Climate-Smart Agriculture Boosts Food Security Among Urban Gardeners in Réo, Burkina Faso | InformativeBD

Nadège Compaoré, and Joseph Yaméogo, from the institute of Burkina Faso. wrote a Research Article about, Climate-Smart Agriculture Boosts Food Security Among Urban Gardeners in Réo, Burkina Faso. Entitled, Impact of climate smart agriculture adoption on food security: The case of urban market gardeners in the city of Réo, Burkina Faso. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES). an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Climate change is affecting Burkina Faso’s cities. This situation is forcing urban dwellers to take innovative measures to adapt. Several smart strategies have been implemented in urban market gardening to cope with recent rainfall variability over the period 2001-2021. The main objective of the study is to analyze the changes in rainfall in the area, the smart strategies used and the consequences in terms of food security of the strategies promoted in urban market gardening in Réo. To achieve this, a methodology combining secondary and primary data was required. Descriptive statistics, linear and logistic regression and the rainfall concentration index (PCI) were used to process the data collected. The study showed that the area has a high variability, with a PCI >20, reflecting a high variability and concentration of rainfall over a few months. In addition, the cumulative annual rainfall is increasing over the decade 2001-2021. This situation forces farmers to adopt a number of intelligent strategies to deal with the situation. This has led to leafy vegetable production, multi-species integration in vegetable plots and the introduction of short-cycle vegetables. These strategies have led to an increase in dietary diversity and a high level of food consumption, which has had an impact on the food security of market gardeners. The level of food insecurity is also low. This shows that the smart strategies promoted in the garden plots lead to high levels of food security for the market gardeners.

Read more : Modeling Mung Bean Growth with Polynomial Interpolation: Insights for Better Cultivation | InformativeBD

Introduction

Climate variability refers to variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations, occurrence of extremes) of the climate on all time scales (IPCC, 2022). It affects every continent in the world and Africa is no exception (IPCC, 2021). In West Africa, changes in precipitation are long-run trends (Lüning et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2021). In the Sahelian zone of West Africa, the Sahelian rainfall regime is characterised by a persistent deficit in the number of rainy days. At the same time, the frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased between 1970 and 2010 (Panthou et al., 2014). The proportion of annual precipitation associated with extreme precipitation increased from 17 % in 1970 to 1990, to 18.9 % in 1991 to 2000, and to 21 % in 2001 to 2010 (Panthou et al., 2014).

Sylla et al. (2016) suggest that West Africa will experience shorter rainy seasons, widespread arid and semi-arid conditions, longer dry spells and more intense extreme precipitation. In the face of this situation, smart agriculture has been identified by international organizations as a solution (Finizola et al., 2024). This is because it is a key strategy to ensure the sustainability of agricultural systems and to guarantee food security and nutrition in the context of a changing climate (Antwi and AntwiAgyei, 2023). Consequently, the issue is the subject of research in many countries around the world. Studies have been conducted in India (Kaur et al., 2023; Agarwal et al., 2022), Indonesia (Luckyardi et al., 2022) and Bangladesh (Hasn et al., 2018). In Africa, the majority of studies on climate-smart strategies have focused on East Africa. Studies focus on the drivers of smart agriculture adoption in Malawi (Shani et al., 2024), Ethiopia (Zeleke et al., 2024) and Kenya (Ndung'u et al., 2023). Other studies explore the impact of smart strategies on livelihoods (Tilahun et al., 20/23) and food security in South Africa (Abegunde et al., 2022). 

However, there are few studies in the Sahel region of West Africa, such as in Burkina Faso. Several studies in the north and south-west (Yanogo and Yaméogo, 2023), in the Mouhoun loop (Rouamba et al., 2023) and in the west (Sougoué et al., 2023) show an increase in extreme rainfall between 1980 and 2020. In urban areas, however, the situation will be critical, as extreme precipitation trends will increase over the period 2020-2040 (Yaméogo, 2024). The integration of smart strategies has become an important necessity for urban dwellers. In Burkina Faso's cities, people are opting to change their socio-economic activities, as in the city of Réo, in the province of Sanguié, in the centre-west of Burkina Faso. The town is crisscrossed by many low-lying areas. The inhabitants take advantage of these natural conditions to grow vegetables in the town. However, the variability of rainfall forces them to reorganize the cultivation systems on their plots (Yanogo, 2023). In order to cope with the current rainfall conditions, this situation forces the gardeners to adopt a variety of smart strategies in the garden plots. The main objective of the study is therefore to analyze the changes in rainfall in the area, the smart strategies used and the consequences in terms of food security of the strategies promoted in urban market gardening in Réo.

