Smallholder farmers in Namutumba district draw on a combination of adaptation strategies to respond to effects of climate variability. However, there is limited scholarly evidence and explanation that has been conduct...Smallholder farmers in Namutumba district draw on a combination of adaptation strategies to respond to effects of climate variability. However, there is limited scholarly evidence and explanation that has been conducted on the factors that influence the choice of alternative sets of strategies that smallholder farmers use in response to climate variability specific stress and literature that disentangles climatic stressors specific adaptation options. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the study area and household respondents. The study used cross-sectional research design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Household data was collected from 160 respondents with a structured questionnaire supported by key informant interviews. Multinomial logit modeling (MNL) was used to determine the relative influence of selected household socio-demographic factors on the choice of adaptation strategies against the dry spell. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was used to create weighted adaptation index for categorizing various similar adaptation strategies. In order to respond to the impact of climate variability stresses, smallholder farmers have adapted growing drought-resistant crops (12.2%), extension of the agricultural frontier into wetlands during the dry spells (37%), whereas use of crop rotation (9.8%) is the most dominant strategies used to manage pest and diseases, similarly soil and water conservation (15.3%) and climate-smart planning basin (11%) are the most dominant adaptation strategies use to manage flood. Empirical results from multinomial logit modeling showed that predictor variables gender, level of education, years of farming, house size, access to credit, and own radio have a significant influence on the choice of adaptation strategies with differences significant level during the dry spell. The study recommends that future policies should focus on strengthening the existing extension training package, strengthening the existing farmer’s groups and cooperatives, encouraging informal social networks in order to boost smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate variability.展开更多
This study was intended to understand how smallholder farmers’modifications improved agroforestry technologies’usability in Uganda’s Mt.Elgon region.We used a case study approach to understand how smallholder farm...This study was intended to understand how smallholder farmers’modifications improved agroforestry technologies’usability in Uganda’s Mt.Elgon region.We used a case study approach to understand how smallholder farmers’contextual realities informed their modifications and enhanced the usability of agroforestry technologies.Data was collected over four months of frequent and regular interaction with the cases using formal and informal methods that included in-depth interviews,conversations,discussions,and direct observations.Emerging themes and patterns were identified from the comprehensively reduced data.In addition,respondents’direct quotes were used to emphasize the reasons for the modifications.The findings showed that smallholder farmers modified the recommended technologies to suit their biophysical and socio-economic realities.Differences and similarities in modifications existed among cases across the agroforestry technologies.The modifications were mainly done to diversify tree uses,optimize space utilization,and minimize production costs for farming households.These findings imply a need to critically examine the smallholder farmers’modifications to make agroforestry technologies applicable and compliant to their contexts.This will inform the re-invention of technologies that will quickly diffuse into the community for broader impact.Findings also emphasize the need to rethink the linear model of technology transfer mainly applied in agroforestry technology development and dissemination because it offers limited space for the much-needed feedback from smallholder farmers.展开更多
Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with sa...Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with saline RO wastewater (electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.73 dS/m) (WW) for two years. An adjacent field of non-irrigated, undisturbed native vegetation (NV) that received only natural rainfall was sampled for comparison and assumed to be representative of baseline values. Measurements included mean weight diameter (MWD), dry aggregates > 2 mm (D > 2 mm), dry aggregates < 0.25 mm (D < 0.25 mm), wet aggregate stability, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil organic matter, EC, pH, sand, silt and clay contents, and chemical parameters (NO3-N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). The wastewater irrigated field had more favorable soil quality indicators than the non-irrigated field, presumably due to the pasture mix and irrigation. However, the EC is higher in the WW irrigated field and will affect long-term utilization of the land for cropping, unless good soil salinity management is implemented.展开更多
