Executive Summary Presently, Nigeria is among the nations that are technically unable to meet their food supply needs from rain-fed production at a low level of inputs and appear likely to remain so even at intermediate levels of inputs at some point’s time between 2000 and 2025 (FAO 2002). For the rural areas of semi-arid Northern Nigeria, which experiences significant climatic and anthropogenic changes that have exacerbated food insecurity in the region, floodplain agriculture is criti...
ABSTRACT Deforestation and forest degradation are among the sources of greenhouse gases emissions. Therefore, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, ‘plus’ forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+)are considered asa unique opportunity of improving forest governance in developing countries. REDD+ has already been included as amitigation mechanismin the Paris Agreement onclimate change.Tanzania is among th...
ABSTRACT In developing countries which are dependent on agriculture, value addition through local agro processing is always encouraged as a way to achieve economic growth and gaining of international competitiveness. A successful and sustainable growth and development of an agricultural nation such as Uganda would largely depend on value addition using good manufacturing practices and technologies that are efficient, effective, price sensitive and responsive to market needs in addition to pr...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted to assess the extent of community participation in solid waste management (SWM) in Mbeya City, Tanzania. Data were collected using both structured and non-structured interviews. Field observations and secondary data supplemented the data collected using questionnaires. Purposive sampling procedures were used to obtain three representative wards. At ward level, 60 respondents each from different households were picked at random for the study leading to a sample...
ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers in Kenya’s semi-arid areas of Kitui, Machakos and Makueni Counties experience food insecurity due to challenges of low, erratic and poorly distributed rainfall and poor infrastructure. To address these challenges, leaders in the region have seen the need to involve local actors in sustainable development activities. Poor performance of Multi-Stakeholder Linkages for Innovative Agricultural Development (MSLIAD) in development initiatives in the region inhibits f...
ABSTRACT Intensive agriculture and cut flower farming which are characterized by heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers have been on the increase in developing countries. A number of consequences are associated with heavy use of pesticides; however weak enforcement of laws and regulations suggests that their use will continue. There is a high possibility that Flower Farm Workers (FFW‟s) lack knowledge in handling, storage and use of pesticides in flower farms leading to increased incidenc...
ABSTRACT Global warming has led to intensity of extreme events that affect agricultural production worldwide, and sub-Sahara Africa in particular, where economies are highly dependent on agriculture and adoption of modern technology is low. Kenyan agriculture is vulnerable to climate-induced risks and uncertainty manifested in low crop yields. Although potato is a food security and cash crop for many smallholder farmers in Mauche Ward of Nakuru County, its production is affected by variabilit...
ABSTRACT Mangala Village Land Forest Reserve is a productive forest under Community Based Forest Management being managed by the Mbangala Village Council. The forest reserve was established in 2010, at Songwe District in Songwe Region. Sustainable charcoal production in Songwe District has not received a systematic research assessment. To what extent the so called sustainable charcoal production adheres to sustainability principle is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess charcoal pr...
ABSTRACT Nigeria is faced with many environmental problems. Available data indicate that Nigeria is losing her renewable natural resources (including arable land, forest, pasture/rangeland and water resources) beyond sustainable limits. Economic and environmental systems interact in many important ways and hence the need to understand these interactions and develop effective public policy. While economic systems derive many invaluable inputs (some commodified, others free) from environmental...
ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of certified organic production systems on the livelihood of smallholder producers in Kenya. The study followed explanatory research design using two purposively pro-poor chosen case studies (honey production in Mwingi district and vegetables production in Ngong district). Collection of primary data was through face-to-face interviews using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Collection of contextual data was through focu...
ABSTRACT The agriculture sector in Kenya is critical in the achievement of food security, employment creation and provision of raw materials for agro-industries. The sector is affected by various challenges that impact negatively on its performance. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the pressing challenges farmers in Laikipia County are experiencing despite agricultural extension promoting various mitigation strategies. Available evidence showed that information on the effectiveness of Agricu...
ABSTRACT Over the years, numerous intervention approaches have been launched to promote improved technologies in order to attain sustainable development. However, extension approaches, which have been the dominant rural development strategy, have been slow in transforming agriculture resulting from low adoption rate of SWC technologies that were aggressively promoted through extension programmes. Thus, this study examines the adoption and sustainability of soil conservation practices looking...
ABSTRACT Changes of conservation policy from fortress to community conservation aimed at balancing sustainable conservation and rural livelihoods. However, little is known as to how much Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) approach contributed to livelihoods enhancement. Similarly, impacts of wildlife conflicts as a result of successful conservation, and causes of poverty among local communities are poorly known. This study aimed at assessing poverty traps and wildlife conflicts in Mgor...
This study examined the effectiveness of Kenya’s famine early warning information (FEWI) network from 2007 to 2013. The study assessed: presence of collaborative networks (NC), strength of networks (C), organizational commitment (OC), types of information commitments (IC), and perceived impact (PE) by stakeholders at FEWI’s strategy-capacitybuilding-network, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) and the coordination-implementer-network, the Kenya Food Security Steering Grou...
ABSTRACT A study to assess the role of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was conducted to forest dependent communities around New Dabaga -Ulongambi Forest Reserve (NDUFR) in Kilolo District as a strategy to cope with the impacts of climate change. Data were collected through household questionnaires, PRA techniques, transect walk and direct field observations. Climatic data mainly rainfall and temperature for the last 30 years were obtained from Nduli Airport weather station. Data collected...