Reference

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Source : Impact of climate smart agriculture adoption on food security: The case of urban market gardeners inthe city of Réo, Burkina Faso

 

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Enhancing Maize Productivity: Assessing Human Urine as a Sustainable Top-Dressing Fertilizer | InformativeBD

Douglas Marowa, from the different institute of India.  wrote a Research Article about, Enhancing Maize Productivity: Assessing Human Urine as a Sustainable Top-Dressing Fertilizer. Entitled, Sustainable agriculture for food security: An assessment on the influence of human urine on maize (Zea mays) productivity as a top dressing fertilizer. This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR). an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The world’s agriculture and food systems are not presently delivering desirable outcomes on food security, hence threatening attainment of second sustainable development goal, which has a commitment to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture’ by 2030. The research sought to assess the influence of Human Urine on maize productivity as a top dressing fertilizer and remove sceptical view on the use of Human Urine. An experimental research was carried out at a homestead in Marange communal area. Randomize complete block design of three treatments; Human Urine, Ammonium Nitrate and Untreated were replicated three times. The Spearmen’s Rank Correlation Coefficient method was used. Results revealed that the Human Urine treatment had a high incremental growth rate and 3.7 tonnes per hectare at harvesting, which was a good yield for a household in the rural area and would have enough maize grain for the year. The research concur with the reviewed literature that human urine would influence the growth rate and the productivity of crops. It revealed that there was a positive relationship between plant growth and the plant productivity. The researcher concluded that Human Urine has influence on the maize productivity and if promoted could improve food security in the study area. The promotion of biological fertilizer like Human Urine would increase crop production and household food security in the country of Zimbabwe. Further research on the influence of the human urine as a top dressing fertiliser on other cereal crops in Zimbabwe. 

 Read more : Performing Monkeys in Bangladesh: Acquisition, Rearing, and Human Interactions | InformativeBD

Introduction

The world’s agriculture and food systems are not presently delivering desirable outcomes on food security and nutrition (Edmundo et al., 2020). In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted, with SDG2 committing to ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture’ by 2030 (Edmundo et al., 2020). The SDGs recognized, well beyond previous global goals, the strong interconnectivity among development goals. Thus, issues of hunger and malnutrition are linked to issues of equity, justice and employment, along with environmental sustainability hence the need for holistic approaches. Maize production in Zimbabwe has been generally on the decline especially in the recent past years, which has been influenced by the global and economic climate. FAO (2010) reviewed that globally about 925 million people remained food insecure in 2010. FAO (2019) revealed that the average maize production in Zimbabwe has been going down, averaging 1,313,000 tonnes in the years 1996/97 to 2017, 2018 the yield was 970,000 tonnes, 2019 the yield was 830, 000, then 2020 was estimated to go down further to 777,000 tonnes. As the economy continue to dwindle, rural farmers had not been able to purchase fertilizers due to their ever escalating prizes and this has subsequently witnessed the reduction on maize yield. Mashingaidze (2004) indicated that the fertilizer manufacturers have been operating below capacity since the mid-1990s due to general shortage of foreign currency, which subsequently caused fertilizers to be a rare commodity to be assessed by especially smallholder farmers due to its prohibitive costs, caused by the high cost of foreign exchange sourced in the black market.

Maize production in Zimbabwe has been generally on the decline especially in the recent past years, which has been influenced by the global and economic climate. FAO (2010) reviewed that globally about 925 million people remained food insecure in 2010. FAO (2019) revealed that the average maize production in Zimbabwe has been going down, averaging 1,313,000 tonnes in the years 1996/97 to 2017, 2018 the yield was 970,000 tonnes, 2019 the yield was 830, 000, then 2020 was estimated to go down further to 777,000 tonnes. As the economy continue to dwindle, rural farmers had not been able to purchase fertilizers due to their ever escalating prizes and this has subsequently witnessed the reduction on maize yield. Mashingaidze (2004) indicated that the fertilizer manufacturers have been operating below capacity since the mid-1990s due to general shortage of foreign currency, which subsequently caused fertilizers to be a rare commodity to be assessed by especially smallholder farmers due to its prohibitive costs, caused by the high cost of foreign exchange sourced in the black market. The green revolution in agriculture led many people to forget about basic ecological rules in agriculture that include the use of animal waste to fertilize their crops. In a balanced ecosystems urine fertilizes the soil and thus helps plants to grow, hence the need to harness human urine in particular to boost maize production as some farmers may not alternatively have animals especially cattle to tap the urine. Human Urine as a biological fertiliser, according to Kirchmann and Petterson (1994) studies have shown that stored human urine has pH values of 8.9, nitrogen was mainly (> 90%) present as ammoniacal nitrogen, with ammonium bicarbonate being the dominant compound. Urea and urate decomposed during storage. Heavy metal concentrations in urine samples were low compared with other organic fertilizers, but copper, mercury, nickel and zinc were 10-500 times higher in urine than in precipitation and surface waters (Kirchmann and Petterson, 1994). In a pot experiment with15N labelled human urine, higher gaseous losses and lower crop uptake (barley) of urine N than of labelled ammonium nitrate were found. Phosphorus present in urine was utilized at a higher rate than soluble phosphate, showing that urine P is at least as available to crops as soluble P fertilizers (Kirchmann and Petterson, 1994).

