scholarly journals Nutrient resources for crop production in the tropics

1997 ◽  
Vol 352 (1356) ◽  
pp. 975-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L. G. Vlek ◽  
Ronald F. Kühne ◽  
Manfred Denich
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Nutrient Cycle ◽  
World Population ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
The Tropics

For the foreseeable future a majority of the population, and almost all the mal– and under–nourished, will continue to be found in the tropics and subtropics. Food security in these parts of the world will have to be met largely from local resources. The productivity of the land is to a large extent determined by the fertlity of the soil, which in turn is mostly determined by its organic matter content and stored nutrients. Soil organic matter is readily lost when organic matter inputs are reduced upon cultivation and more so upon intensification. The concomitant loss of topsoil and possible exposure of subsoil acidity may cause further soil degradation. Plant nutrients to replenish what is yearly taken from the soil to meet the demands for food and fibre amount to 230 million tonnes (Mt). Current fertilizer consumption stands at about 130 Mt of N, P 2 O 5 ,and K 2 O, supplemented by an estimated 90 Mt of N from biological nitrogen fixation worldwide. Although 80 per cent of the population lives in the developing world, only half the world's fertilizer is consumed there. Yet, as much as 50% of the increase in agricultural productivity in the developing world is due to the adoption of fertilizers. World population growth will cause a doubling in these nutrients requirements for the developing world by 2020, which, in the likely case of inadequate production, will need to be met from soil reserves. Because expansion of the cultivable land area is reaching its limits, the reliance on nutrient inputs and their efficient use is bound to grow. With current urban expansion, nutrients in harvested products are increasingly lost from the rural environment as a whole. Estimates of soil nutrient depletion rates for sub–Saharan Africa (SSA) are alarmingly high. The situation may be more favourable in Latin America and Asia where fertilizer inputs are tenfold those of SSA. Closing the nutrient cycle at a community level in rural areas may be tedious; on an inter–regional level it is associated with considerable costs of collection, detoxification and transportation to the farms. Yet, at the rate at which some of the non–renewable resources such as phosphorus and potassium are being exploited, recycling of these nutrients will soon be required.

scholarly journals Multispecies Swarm Electrification for Rural Areas of the Developing World

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
pp. 3992 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kyriakarakos ◽  
George Papadakis
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Capital Expenditure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Grid Systems ◽  
Difficult Decision ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Solar Home System ◽  
Significant Cost Reduction

Today, 992 million people still do not have access to electricity globally. Most live in rural areas of the developing world. In 2018, the electrification rate for sub-Saharan Africa was only 27%. Furthermore, off-grid systems are projected to provide 65% of the newly electrified population in sub-Saharan Africa. Current estimations show that the average connection cost per technology in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa is 2000–3000 USD for grid extension, 500–1200 USD for a microgrid solution, and 150–500 USD for a solar home system. The most recent studies for real-world microgrids installed in sub-Saharan Africa show that the average split of capital expenditure (CAPEX) spending on distribution versus generation in microgrids is at 50%/50%. This is the result of the significant cost reduction of photovoltaics, batteries, and power electronics, in comparison with the practically stable unchanged cost of poles and cables. Even if the business model is chosen by the investor—usually a pay-as-you-go implementation—there is still the difficult decision to make on whether to go for a microgrid or solar home systems. Taking inspiration from multispecies swarms, a Multispecies Swarm Electrification approach is developed that is able to meet the real-world needs of the developing world in terms of rural electrification.

scholarly journals Nature of Aggregation in Two Tropical Soils of Puerto Rico

1969 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-232
Author(s):  
Raul Pérez Escolar ◽  
M. A. Lugo López
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Tropical Soils ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Clay Particles ◽  
General Data ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Cementing Agent

In both Catalina clay and Cialitos clay there are no marked differences in the properties of the different-sized aggregates and the corresponding whole soils studied. Although well-drained upland soils in the Tropics are supposed to contain less organic matter than those in the cooler Temperate Zones, the organic-matter content of Catalina clay and Cialitos clay was as great as that found in many soils of the same texture in Temperate Zones. Organic matter has a very definite influence as a cementing agent between clay particles. This was shown by the low clay values obtained when or ganic matter was not removed by pretreating the soil with hydrogen per oxide prior to mechanical analysis. From the general data obtained in the study of the aggregates of both soils, it can be inferred that they are formed largely as a result of the breakdown of large massive units of soils. If synthesis occurred to a larger extent, more marked differences could be expected in their constitutional makeup.