The influence of social institutions in the management of control of access to watershed resources in a changing climate has not been fully explored. This study examined the influence of social factor variables on the...The influence of social institutions in the management of control of access to watershed resources in a changing climate has not been fully explored. This study examined the influence of social factor variables on the management of control of access to Awoja watershed. The study was conducted in Awoja watershed in Eastern Uganda facing frequent floods and draughts. The study used a cross sectional research design involving factor analysis and logistical regression to determine the influence of social contextual factors on watershed management. Qualitative methods were also used to explain statistical trends. From the household survey data correlation results indicated that, there was a significant relationship between the social issues and management of the watershed (r = 0.353, P −0.489, P −0.249, P < 0.01). From the Logistical Regression two factors “institutions” and “rationale for access” had an increasing influence on watershed management while the other factors had a decreasing influence on watershed management. However, while the influence of institutions was increasing and significant, the influence of rationale for access to protected areas was increasing but not significant. Factors with negative influences included culture, social cohesion and social conflicts which had significant negative influence. The study also found that climate change had negative consequences on existing social institutions due to its ability to erode the powers of traditional institutions and to intensify resource conflicts. The study recommended the need for a local governance system to empower the key gatekeepers in the watershed management in order to promote the role of social institutions in the control of access to watershed resources.展开更多
Access to information and appropriate fishing gear is fundamental to the protection and conservation of the fisheries resources to guarantee sustainable livelihood of the fishers. Social networks in eight fishing sett...Access to information and appropriate fishing gear is fundamental to the protection and conservation of the fisheries resources to guarantee sustainable livelihood of the fishers. Social networks in eight fishing settlements of Rivers State were purposively selected to assess the role of networks on access and use of information and gear among the shrimp fishers. The cross-sectional study used mixed methods to elicit data. Data obtained were subjected to content analysis and MAXQDA 2018 software to generate project maps showing information and fishing gear accessed and used. Results show that 24.8%(31) of respondents joined social network due to information sharing behavior of network members. Information was shared through one-on-one interactions, group meetings, fish buyers and phone calls. Out of the 96.8%(121) of respondents belonging to shrimp fishers’ network, 23.2% attended meetings for at least four times a month while 22.4% attended meetings for more than four times a month. Information shared bordered on price of shrimps, weather and tide, fishing grounds and traps, water level, timing of fishing and processing techniques. Respondents revealed that information shared in their networks was correct, adequate and timely. Fishing gear accessed and used proficiently was dragnet, cast net and beach seine. In all, the evidence from the interview responses suggests that networks play a key role in shrimp fishers’ access and use of information and fishing gear. Fishers are therefore, encouraged to be in one network or the other.展开更多
The soil resources of Sierra Leone remain an integral part of sustainable agricultural development but knowledge of the suitability of soils and their management requirements for a variety of land uses is still lackin...The soil resources of Sierra Leone remain an integral part of sustainable agricultural development but knowledge of the suitability of soils and their management requirements for a variety of land uses is still lacking to a greater extent. In this view, a detailed soil survey of three chiefdoms in Northern Sierra Leone was undertaken to evaluate the genesis of soils and interpret soil-landscape properties and their relationships using the toposequence and free style approach of soil survey. Three major soil types, viz, gravelly, gravel-free over gravel and gravel-free soils, formed either directly or indirectly from weathered and disintegrated parent materials of two geologic origins namely Rokel River Series (comprising of sandstone, shale and mudstone), and Granite and Acid Gneiss were identified. The gravelly soils are formed from sandstone and sandy shales of the Rokel River Series, which upon weathering released iron and hydrated oxides that hardened into plinthite upon drying. The gravel-free over gravel soils are formed from acid gneiss containing acid and intermediate igneous and metamorphic rocks, which upon weathering produced sandy clay textured soils whereas the gravel-free soils are derived from sedimentary rocks (shales and mudstones) of Rokel River Series, which upon weathering and action of organisms produced sandy clay loam and sandy clay textured soils. The gravel-free over gravel soils are mostly located in the summit and back slopes and show dark brown to dark yellowish-brown hue and moderate chroma, weak to moderate structure and absence of coarse fragments in the 0 - 40 cm layer, and a strong brown hue and high chroma, very weak fine angular blocky structure having abundance of coarse fragments from 40 cm and above. In these soils, the compactness of ironstone and sandstone gravels increases with depth. The gravel-free soils are found on three landscape positions, viz, back slopes, foot slopes and toe slopes. On the back and foot slopes, the soils are characterized by very dark brown to dark yellowish-brown hue and high chroma, sandy loam to sandy clay texture, coarse angular to moderate sub-angular blocky structure and absence of coarse fragments throughout the horizon. In these soils, the clay content and sand grain sizes were observed to increase with depth. On the toe slopes, the soils show black to greyish-brown hue and low chroma, silty loam to sandy loam, structureless and high water holding capacity.展开更多