However, despite these positive and importance facts about human urine, its uses is relatively rare because of lack of promotion of biological fertilisers, inadequate knowledge and the public still skeptical. This research proposed to test human urine on maize, being the target species as the staple diet of the people of Zimbabwe.

Steinfeld (2004) revealed that Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form that is perfect for assimilation.

Not only that, there is a constant, year round supply of it and it is free. Most of the arable lands in Zimbabwe are characterized by highly degraded areas and infertile soils hence low production in maize yield. The cost of buying inorganic fertilizers has just become unbearable. Maize crop yields have continued to deteriorate mainly due to the above-cited challenges. Hence, the need to research on the use of Human Urine in order to address the problem low production, poor soil fertility and reduce production cost as farmers would avoid purchasing expensive inorganic fertilizer like ammonium nitrate.

Mashingaidze (2004) reviewed that despite the government having been subsidizing fertilizers through input schemes in the past, it has never been enough for most of the farmers in the country, especially in the smallholder farming sectors. The questions remain, “Can farmers use human urine as fertilizer in maize production? Is urine good for the maize plant? Will urine kill the plants? Is urine good for the soil? “The research sought to assess the influence of Human Urine on maize productivity as a top dressing fertilizer. This was done so as to recommend its suitability as sustainable agriculture input that is found locallly, cheap and affordable top dressing fertilizer to farmers in the study area. It will also help to remove the skeptical view on the use of Human Urine by farmers.

Reference

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Prabhakar Adhikari, Hailu Araya, Gerald Aruna, Arun Balamatti, Soumik Banerjee, Baskaran P. 2017. System of crop intensification for more productive, resource conserving, climate-resilient, and sustainable agriculture: experience with diverse crops in varying agroecologies. Pages 1-28 https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2017.1402504

Pradham SK, Nerg AM, Sjoblom A, Holopainera JK, Heinnonen-Tanski H. 2007. Use of Human Urine fertiliser in cultivation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) – Impacts on chemical, microbial and flavor quality: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 55 (21), 8675-8663

Saidou A, Janssen B, Temminghoff EJM. 2003. Effects of soil properties, mulch and NPK fertiliser on maize yields and nutrient budgets on ferralitic soils in southern Benin. Agric Ecol Environ 100, 265-273

Saidou A, Kossou D, Acakpo C, Richards P, Kuyper WT. 2012. Effects of farmers’ practices of fertilizer application and land use types on subsequent maize yield and nutrient uptake in central Bénin. Int J Biol Chem Sci 6(1),  365-378

Steinfeld Carol. 2004. Liquid Gold; the love and logic of using urine to grow plants. Ecowater books

Young PJ, Phom J, Choo J, Ha DL. 2014. Duration of urination does not change with body size. Proceeding of the national academy of science.

Source : Sustainable agriculture for food security: An assessment on the influence of human urine on maize (Zeamays) productivity as a top dressing fertilizer

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Extreme Weather Events and Their Impact on Urban Crop Production in Kinondoni, Tanzania | InformativeBD

Asnath Alberto Malekela, and Pius Yanda, from the different institute of  Tanzania.. wrote a Research Article about, Extreme Weather Events and Their Impact on Urban Crop Production in Kinondoni, Tanzania. Entitled, Extreme weather events and their impact on urban crop production: A case of Kinondoni District, Tanzania. This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR). an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Extreme weather events are anticipated to increase the existing challenges and generate new combination of vulnerabilities, especially in developing countries. Agricultural sector is the most vulnerable due to overreliance on unpredictable rainfall. This study examined the impact of extreme weather events on urban crop production and its adaptation strategies applied by the farmers. Secondary data were collected through literature survey and primary data were collected using structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. A total of 108 crop farmers were interviewed in two wards of Kinondoni District. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data and Pearson Chi-square was used to test the statistical significance between variables. The study observed that, farmers perceived extreme weather events including floods (39%), extreme temperatures (36%), and drought (25%). These extreme weather events affected negatively crop production leading damaging of crops and low yields (38%), outbreak of crop pests and disease (38%), drying of water sources (20%), and loss of soil fertility (4%). Crop farmers used various adaptation strategies such as crop diversification (28%), the use of pesticides (23%), changing of cropping patterns and planting calendar (16%), irrigation practices (18%) and replanting (10%). The study recommends for adoption of new farming systems such as vertical farming systems for better output with the use of limited water and land resources.