Accelerating control of NTDs and schistosomiasis in particular, 2008-2020.

2021 ◽  
pp. 224-236
Author(s):  
Alan Fenwick ◽  
Wendie Norris ◽  
Becky McCall
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract Public health in sub-Saharan Africa, even after COVID-19, has reached a critical mass that promises positive change for nearly a billion poorest in the world. This change is driven by the expansion interested in "neglected tropical diseases" or NTDs, ironically called, and the success of the built-in control programs for them. Now the removal of the disease in 2030, most consumers are in the spotlight due to continued community support: private partnerships for drug funding from pharmaceutical companies, bilateral sponsors (UK and US), fundraising organisations (GiveWell, GWWC, The END Fund), implementing NGOs (RTI, SCI, GAELF) and ministries of education and health care in endemic countries. There's still a lot of work to do resulted in elimination, but the word "forgotten" in the context of the tropics illness may no longer be true. NTD has since been practically unknown in the 20th century outside the poor and rural areas of the world, to a situation where, at the beginning of the 21st century, more than a billion treatments were performed each year.

scholarly journals Rural Electrification in Mozambique: Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
pp. 02004
Author(s):  
Milagre Manhique ◽  
Dominique Barchiesi ◽  
Raed Kouta
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Rural Electrification ◽  
World Population ◽  
Sub Saharan

The International Energy Agency states that access to electricity is an essential condition for sustainable human development, however, it is estimated that approximately 22% of the world population (about 1.6 billion people) does not have access to electricity, a significant part of these people live in rural areas of developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the fact that Africa has enormous potential in renewable and non-renewable energy sources. In Mozambique, approximately 50% of the population does not have access to electricity due to the fact that 66.6% of the population lives in rural areas, where the rate of access to electricity is even worse, paradoxically, Mozambique has a significant potential for renewable energy sources equivalent to 23 TW, this potential when combined with factors such as commitment to ensuring access to electricity for all, forecast of population growth and electricity demand, generates huge investment and long term business opportunities in the electricity sector, however, there are economic, social and cultural challenges that constitute uncertainties that should be considered in the decision-making process for investment in rural electrification infrastructure in the specific context of Mozambique and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. This article aims to discuss the possibilities that Mozambique has to guarantee access to electricity for all by 2030 (emanating from United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7) emphasizing land use plans and education for rural electrification benefits through the use of renewable energy sources.

scholarly journals Classifying and Mapping Periurban Areas of Rapidly Growing Medium-Sized Sub-Saharan African Cities: A Multi-Method Approach Applied to Tamale, Ghana

Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Karg ◽  
Rafael Hologa ◽  
Johannes Schlesinger ◽  
Axel Drescher ◽  
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Urban Land Use ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Sub Saharan

Periurban areas of growing cities in developing countries have been conceptualised as highly dynamic landscapes characterised by a mixture of socioeconomic structures, land uses and functions. While the body of conceptual literature on periurban areas has significantly increased over the past two decades, methods for operationalising these multi-dimensional concepts are rather limited. Yet, information about the location and areal extent of periurban areas is needed for integrated planning in the urban–rural interface. This article presents the results of a study aiming at classifying and mapping periurban areas along the urban–rural gradient of Tamale, a medium-sized city in Ghana. The study used a quantitative, multi-dimensional methodology involving the following as core elements: (1) a relative measure of how urban a place and its people are in terms of services, infrastructure and livelihoods (urbanicity index); (2) the diversity of households regarding their livelihoods and access to urban services; and (3) land use dynamics. Therefore, data from a household survey, as well as land use and other secondary geospatial data were collected and analysed at different spatial scales. The findings suggested that the periurban space consists of two main zones. Inner periurban areas are driven by urban expansion and the conversion of non-urban into urban land use is most visible here. These areas exhibit higher levels of socioeconomic diversity, compared to both rural and urban areas. Outer periurban areas are less dynamic in terms of land use change and exhibit lower building densities, and compared with rural areas, hold stronger links to the city related to the movement of people and goods. The spatial analysis revealed that periurban areas develop mainly along major transport corridors across administrative divisions, as well as in the form of periurban islands in the rural zone. This study set out to extend existing methodologies to map urban and periurban development in medium-sized cities in sub-Saharan Africa, useful for urban and regional planning beyond administrative boundaries.

