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Effectiveness of Communication Strategies used in Creating Awareness and Uptake of Food Quality and Safety Standards in the Informal Market Outlets of Camel Suusa and Nyirinyiri
Madete S. K. Pauline,
Bebe O. Bockline,
Matofari W. Joseph,
Muliro S. Patrick
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
83-86
Received:
31 March 2015
Accepted:
14 April 2015
Published:
21 April 2015
Abstract: The Nyirinyiri and Suusa products from camel meat and milk processed by pastoral women using indigenous knowledge and traded in the informal markets presents opportunities to enhance household food security and income and also health benefits to consumers. However, safety and quality concerns by consumers are market barriers, especially acceptability beyond the traditional camel eating communities and in urban niche markets. It is possible to break this market barrier with effective communication of the food safety and quality standards but there exist knowledge gaps on the extent to which use of seminars and trainings, media briefs, radios, television and manuals increase awareness and uptake of the food standards and benefits to actors in the informal food markets. This study therefore identified the effectiveness of communication strategies used in promoting awareness and uptake of food quality and safety standards in the informal market outlet. Survey, Focus Group Discussion and Participatory appraisal of actors along the value chain were the methods used in data collection. The results showed that communication strategies in place were meant for the formal market hence the camel Suusa and Nyirinyiri chain actors gave the perceived effectiveness of the communication strategies if they were to be for the informal market outlet for promote acceptance and access for Suusa and Nyirinyiri in the high value markets.
Abstract: The Nyirinyiri and Suusa products from camel meat and milk processed by pastoral women using indigenous knowledge and traded in the informal markets presents opportunities to enhance household food security and income and also health benefits to consumers. However, safety and quality concerns by consumers are market barriers, especially acceptabili...
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Economic Assessment of Integrated Fish Farming (Fish-Rice-Piggery) in Sierra Leone
Olapade Olufemi Julius,
Alimamy Turay,
Momoh Rashid Raymond
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
87-94
Received:
1 April 2015
Accepted:
12 April 2015
Published:
23 April 2015
Abstract: The present study evaluates the profitability and environmental effect of integrated fish cum rice and piggery production at Njala University, Sierra Leone. The research carried out between June and November, 2014 consists of the pigsty (2.5m × 11m), a maggoty and integrated pond (395.2m2) sown with 0.94kg NERICA 19 rice at spacing of 20cm inter - rows and 5cm intra - rows. The pond was stocked with Clarias gariepinus juveniles (mean weight 25.6± 1.78g) at the density of 4.8fish per m2.Water quality parameters viz., temperature, pH, Dissolved oxygen, NO3-N, NH3/NH4, hardness and alkalinity were determined in the pond and were found to be within the recommended range for the culture of tropical fish. Economic analysis of the adaptive research gave a negative incremental benefit and Net Present Value (NPV) in both the first and second year of production. The sensitivity analysis evaluation shows that the enterprise is fairly sensitive to price fluctuation (-46.02%) and highly sensitive to survival rate of the fish and the scale of production of the pigs. Increasing scale of production and selling at market price will greatly enhance profitability and short term payback of costs.
Abstract: The present study evaluates the profitability and environmental effect of integrated fish cum rice and piggery production at Njala University, Sierra Leone. The research carried out between June and November, 2014 consists of the pigsty (2.5m × 11m), a maggoty and integrated pond (395.2m2) sown with 0.94kg NERICA 19 rice at spacing of 20cm inter - ...
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Effect of Provenance and Storage Agroecology on Duration of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) Tuber Dormancy
Elsie Ihuakwu Hamadina,
Robert Asiedu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
95-100
Received:
5 April 2015
Accepted:
15 April 2015
Published:
22 April 2015
Abstract: Crop improvement in yam is slow due to poor understanding of tuber dormancy. Tuber provenance and storage agroecology are thought to affect the duration to sprouting in yam, but systematic studies on the role of these factors are rare. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tuber provenance and storage agroecology on the duration to sprouting in D. rotundata. Twenty landraces [comprising 7 originating from the Guinea savanna (GS), 5 from the Forest/transition (TS), and 8 from the Humid forest (HF)] were collected and multiplied at a location in their respective agroecologies: Abuja (GS), Ibadan (TS) and Onne (HF). Thereafter, 100 tubers of each of the 20 landraces were stored at each of the three sites, and dates of the appearance of shoot bud (ASB)/ sprouting were recorded. The results showed that provenance did not significantly affect the duration from planting to sprouting or the duration from date in storage to sprouting in D. rotundata. The duration to ASB varied by up to 21 days (d) for landraces originating from HF and TS, and 37 d for landraces originating from GS. Variations among landraces within a provenance group were greater than between provenance groups. This suggests that the provenance of a landrace is not a major factor controlling the duration to ASB. All landraces responded to storage agroecology/ environment in a similar manner. There was no interaction between provenance and storage environment. Tubers stored at Onne and Ibadan sprouted about 10 d earlier than those at Abuja, and this was associated with slightly higher temperature and RH at Onne and Ibadan. Storage agroecology is an important factor controlling the duration to sprouting but provenance is not.
