 and 0.98 with silvicultural practices. These findings will offer a long-term benefit for soil fertility and restoration of degraded ecosystems in Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State.

Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge and Attitude to Tea Value Chain in Cross River State, Nigeria

A. T. Yahaya — 2026-06-04

The study assessed farmers’ knowledge and attitudes to tea production in Cross River State. A Purposive sampling technique was used to select Cross River State. One hundred and nine respondents were randomly selected from Akampa, Boki, Etian, Ikom, Etung, Obubra and Yakurr Local Government Areas. A structured questionnaire was used. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents (91.74%) had not heard about the tea crop, (92.66%) were not aware of tea cultivation, and (95.41%) of the farmers had not seen the tea crop. Similarly, most (90.83%) of the farmers were not aware of the different varieties of tea crops, while all (100%) of the farmers did not recognise that tea is a perennial crop, and 98.17% of the farmers do not identify tea as a commodity crop. Likewise, 96.33% of the farmers do not understand that the tea crop can thrive in Cross River State. The study concluded that the tea crop is new, and there is a wide knowledge gap in the value chain in the study area. Therefore, it’s imperative to introduce the tea crop value chain to these farmers to benefit from the numerous advantages the tea crop can offer.

Experimental Study on the Physical and Frictional Properties of Cassava Stems

B. O. Malumi — 2026-06-17

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) stems are essential planting materials, and their physical and frictional properties are important for the practical design of planting, conveying and handling equipment. This study experimentally evaluated four cassava varieties, TMS 4(2) 1425, TME 419, TMS 30572 and TMS 30555, obtained from the Teaching and Research Farm of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria. Freshly harvested 12-month-old stems were cut into 250 mm stakes for frictional tests, while stem dimensions were assessed using 300 mm samples. Measurements were taken on days 1, 3 and 5 after harvest under dry-season conditions. A locally fabricated measuring device was used to determine the angle of friction, coefficient of friction, bulk friction coefficient and coefficient of rolling resistance on wood, stainless steel and mild steel surfaces using fabric and plastic ropes. Stem moisture content, diameter, number of nodes and density were also determined. Stem density decreased after harvest in all varieties, ranging from 328.07 to 391.29 kg/m3. TMS 4(2) 1425 recorded the highest density, mean number of nodes per 300 mm and mean stem diameter, whereas TME 419 had the lowest density. The coefficient of friction ranged from 0.348 to 0.579 for the fabric rope and from 0.344 to 0.581 for the plastic rope. Bulk friction coefficient ranged from 0.061 to 2.057, while rolling resistance ranged from 4.076 to 7.923. Frictional responses varied with variety, contact surface, rope material and moisture condition. The results provide experimentally derived parameters that can support the design and adjustment of cassava stem handling and planting equipment.

Determinants of Livelihood Diversification and its Impact on Household Income and Food Security among Rural Farmers in Kano State, Nigeria

F. S. Abdulwahab — 2026-06-23

Rural farming households in northern Nigeria increasingly use livelihood diversification to manage climate variability, market instability, rising production costs and declining agricultural productivity. However, empirical evidence on the determinants of diversification and its welfare implications remains limited for Kano State. This study examined the determinants of livelihood diversification and its effects on household income and food security among rural farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, primary data were collected from 450 smallholder farmers selected through a multistage sampling procedure across seven Local Government Areas. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Livelihood Security Index, the Simpson Index of Diversification, Ordinary Least Squares regression, binary logistic regression and social network analysis. The findings showed a moderate level of livelihood diversification, concentrated mainly in farm-based activities, with a mean Livelihood Security Index of 0.47. The OLS model indicated that livelihood diversification had a positive and significant effect on household income and food security (unstandardised β = 0.421, standardised β = 0.125, p < 0.001; R² = 0.754). Livelihood security (β = 0.315, p < 0.001), education, monthly income and remittances positively influenced diversification, whereas vocational training and extension contact had significant negative effects. Binary logistic regression identified livelihood security as the strongest predictor of diversification, while social capital variables, including cooperative participation and remittances, positively influenced livelihood strategies. Major constraints were limited access to credit (73.1%), high start-up costs, rising input prices, pest and disease incidence, and market instability. The study concludes that livelihood diversification is associated with improved household welfare and food security, while livelihood security remains a central driver of diversification. Policies should strengthen rural finance, asset accumulation and diversification-oriented extension services to support resilient rural livelihoods.

