ABSTRACT Soil erosion is a major threat to sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics. Management practices adopted to control soil erosion and improve soil quality include mulching and the use of Vetiver Grass Strips (VGS). Integrating VGS with mulch could be more effective in controlling soil erosion than VGS or mulching alone. However, information on the effectiveness of combined utilisation of VGS and Vetiver Mulch (VM) in controlling soil erosion and improving crop yield is scanty...
Biodiversity (biological diversity) is commonly defined as the variety of all life. It includes genetic, species and ecosystem diversity and all the interactions between them. Biodiversity is important because it contributes to environmental, economic, cultural and social well-being by providing valuable ecosystem services such as pollination, carbon storage by forests, bio filtration of water, nutrient cycling, soil formation, erosion control, sediment retention and recreation opportunities....
This study examined the role of women in sustainable conservation agriculture as a viable alternative to traditional farmingpractices in Imo State. It analyzed specifically the; socio-economic characteristics of women involved in conservationagricultural practices, various forms of sustainable conservation practices/methods used by the women farmers, effect ofconservation practices on agricultural food crop production and the constraints confronting women farmers in the area.Multi-stage rando...
Abstract: One Health (OH) has gained considerable prominence since the beginning of the 21st century, among others, driven by the recent epidemics and the increasing importance of zoonotic diseases. Yet, despite the holistic and multidimensional nature of OH, to date, most emphasis has been on the interactions between animal and human health, with considerably less attention to environmental and plant health. However, there is growing evidence that the challenges of climate change, growing f...
ABSTRACT This study examines the trends, onset, cessation and growing season of rainfall over Akure using data obtained from the archive of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Oshodi, Lagos, over the period of 1970-2005. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was estimated from the available Rainfall records, Decadal analysis of Akure indicated 1991-2000as a wet decade, while 1981- 1990 was a dry decade. The onset and cessation dates were determined. The estimated parameters were subjecte...
Abstract: Providing detailed up-to-date and site-specific soil information to the beneficiaries at watershed level is essential to solve local problems restricting agricultural production. Site-specific characterization and classification of soils that provide detailed information on soil properties are vital in designing appropriate management strategies for sustainable development in agriculture and natural resources management. The present study was carried out to characterize the soils f...
Abstract: Climate variability and change is increasingly threatening livelihoods and food security and in turn, the attainment of national development goals in Kenya. The declining productivity of agricultural production systems calls for a transformational change in farming practices to ensure sustainable and resilient agriculture. This study assessed smallholder farmers’ perception of climate variability and change, climate smart agricultural practices used by farmers to adapt to climate...
Abstract: Mango is among the three most imperative crops in Kenya in terms production and crop area. However, mango production is limited by a number of issues, among which pests and fungal disease infestation are major. Among the pests, mango fruit fly present a real challenge to producers due to losses incurred at the farm level. Majority of the farmers have decided to use of pesticides which have negative impacts on health and environment. To promote sustainable and environmentally friend...
Abstract: Mango is among the three most imperative crops in Kenya in terms production and crop area. However, mango production is limited by a number of issues, among which pests and fungal disease infestation are major. Among the pests, mango fruit fly present a real challenge to producers due to losses incurred at the farm level. Majority of the farmers have decided to use of pesticides which have negative impacts on health and environment. To promote sustainable and environmentally friend...
ABSTRACT The study on contribution of valley bottom cultivation (vinyungu) to poverty alleviation in Mtitu River Basin in Kilolo District was conducted in order to examine the role of this type of agriculture to rural livelihood. This type of agriculture has been practiced over many decades. In Mtitu River Basin almost all valley bottoms are used by small farmers who practice farming in lowlands, usually called vinyungu, a type of farming practiced in dry season. Tanzania Government has been...
Abstract: Organic agriculture (OA) is often regarded as a sustainable agricultural pathway for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, and an increasing number of initiatives promoting OA were initiated over the last decades. However, holistic empirical evidence on the effects of such initiatives on the sustainability of smallholder farmers is still scanty. We analyzed the effects of five initiatives promoting OA on farm-level sustainability. We selected farmers exposed to the initiatives...
Abstract The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportu...
Abstract The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportu...
Abstract Kenya’s Vision 2030 identifies agriculture as one of the key sectors to deliver sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods for the poor in the rural areas. However, the sector continues to face several endemic and emerging constraints that require special attention. During the first two decades after independence, Kenya’s economy grew at an average rate of 6 percent per year and this was substantially driven by a robust agriculture sector. However, until about five yea...
ABSTRACT The research on “The Forms and Effects of Soil Degradation on Agricultural Land” was calTied out in Bor town Jonglei State, south Sudan. The major areas of the investigation were discussed to known the causes of soil degradation and adverse impacts on farming land and what solutions to be put in place to minimize the occurrence of soil degradation. Methods like photography, interviews, questionnaires, and observation were used for effective and efficient data collection. At the p...