Read more : Sustainable Mass Production of Moina sp.: Optimizing Outdoor Cultivation Systems | InformativeBD

Introduction

Extreme weather events are having considerable impact on urban crop production which is the major basis of food and income to a large section of the urban population. The growing occurrence and severity of droughts, floods, increased temperatures and other extreme weather events rigorously affect the crop producers in various areas. Diverse types of weather extremes are anticipated to increase and become further recurrent in a number of regions worldwide due to climate change (IPCC, 2012). There is a correlation between extreme weather events (EWE) and climate change as since 1950’s, there has been increased temperatures. Climate change is affecting the intensity, frequency, and spatialtemporal extent of EWE (IPCC 2012). An increase of extreme and uncertain events is a characteristic of the most recent climate scenarios (Smith 2011; Fischer 2013). The extent of regions affected by droughts has also increased as precipitation over the land has slightly decreased while evaporation has increased due to warmer conditions. Also the numbers of profound daily precipitation events that lead to flooding have augmented. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events (EWE) related to climate change (CC) represents a severe threat to crop production (Motha, 2011; IPCC, 2007). Studies on climate modeling in diverse scenarios at both global and local scales points to a rise in the regularity of extreme weather events (Swaminathan & Rengalakshmi 2016; Solomon et al. (2007). 

Rapid urbanization in developed and developing regions has led to increased food insecurity. One response to food insecurity is the establishment of urban crop production. In these regions, urban farming plays an important role in diversifying urban diets and providing environmental services by greening the cities and making productive reuse of urban wastes and thus making cities a desirable areas to live (Oyedipe, 2009; Mlozi et al., 2014). Cities occupy a small percentage (4%) of the land globally but now are habitats for over half the global population (Potts, 2012; Seto et al., 2011). It has been estimated that by the year 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion people, while, about 6.4 billion people (64%) will be living in cities and thus, feeding it will be a huge challenge (UN, 2019). The increasing demand for food and the high rate of unemployment has further worsened the city situation. Traders, civil servants and artisans are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the high cost of living due to the stagnant income in the urban areas; all these have promoted crop production within the vicinity of the city (Olayioye, 2012). 

Extreme weather events associated with climate change create significant challenges for crop production in urban areas (Mlozi et al., 2014). Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) data shows for decrease in rainfall and increase in temperature in Dar es Salaam region over the past 30 years. It has been reported that, the total annual rainfall in 1986 was 1430.9mm, this had decreased to 782.9mm in 2016, while the minimum and maximum temperatures have increased steadily from an average monthly minimum temperature of 20.7°C in 1986 to 23.2°C in 2016 (TMA, 2017). These variations in temperature and rainfall affect crop production negatively. 

The general effects of the extreme weather events on crop production are complex predicaments that require an urgent effort to ascertain efficient and sustainable managing systems (Cogato et al., 2019). In the current decades, the attention of the scientific community on climate change and its impacts on various sectors has considerably augmented. The IPCC (2014) has reported for the increase in number of publications dealing with the impact of climate change on agriculture, its vulnerability and the best adaptation strategies has more than doubled between 2005 and 2010 and this increasing trend has sustained in succeeding years. The rising interest on the impact of climate change on agriculture is due to its importance in the global economy, especially in developing countries, provided that the majority of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. However, the global climate change impact requires a continuous perfection to forecast and adapt to extreme weather events.

Urban farming despite of its contribution to food security; the sector has been given less attention as some scholars discourage urban farming by referring to as a ruralization of urban settings. Most studies on extreme weather events and climate change impacts on agriculture have focused on rural farming. Herefore this study tintended investigate the impact of extreme weather events on urban crop production and its adaptation strategies.

Reference

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AhmadI, Wajid SA, Ahmad A, Cheema MJM, Judge J. 2018. Assessing the Impact of thermo-temporal changes on the productivity of spring maize under semi-arid environment. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 20(10), 2203-2210.

