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Dissertation
Herd management and livestock productivity in the Altai region of Western Mongolia
(2016-08-17)
This thesis analyses the influence of qualitative and quantitative herbage production on seasonal rangelands, and of herd and pasture use strategies on feed intake, body mass development and reproductive performance of sheep and goats in the Altai mountain region of Bulgan county (soum) in Khovd province (aimag). This westernmost county of Mongolia is characterized by a very poor road network and thus very difficult access to regional and national markets. The thesis explores in this localized context the current ...
Dissertation
Effects of mild water restriction on digestion and nitrogen metabolism in a desert adapted goat breed
(2017-04-26)
Water is the main challenge facing animal husbandry in arid and semi-arid regions of the globe. These areas are characterized by a long dry season lasting between 6 and 8 months. At certain times during the long dry period, water can be so scarce that animals may face severe water shortages. Many studies have been conducted to highlight how ruminants cope during these times of severe water deprivation. Yet, livestock are much more often exposed to mild water shortages for several months in a year. Only a few studies ...
Aufsatz
Adoption of an improved bean seed variety and consumption of beans in rural Madagascar: Evidence from a randomised control trial
(Kassel University Press, 2017-10-20)
This paper studies access to, and adoption of improved seed, as well as the diffusion of improved seed information in a remote area of central Madagascar. The analysis is based on panel data gathered from 2012 to 2014 from 390 households in three villages. In 2013, a randomised control trial was applied. Half of the 390 households were randomly assigned to receive improved lima bean seed (Phaseolus lunatus), which were specifically bred for dry regions. Of the seed-receiving households, 50 % were randomly assigned ...
Aufsatz
Typological characterisation of farms in a smallholder food-cash crop production system in Zimbabwe – opportunities for livelihood sustainability
(Kassel University Press, 2018-09-11)
The diversity of smallholder farms in space, resource endowment, production and consumption decisions are often a hindrance to the design, targeting, implementation and scaling out of agricultural development projects. Understanding farm heterogeneity is crucial in targeting interventions that can potentially contribute to improved crop productivity, food security and livelihood sustainability. The study sought to define and understand farm typology in a resettlement smallholder food-cash crop production area in ...
Aufsatz
Applying phosphorus indices at a small agricultural watershed in Southern Brazil
(Kassel University Press, 2018-04-04)
Best management practices at watershed scale are essential to mitigate water pollution. The objectives of this study were: (1) to estimate the P-index in a small watershed with intensive agricultural use applying five P-index versions at three scales (watershed, sub-basin and agricultural field); (2) to assess the effect of the connectivity factors (distance between the agricultural field and the stream and width of riparian native vegetation) in estimating the risk of P loss. The five P-index versions resulted in a ...
Aufsatz
Motivations to consume agroecological food: An analysis of farmers’ markets in Quito, Ecuador
(Kassel University Press, 2018-08-21)
This paper examines the motivations to consume agroecological foods in Quito, Ecuador. Using data from a survey (n = 254) conducted among the customers of farmers’ markets, the results reveal that agroecological consumers are substantially different from the rest of the population in terms of education, income and life style. The perceived healthiness of agroecological food is by far the main motivation to buy at farmers’ markets, with environmental concern as the least important motivation. In terms of who spends ...
Aufsatz
Impact of agricultural activities on pesticide residues in soil of edible bamboo shoot plantations
(Kassel University Press, 2018-04-04)
Edible bamboo shoot is one of the most important vegetables in Asian countries. Intensive agricultural management measures can cause many negative influences, such as soil acidification and excessive pesticide residues. In the present study, more than 300 soil samples were collected from edible bamboo shoot plantations in six areas throughout Zhejiang province, China, to investigate the soil pesticide pollution and its change after different agricultural activities. Thirteen organic chemicals were detected; nine less ...
Aufsatz
Veganism as a Virtue: How compassion and fairness show us what is virtuous about veganism
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2017-10-16)
With millions of animals brought into existence and raised for food every year, their negative impact upon the environment and the staggering growth in the number of chronic diseases caused by meat and dairy diets make a global move toward ethical veganism imperative. Typically, utilitarians and deontologists have led this discussion. The purpose of this paper is to propose a virtuous approach to ethical veganism. Virtue ethics can be used to construct a defense of ethical veganism by relying on the virtues of ...
Dissertation
Diversity, local uses and availability of medicinal plants and wild yams in the Mahafaly region of south-western Madagascar
(2015-08-31)
Short summary:
This study was undertaken to assess the diversity of plant resources utilized by the local population in south-western Madagascar, the social, ecological and biophysical conditions that drive their uses and availability, and possible alternative strategies for their sustainable use in the region. The study region, ‘Mahafaly region’, located in south-western Madagascar, is one of the country’s most economically, educationally and climatically disadvantaged regions. With an arid steppe climate, the ...
Dissertation
Microbial response to restoration of tantalite mine soils in western Rwanda
(2016-05-04)
Artisanal columbite-tantalite (coltan) mining has had negative effects on the rural economy in the great Lakes region of Africa through labor deficits, degradation and loss of farmland, food insecurity, high cost of living, and reduced traditional export crop production alongside secondary impacts that remotely affect the quality of air, water, soil, plants, animals, and human wellbeing. The situation is multifaceted and calls for a holistic approach for short and long-term mitigation of such negative effects. This ...