This study evaluates a solar PV-powered evaporative cooling system for vegetable cooling. The system features dual cooling chambers with two different biomass pads, operating at different temperatures. To assess its potential, the research examines the evolution of temperature and humidity of the cooling chamber, evaporative effectiveness, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), energy metrics, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall cost. The results show that the system achieved a temperature depression range of 0.22 to 5.2 °C and 0.57 to 10.94 °C for wood shavings and polyurethane foam, respectively, under no-load conditions, while the values were 0.79 to 4.7 °C and 1.22 to 9.88 °C, with average values of 3.09 and 7.0 °C, for the same materials under loaded conditions. Loaded conditions also yielded a cooling capacity of 5.7 to 33.93 W for wood shavings and 8.13 to 75.55 W for polyurethane foam. The cooling efficiency ranged from 19.9 to 96.42% for polyurethane foam and 3.62 to 60% for wood shavings. The system’s COP was higher than that of solar-powered mechanical chillers, ranging from 2.37 to 22.92. The energy production factor was 2.3 to 2.4, with a lifecycle conversion efficiency of 0.5 and an energy payback time of 1.1 and 2.2 years for using polyurethane foam and wood shavings, respectively. The net present value was positive, and the levelized cost of energy was low, at 36.7 to 38.3 NGN/kWh (0.043–0.045 USD/kWh), making it a viable alternative to grid-based energy systems in Nigeria. Additionally, the system offers significant CO₂ mitigation potential, with estimated carbon credits of NGN 65,059 (USD 71.56) and NGN 98,576.49 (USD 108.43) over its lifetime.

Efficient cracking and separation of periwinkle shells are essential unit operations in periwinkle meat processing. Mechanization remains the panacea to achieving timely processing of periwinkle meat. This study was carried out to design, develop, and evaluate the performance of a viable machine for the extraction of meat from periwinkle. The performance of the machine was dependent on certain processing parameters, such as cracking speed (CS), Agitating speed (AS), feed rate (FR) and heat conditioning time (HCT), while periwinkle cracking efficiency (CE), separating efficiency (SE), Throughput capacity (TP) and periwinkle meat loss (PML) were the responses. The maximum periwinkle meat CE of 84.05 % was obtained at CS of 130 rpm, FR of 0.2 kgs-1 and HCT of 6 min. The result for SE indicated that most efficient periwinkle meat separation of 78.79% can be achieved when HCT, CS, AS and FR set at 6 min,130 rpm,1.11m/s and 0.40 kg/s respectively. Highest TP value of 26.79 kg/h was obtained when the machine was operated at CS of 130 rpm, AS of 1.23 m/s under the HCT of 6 min at FR of 0.40 kg/s. Also, the lowest PML value of 10.71 % was obtained when the machine was operated at CS of 120 rpm, AS of 1.04 m/s under the HCT of 4 min at feed rate of 0.30 kg/s. These machine parameters have significant effects on the periwinkle meat processing. The study has provided a viable option to replace the time-consuming, crude manual method of periwinkle meat postharvest processing.

The agricultural undergraduate curriculum in Nigeria was restructured by the introduction of a practical year program (PYP) for students. This study investigated Students' perspectives, constraints, and strategies for enhancing PYP, as well as the impact of PYP on future career choices. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain data from students. The data was analyzed with the help of frequency distribution and mean. Students had a favorable (sufficient) opinion of PYP, and they formed a positive attitude toward agriculture as a source of income, according to the findings. Delay in payment of allowances (3.48), difficulties combining agricultural work with lectures (3.08), and insufficient safety equipment to be used by students were among the perceived constraints and mean scores (2.95). The conclusion was reached that addressing undergraduate skill acquisition through the PYP would ensure youth employment in extension organizations and efficient extension service delivery to farmers. This would allow for long-term agricultural development.

The study focused on how farming communities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, how farmers are affected by the pandemic, their coping strategies, contributions of extension service towards their adaptation, and the support they need to better adapt to the pandemic were examined. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 300 respondents across the agricultural zones in the study area. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data obtained from the respondents through a well-designed questionnaire. The majority of the respondents have experienced limited access to agricultural inputs (87.9%), limited access to the market (79.6%), unavailability of the labour force at critical times of agricultural production and harvesting (68.7%), health risk and fear (72.6%), increased transportation cost (87.4%), unavailability of facemasks and hand sanitizers (89.1%), dwindling and uncertain finances (92.4%). Majority of the farmers asserted that they had to rely more on the radio (87.6%), religious leaders (67.2%), community leaders (65.4%), and extension agents (45.3%) for COVID-19-related information. They depended more on herbs and traditional medications (72.4%) and had to trek long distances to market farm produce and get inputs (69.7%) to cope with the impact of the pandemic. Contributions from extension services reported by the respondents were majorly from text messages and phone calls. The majority of the respondents solicited regular assessment of COVID-19 impacts in their communities to identify other specific challenges and needs of farmers for a better and timely response.