Abstract/Overview Edible termites have played an important role in the history of human nutrition due to their nutritional value. Despite their nutritional body content, it is known that during their termitarium construction, termites accumulate metals in their bodies. This study examined the heavy metal content in selected edible termites for food safety. The household survey was carried out in 8 camps of Magoye and Stateland farming blocks in Mazabuka district. The study was done to det...
ABSTRACT Cassava is an important food crop in small-holder farming systems in DR. Congo. Due to the limited use of organic and inorganic inputs, soil fertility becomes a major problem in cassava production systems. Inorganic inputs for small-holder farmers are often too expensive to apply at optimal rates and combining use of organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs is a suitable management principle for small-holder farmers. A study involving 15 households was carried out in DR. Congo with th...
ABSTRACT Using field data as well as secondary information, this study aimed at reviewing the operational mechanism of the existing formal and informal credit arrangements in Kongwa district in Dodoma region with the view to assess the performance in serving micro-enterprise sector with particular reference to crop farmers. The study aimed to examine the contribution of commercial banks and retail banks credits to crop farming productivity in Kongwa district. The study used cross-sectional s...
ABSTRACT The properties of similar soils under two agroforestry systems, a sole Leucaena leucocephala woodlot and alley (one with cassava and the other maize in between Leucaena leucocephala hedgerows) were compared at two depths (0 - 15 cm and 15 30 cm) to assess the relative changes in soil properties due to the agroforestry practices. Similar soils under conventional tillage, adjacent natural fallow and forest reserve were also used in the study for comparison of data and evaluation of imp...
ABSTRACT Diversification is a necessity in rural areas, where farming alone rarely provides sufficient means of survival. Conceptualisation of livelihood diversification as plurality of activities from past studies is too narrow. Rather, livelihood diversification should be conceived in terms of the interplay of ability, assets and activities. Therefore, livelihood diversification among rural households in southwestern Nigeria was investigated. Multistage random sampling technique was used to...
ABSTRACT In recent times, rice production can be said to be receiving some attention in Ghana. This notwithstanding, there are still wide variations in rice yield across regions due to differences in production systems and technologies. This study analyses rice productivity heterogeneity among agro-ecological zones and draws policy implications for the adoption of farmer innovation systems (FISs) and improved agricultural technologies (IATs) to enhance yield in Ghana. The study used primary...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Although climate change has posed challenges among the farming communities in different places, it is yet not sufficiently known how peri-urban farmers of Temeke District mitigate and adapt to this phenomenon. This study was set to contribute in addressing this gap. Specifically, the study: i) assessed awareness of peri-urban farmers and the effects of climate change on peri-urban farming; ii) examined mitigation and adaptation measures of peri-urban farmers as a response t...
Abstract This study examined the factors influencing farmers’ willingness to engage in agroforestry practice in Ekiti State, Nigeria using cross-section data. Multi-stage and random sampling techniques were used to select 180 respondents. The analytical techniques involved descriptive and inferential statistics. It was shown that majority (50.60%) of the respondents were within 26-50 years age bracket while the average age of the farmers was 51 years. Majority of the sampled farmers (92.20%...
ABSTRACT It is the general view that homosexuality is an issue that both society and the media find controversial. In Uganda, press reports mostly echo the negative attitudes towards homosexuality as demonstrated by the studies about the 2009 anti-homosexuality bill. This thesis addressed itself to the framing of homosexuality in the two Ugandan newspapers of New Vision and Daily Monitor during the period 2007-2011. The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the frames that the two media h...
Abstract The study aimed on addressing urban poverty in context with urban community gardens in the case of Karoi Town Council. The problem statement states that, due to the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe of poor economy and limited employment opportunities, urban residents are now living under poverty conditions, earning below the poverty datum line and enduring with one meal a day. So it is the core of the study to show how urban community gardens can solve such challenges and reduces urb...
ABSTRACT Background Information-Yaws is an important public health problem and an obstacle to socio-economic development. The disease causes gross destruction of the skin, bones and joints especially in children below 15 years. The study was carried out to determine factors associated with the disease among children less than 15 years of age in the Ga west district. Method - A total of 120 cases and 120 age matched controls were included in the study. Data were collected on sex, hygienic prac...
ABSTRACT The study looked at the Factors affecting upland rice growing for improved livelihood among the people of Kakiri Sub County, Wakiso district. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; finding out the relationship between production of upland rice and the wellbeing of the natives, establish the extent to which the technology employed affects the amount of rice produced, establish the impact of rice growing on the environment and To identify the problem encountered in ...
ABSTRACT Ghana has been lauded for being able to achieve the MDG target of “halving the proportion of those living in extreme poverty before the target date of 2015” (Ghana Statistical Service, 2013). But livelihood activities in the rural areas, which are dominated by farming, have become exposed to higher risks and vulnerabilities with new threats to access to resources. For example, with increasing urbanisation landowners are withdrawing land from farming for other uses leaving farmers...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Agribusiness has been recognized to provide employment opportunities for youth in Malawi. However, little is known on factors that drive urban and peri-urban youth into agribusiness employment. This study examined the determinants of urban and peri-urban youth employment in agribusiness in Malawi. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Sample size was 9680 youth for quantitative data while a sample of 135 for qualitative data. Quantitative data was obtained from nation...
ABSTRACT Urban farming makes a substantial influence on the household economy of the urban poor especially in developing countries. Urban soil the hot spot of urban farming is a natural sink for contaminants especially the potentially toxic trace elements derived mainly from anthropogenic activities. The sources of trace elements include effluents from sewerage drainage system, unprocessed wastewater from neighboring manufacturing industries in addition to farming activities along polluted r...