Land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieving optimum utilization of available land resources. Hence, a study on land resource inventory for agricultural land use planning was conducted in the Northern Tran...Land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieving optimum utilization of available land resources. Hence, a study on land resource inventory for agricultural land use planning was conducted in the Northern Transition Zone of India to determine land capability and develop a suitability map for wheat and sorghum-based on physical and climatic factors of production using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Detailed soil survey information was used for this exercise. Four series (Singhanhalli, Mugli, Bogur and Venkatapur series) were identified and mapped into seventeen mapping units. Land capability classification showed that a greater portion of the study area belonged to class III followed by class IV with limitations of erosion, wetness and varying soil properties. Four land capability classes viz., II, III, IV, and VI, and seven subclasses <em>viz</em>., IIsf, IIItsf, IVs, IVt, IVts, IVtsf and VIt were identified. Major limitations of these subclasses were slope, erosion, depth, texture, coarse fragments, pH, organic carbon and base saturation. Soil suitability assessment revealed that the soils are moderately suitable to permanently not suitable. About 234 ha (31.6%) is moderately suitable, 494 ha (65.0%) marginally suitable and 10.2 ha (1.3%) permanently not suitable for wheat;while 78.5 ha (10.3%) is moderately suitable, 633.4 ha (82.3%) marginally suitable and 32.6 ha (4.3%) permanently not suitable for sorghum respectively. The moderate, marginal and permanent non-suitability was due to moderate, severe and very severe limitations respectively. However, it is possible to achieve potential yield of the crops in the study area if these limitations are addressed.展开更多
Common bean （Phaseolus vulgaris L.） is a staple food and income crop in eastern Africa, especially within the Uganda-Rwanda boarder region where it constitutes a major component of food security. Unfortunately, bush...Common bean （Phaseolus vulgaris L.） is a staple food and income crop in eastern Africa, especially within the Uganda-Rwanda boarder region where it constitutes a major component of food security. Unfortunately, bush beans are severely affected by frequent water-logging which persists over a considerable period of the year. In spite of this, farmers have continued to cultivate bush bean though with miserable yields. The study aimed to identify farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms to the climatic predicament, as a foundation for nurturing and subsequently designing appropriate management strategies for improved bean production in the region. A household survey was conducted in Kisoro district, in a location representative of the ecological conditions of Uganda-Rwanda region. 96 respondents were selected randomly at village level from a list of 500 households provided by the extension workers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that farmers possess vital coping mechanisms including construction of ridges, fertiliser application and chemical control of pests and diseases to expedite plant growth, and construction of drainage channels. It is clear that farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms need further nurturing and refining to improve their performance in dealing with water-logging crisis in the region.展开更多
The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 far...The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 farming households using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The determinants of market participation were assessed using the Probit model. Descriptive statistics showed that a combination of crop, livestock and tree products were marketed by farmers. The main products included maize, cassava and coffee （crops）; firewood and poles （tree products）; and birds and goats （livestock products）. Results from the Probit model showed that farm size, household size, education level, access to credit and extension visits had positive and statistically significant effects on market participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets. Age of farmer had a negative and statistically significant effect on the participation. Emphasis on improving the quality and coverage of extension services, extending credit facilities to farmers and intensifying agro-forestry training among farmers are suggested as avenues to enhance participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets.展开更多
In a glance,more than three billion people live in the rural areas of low and middle income countries.In most cases,rural households have many unmet energy needs including cooking,lighting,heating,transportation and t...In a glance,more than three billion people live in the rural areas of low and middle income countries.In most cases,rural households have many unmet energy needs including cooking,lighting,heating,transportation and telecommunication needs.The main goal of this study is Implementing Conceptual Model Using Renewable Energies in Rural Area of Iran.In this study,the Weibull and Angestrom distribution methods were used to assess the potential of wind and solar energy range in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran(The Case study).After determining the values calculated based on meteorological stations’data,the IDW interpolation method in GIS software was used for the entire geographic range of the province.After reviewing multiple regions and identifying potential classes,a village which has the potential to be enough sun and wind energy was selected(Kahkesh village)and then a field survey based on biomass resources was accomplished.The needs of rural residents and rural renewable energy potential was evaluated by study conceptual frameworks during one year.By dividing the value of frameworks energies the amount of energy saving can be calculated.Finally,it recommended that for utilizing the renewable energies in rural areas,as will be discussed in the present work and particularly using the conceptual frameworks,is performed.展开更多