HEAVY METAL SPECIATION IN BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF THE VYSHNEVOLOTSKY RESERVOIR

2018 ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
O. A. Lipatnikova
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bottom Sediments ◽  
Metal Speciation ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Heavy Metal Speciation ◽  
Mobile Forms ◽  
Manganese Hydroxides

The study of heavy metal speciation in bottom sediments of the Vyshnevolotsky water reservoir is presented in this paper. Sequential selective procedure was used to determine the heavy metal speciation in bottom sediments and thermodynamic calculation — to determine ones in interstitial water. It has been shown that Mn are mainly presented in exchangeable and carbonate forms; for Fe, Zn, Pb и Co the forms are related to iron and manganese hydroxides is played an important role; and Cu and Ni are mainly associated with organic matter. In interstitial waters the main forms of heavy metal speciation are free ions for Zn, Ni, Co and Cd, carbonate complexes for Pb, fulvate complexes for Cu. Effects of particle size and organic matter content in sediments on distribution of mobile and potentially mobile forms of toxic elements have been revealed.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil Collected from Chandrabhaga River in Kalmeshwar, Nagpur, Maharashtra

2020 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Amita M Watkar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Attributes ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Agricultural Land Management ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Soil, itself means Soul of Infinite Life. Soil is the naturally occurring unconsolidated or loose covering on the earth’s surface. Physical properties depend upon the amount, size, shape, arrangement, and mineral composition of soil particles. It also depends on the organic matter content and pore spaces. Chemical properties depend on the Inorganic and organic matter present in the soil. Soils are the essential components of the environment and foundation resources for nearly all types of land use, besides being the most important component of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, assessment of soil quality and its direction of change with time is an ideal and primary indicator of sustainable agricultural land management. Soil quality indicators refer to measurable soil attributes that influence the capacity of a soil to function, within the limits imposed by the ecosystem, to preserve biological productivity and environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health. The present study is to assess these soil attributes such as physical and chemical properties season-wise.

Quantifying Pregnant Women’s Knowledge of Educational Components of Antenatal Care in Lesotho

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabeta Seeiso ◽  
Mamutle M. Todd-Maja
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
In Pregnancy

Antenatal care (ANC) literacy is particularly important for pregnant women who need to make appropriate decisions for care during their pregnancy and childbirth. The link between inadequate health literacy on the educational components of ANC and maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undisputable. Yet, little is known about the ANC literacy of pregnant women in SSA, with most studies inadequately assessing the four critical components of ANC literacy recommended by the World Health Organization, namely danger signs in pregnancy; true signs of labour; nutrition; and preparedness for childbirth. Lesotho, a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in SSA, is also underexplored in this research area. This cross-sectional study explored the levels of ANC literacy and the associated factors in 451 purposively sampled women in two districts in Lesotho using a structured questionnaire, making recourse to statistical principles. Overall, 16.4 per cent of the participants had grossly inadequate ANC literacy, while 79.8 per cent had marginal levels of such knowledge. The geographic location and level of education were the most significant predictors of ANC literacy, with the latter variable further subjected to post hoc margins test with the Bonferroni correction. The participants had the lowest scores on knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and true signs of labour. Adequate ANC literacy is critical to reducing maternal mortality in Lesotho. Improving access to ANC education, particularly in rural areas, is recommended. This study also provides important recommendations critical to informing the national midwifery curriculum.

A Study on the Farmers’ Awareness and Acceptance of Biofertilizers in Kottayam District

GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-431
Author(s):  
Subin Thomas ◽  
Dr. M. Nandhini
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽  
Nutrient Cycle ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Promote Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Structured Questionnaire ◽  
Area Data

Biofertilizers are fertilizers containing microorganisms that promote plant growth by improving the supply of nutrients to the host plant. The supply of nutrients is improved naturally by nitrogen fixation and solubilizing phosphorus. The living microorganisms in biofertilizers help in building organic matter in the soil and restoring the natural nutrient cycle. Biofertilizers can be grouped into Nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers, Phosphorous-solubilizing biofertilizers, Phosphorous-mobilizing biofertilizers, Biofertilizers for micro nutrients and Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. This study conducted in Kottayam district was intended to identify the awareness and acceptance of biofertilizers among the farmers of the area. Data have been collected from 120 farmers by direct interviews with structured questionnaire.

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