ABSTRACT
Climate change and climate variability are important challenges for crop production in Somalia, where agricultural systems are highly exposed to changes in rainfall and temperature. This review synthesizes published empirical studies, climate analyses, farmer-based studies, and relevant institutional evidence on the effects of climate variability on crop production and the adaptation strategies used or proposed in Somalia. The reviewed evidence shows that rainfall variability, rising temperature, drought, and flooding influence crop production, but the magnitude and direction of effects differ among crops and production systems. National and crop-specific studies indicate that sorghum, maize, wheat, beans, rice, and other crops respond differently to climatic conditions. The literature also identifies irrigation, water harvesting, climate-resilient and early-maturing varieties, crop diversification, intercropping, soil and water conservation, improved agronomic practices, and access to climate information as important adaptation measures. Farmers’ ability to implement these practices is influenced by access to water, improved seed, finance, information, extension services, and appropriate technologies. Strengthening irrigation and water management, seed systems, agricultural research, extension services, climate information, and early-warning systems is therefore important for sustaining crop production and improving agricultural resilience in Somalia.

ABSTRACT
This study evaluates the economic impact of participation in the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) on the net farm income of cassava farmers in Anambra and Enugu States, Nigeria. Utilizing primary survey data from 600 smallholder cassava farmers (334 participants and 266 non-participants), the analysis employs an Augmented Inverse Probability Weighting (AIPW) estimator to control for selection bias and endogeneity, with Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and independent samples t-tests used as robustness checks. The findings show that VCDP participants generated substantially higher total revenue than non-participants (₦2,639,486.78 and ₦1,724,681.80), largely driven by higher yield outputs among participants (33.68 tonnes) compared with non-participants (21.98 tonnes) rather than price differentials. Descriptive analysis reveals an observed mean net farm income of ₦2,223,971 for participants compared to ₦1,409,672 for non-participants. The doubly robust AIPW estimation confirms a positive, statistically significant causal effect, indicating that VCDP participation increased annual net farm income by ₦813,903.30 (p<0.001). Robustness checks using PSM showed a highly consistent treatment effect of ₦805,227.70 (p<0.001). Post-estimation diagnostics confirm that propensity score weighting successfully eliminated covariate imbalances, ensuring reliable counterfactual comparisons. Therefore, the study concluded that integrated value-chain interventions effectively enhance farm profitability and smallholder economic welfare, supporting the expansion of coordinated agricultural support models and recommends strengthening and expanding integrated VCDP support, particularly interventions that improve productivity, timely input access, market linkages, and access to agricultural finance, to sustain and broaden income gains among cassava farmers.

ABSTRACT
The search for practical antibiotic-sparing strategies in poultry is moving from single phytochemicals toward fermented plant matrices, where microbial biotransformation can modify nutrient availability, antimicrobial activity, and the delivery of bioactive compounds. This systematic review evaluated fermented agricultural botanicals in broiler production and performed a focused meta-analysis of feed conversion ratio (FCR). Searches through 20 September 2026 identified 23 in vivo reports meeting qualitative eligibility criteria; five non-overlapping trials provided compatible whole-period FCR data with measures of dispersion. The evidence covered fermented Ginkgo leaves, pine needles, Astragalus, ginger, grape and tomato pomace, mulberry, Chenopodium, dandelion, Artemisia, Moringa, chive, and shallot. Across studies, responses were more consistent for intestinal integrity, antioxidant status, pathogen control, and resilience under enteric or environmental challenge than for growth alone. Random-effects meta-analysis yielded a small point estimate favoring fermented botanicals (mean difference, -0.044 FCR units), but the Hartung-Knapp 95% confidence interval crossed zero (-0.093 to 0.005) and heterogeneity was high (I2=84.8%). Recent Allium studies illustrate a coherent development pathway linking host-derived probiotic selection, controlled fermentation, challenge testing, and practical delivery. Overall, fermented botanicals are promising components of antibiotic-sparing programs, but the evidence does not support universal replacement of therapeutic antimicrobials. Standardized fermentation, chemical and microbial quality control, direct antimicrobial-use outcomes, and multi-farm validation are priorities for the next phase of research.