Food traceability is an important aspect of the food safety supply chain to ensure efficient tracking of produce to check contamination and other foodborne diseases.The health and nutrition response after the Covid-19...Food traceability is an important aspect of the food safety supply chain to ensure efficient tracking of produce to check contamination and other foodborne diseases.The health and nutrition response after the Covid-19 pandemic requires a robust and diverse food supply chain in which traceability could play a major role.Since it is an emerging field of study with growing interest in the technological front,it is important to study the scientific trend and research activities.This study provides an important insight into the food safety value chain response towardsmodern food safetymanagement systems through scientometric analysis.Scopus databasewas used to retrieve the documents from the year 1992–2021.The research papers and conference paperswere only chosen.Vosviewer software was used to carry out the scientometric analysis.The distribution and growth trend of documents,country-level distribution of publications,the relationship between authors and co-authors,etc.,were analyzed.The intensity of publications from different countries and the collaborations was analyzed using bibliometrix R-package.The year-wise research publication showed a rapid increase in the researchers conducted on traceability systems to enhance food safety from 2014 onwards,mainly from the USA and China.However,the research appeared to be in the developing phase compared to other technology implementation and automation advancements.展开更多
While energy costs,home size,and home age in Ohio fall into an average range for the United States as a whole,homes in Ohio are well below the average price,making homeowners particularly cost sensitive when consideri...While energy costs,home size,and home age in Ohio fall into an average range for the United States as a whole,homes in Ohio are well below the average price,making homeowners particularly cost sensitive when considering investments on energy savings features.In addition,Ohio is the seventh largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the nation,suggesting that reducing energy use can have an outsized environmental impact.These not only pose a tremendous challenge but also an urgency to home energy conservation in Ohio.This study examines residential consumers’understand-ing of and attitudes toward various energy efficiency measures(EEMs)and renewable energy systems(RESs)through a questionnaire survey with a sample size of 519 Ohio homeowners.The survey results not only revealed Ohio homeowners’knowledge gap but also identified barriers to implementing these improvements.The findings can assist in developing high-quality,well-tailored education and outreach programs to help homeowners make informed energy saving decisions.They can also help guide local policy decisions and the development of effective initiatives or incentive programs.This study suggests that it is imperative to fill the knowledge gap among homeowners,educate them about reasonable expectations on return on investment,and increase their awareness of non-energy benefits that could be achieved through home energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.展开更多
文摘Smallholder farmers in Namutumba district draw on a combination of adaptation strategies to respond to effects of climate variability. However, there is limited scholarly evidence and explanation that has been conducted on the factors that influence the choice of alternative sets of strategies that smallholder farmers use in response to climate variability specific stress and literature that disentangles climatic stressors specific adaptation options. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the study area and household respondents. The study used cross-sectional research design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Household data was collected from 160 respondents with a structured questionnaire supported by key informant interviews. Multinomial logit modeling (MNL) was used to determine the relative influence of selected household socio-demographic factors on the choice of adaptation strategies against the dry spell. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was used to create weighted adaptation index for categorizing various similar adaptation strategies. In order to respond to the impact of climate variability stresses, smallholder farmers have adapted growing drought-resistant crops (12.2%), extension of the agricultural frontier into wetlands during the dry spells (37%), whereas use of crop rotation (9.8%) is the most dominant strategies used to manage pest and diseases, similarly soil and water conservation (15.3%) and climate-smart planning basin (11%) are the most dominant adaptation strategies use to manage flood. Empirical results from multinomial logit modeling showed that predictor variables gender, level of education, years of farming, house size, access to credit, and own radio have a significant influence on the choice of adaptation strategies with differences significant level during the dry spell. The study recommends that future policies should focus on strengthening the existing extension training package, strengthening the existing farmer’s groups and cooperatives, encouraging informal social networks in order to boost smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate variability.
