Search
Now showing items 31-39 of 39
Aufsatz
Pollination of Acacia woodlands and honey production by honey bees in Kitui, Kenya
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Acacia woodlands dominate arid and semi-arid areas across the world and are an important source of livelihood supporting activities. This is also the case in Kenya, where the Acacia woodlands are under pressure, partly due to the extractive activities that generate household income, such as collection of fuelwood, building poles, charcoal burning and livestock fodder. There is an apparent dilemma between the extractive and non-extractive use of the Acacia woodlands, and a need to develop income generating activities ...
Aufsatz
Vertical price linkages in food markets: Evidence from the tomato value chain of Northern South Africa
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Price transmission in agricultural fresh produce markets is a subject of considerable interest to policymakers given that improved market performance for agricultural commodities promotes market development and maximization of social welfare. In northern South Africa, where tomato production dominates the country, studies exist on the general production, marketing, and consumption of fresh produce. However, the literature lacks an analytical component that is pertinent to the mechanism of price transmission and ...
Aufsatz
Assessment of genetic diversity in Agropyron desertorum accessions using ISSR molecular marker
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Molecular markers, such as Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), are relatively easy to use and are highly effective for genetic diversity studies. This research was carried out to evaluate polymorphism and variation among Agropyron accessions. Genetic variability was studied for 13 accessions of Agropyron desertorum using molecular markers. Genetic variations for 13 accessions were screened using 15 ISSR primers and 12 primers were scored. The ISSR primers produced 61 bands, of which the polymorphism was observed ...
Aufsatz
Linking sustainable diets to the concept of food system sustainability
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Based on insights from an ongoing research project on food sustainability, we argue that discussing sustainable diets in isolation from food systems poses risks. Among these risks are making healthy diets exclusive, or ignoring externalities like biodiversity loss, land concentration, and encroachment on commons. Case studies from Bolivia and Kenya show how marked shifts from traditional to more uniform diets rich in sugar, salt, and fatty acids come with a radical transformation of food systems. Systems formerly ...
Aufsatz
Seaweed farming as a sustainable livelihood option for northern coastal communities in Sri Lanka
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Sri Lanka has recently contributed to the growing significance of seaweed farming in the globe. This study attempted to assess the financial feasibility, employment generation, perceived importance, social acceptability and major constraints associated with seaweed farming in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. The study sample included 160 seaweed farmers from the area. A questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data and information. Descriptive analytical, investment ...
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 ...