ABSTRACT
The study assessed the costs, return and constraints to rice production in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It described the socioeconomic characteristics of the rice farmers, estimated their net farm income, and identified the constraints to rice production. Descriptive statistics and budgetary technique were employed in analyzing data collected from a sample of 200 respondents. The findings confirmed that the rice farmers had an average age, rice producing experience and formal education of 44 years, 17years and 13 years respectively while the average farm size was 10 plots (0.67ha). The results showed that rice production is profitable with an average selling price/50kg of processed rice, total cost of production on 0.67ha, total revenue and net farm income of N44,510.00, N765,150.00, N1,045,985.00, and N280,835.00 respectively. The net farm income/50kg bag of processed rice was N11,950.43, while the rate of return on investment was 0.37. The problems of climate change, inadequate processing and storage facilities, inadequate farmland, pest and rodent attack, and high cost of inputs were some serious constraints to rice production. The study recommended that adequate credit facilities and farm inputs should be made accessible to the farmers, rice farmers should be encouraged to use improved varieties of rice in order to increase their output, farmers should be exposed to farm practices that are less expensive to reduce the cost of production and increase the revenue, and land should be available and affordable for the farmers to increase their farm size.

ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effects of immersion duration and pineapple peel extract marination level on the physical characteristics of spent Sentul chicken breast. A completely randomized design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used. The first factor was immersion duration (10, 15, and 20 min), and the second factor was pineapple peel extract level (15%, 30%, and 45%), with two replicates per treatment combination. The observed variables were pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), instrumental tenderness response, and cooking loss. Data were analyzed using a General Linear Model, followed by Tukey and Duncan multiple-range procedures where appropriate. Immersion duration significantly affected pH, WHC, and the instrumental tenderness response (p<0.05). Marination level affected WHC and the tenderness response, while the duration x level interaction affected pH, WHC, and the tenderness response. Cooking loss was not significantly affected by either factor or their interaction (p>0.05). The reported pH values ranged from 5.77 to 6.01, WHC from 34.56% to 67.41%, the instrumental tenderness response from 13.99 to 39.86 instrument units, and cooking loss from 25.00% to 40.00%. The highest WHC was obtained after 10 min of immersion at a 30% extract level. Pineapple peel extract therefore modified several physical traits of spent Sentul chicken meat, although no single treatment combination optimized every response.

ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of agricultural credit in promoting productivity and rural development depends not only on farmers’ access to finance but also on their ability to manage financial resources efficiently. This study examined the relationship between financial literacy and credit utilization among rural farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 312 farmers from twelve rural communities. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while descriptive statistics, the Financial Literacy Index (FLI), Loan Utilization Index (LUI), and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed a moderate level of financial literacy (FLI = 0.70), with relatively stronger performance in credit management and budgeting than in record-keeping practices. Cooperative societies and microfinance banks emerged as the dominant sources of agricultural credit among respondents. The results further indicated a high level of loan utilization (LUI = 0.76), suggesting that most farmers allocated borrowed funds to productive agricultural activities. Regression analysis confirmed that financial literacy and educational attainment significantly influenced credit utilization behaviour. The study concludes that financial literacy and education are crucial determinants of effective agricultural credit utilization. Enhancing farmers’ financial knowledge and educational capacity can enhance loan utilization efficiency and improve farm performance. The findings provide important policy implications for strengthening financial capability and improving agricultural finance outcomes in rural development contexts.

ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Kacang goats fed complete feed containing different ratios of rice straw silage and concentrate. Twelve male Kacang goats aged between 1 and 1.5 years, with an average initial body weight of 16.9 kg (CV 22.85%) was used in this research, arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of three treatments and three replications. The treatments were: R1 = (60% rice straw silage: 40% concentrate), R2 = (50% rice straw silage : 50% concentrate), and R3 = (40% rice straw silage : 60% concentrate). The parameters measured included animal performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid characteristics. The results showed that average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio, intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), as well as rumen fluid characteristics, were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the treatments. It was concluded that feeding complete feed with different ratios of rice straw silage and concentrate resulted in similar effects on performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid characteristics of male Kacang goats.