Abstract: Crop improvement in yam is slow due to poor understanding of tuber dormancy. Tuber provenance and storage agroecology are thought to affect the duration to sprouting in yam, but systematic studies on the role of these factors are rare. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tuber provenance and storage agroecology on the durati...
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Features of Ontogeny of Wheat Hybrid of Type Dwarf II
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
101-105
Received:
29 March 2015
Accepted:
14 April 2015
Published:
24 April 2015
Abstract: The genes of hybrid depression widely spread in the genus Triticum lead to inviability of hybrid plants and prevent the successful implementation of breeding programs. At the same time the phenomenon of hybrid depression serves as a basic model for the study of profound changes in hybrid plants resulting of expression of various genes. Research of the intensity and orientation of these changes and regularities of ontogenetic development of wheat is necessary to evaluate the viability of hybrids. We have investigated the influence of complementary genes of hybrid dwarfism on the root system, intensity of photosynthesis and the activity of catalase. It was shown that the interaction of complementary dominant genes of hybrid dwarfism has multilateral impact on the ontogenetic development of wheat hybrid Dwarf II. Depression in above ground and underground plant organs was manifested. Photosynthesis in Dwarf II hybrids proceeded more intensively than in the parental forms, but the catalase activity was interrupted in leaves and roots. Notable decrease of the volume and total absorbency of the root surface was detected.
Abstract: The genes of hybrid depression widely spread in the genus Triticum lead to inviability of hybrid plants and prevent the successful implementation of breeding programs. At the same time the phenomenon of hybrid depression serves as a basic model for the study of profound changes in hybrid plants resulting of expression of various genes. Research of ...
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Adaptability Study of Improved Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties at South Ari Woreda, Ethiopia
Misgana Mitiku,
Wondwesen Shiferaw,
Awoke Tadesse
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
106-108
Received:
3 March 2015
Accepted:
22 April 2015
Published:
6 May 2015
Abstract: Three improved Irish potato varieties and one local check were evaluated with the objective of selecting adaptable best performing Irish potato varieties and tolerant to late blight for Irish potato production areas of South Omo zone. The trial was conducted at Senmamer kebele of Debub Ari district, Ethiopia during 2013 cropping seasons using randomized complete block design under rain faid condition. Tuber yield, plant height, number of stem, crop reaction to late blight, average number of tuber per plant, average weight of tuber per plant, average tuber diameter, small size tuber, medium size tuber and large size tuber ranged from 2.5 to 12.6, 30.3 to 58.9, 2.2 to 4.5, 5 to 47.8, 8.2 to 10.7, 0.14 to 0.78, 8.1 to 11.2, 0.04 to 0.2, 0.04 to 0.3, 0.05 to 0.3, respectively. This experiment suggests that the variety Belete was gave high yield and resistant to late blight compare to the other tested varieties.
Abstract: Three improved Irish potato varieties and one local check were evaluated with the objective of selecting adaptable best performing Irish potato varieties and tolerant to late blight for Irish potato production areas of South Omo zone. The trial was conducted at Senmamer kebele of Debub Ari district, Ethiopia during 2013 cropping seasons using rando...
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Compatibility of Jatropha Curcas with Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cv. Obatampa in a Hedgerow Intercropping System Grown on Ferric Acrisols
Abugre S.,
Twum-Ampofo K.,
Oti-Boateng C.
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
109-116
Received:
5 April 2015
Accepted:
26 April 2015
Published:
13 May 2015
Abstract: Skeptics are talking about the impact of the biofuel crop on food production. It is important that the compatibility of Jatropha curcas in agroforestry systems is investigated to provide answers to some of these problems being advanced. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three hedgerow spacings of 2 m x 1 m, 3 m x 1m, 4 m x 1 m of Jatropha curcas and a control (No hedgerow) was used to lay out the experiment. This was replicated 3 times. The study showed that in the second year, plant height and plant diameter at first node differed significantly between the treatments. Maximum stover weight was 11.9 tons/ha and 7.5 tons/ha in the first and second year respectively for 4 m x 1 m spacing. Generally yields were lower in the second year in all the treatments compared to the first year. Maximum grain yield of maize was 4.47 tons/ha and 2.99 tons/ha in the first and second year respectively at the control treatment. Chemical properties of the soil did not record any significant decline after two years of cultivation. pH, organic Carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter, exchangeable cations, total exchangeable bases, exchangeable acid and base saturation did not show significant difference between the treatments. The highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.6 and 1.2 was recorded at 4 m x 1 m for both years, making it the most suitable plant spacing for Jatropha curcas with maize.