基金the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD),ICRAF and NARO for funding this research。
文摘This study was intended to understand how smallholder farmers’modifications improved agroforestry technologies’usability in Uganda’s Mt.Elgon region.We used a case study approach to understand how smallholder farmers’contextual realities informed their modifications and enhanced the usability of agroforestry technologies.Data was collected over four months of frequent and regular interaction with the cases using formal and informal methods that included in-depth interviews,conversations,discussions,and direct observations.Emerging themes and patterns were identified from the comprehensively reduced data.In addition,respondents’direct quotes were used to emphasize the reasons for the modifications.The findings showed that smallholder farmers modified the recommended technologies to suit their biophysical and socio-economic realities.Differences and similarities in modifications existed among cases across the agroforestry technologies.The modifications were mainly done to diversify tree uses,optimize space utilization,and minimize production costs for farming households.These findings imply a need to critically examine the smallholder farmers’modifications to make agroforestry technologies applicable and compliant to their contexts.This will inform the re-invention of technologies that will quickly diffuse into the community for broader impact.Findings also emphasize the need to rethink the linear model of technology transfer mainly applied in agroforestry technology development and dissemination because it offers limited space for the much-needed feedback from smallholder farmers.
文摘Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with saline RO wastewater (electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.73 dS/m) (WW) for two years. An adjacent field of non-irrigated, undisturbed native vegetation (NV) that received only natural rainfall was sampled for comparison and assumed to be representative of baseline values. Measurements included mean weight diameter (MWD), dry aggregates > 2 mm (D > 2 mm), dry aggregates < 0.25 mm (D < 0.25 mm), wet aggregate stability, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil organic matter, EC, pH, sand, silt and clay contents, and chemical parameters (NO3-N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). The wastewater irrigated field had more favorable soil quality indicators than the non-irrigated field, presumably due to the pasture mix and irrigation. However, the EC is higher in the WW irrigated field and will affect long-term utilization of the land for cropping, unless good soil salinity management is implemented.
文摘The influence of social institutions in the management of control of access to watershed resources in a changing climate has not been fully explored. This study examined the influence of social factor variables on the management of control of access to Awoja watershed. The study was conducted in Awoja watershed in Eastern Uganda facing frequent floods and draughts. The study used a cross sectional research design involving factor analysis and logistical regression to determine the influence of social contextual factors on watershed management. Qualitative methods were also used to explain statistical trends. From the household survey data correlation results indicated that, there was a significant relationship between the social issues and management of the watershed (r = 0.353, P −0.489, P −0.249, P < 0.01). From the Logistical Regression two factors “institutions” and “rationale for access” had an increasing influence on watershed management while the other factors had a decreasing influence on watershed management. However, while the influence of institutions was increasing and significant, the influence of rationale for access to protected areas was increasing but not significant. Factors with negative influences included culture, social cohesion and social conflicts which had significant negative influence. The study also found that climate change had negative consequences on existing social institutions due to its ability to erode the powers of traditional institutions and to intensify resource conflicts. The study recommended the need for a local governance system to empower the key gatekeepers in the watershed management in order to promote the role of social institutions in the control of access to watershed resources.
文摘Access to information and appropriate fishing gear is fundamental to the protection and conservation of the fisheries resources to guarantee sustainable livelihood of the fishers. Social networks in eight fishing settlements of Rivers State were purposively selected to assess the role of networks on access and use of information and gear among the shrimp fishers. The cross-sectional study used mixed methods to elicit data. Data obtained were subjected to content analysis and MAXQDA 2018 software to generate project maps showing information and fishing gear accessed and used. Results show that 24.8%(31) of respondents joined social network due to information sharing behavior of network members. Information was shared through one-on-one interactions, group meetings, fish buyers and phone calls. Out of the 96.8%(121) of respondents belonging to shrimp fishers’ network, 23.2% attended meetings for at least four times a month while 22.4% attended meetings for more than four times a month. Information shared bordered on price of shrimps, weather and tide, fishing grounds and traps, water level, timing of fishing and processing techniques. Respondents revealed that information shared in their networks was correct, adequate and timely. Fishing gear accessed and used proficiently was dragnet, cast net and beach seine. In all, the evidence from the interview responses suggests that networks play a key role in shrimp fishers’ access and use of information and fishing gear. Fishers are therefore, encouraged to be in one network or the other.