Akinnagbe OM, Irohibe I. 2014. Agricultural Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Impacts In Africa: A Review. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res 39(3), 407-418. ISSN 0258-7122

Cogato A, Meggio F, Migliorati MA, Marinello F. 2019. Extreme Weather Events in Agriculture: A Systematic Review. Sustainability. MDPI.

Crimmins AJ, Balbus JL, Gamble CB, Beard JE, Bell D, Dodgen RJ, Eisen N, Fann MD, Hawkins SC, Herring L, Jantarasami DM, Mills S, Sahamc, Sarofim J, Trtanj and Ziska L. 2016. Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health       in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC 312 pp.

Fischer EM, Beyerle U, Knutti R. 2013. Robust spatially aggregated projections of climate extremes. National Climate Change 3, 1033-1038.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change). 2007. Working Group II Report “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability “Climate Change 2007 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change). 2012. Summary for Policymakers. Geneva, Switzerland.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change). 2014. Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Eds CB Field et al. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).

Jacobi PJ, Amend K, Kiango S. 2000. Urban Agriculture in Dar es Salaam: Providing an indispensible part of the diet. N. Bakker, M. Dubbeling, S. Guendel, U. Sabe Koschella, H. de Zeeuw (Eds.) Growing Cities, Growing Food, Urban Agriculture on the Policy Agenda, DSE, Feldafing 257-283.

Kangalawe R, Mung’ong’o C, Mwakaje A, Kalumanga E. 2009. “Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of Natural and Social Systems in Kasulu District, Tanzania” In: Maro PS and Majule AE, Eds., Strengthening Local Agricultural Innovations to adapt to Climate Change in Botswana, Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, 2009,pp 224-243. http:www.sadc.int.

Kasimba R.2012. Impacts of climate change on crop production practices among small holder farmers in Guruve district. National Research Database. Zimbabwe.

Kikoyo DA. 2013. Climate Change and Variability Impacts on Agricultural Production in Uganda. University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.

Malekela AA, Nyomora MS. 2019. Climate change: Its implications on urban and peri-urban agriculture. A case of Dar es Salaam city. Tanzania. Science and Development Journal, Vol 3, 40-53. ISBN: 2550-3421. University of Ghana.

Mhache EP. 2015. Why Urban Agriculture?. The Case of Dar es Salaam City and Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. The African Resources Development Journal. Vol 2, No 1. December 2015.

Mlozi MRS, Lupala A, Chenyambuga SW, Liwenga E, Msogoya T. 2014. Building Urban Resilience: Assessing Urban and Peri -urban Agriculture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. [Padgham, J. and Jabbour, J. (Eds.)]. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya.

Motha RP. 2011. The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Agriculture in the United States In Challenges and Opportunities in Agro meteorology; Springer-Verlag: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany pp. 397-407.

Mwamfupe AO. 2014. Assessment of Local Perceptions and Potential Roles of Local Institutions in Climate Change Adaptation in Rufiji District. Tanzania. PhD (Geography) Thesis. University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.

Nzeadibe TC, Egbule CL, Chukwuone N, Agu V. 2011. “Smallholder Famers’ Perception of Climate Change Governance and Adaptation Constraints in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria”, African Technology Policy Network Research Paper No 7.

Olayioye JT. 2012. Urban Agriculture in Ilorin, Kwara State. A dissertation in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. University of Ibadan, Nigeria., Nigeria.

Osman BNG, Elhasssan H, Zakieldin S. 2005. Sustainable livelihood approach for assessing community resilience to climate change: Case studies from Sudan. Working Paper No.17 (AIACC Project No. AF14), 2005.

Oyedipe E. 2009. National Food Crisis Response Programme. (p. 143pp). UN House, Abuja, Nigeria: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Potts D. 2012. Challenging the myths of urban dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa: the evidence from Nigeria 40(7), 1382-1393.

Seto KC, Fragkias M, Güneralp B, Reilly MK. 2011. A Meta-Analysis of Global Urban Land Expansion. PLoS ONE 6(8), e23777.

Smith MD. 2011. The ecological role of climate extremes: Current understanding and future prospects. J. Ecol 99, 651-655.

Solomon SD, Qin M, Manning Z, Chen M, Marquis KB, Averyt M, Miller HL. 2007. ‘Climate Change 2007’. The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’, Cambridge, UK and New York, USA: Cambridge University Press.

Swaminathan MS, Rengalakshmi R. 2016. Impact of extreme weather events in Indian agriculture : Enhancing the coping capacity of farm families. MAUSAM 67, 1 (January 2016), 1-4. 631: 551.583 (540).

TMA (Tanzania Meteorological Agency). 2017. Tanzania Metrological Agency. Dar es Salaam City Climate Data, 1986-2016. TMA, Dar es Salaam.