Restoration of Mangroves in Coastal Tanzania: Factors Associated with the Success of Mangrove Conservation Efforts

L. Chivalavala — 2026-06-29

Background: Mangrove forests provide important ecological and livelihood services, including carbon sequestration, coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and support for coastal communities. Despite restoration and conservation initiatives in Tanzania and elsewhere, mangrove degradation remains a concern, and further evidence is needed on factors associated with community participation in restoration activities.

Aim: This study examined factors associated with local community engagement in mangrove restoration along the Kilwa Masoko coast in Lindi Region, Tanzania.

Study Design: The study adopted a mixed-methods design involving household surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, official interviews, and geospatial analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted along the Kilwa Masoko coast between June and September 2024.

Methodology: Data were collected from 75 respondents, comprising 34 males and 41 females who had lived in the area for an extended period. Interviews, focus group discussions, and official interviews were conducted with community members and relevant local institutions. Satellite images from 2003, 2013, and 2023 were analysed to assess trends in mangrove cover change and restoration. Quantitative data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression and binary logistic regression.

Results: The findings showed that participation in training, membership in a mangrove restoration group, and gender were significantly associated with respondents’ participation in mangrove restoration activities. Likelihood ratio tests indicated significant associations for gender (P = 0.001), participation in training (P = 0.007), and membership in a conservation group (P < 0.001), while remittance receipt was not significant. The decision to join conservation groups was also significantly associated with participation in conservation training. Geospatial analysis indicated that mangrove cover declined from 1,808 ha in 2003 to 1,328 ha in 2013, followed by a partial recovery to 1,417.6 ha in 2023. The mapped restoration sites accounted for 89.6 ha, suggesting that recent restoration has not fully offset earlier mangrove cover loss. Respondents and key informants identified awareness gaps, limited funding, institutional support challenges, and land use conversion pressures as perceived barriers to restoration.

Conclusion: The study suggests that community training and participation in restoration groups are important factors associated with engagement in mangrove restoration along the Kilwa Masoko coast. The findings also indicate that restoration gains remained insufficient to fully compensate for earlier mangrove cover decline. Strengthening community engagement, improving institutional coordination, and supporting livelihood-compatible conservation approaches may enhance the sustainability of mangrove restoration initiatives in the study area.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Land Use and Ecological Degradation in the Nduh Nkemlepè Watershed, Bamboutos Mountains, Cameroon

Maurice T. Tatang — 2026-07-01

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is a major driver of environmental transformation, particularly in fragile mountainous ecosystems where increasing human pressures accelerate ecological degradation. In the Bamboutos Mountains of Cameroon, the Nduh Nkemlepè watershed has experienced significant landscape changes, raising concerns about the sustainability of natural resources. This study aims to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use and assess their implications for ecological degradation between 2000 and 2024. An analytical and diachronic methodological approach was adopted, based on cartographic analysis that integrated remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Satellite images from Landsat ETM and Land Change Modeler, with a spatial resolution of 30 m, were used and projected to WGS 84, UTM Zone 32N. Image processing involved mosaicking, enhancement, geometric correction, and supervised classification using the Maximum Likelihood method based on the LCCS system. Field surveys were conducted to validate classification accuracy. Spatial dynamics were assessed through statistical analysis of land use changes, including rates of progression, regression, and stability, using the formula: Tv (%) = [(S2/S1) − 1] × 100. The results reveal a substantial transformation of the watershed landscape, characterised by a marked expansion of cultivated land (from 25.15% in 2000 to 60.75% in 2024) and built-up areas (from 2.25% to 10.49%), alongside a sharp decline in Eucalyptus gallery forests and grasslands. Bare soils and rocky outcrops also increased, indicating progressive land degradation. The ecological index decreased from 0.6897 in 2000 to 0.4548 in 2024, reflecting deterioration in environmental quality. These findings highlight increasing anthropogenic pressure associated with ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and reduced ecosystem services. The study recommends adopting sustainable land management practices, including agroforestry, improved land-use planning, ecological restoration, and strengthened institutional governance, to support long-term environmental sustainability.