文摘The soil resources of Sierra Leone remain an integral part of sustainable agricultural development but knowledge of the suitability of soils and their management requirements for a variety of land uses is still lacking to a greater extent. In this view, a detailed soil survey of three chiefdoms in Northern Sierra Leone was undertaken to evaluate the genesis of soils and interpret soil-landscape properties and their relationships using the toposequence and free style approach of soil survey. Three major soil types, viz, gravelly, gravel-free over gravel and gravel-free soils, formed either directly or indirectly from weathered and disintegrated parent materials of two geologic origins namely Rokel River Series (comprising of sandstone, shale and mudstone), and Granite and Acid Gneiss were identified. The gravelly soils are formed from sandstone and sandy shales of the Rokel River Series, which upon weathering released iron and hydrated oxides that hardened into plinthite upon drying. The gravel-free over gravel soils are formed from acid gneiss containing acid and intermediate igneous and metamorphic rocks, which upon weathering produced sandy clay textured soils whereas the gravel-free soils are derived from sedimentary rocks (shales and mudstones) of Rokel River Series, which upon weathering and action of organisms produced sandy clay loam and sandy clay textured soils. The gravel-free over gravel soils are mostly located in the summit and back slopes and show dark brown to dark yellowish-brown hue and moderate chroma, weak to moderate structure and absence of coarse fragments in the 0 - 40 cm layer, and a strong brown hue and high chroma, very weak fine angular blocky structure having abundance of coarse fragments from 40 cm and above. In these soils, the compactness of ironstone and sandstone gravels increases with depth. The gravel-free soils are found on three landscape positions, viz, back slopes, foot slopes and toe slopes. On the back and foot slopes, the soils are characterized by very dark brown to dark yellowish-brown hue and high chroma, sandy loam to sandy clay texture, coarse angular to moderate sub-angular blocky structure and absence of coarse fragments throughout the horizon. In these soils, the clay content and sand grain sizes were observed to increase with depth. On the toe slopes, the soils show black to greyish-brown hue and low chroma, silty loam to sandy loam, structureless and high water holding capacity.
文摘Land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieving optimum utilization of available land resources. Hence, a study on land resource inventory for agricultural land use planning was conducted in the Northern Transition Zone of India to determine land capability and develop a suitability map for wheat and sorghum-based on physical and climatic factors of production using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Detailed soil survey information was used for this exercise. Four series (Singhanhalli, Mugli, Bogur and Venkatapur series) were identified and mapped into seventeen mapping units. Land capability classification showed that a greater portion of the study area belonged to class III followed by class IV with limitations of erosion, wetness and varying soil properties. Four land capability classes viz., II, III, IV, and VI, and seven subclasses <em>viz</em>., IIsf, IIItsf, IVs, IVt, IVts, IVtsf and VIt were identified. Major limitations of these subclasses were slope, erosion, depth, texture, coarse fragments, pH, organic carbon and base saturation. Soil suitability assessment revealed that the soils are moderately suitable to permanently not suitable. About 234 ha (31.6%) is moderately suitable, 494 ha (65.0%) marginally suitable and 10.2 ha (1.3%) permanently not suitable for wheat;while 78.5 ha (10.3%) is moderately suitable, 633.4 ha (82.3%) marginally suitable and 32.6 ha (4.3%) permanently not suitable for sorghum respectively. The moderate, marginal and permanent non-suitability was due to moderate, severe and very severe limitations respectively. However, it is possible to achieve potential yield of the crops in the study area if these limitations are addressed.
文摘Common bean （Phaseolus vulgaris L.） is a staple food and income crop in eastern Africa, especially within the Uganda-Rwanda boarder region where it constitutes a major component of food security. Unfortunately, bush beans are severely affected by frequent water-logging which persists over a considerable period of the year. In spite of this, farmers have continued to cultivate bush bean though with miserable yields. The study aimed to identify farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms to the climatic predicament, as a foundation for nurturing and subsequently designing appropriate management strategies for improved bean production in the region. A household survey was conducted in Kisoro district, in a location representative of the ecological conditions of Uganda-Rwanda region. 96 respondents were selected randomly at village level from a list of 500 households provided by the extension workers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that farmers possess vital coping mechanisms including construction of ridges, fertiliser application and chemical control of pests and diseases to expedite plant growth, and construction of drainage channels. It is clear that farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms need further nurturing and refining to improve their performance in dealing with water-logging crisis in the region.
