Global Research Society Publisher

GRS Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies

All Issues

1. Farm Management and Sustainable Food Security in Benue State-Nigeria
7

Dr. Sunday Shiebee IORGEMA*, &...
Department of Entrepreneurship, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.
1-10
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21847075

This study investigated the effect of farm management practices on sustainable food security in Benue State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted to guide the study. The target population comprised 1,000,000 farmers across the three senatorial zones of Benue State, from which a sample size of 500 respondents was drawn using multistage, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed to capture respondents’ practices in farm planning, farm technology usage, and farm disease management. The instrument was validated by experts, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha with acceptable indices for all variables. Out of the 500 questionnaires administered, only 392 were retrieved for analysis. Data analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression analysis via SPSS version 25. Findings revealed that farm planning, farm technology, and farm disease management each had a statistically significant positive effect on sustainable food security. Among these, farm technology exerted the greatest influence (β = 0.417, p = 0.000), followed by farm disease management (β = 0.319, p = 0.000), and farm planning (β = 0.174, p = 0.000). These results underscore the importance of integrated and technologically driven farm management strategies in enhancing long-term food availability, accessibility, and stability in the region. The study concludes that sustainable food security in Benue State can be significantly improved through strategic farm planning, deployment of modern agricultural technologies, and effective management of farm-related diseases. Accordingly, it is recommended that policymakers promote farmer training on planning and record-keeping, increase access to subsidized modern farm technologies, and invest in extension services focused on disease prevention and management.

2. Minilateralism in South Asia: SAARC Challenges and Prospects
32

Ruhul Amin*, Sirazum Monira, R...
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University) Department: Applied Linguistics and Text Analytics.
11-41
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21847106

The concept of minilateralism which involves small group of countries is emerging as a viable option to overcome the difficulties of traditional multilateralism, especially in South Asia where rivalrous great powers have thwarted regionalism in SAARC. India is one of the countries which have relied greatly on bilateralism and minilateralism to tackle its security problems in recent times. It has engaged in various minilateral summits and meetings alongside Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. However, India’s foreign policy is driven mainly towards countering China’s growing influence and Pakistan’s hegemony in the region. Pakistan on the other hand, has pursued minilateralism as its foreign policy option to counter India’s dominance and to overcome the impasse in SAARC. Consequently, there has been a security dilemma which has triggered the arms race in the region. Although minilateralism provides a more effective forum for negotiations and cooperation than multilateralism, it raises new problems of coordination and may lead to further fragmentation of South Asia.

3. Profitability Analysis of the West African Cotton (Wacot) Out-Grower S...
6

Yahaya Kaka*, Aliyu Danmaigoro...
Department Agricultural Economics and Extension, Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero PMB 1144 Kebbi State, Nigeria
42-48

This study assessed the impact of the WACOT Out-Grower Scheme on the profitability of smallholder rice farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the socio-economic characteristics of beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers and compared their production costs, returns, and profitability. The study is significant because it provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness of contract farming in enhancing rice profitability, and rural livelihoods. A cross-sectional survey and quasi-experimental research design were adopted. Primary data were collected from 540 rice farmers comprising 270 beneficiaries and 270 non-beneficiaries selected through a multi-stage sampling technique across seven rice-producing Local Government Areas in Kebbi State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cost-Benefit Analysis. The findings revealed that beneficiaries had better educational attainment, larger farm sizes, greater access to irrigation and extension services, and lower production costs (₦360,000/ha) than non-beneficiaries (₦396,800/ha). Beneficiaries also achieved higher average yield (5,200 kg/ha), total revenue (₦1,664,000/ha), net farm income (₦1,304,000/ha), return per naira invested (3.62), and benefit-cost ratio (4.62), demonstrating superior profitability. The study concludes that participation in the WACOT Out-Grower Scheme significantly enhances productivity, profitability, and institutional support for smallholder rice farmers. It recommends expanding farmers' access to quality inputs, extension services, irrigation infrastructure, affordable credit, and inclusive participation, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, to strengthen sustainable rice production and food security in Kebbi State and Nigeria.

4. Chemical Engineering as a Multidisciplinary Discipline: Foundations, C...
1

Sivamani Selvaraju*
Mechanical and Chemical Engineering Unit, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Salalah, Oman.
49-56

Chemical engineering is inherently multidisciplinary, integrating principles from chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and engineering to transform raw materials and energy into valuable products and services. Although traditionally associated with chemical processing and process design, the discipline has progressively expanded into areas including biotechnology, materials science, environmental engineering, energy systems, nanotechnology, computational science, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. This review examines the multidisciplinary foundations and evolving boundaries of chemical engineering, with particular emphasis on the interactions among chemical sciences, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process systems engineering, materials science, biological sciences, environmental engineering, and computational technologies. The review further discusses how emerging fields such as machine learning, digital twins, advanced materials, renewable energy, carbon capture, bioprocessing, and circular economy are reshaping chemical engineering research and practice. The convergence of these disciplines enables chemical engineers to address complex challenges involving energy security, climate change, resource scarcity, environmental protection, healthcare, food production, and sustainable manufacturing. By examining the historical development, disciplinary interfaces, technological convergence, and emerging research directions of chemical engineering, this review highlights the unique role of the chemical engineer as an integrator of scientific knowledge and engineering practice. The paper provides a conceptual framework for understanding chemical engineering as a continuously evolving multidisciplinary discipline and identifies opportunities for future interdisciplinary research, education, and industrial innovation.





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