Abstract: Skeptics are talking about the impact of the biofuel crop on food production. It is important that the compatibility of Jatropha curcas in agroforestry systems is investigated to provide answers to some of these problems being advanced. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three hedgerow spacings of 2 m x 1 m, 3 m x 1m, 4 m x 1 m of Jat...
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Rural Households Willingness to Pay for Small Ruminant Meat in South-Western Nigeria
Otunaiya Abiodun Olanrewaju,
Ologbon Olugbenga A. Chris,
Adigun Grace Toyin
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
117-122
Received:
22 April 2015
Accepted:
8 May 2015
Published:
26 May 2015
Abstract: Subsistent level of indigenous small ruminant meat production in Nigeria limits its supply and consequently, accounted for its high prices. The study examined the willingness to pay for indigenous small ruminant meat in Ijebu division of Ogun state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 rural households used for the study. The results of the descriptive and Logit regression analyses revealed that rural households head in the study area are mostly females, attained appreciable level of literacy with a means of livelihood and mostly in their middle age. These rural households consumed small ruminant meat regularly, well educated about the nutritional value of the ruminant meat, and mostly, willing to pay the market price of small ruminant meat whenever they are ready to consume the meat. Factors influencing their willingness to pay for small ruminant meat are age of the household head, occupation, distance from market, and price of small ruminant meat. The study recommends the establishment of slaughter houses and small ruminant meat market to consumption areas and in various villages to broaden the market as well as providing improved market access to producers.
Abstract: Subsistent level of indigenous small ruminant meat production in Nigeria limits its supply and consequently, accounted for its high prices. The study examined the willingness to pay for indigenous small ruminant meat in Ijebu division of Ogun state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 rural households used for the study....
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The Contribution of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church in Forest Management and Its Best Practices to be Scaled up in North Shewa Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Abiyou Tilahun,
Hailu Terefe,
Teshome Soromessa
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
123-137
Received:
7 May 2015
Accepted:
25 May 2015
Published:
8 June 2015
Abstract: This research was conducted in selected moasteries of Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOTC) in North Shewa zone. The main objective of the study is to identify main constraints which hinder the society to learn from religious instituions and apply the best practices and habit of experiences on forest conservation. Accordingly six monasteries were selected at different altitudes and sites purposively. Once the study forest areas were identified, 10 X 10 m quadrats were laid systematically in the forests for vegetation sampling. For the socioeconomic survey, 112 individuals were selected. Moreover, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were employed. Church forests enveloped in this study have an area ranging from 1.6 ha to 100 ha. The total number of species and families in each of the six churches ranged from 17 to 60 and 15 to 39 respectively. Different regeneration status was revealed from the height and diameter class distribution for some of the woody species. The height and diameter class distributions for all individuals in each studied church showed that the forests are at different secondary stages of development. The classification of the species group by ordination techniques showed the differentiation in species group types has a strong relationship with altitude. These church forests didn’t come to exist just by chance. Results indicated that it is by the commitment of the church based on strong theological thoughts and biblical basis. It was found that the local community respects and protects church forests, and considers the church as a central institution and platform. However, the community is not strongly committed to adopt forest management culture of the church due to: 1) the church leaders didn’t teach more to their followers to plant trees and to transfer the knowledge; 2) limited knowledge of the community about the benefits of forests to their livelyhood. 3), In general, the result of this study revealed that, forests conserved by EOTC and its tradition provide an opportunity to establish insitu and exsitu conservation sites for forest resources. They also have greater prospects in implementing forestry conservation, development, research and education programs with some avoidable threats and constraints for which recommendations were presented. Hence, it willl be worthy to include the church and mosque communities when delivering trainings and sharing responsibilities in aforestation programes.
Abstract: This research was conducted in selected moasteries of Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOTC) in North Shewa zone. The main objective of the study is to identify main constraints which hinder the society to learn from religious instituions and apply the best practices and habit of experiences on forest conservation. Accordingly six monasteries were select...
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Study on Coppice Management of Acacia nilotica Tree for Better Woody Biomass Production
Abrham Tezera Gessesse,
Tesfaye Teklehaymanot Gezahegn,
Hailie Shiferaw Wolle
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
138-141
Received:
8 January 2015
Accepted:
14 January 2015
Published:
13 June 2015
Abstract: Over 90% of the energy consumed in the country is depending on woody biomass. The rising demand for tree products and expanding population pressure resulted in decline of forest cover and consequently the demand for tree products exceeded the supply. This study was conducted at Armania Kebele with the aim of to evaluate different cutting time and management practices yielding more wood biomass volume. One indigenous tree species, preferable by the farmers, namely Acacia nilotica was selected and the experiment design in 3x4 factorial experiment with randomized complete block design arrangement and replicated three wise. Eight trees per plot were planted in two rows with 2 meter spacing. The result shows that, Acacia nilotica could be coppiced well with 13 to 29 numbers of coppices per stump at all stages of cutting time. Root collar diameter and plant height were highly correlated with growth period. Hence, Leaving of two and three number of coppices could give higher woody biomass volumes as compare to leaving one and all number of coppices and control (uncut). Therefore it is necessary that farmers should allow two and three number coppice per stump to get high woody biomass volume for fuel-wood consumption.