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URT (United Republic of Tanania). 2012. United Republic of Tanzania, Population and Housing Census.

Source: Extreme weather events and their impact on urban crop production: A case of Kinondoni District,Tanzania

 

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Agrochemical Inhibition of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Pineapples | InformativeBD

E. M. Ilondu, and G. O. Ibuzor, from the different institute of the Nigeria. wrote a research article about, Agrochemical Inhibition of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Pineapples. entitled, Inhibitory efficacy of some agrochemicals on mycelial growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi isolated from heart-rot disease of pineapple (Ananas cosmosus (L.) Merr.). This research paper published by the International journal of Microbiology and Mycology (IJMM). an open access scholarly research journal on Microbiology. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | NNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Some agrochemicals have been tested and found effective in plant disease control to improve food security. Growth inhibitory efficacy of four agrochemicals against Phytophthoracinnamomi isolated from heart-rot disease of pineapple (Ananas comosus) in naturally infested farm at Site I of Delta State University, Abraka was evaluated using poisoned food technique. The fungicides (fungu-force, mancozeb, maneb and mackecknie gold) at the concentrations of 25 -5000 ppm were evaluated ­in-vitro for their effect on the colony diameter of P. cinnamomi in pre-amended PDA medium. The fungicides showed response in inhibiting the growth with a dose dependent effect except for the fungu-force which totally inhibited the fungus at all concentrations tested. Complete inhibition was recorded for Fungu-force at 25ppm, Mancozeb at 1000ppm, Mackecknie gold at 4000ppm and Maneb at 5000ppm. The result of this study can be utilised to develop suitable application regime of these fungicides for trials on farmer’s field in the control of heart-rot disease of pineapple and other crop diseases incited by this pathogen thereby improving food security.

Read more : Occurrence of Pipistrellus tenuis in Goalpara, Assam, India | InformativeBD

Introduction

The attempt by man to improve crop yield in order to produce enough food for consumption by the increasing population is a decision in right direction. The most important problems encountered in this attempt are how to drastically reduce or wholly prevent plant disease which is a continual battle. Chemical application is a highly effective technique to manage plant disease in agriculture (Adeniyi and Olufolayi, 2014). Some agrochemicals have been tested and found effective in plant disease control (Nene and Thapliyal, 1993). Certain protective fungicides although hazardous to the environment are still used for the control of fungal disease (Patel et al., 2005; Ilondu, 2013).

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. (Merr), is an important tropical field crop in regions such as Latin America, Asia and Africa on commercial basis (Kaneshiro et al., 2008) and a herbaceous, perennial crop in the family of Bromeliaceae. It is the third most important tropical fruit in the world production after banana and Citrus (Bartholomew et al., 2003). Nigeria is sixth on the list of world pineapple producers with about 800,000 tonnes per annum. A. comosus fruit is a rich source of vitamin A, B1, B6 and C, copper, manganese and dietary fibre (Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, (OGTR) (2008).

High concentration of Bromelain found in the ripe pineapple fruit is useful in confectionery and pharmaceutical industries as well as in diagnostic laboratories (Amao et al., 2011). The pineapple leaves are a good source of fibre used in the production of Pina cloth (Kochhar, 1986).

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil-borne organism causing diseases of many crops including pineapple. Heart rot affects the basal leaf tissues and may cause rot of the fruit as well. The symptoms include rot of the basal tissues of the youngest leaves at the heart of the apical meristem. Such infected leaves may easily pull from the plant with a slight touch and as it advances may lead to total crop failure and subsequent yield reduction (Green and Scot, 2015). In this study, the efficacy of some agrochemicals against pineapple heart-rot pathogen was assessed.

Reference

Adeniyi DO, Olufolayi DB. 2014. Efficacy of fungicides against Lasiodiplodia theobromae, pathogen of infolrenscent dieback of cashew (Anarcardium Occidentale). Comprehensive Research of Agricultural Science (4), 51-56.

Alexopalus CJ, Mims CW, Blackwell  M. 2002. introductory Mycolgoy 4th edition. John Wiley and Sons International, Singapore 869p.

Amao IO, Adebisi OF, Olajide –Taiwo IB, Adeoye B, Olabode I. 2011. Economic analysis of pineapple marketing in Edo and Delta States Nigeria. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 2(5), 205-208.

Barnett HL, Hunter BB. 1999. Illustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi 4th edition. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A 218p.

Bartholomew DP, Paull, Rohrbachkg RE. 2003. The Pineapple: Botany, Production and Uses. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science, CTAHR, University of Hawaii.