文摘The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 farming households using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The determinants of market participation were assessed using the Probit model. Descriptive statistics showed that a combination of crop, livestock and tree products were marketed by farmers. The main products included maize, cassava and coffee （crops）; firewood and poles （tree products）; and birds and goats （livestock products）. Results from the Probit model showed that farm size, household size, education level, access to credit and extension visits had positive and statistically significant effects on market participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets. Age of farmer had a negative and statistically significant effect on the participation. Emphasis on improving the quality and coverage of extension services, extending credit facilities to farmers and intensifying agro-forestry training among farmers are suggested as avenues to enhance participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets.
文摘In a glance,more than three billion people live in the rural areas of low and middle income countries.In most cases,rural households have many unmet energy needs including cooking,lighting,heating,transportation and telecommunication needs.The main goal of this study is Implementing Conceptual Model Using Renewable Energies in Rural Area of Iran.In this study,the Weibull and Angestrom distribution methods were used to assess the potential of wind and solar energy range in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran(The Case study).After determining the values calculated based on meteorological stations’data,the IDW interpolation method in GIS software was used for the entire geographic range of the province.After reviewing multiple regions and identifying potential classes,a village which has the potential to be enough sun and wind energy was selected(Kahkesh village)and then a field survey based on biomass resources was accomplished.The needs of rural residents and rural renewable energy potential was evaluated by study conceptual frameworks during one year.By dividing the value of frameworks energies the amount of energy saving can be calculated.Finally,it recommended that for utilizing the renewable energies in rural areas,as will be discussed in the present work and particularly using the conceptual frameworks,is performed.
文摘Food traceability is an important aspect of the food safety supply chain to ensure efficient tracking of produce to check contamination and other foodborne diseases.The health and nutrition response after the Covid-19 pandemic requires a robust and diverse food supply chain in which traceability could play a major role.Since it is an emerging field of study with growing interest in the technological front,it is important to study the scientific trend and research activities.This study provides an important insight into the food safety value chain response towardsmodern food safetymanagement systems through scientometric analysis.Scopus databasewas used to retrieve the documents from the year 1992–2021.The research papers and conference paperswere only chosen.Vosviewer software was used to carry out the scientometric analysis.The distribution and growth trend of documents,country-level distribution of publications,the relationship between authors and co-authors,etc.,were analyzed.The intensity of publications from different countries and the collaborations was analyzed using bibliometrix R-package.The year-wise research publication showed a rapid increase in the researchers conducted on traceability systems to enhance food safety from 2014 onwards,mainly from the USA and China.However,the research appeared to be in the developing phase compared to other technology implementation and automation advancements.
基金NSF Grant CNS-1446582Engagement Impact Grant from The Ohio State University.
文摘While energy costs,home size,and home age in Ohio fall into an average range for the United States as a whole,homes in Ohio are well below the average price,making homeowners particularly cost sensitive when considering investments on energy savings features.In addition,Ohio is the seventh largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the nation,suggesting that reducing energy use can have an outsized environmental impact.These not only pose a tremendous challenge but also an urgency to home energy conservation in Ohio.This study examines residential consumers’understand-ing of and attitudes toward various energy efficiency measures(EEMs)and renewable energy systems(RESs)through a questionnaire survey with a sample size of 519 Ohio homeowners.The survey results not only revealed Ohio homeowners’knowledge gap but also identified barriers to implementing these improvements.The findings can assist in developing high-quality,well-tailored education and outreach programs to help homeowners make informed energy saving decisions.They can also help guide local policy decisions and the development of effective initiatives or incentive programs.This study suggests that it is imperative to fill the knowledge gap among homeowners,educate them about reasonable expectations on return on investment,and increase their awareness of non-energy benefits that could be achieved through home energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