Growth Performance, Carcass Quality and Cost-Benefit of Finisher Broiler Chickens Fed Varying Dietary Levels of Editan (Lasianthera africana) Leaf Meal

U. L. Unah — 2026-07-01

The utilisation of alternative feed ingredients, particularly leaf meals, in broiler diets has gained increasing research attention because of their potential nutritional and economic benefits. Editan (Lasianthera africana) leaf meal is a novel feed ingredient that is rich in crude protein, dietary fibre, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidant compounds and phytochemicals such as phenols and flavonoids.

This study evaluated the effects of varying dietary levels of Lasianthera africana (Editan) leaf meal (ELM) on the growth performance, carcass quality and economic implications of finisher broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) day-old Abor Acre broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments containing 0%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8% ELM in a completely randomised design. Each treatment consisted of 30 birds with three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were managed under standard husbandry conditions for 56 days. Growth performance parameters, carcass characteristics and cost-benefit indices were evaluated using analysis of variance.

Results showed that dietary inclusion of ELM significantly influenced most growth performance parameters (P < 0.05). Birds fed ELM diets showed variations in feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio, with some parameters comparable to the control group. Carcass evaluation revealed significant differences in most primal cuts, although dressing percentage and some organs, such as the liver and heart, were not significantly or adversely affected. Internal organ weights were also variably influenced by dietary treatments, with no evidence of pathological enlargement or toxicity.

Economic analysis showed that feed cost increased with higher inclusion levels of ELM. However, revenue and gross profit varied across treatments, with no consistent linear trend. The study suggests that Lasianthera africana leaf meal can be incorporated into broiler finisher diets up to 8% without adverse effects on growth performance and carcass quality. However, economic efficiency may depend on the inclusion level and feed formulation balance. Further research is recommended to optimise inclusion rates for improved cost-effectiveness and performance consistency.

Carbon Storage and Sequestration Potential of Urban Trees in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

A. S. Dawaki — 2026-07-01

Urban trees provide important ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, air pollution mitigation, temperature regulation and biodiversity conservation, and they can support public health and urban climate adaptation. In rapidly urbanising cities such as Kano Metropolis, urban trees represent important green infrastructure for climate change mitigation and environmental management. This study assessed biomass accumulation, carbon storage and CO₂ sequestration potential of urban tree species in Kano Metropolis, northern Nigeria. All tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) >= 10 cm within the sampled locations were identified, and DBH, height, diameters at the base, middle and top, wood density, above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass and total biomass were measured or estimated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A total of 1,144 individual trees belonging to 31 species and 15 families, including native and exotic species, were recorded. Azadirachta indica had the highest frequency (468 individuals), whereas Ficus platyphylla, Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia seyal recorded one individual each. Acacia seyal recorded the highest biomass (396.62 kg), volume (524.63 m³), carbon stock (198.31 kg) and CO₂ sequestration (727.80 kg), whereas Hura crepitans recorded the lowest biomass (0.86 kg), volume (1.14 m³), carbon stock (0.22 kg) and CO₂ sequestration (1.59 kg). The findings indicate species-level variation in biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, highlighting the need to enhance species diversity and expand urban green spaces in Kano Metropolis.

