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Pyrolytic transformation of indigenous biomass wastes into biochar: an insight into char structure and physicochemical characteristics
(2022-08-20)
Biochar, the product obtained by the pyrolysis of organic materials with little or no available air, acts as a longterm recalcitrant source of organic carbon when applied to soil. In the present study an in-farm method has been standardized for the pyrolytic conversion of four indigenous biomass resources into biochar. The biomass feedstocks viz. bovine bone (BB), coconut shell (CS), rubberwood (RW) and water hyacinth (WH) were dried and subjected to proximate, ultimate, biochemical analysis and were subjected to ...
Aufsatz
Index-based agricultural insurance products: challenges, opportunities and prospects for uptake in sub-Sahara Africa
(Kassel University Press, 2017-07-25)
Agricultural insurance products have been piloted in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to address climate related risks faced by farmers. However, these products in general face low rates of adoption in SSA. Factors and challenges that may explain the low uptake of index-based insurance products in SSA are reviewed in this paper with the objective of assessing and documenting (i) the insurance products available to farmers, (ii) factors influencing farmers to purchase insurance products, (iii) challenges limiting farmers ...
Aufsatz
Intervention options for small-scale family poultry development in south-eastern Madagascar: an expert survey
(2023-03-14)
The diets of resource-poor farmers in the Atsimo Atsinanana (AA) region of south-eastern Madagascar have limited diversity and are low in animal protein. Although poultry farming is widespread, productivity is low, and consumption of eggs is uncommon. To enable effective development interventions targeting poultry value chains, this study pursues two goals: (i) to describe current challenges in small-scale poultry rearing and egg consumption in AA, and (ii) to explore viable options for promoting poultry production. ...
Aufsatz
Identification of socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice (Oryza spp.) yields in Benin (West Africa)
(2022-12-28)
Rice (Oryza spp.) is one of the major staple foods in Benin. Benin has increased rice production through the expansion of cultivation area rather than increasing rice yields. To better understand the factors affecting rice yields, a thorough understanding of the current rice production system characteristics and constraints is required. The present study identifies socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice yields and suggests improved cultivation practices in the sector. Data were collected ...
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Analysis of the nutritional and productive behaviour of dairy cows under three rotation bands of pastures, Pichincha, Ecuador
(2021-12-08)
This research was carried out on Pennisetum clandestinum-based pastures to identify the effect of three (3) types of stocking methods with similar forage allowance (8.2 kg of dry matter for 100 kg of live weight) but differing by the occupation times of the rotations (3 h, 24 h, and continuous) on the behaviour and the production of dairy cows. The experimental scheme consisted in three herds of four Holstein Friesian cows grazing three paddocks, one per rotation type, for one week and replicated three times in a ...
Aufsatz
Tillage system and integrated soil fertility inputs improve smallholder farmers’ soil fertility and maize productivity in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(2021-09-20)
We designed and implemented an on-farm trial in Meru South and Gatanga sub-counties to understand the effects of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies on soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and maize productivity. The technologies included combinations of mineral fertiliser and maize stover (CrMf); crop residue, Tithonia diversifolia and rock phosphate (CrTiP); crop residue, Tithonia diversifolia and goat manure (CrTi-Man); crop residue, inorganic fertiliser and goat manure (CrMfMan); ...
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Exploring inclusiveness of vulnerable and marginalized people in the cassava value chain in the Lake Region, Kenya
(2023-03-21)
Vulnerable and marginalised groups (VMGs) who comprise widows, orphans, people living with disability and HIV, have not been given sufficient attention in agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by policy makers, development partners, research, and extension, yet they comprise nearly one-quarter of all smallholder farmers. This study explored inclusion of VMGs in cassava value chain in the Lake Region of Kenya. Formal survey, focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect data ...
Aufsatz
Economic evaluation of biological nitrogen fixation in flooded rice cultivation in subtropical lowlands
(2023-06-13)
This study aimed to assess the economic viability of biological nitrogen fixation in flood rice cultivation in subtropical lowlands. A field experiment of seven treatments was carried out during the cropping seasons 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 at the Lowland Experimental Station of Embrapa, in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. The evaluated treatments were: (1) negative control (without N and inoculant); (2) positive control with recommended N-fertilization (120 kg N ha-¹, without inoculant) (standard recommendation); ...
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Identification of fungal pathogens causing postharvest rot of bulb onions (Allium cepa L.) in selected major growing regions of Kenya
(2023-06-27)
Rot is a major cause of bulb onion losses in Kenya, accounting for about 14 % of total postharvest losses. In Kenya, the fungi associated with bulb onion postharvest rot of onion postharvest rots are not well known. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying the fungal pathogens contributing to bulb onion postharvest rot in major growing regions of Kenya. Bulb onion samples were collected from seven major markets and isolates were obtained by cutting 3 mm tissue segments from the edges of rotten lesions. These were ...
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Estimation of growth parameters in Brahman cattle from Mexico
(2023)
The objectives were to evaluate non-linear models (NLM) to define the growth curve of Brahman cattle in Mexico. The database was derived from weight development control, with live weight measurements (150,932 in females and 286,804 in males) taken in the interval from birth to 1095 days of age. Four NLM were evaluated: Brody, Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic. The selection of the NLM with the best adjustment was made based on the Akaike and Bayesian information criteria. Growth parameters were generated: adult ...