Abstract: Over 90% of the energy consumed in the country is depending on woody biomass. The rising demand for tree products and expanding population pressure resulted in decline of forest cover and consequently the demand for tree products exceeded the supply. This study was conducted at Armania Kebele with the aim of to evaluate different cutting time and m...
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Germination of Allanblackia floribunda Seeds: The Effect of Soak Duration in Fluridone on Germination and Seedling Growth
Faith Ileleji,
Elsie I. Hamadina,
Joseph A. Orluchukwu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
142-147
Received:
21 May 2015
Accepted:
7 June 2015
Published:
16 June 2015
Abstract: Allanblackia seeds contain about 72% white fat (mostly of oleic and stearic acid), with high medicinal and industrial value, but the plant has not been domesticated, so seeds are only gotten from the wild. The demand for seeds of the wild Allanblackia floribunda exceeds supply and efforts to domesticate the plant to increase seed availability have been unsuccessful due to long seed dormancy periods. Soaking scarified seeds from immature fruits in water or fluridone shortened dormancy to less than 3 months, but the effects of different soak durations on germination, dormancy and seedling vigor, are not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of three soak durations (1, 6, and 12 h) in water or fluridone (10 µM or 30 µM) on seed germination and seedling growth. The study was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment arranged in a Completely Randomized Design, using scarified immature seeds. At 16 weeks after treatment, seedlings were transplanted into polypots filled with topsoil and assessed weekly for the effects of treatments on seedling growth (leaf number and plant height). The % germination increased as the duration of soak in water or 10 µM fluridone increased from 1 to 12 h. The tendency to obtain 75-100% germination was higher when seeds were soaked in 10 µM fluridone (i.e., for 6 or 12 h) as compared to soaking in water for up to 12 h. The shortest duration (72 d, i.e., approx. 2.5 months) to achieve >75% germination was when Allanblackia seeds were soaked for 6 h in 10 µM fluridone. Soaking the seeds for 12 h in 10 µM fluridone resulted in 100% germination in 3 months. At transplanting, seedlings from fluridone treated seeds were taller, and had more leaves than those from seeds soaked in water for 1 or 6 h, but the reverse was observed in seedlings from seeds soaked for 12 h in water. However, these effects diminished after 2 weeks, when the seedlings have become established. This study has shown a promising method for achieving rapid and efficient germination of Allanblackia seeds with no noticeable adverse effects on seedling establishment.
Abstract: Allanblackia seeds contain about 72% white fat (mostly of oleic and stearic acid), with high medicinal and industrial value, but the plant has not been domesticated, so seeds are only gotten from the wild. The demand for seeds of the wild Allanblackia floribunda exceeds supply and efforts to domesticate the plant to increase seed availability have...
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Diagnosis of the Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) Breeding Systems in Ivory Coast
Goué Danhoué,
Yapi Yapo Magloire
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
148-152
Received:
21 May 2015
Accepted:
3 June 2015
Published:
19 June 2015
Abstract: In order to increase animal protein self-sufficiency, the government of Ivory Coast chose a policy of livestock activities diversification including the promotion of mini-livestock such as cane rat husbandry. Today, cane rat breeding has a craze among Ivorian people, but it struggles to really take off. With the aim of contributing to an optimal development of cane rat husbandry in Ivory Coast, we performed a diagnosis of the breeding systems in order to determine the factors that hinder the proper development of this activity. The diagnosis was performed using a survey questionnaire. The survey was carried out using the Participatory Rapid Appraisal Method. Sixty-six farms in 13 administrative Regions of Ivory Coast were investigated. The results showed that most of breeders (55%) were well equipped with livestock buildings in modern materials. However, the animal feeding system was inadequate, characterized by crude protein deficiency. The poor quality of the feed associated with an approximate hygiene management led to high mortality of the animals, reaching over 60% in many farms. The development of complete pelleted diets suitable to the cane rat digestive physiology, with a better control of animal health should allow cane rat breeding to take a jumpstart in Ivory Coast.
Abstract: In order to increase animal protein self-sufficiency, the government of Ivory Coast chose a policy of livestock activities diversification including the promotion of mini-livestock such as cane rat husbandry. Today, cane rat breeding has a craze among Ivorian people, but it struggles to really take off. With the aim of contributing to an optimal de...
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