Chakrabarty R, Acharya GC, Serma TC. 2013. Effect of fungicides, Trichoderma and plant extracts on mycelial growth of Thielaviopsis paradoxa, under in-vitro condition. The Bioscan 8(1), 55-58.

Green J, Scot N. 2015. Heart and root rots of Pineapple, Plant Disease PD-106, College of Tropical Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Manoa pp1-7.

Ilondu EM, Ayodele SM, Ofere BK. 2010. Comparative efficacy of neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica (A.) Juss) and three commercial fungicides in the control of Cerosporella leafspot of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). Nigerian Journal of Botany 23(1), 157-164.

Ilondu EM. 2011. In vitro evaluation of four Fungicides for the control of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., the causal agent of rhizome rot of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose). Nigerian Journal of Science and Environment 10(1&2), 242-250.

Ilondu EM. 2013. Leafspot disease of taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) caused by Botryodiplodia theobromea and in-vitro control with some agrochemicals. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 11(3&4), 1404-1408.

Kaneshiro WS, Burger M, Vine BG, de Silva SA, Alvarez AM. 2008. Characterization of Erwinia chrysanthemi from a Bacterial heart rot of Pineapple outbreak in Hawaii. Plant Disease 92(10), 1444-1450.

Kochhar SL. 1986 Tropical Crops, A Text Book of Economic Botany: Macmillan International College Editions, New Delhi. 467pp.

Nene YL, Thapliyal PN. 1993. Fungicide in plants Disease control, 3rd edition, Oxford and IBH Publishing Company New Delhi 691p.

Nwanosike MRO, Adeoti AA. 2002. Evaluation of four fungicides for control of cotton leafspot caused by Alternaria macrospora Zimm. Nigeria Assets series Agriculture and Environment 2(2), 165-171.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). 2008. The Biology of Ananas comosus var. comosus (Pineapple) Version 2, Department of Health and Aging, Australian Government 39p.

Patel NA, Dange SRS, Patel SI. 2005. Efficacy of chemicals in controlling fruits rot of tomato caused by Alternaria solani. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 39(1), 72-75.

Taskeen UN, Wani AH, Bhet MY, Pala SA, Mir AA. 2011. In – vitro inhibitory effect of fungicides and botanicals on mycelia growth and spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum. Journal of Biopesticides 4(1), 53-56.

Source : Inhibitory efficacy of some agrochemicals on mycelial growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi isolated fromheart-rot disease of pineapple (Ananas cosmosus (L.) Merr.)  

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Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Forests, Woodlands, and Wetlands | InformatoveBD

Douglas Marowa,  from the  institute of  India. wrote a research article about, Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Forests, Woodlands, and Wetlands. entitled, Sustainable natural resources management and utilization: Role of forest woodlands and wetlands for sustainable community livelihood and development. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences(JBES). an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | NNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Forest and wetlands are fragile communities, when human activities precede uncontrolled their roles are lost. Objective was to investigate the role of forest and wetlands as water catchment areas in Zimbabwe. Christmas Pass forest woodland and wetland in Mutare was the study site. Sample of 196 people, selected through stratified random sampling and simple random sampling, then purposive sampling for 20 key informants. In-depth interview, key informant interviews, focus group discussion, and observation was conducted. Study revealed that both forest and wetlands are important in the hydrological cycle. Noted that there are several adverse impacts brought by anthropogenic activities. Observed that water was an essential factor in sustainable forest management, and forests are crucial for regulating the water cycle. Forest woodlands and wetlands are under a huge threat for extinction, as anthropogenic activities continue to impact negatively on these areas. Forest woodlands and wetlands are a major water catchment area and there is need for catchment basin management plan for as to rejuvenate the river flow downstream. Recommended the need for best management practices (BMPs) as they are proactive and often voluntary practical methods or practices used during forest management to achieve goals related to water quality, silviculture, wildlife and biodiversity, aesthetics, and/or recreation. Noted that the sustainable management of the forest woodlands requires participatory approach of all stakeholders through capacity building and empowerment. Above all, there was need for the catchment basin to balance its role of provision of human needs and the ecosystem services.

Read more : CuO Nanoparticles fromAllium Cepa Extract: Green Synthesis and Applications | InformativeBD

Introduction

The deforestation involves conversion of forest land to agriculture land, or residential resettlement. Worldwide the most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests. About 31% of Earth's land surface is covered by forests. Between 15 million to 18 million hectares of forest, an area the size of Belgium, are destroyed every year, on average 2,400 trees are cut down each minute (IUFRO, 2007). FAO (2013) indicated that only 4 billion hectares of forest are left. The world has lost one-third of its forest, an area twice the size of the United States. This is despite the fact that forest and wetland are major catchment area for water, which need to be used by the human beings.