Bridging Ecology and Livelihoods: Sugar Palm-Coffee Agroforestry for Forest Rehabilitation in the Upstream Bengkulu Watershed

Agus Sukamto — 2026-07-07

The declining carrying capacity of the Bengkulu Watershed has reduced ecological functions and threatened the sustainability of local community livelihoods. Forest and land rehabilitation through agroforestry systems is one policy response to this condition. However, agroforestry-based rehabilitation still faces challenges related to plant species maintenance, market access, local knowledge, and community participation. Therefore, analysing agroforestry potential based on ecological, economic, and social factors is necessary to minimise the risk of programme failure. This study was conducted in the Cuup Midar Community Forest, Penembang Village, Central Bengkulu Regency, which is geographically located within the Bengkulu Watershed. The study examined a sugar palm (Arenga pinnata)-coffee agroforestry model as an integrated approach for aligning forest rehabilitation with community economic improvement. A descriptive qualitative method was used by combining ecological, economic, and social analyses.

The results indicate that the sugar palm-coffee agroforestry system has potential to increase land cover, reduce erosion, enhance water infiltration, and improve soil quality in the upstream watershed. Economically, the combination of sugar palm sap and coffee production may provide broader income diversification than coffee monoculture. Socially, implementation success is strongly influenced by local knowledge and community participation in sugar palm cultivation and farming. Therefore, the sugar palm-coffee agroforestry model can be considered a policy strategy for forest and land rehabilitation that integrates ecological recovery with community well-being.

Ethnobotanical Uses and Vulnerability Factors of Vitex doniana Sweet. in the Dosso Partial Wildlife Reserve, Niger

Younfa Abdou Mourtala — 2026-07-08

Vitex doniana Sweet is an important multipurpose tree species used by rural communities in the Dosso Partial Wildlife Reserve, Niger. This study documented local knowledge of its uses and identified the main factors perceived to affect its conservation in the reserve. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 277 respondents from 18 villages across five municipalities. Information was analysed using descriptive statistics and ethnobotanical indices, including reported use value, relative citation frequency and fidelity level. Respondents were predominantly men, and most were farmers. The results showed that V. doniana is used for food, traditional medicine, fodder, fuelwood, service wood and handicrafts. Food was the most important use category, with a reported use value of 1.4, followed by medicinal use and fodder, with values of 1.1 and 0.8, respectively. Among plant parts, fruits and pulp were the most frequently used, with a use value exceeding 1.2, followed by stems, bark, leaves and roots. Respondents also reported signs of population decline, including decreasing abundance, ageing individuals and limited regeneration. The main pressure factors identified were bark stripping, logging and pest attacks, cited by 54.5%, 42.3% and 40.4% of respondents, respectively. These findings indicate that V. doniana provides diverse benefits to local communities but is subject to multiple pressures that may affect its long-term availability. Sustainable harvesting practices, local awareness and integration of the species into agroforestry and domestication programmes are recommended to support its conservation.

Occupational Mobility and Livelihood Diversification in Response to the Behavior of Jia Bharali River, Tezpur, Assam, India

Debashis Sarma — 2026-07-09

Rivers have long supported human settlements by providing fertile soils, water for daily use and routes for movement and trade. The Jia Bharali River, known as the Kameng River in Arunachal Pradesh, is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra and flows through Tezpur town in Assam. In recent years, channel shifting, stream capture and sediment deposition have affected communities living along its banks. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2025, used a mixed-methods approach and surveyed 329 households in selected villages of the lower Jia Bharali River floodplain in Sonitpur District, Assam. The findings indicate that farming remains an important livelihood source, but riverbank erosion, recurrent flooding and waterlogging have reduced the reliability of agricultural land and income. The occupational transition matrix shows a 62.8% decline in household engagement in primary occupations, with many households shifting towards wage labour, construction work, small trade, service-sector activities and other non-farm livelihoods. In addition, 8.5% of households reported multiple livelihood strategies as a means of reducing income risk. In this unstable riverine environment, livelihood diversification appears to be an important household-level response for maintaining economic security. The findings highlight the need for sustainable livelihood planning, disaster-risk reduction and practical climate-adaptation measures to support floodplain communities.