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: Rapid urbanization leads many inhabitants of our young cities to adopt collective food for their daily nutritional needs. This situation may be a risk for consumers due to microbial contamination from street environment and unsafe practices related to hygiene. This study aimed on the bacteriological quality of the food sold in the streets, assessed the food safety knowledge, attitudes and food handling practices of vendors and consumers of street foods in Adama. A Questionnaire and...
Abstract: The food insecurity landscape has changed globally due to widespread issues such as the persistence of conflict in some countries like Somalia and the rise in natural disasters over the last decade has seen the rise in the number of major humanitarian disasters. Food aid is the Largest part of humanitarian assistance and it is estimated to account for 25 % to 30% of all aid (Harvey, Proudlock, Riley, Clay and Jaspers, 2010, pp. 1 & 2). The main objective of this study was to explor...
ABSTRACT This study on factors contributing to food insecurity to smallholder farmers was carried out in Mbulu district, Manyara region from September to December 2010.The purpose was to analyze the food situation; identifying limiting factors for optimal food production and to identify various coping strategies employed by smallholder farmers in a situation of food insecurity in the study area. Data for this study was obtained by cross-sectional design whereby random sampling was used to se...
Abstract/Overview Increased human population has led to increased vulnerabilities to hunger and reduced sources of affordable food. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a root vegetable with large, starchy, tuberous roots, consumed worldwide. It is a potential food security crop, with high nutritional and economic value. Production of sweet potatoes in Kenya is low due to disease constraints such as sweet potato leaf spot (SPLS). Fungal SPLS results in reduced tuber yield, since the patho...
Abstract: Insects are being considered a sustainable protein food source for the future to forestall the impending world protein shortage, exacerbated by population growth and climate change. The edible grasshopper Ruspolia differens, a high protein insect traditionally consumed in East Africa- particularly in Central Uganda presents an opportunity for local solutions to food and nutritional security. This literature review consolidates research information, mainly derived from peer reviewed...
ABSTRACT Beans production and consumption is common and form an important historical food and nutrition security in many parts of the world. In Tanzania, the availability of beans ensures food security because it mitigates or reduces hidden hunger since some families consider it as a dependable and complete meal during periods of food shortage. Due to its importance, the inquiry into production and consumption patterns is paramount. This paper contributes some insights in the consumption sid...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to analyze the socio-economic and environmental effects of urban fish farming in Dar es Salaam. Gross Margin was used to determine the profitability of urban fish farming. Results indicate that urban fish farming are operating profitably. The gross margin obtained by tilapia farmers ranges from TZS 658 000/= to 2 515 350/= per pond per production cycle. While gross margin obtained by African catfish farmers ranges from TZS 3 750 000/= to 9 590 000/=. Contrib...
ABSTRACT Improving the microbial quality and safety of cooked food in the school canteen is an effective means of reducing the burden of diarrhoeal diseases among school children. Studies across Africa have highlighted that foods sold on streets pose a great health hazard and contribute significantly to morbidity and even mortality among children. The main objective of this study was to determine the microbiological quality and safety of cooked food sold in canteens in some selected schools t...
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: Water is an essential natural resource, vital for any development to take place. However, not more than one percent of the water is freely available for human needs including agricultural production in the entire world. Arid and semi-arid lands globally are facing water scarcity challenges. Rain- fed agricultural system is the major farming method in these areas, but this has been challenged greatly by aridity and climatic uncertainty. Kitui County is an ASAL where farmers are expe...
ABSTRACT Preservatives in foods are designed to prevent bacteria growth and spoilage, but sometimes they can also prevent you from enjoying good health. While the effects of food preservatives on the body can vary with age and health status, looking into the potential harmful effects of preservatives in foods may help you reclaim good health and protect your personal well-being against toxic damage. Food preservatives are meant to improve food safety and that is why laws authorized their us...
INTRODUCTION Small ruminant production is an important agricultural activity and has a substantial contribution to smallholder farmers in generating income and securing food in developing countries (Kosgey et al., 2006). In Ethiopia, like other developing countries in sub Saharan Africa, small ruminant production is a major component of the livestock sector. According to CSA (2015) report, the total small ruminant population for the country is estimated to be about 58.4 million, out of which ...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess contribution of soil and water conservation practices on household food security and income in East Usambara highlands, Tanzania. Purposive sampling procedures were used to obtain six representative villages. In each village, 40 respondents were randomly selected leading to a sample size of 240 respondents. Structured and non-structured interview questions were used to collect data. Data collected by using questionnaires were supplemented by field o...
Abstract: Homegarden agroforestry support biodiversity and a considerable contribution for rural households’ food security. Yet, the diversity of plant species and it’s contribution to food security was insufficiently understood and documented in Melka Bello District. Therefore, the study aims to assess the diversity of plant species in homegarden agroforestry and its contribution to food security in Melka Bello District of East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. Sixteen kebeles were purposively s...