The above degradation of the wetland and forest has significantly affected the hydrological cycle. FAO (2013) suggested that water is a scarce commodity as it availability, accessibility, adequate and safety heavily depends on climate conditions, weather and sustainable management of the water catchment basins. The first and key step in providing safe water is the selection of the best available sources of water. The best sources of safe water is found in well protected catchment area that includes forest woodlands and wetlands. In general ground water is better protected water that the surface water, the ground water is usually found in the forest or wetlands as springs (Bonan, 2008).Catchment protection is the second step in providing safe water and where, for whatever reason, source choice is limited it presents a key opportunity to minimise pathogen contamination. A catchment is an area where water is collected by the natural landscape. Imagine cupping a person’s hands in a downpour of rain and collecting water in them (FAO, 2013). The forest woodlands and wetlands are a very important water catchment basin. In most parts of Zimbabwe, it is being evident that the management of water catchment basin depends largely on the institutional setting as well as policy orientation of different communities.

Naturally, human beings, animals, birds and forests depend largely on each other and without proper management systems human beings will overrule the natural communities. This naturally creates tension between natural resources, including woodlands, wetlands, animals and birds since the demand and the need for these natural resources will increase (FAO, 2013). This has led to degradation of the forest woodlands and the wetlands. Wetlands and forest woodlands are fragile communities and when human activities precede uncontrolled, function and roles of the wetland and forest woodland as a water catchment source and species richness will be lost. According to Bredemeier (2002), anthropogenic activities affect the health of our water catchments this is through deforestation of the forest woodlands, and settlement and farming in the wetlands just to mention a few.

Humans often equate forest and wetlands with wasteland, a place to be drained, filled in, burnt off and re-purposed. In fact, FAO (2013) studies show that 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900. Measured against 1700, an estimated 87% have been lost. There has been serious deforestation, clearance, clearcutting, or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees the Christmas Pass forest woodland and wetland that is then converted to non-forest use.

Water has become a scarce commodity in the study area as the water catchment areas are drying up. FAO (2013) indicated that the forest woodlands and wetlands are being cleared for the purpose of timber harvesting, resettlement and farming. Therefore the study area is not spared, this has led to woodlands and wetlands around the study area losing their original status of being a water catchment basin, loss of flora and fauna species used to be seen in the forest and wetland area as there is no water to drinking. The rivers network are dried up and no water is flowing downstream. This then means that Zimbabwe has not been spared, from the adverse impacts of land degradation desertification, and drought. FAO (2013) indicated that it is estimated that 10% of land’ soils are under high risk of erosion due to the nature of soils, which are sodic. The soils break into fine particles and tunnel subsequently collapsing and forming gullies (FAO, 2013). Some of the reason for land degradation especially taking the form of desertification, deforestation, overgrazing, salinization, or soil erosion, land degradation can be caused by unsustainable land management practices, such as deforestation, soil nutrient mining and biophysical factors, such as the natural topography of an area or its rainfall, wind, and temperature.

Reference

Bonan GB. 2008. Forests and climate change: Forcings, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of forests. Science 320, 1444-1449.

Bredemeier Michael. 2002. Anthropogenic Effects on Forest Ecosystems at Various Spatio-Temporal Scales. The Scientific World Journal (2002) 2, 827.84; DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2002.129. Forest Ecosystems Research Centre, University of Goettingen, Germany

FAO. 2013. Forests and water – International momentum and action. FAO, Rome.

IUFRO. 2007. International workshop on water management through forest management. Beijing, 2007. Conference proceedings.

McGuire AD, Sitch S, Clein JS. 2001. Carbon balance of the terrestrial biosphere in the twentieth century: analyses of CO2, climate and land use effects with four process-based ecosystem models. Glob. Biogeochem. Cycl 15(1), 183.206.

Verdonschot PF. 2000. Integrated ecological assessment methods as a basis for sustainable catchment management. Hydrobiologia 422, 389-412.

William J Kleindl, Paul C Stoy, Michael W Binford, Ankur R Desai, Michael C Dietze, Courtney A Schultz, Gregory Starr, Christina L Staudhammer and David JA Wood. 2018. Toward a Social-Ecological Theory of Forest Macrosystems for Improved Ecosystem Management. Forests 2018 9, 200; DOI: 103390/f9040200

Source: Sustainable natural resources management and utilization: Role of forest woodlands and wetlands forsustainable community livelihood and development    

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