The growing of plants hydroponically is a soilless form of growing in modern day agriculture. It helps to make feed available for animals throughout the season since it is not affected by what is faced by field grown crops. The use of animal waste, that is, their faeces, in the growth of forage was compared with commercial hydroponics solutions as a way of looking for a reduction in the cost incurred in the purchase of commercial hydroponics solutions. The study evaluated the use of organic nutrient solutions (ONS) alongside a standard/commercial nutrient solution in growing crops hydroponically on the growth, dry matter yield, water use efficiency, and chemical composition of hydroponic maize fodder. The ONS used were formulated from the dried faeces of cattle, poultry, rabbits, and swine. The prepared organic nutrient solutions with the control were used in growing the maize seeds for 10 days, and growth, yield, and chemical composition were determined. Results show the highest (196 g) dry matter yield for maize hydroponic fodder irrigated with poultry ONS. Similarly, maize irrigated with poultry ONS was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in CP content, while it was not significantly different from maize irrigated with cattle, swine, and commercial solutions. A lower water use efficiency value (0.19 kg DM/m³) was recorded for maize irrigated with cattle ONS. According to the study, irrigating maize with different organic nutrient solutions produced maize fodder with a higher yield and a similar chemical composition as the commercial nutrient solution. 

This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Landmark University, Omu-Aran. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of cocoa pod husk ash (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHA ha^-1), 3 levels of cocoa pod husk powder (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHP ha^-1), NPK and the control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. The following parameters were taken plant height, number of leaves (at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after sowing), total plant weight, root weight, leaf weight, roots girth and roots length. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Using S.A.S, 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. Results showed that chemical analysis of cocoa pod ash and powder contained plant nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg and some other micronutrients in varying proportions. Application of CPHA 4 + CPHP 2 gave higher values for all the vegetative parameters. The implication of this study is that high level of cocoa pod husk powder in combination with high level of cocoa pod husk ash is detrimental to radish cultivation. In the same vein, the nutrition of radish was incomplete when NPK fertilizer was applied. It can therefore be recommended that the use of combined application of cocoa pod ash and cocoa pod powder at CPHA4 + CPHP2 was sufficient for the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus) in the study area as it compete favorably with application of NPK fertilizer.

Organomineral fertilizer is used to improve and ameliorate the supply of nutrients in soils. Right and adequate application of fertilizers are determinants of its nutrient supply efficiency, which in turn enhances the vegetative growth and yield of cucumber. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to assess the effects of variety and rate of organomineral fertilizer on cucumber growth and yield. Trials were conducted from June to August 2019 and repeated from September to November 2019. The cultivars were Poinsett, Greengo, and Monalisa. The rates of organomineral fertilizer were 0, 2.5, or 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹. The treatments were replicated three times. Cucumber vegetative characters, yield, and yield components were studied. ‘Greengo’ produced the most leaves, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ produced the least. Application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer produced the longest vines and fruits. ‘Greengo’ had the earliest days to 50% flowering, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ had the most days to 50% flowering. Plants treated with an application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer attained 50% flowering in 29 days, but in 30 days with an application of 2.5 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer; the control treatment attained 50% flowering in 33 days. Application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer produced the longest fruits, thicker fruit diameter, and highest fruit yield compared with 2.5 and 0 tons. ha⁻¹ of organomineral fertilizer treatments. The Greengo variety with application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ of organomineral fertilizer is recommended for optimum growth and yield in south western Nigeria.

This study offers a new perspective on measuring the impact of village funds (DD) on rural development. Using a mixed-method approach, the qualitative analysis reveals that, like previous rural development programs, the DD program struggles to implement inclusive methods for capturing community aspirations and evaluating outcomes. Despite rural infrastructure improvement, many villagers feel they have not fully benefited and do not view it as offering economic opportunities. The econometric model confirms the qualitative findings, indicating no significant DD influence on the village development index (IPD). Instead, effective governance factors like Musdes, regulations, and leadership are essential for the IPD improvement. Thus, enhancing village governments’ institutional capacity is crucial for increasing the DD effectiveness. The paper recommends several measures: training village officials in financial management and project planning, providing guidelines for the DD allocation and usage, creating robust monitoring-evaluation systems, developing communication strategies, and fostering partnerships with local NGOs and universities.