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Healthcare like shelter, clothing and food constitutes an important basic need for the survival of mankind. This explains why every citizen must enjoy quality health and protection from disease and proper medi-care for survival. Health therefore is a basic element of every citizen in a country. This paper examines the socio-economic characteristics of residents and their utilization of available healthcare facilities in Owo local government area of Ondo State. The data utilized in the paper draws on systematic sampling of 368 health consumers in the study area. Findings revealed that socio-economic characteristics play a significant role in determining the frequency of visits to healthcare facilities, this is substantiated with the chi-square test result that revealed a significant relationship between marital status and frequency of visits to healthcare facilities with χ² = 29.175 and significant at p = 0.004 level, age and frequency of visits (χ² = 15.016 and significant at p = 0.059 levels), as well as income of households and the frequency of visits to healthcare facilities with χ² = 20.961 and significant at p = 0.007 levels. The paper therefore concluded that efforts should be put in place to improve the socio-economic status of individuals through multi-sectoral development activities such as micro-credit facilities, empowerment/training and provision of employment opportunities which is believed will invariably improve their access and utilization of healthcare facilities.

Maintaining adequate soil fertility and health is a challenge in dryland organic wheat systems. This research examines the short-term impact of a one-time addition of compost on the soil health in a rainfed dryland organic winter-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fallow system. Field plot experiments were established in 2015 in a semiarid dryland organic wheat field in Snowville, Utah with the following treatments: control (C), compost at 12.5 Mg/ha dry weight (CM1), 25 Mg/ha (CM2), 50 Mg/ha (CM3), positive control 25 Mg compost + 40 lb N feather meal (PC), and 2 Mg chicken manure (CMU). Soil samples were taken in May 2016 at a depth of 0-10 cm from the plots in the wheat phase of the rotation. Indicators of soil health and fertility were determined such as microbial biomass C, enzyme activities involved in the cycling of C and P, total organic carbon and nitrogen determined.The application of compost appeared to promote microbial activities with the greatest effect at CM3. Acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities significantly increased by as much as 61 % and 47 % respectively. Microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, readily mineralizable carbon, total organic carbon and total nitrogen were highest at CM3.
Based on our findings so far, compost addition stimulated soil microbial activities and boosted organic C and N in the surface layers of the soil. Outcomes of this study will contribute to the overall goal of enhancing productivity and sustainability of rainfed dryland organic winter-wheat.

PurposeThe disposal of solid waste is a serious environmental problem for humanity. Vermicomposting is used as one of the methods for recycling of organic waste, resulting in a humified material of great agronomic potential which promotes carbon sequestration when applied to the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of vermicomposts from cattle manure (CM), orange peel (OP) and filter cake (FC).
Methods
Three compost piles were set up, 2:1 OP + CM, 3:1 FC + CM and CM. The piles were initially composted for 60 days. Thereafter, earthworms were added to the piles to initiate the vermicomposting process.
Results
The pH and the organic carbon contents were above the minimum recommended values for organic fertilizers. The N content was below the minimum value but the C/N ratio was in the required range. The C/N values where lower in OP + CM and FC + CM than in CM. Further, the N contents of treatments were different with OP + CM having the highest value. The C/N ratios of the piles were 9.52, 9.62 and 11.03 for OP + CM, FC + CM and CM, respectively, and were lower than the maximum recommended value by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Ministry of Agriculture 2009).
Conclusion
Thus, co-vermicomposting of filter cake and orange peel with cattle manure has the potential for application sustainable agriculture.