Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to conduct a multiple regression analysis to investigate the factors that affect millet yield using the SPSS statistical package. Millet is an important cereal crop in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with arid and semi-arid climates. Understanding the key factors that influence millet yield is crucial for improving agricultural practices and enhancing food security in these regions. The study will collect data on various potential factors that may affect millet yield, such as rainfall, temperature, soil fertility, pest infestation, and the use of fertilizers. These factors are chosen based on existing literature and expert knowledge in the field of agriculture. The data will be collected from multiple farms across a specific region over a period of time to capture the variability in millet yield. Using the collected data, a multiple regression analysis will be conducted in SPSS to examine the relationship between the selected factors and millet yield. The analysis will help identify which factors have a significant impact on millet yield and to what extent. By understanding these relationships, farmers and policymakers can make informed decisions to optimize millet production. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute to the existing knowledge on factors affecting millet yield and provide practical insights for improving millet cultivation practices. The results will be valuable for farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers working in regions where millet is a staple crop. In conclusion, this research project will employ a multiple regression analysis using the SPSS statistical package to investigate the factors that influence millet yield. By identifying and understanding the key factors affecting millet production, this study aims to provide recommendations for enhancing millet cultivation practices and ultimately improving food security in regions where millet is a primary crop.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.0   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

In Africa, Millet is primarily grown for human consumption serving as the staple food in some of the poorest countries and regions of the continent the grain is mainly used in three different ways as a grain-like flour (couscous), as a dough and as a gruel (Brunken et al.,1977; counting and Harris,1968).

Despite the enormous use to which millet can be put, there are some constraints which limit the production of the crop in savannah environment of Northern Nigeria. Among these are nature of soils, climate of the region and cultural techniques and management practise. Other is disease pests, weed and other parasites whose effect seriously affect the yield of the millet.

Millet is believed to have descended from the west African wild grass which was domesticated more than 40,000 years ago (National Research Council, 1996) it spread from west African to East Africa and then to India.

Areas planted with millet are estimated at 15 million hectares annually in Africa and 14 million hectares in Asia. Global production exceeds 10million tone a year (national research council, 1966). The food value of millet is high. Trial in India has shown that millet is nutritionally more superior to maize and rice for human growth. The protein content of millet is higher than maize and has a relatively high vitamin A content (Gallagher 1984).

1.1   AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This study aims at relating the effectiveness components of millet to millet yield. The parameter include, Establishment score count at two weeks (ESTAB), days of 50% flowering after sowing/germination (DHF), Plant height (PLHT),Pinnacle length (PNCL), 100 seed weigh(HSN) .

Using multiple regression analysis in a bid to determine:

1. Which factors have a statistically significant effect on the yield of millet.
2. To build a regression model of yield on the identified factors in the experiment.
3. To possibly recommend for a further experiment on other factor that influence the yield of millet that are not included in these experiment.

 

1.2    SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

After the factors have been identified the researcher will improve to the improvement of millet yield when the factors that influence it are identified.

 

1.3   LIMITATION AND SCOPE OF STUDY

The result and recommendation from this project apply to the existing commercially available hybrid verity of millet.

And all the data used and all the observation made are limited to Lake Chad Research Institute., Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

 

1.4   SOURCE OF DATA COLLECTION

Data were collected on a number of parameters, these include seedling Establishment, days of 50% flowering, Plant height, Pinnacle length, 100 seed weight, Biomass, Grain yield. All these were obtained from the Lake Chad Research Institute, federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

1.5   DEFINTION OF TERMS

1. ESTAB: Establishment score count at two weeks
2. DHF: Day of 50% flowering after sowing / germination
3. PLHT: Plant height  
4. PNCL: Pinnacle Length
5. HSN: 100 seed weight
6. YIELD: Yield component of millet

 

1.6   METHODOLOGY

The analytical part of work will be done using multiple regression analysis, correlation analysis, regression coefficient and coefficient of determinant through the aid of SPSS Statistical package