scholarly journals Potential returns to yam research investment in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djana Babatima Mignouna ◽  
Adebayo Akinboye Akinola ◽  
Tahirou Abdoulaye ◽  
Arega D Alene ◽  
Victor Manyong ◽  
...  

Lack of good-quality planting materials has been identified as the most severe problem militating against increased agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond. However, investment of research efforts and resources in addressing this menace will only be feasible and worthwhile if attendant economic gains are considerable. As a way of investigating the economic viability of yam investment, this research has been initiated to address problems confronting yam productivity in eight countries of SSA and beyond: Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, and Columbia. Research options developed were to be deployed and disseminated. Key technologies include the adaptive yam minisett technique (AYMT), varieties adapted to low soil fertility and drought, nematode-resistant cultivars (NRC), and crop management and postharvest practices (CMPP). This article aims at estimating the potential economic returns, the expected number of beneficiaries, and poverty reduction consequent to the adoption of technology options. Estimates show that the new land area that will be covered by the technologies in the eight countries will range between 770,000 ha and 1,000,000 ha with the highest quota accounted for by AYMT. The net present value will range between US$584 and US$1392 million and was highest for the NRC. The CMPP had the lowest benefit-cost ratio of 7.74. About 1,049,000 people would be moved out of poverty by these technologies by 2037 in the region. These technologies are less responsive to changes in cost than that in adoption rate. Therefore, the realization of the potential economic gains depends on the rate and extent of adoption of these technologies. Giving the knowledge-intensive nature of some of these interventions, capacity building of potential adopters will be critical to increasing the sustainability of the yam sector, thereby enhancing food security and reducing poverty.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harun I Gitari ◽  
Shadrack O Nyawade ◽  
Solomon Kamau ◽  
Charles K. K Gachene ◽  
Nancy N Karanja ◽  
...  

AbstractIn order to enhance sustainable intensification of potato-based cropping systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a need to investigate the economic viability of investing in this lucrative venture. This study evaluated the economic returns under legume intercropping systems using value/cost ratio (VCR) and benefit/cost ratio (BCR) under treatments comprising of potato intercropped with dolichos (Lablab purpureus L.) (P-D), climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (P-B) and garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) (P-G), and a potato pure stand control (P-S). Across the seasons, tuber yield was not significantly (p < 0.05) affected by intercropping with P-D, whereas under P-B and P-G, it decreased by 19% and 16%, respectively compared to P-S. P-G, P-B and P-D recorded 6, 7 and 12% higher potato equivalent yield (PEY) relative to P-S. P-D was the most profitable intercropping system with VCR of 35 and BCR of 5.1 as compared to values recorded in P-S of 31 and 5, respectively. Regression of VCR against PEY resulted in a stronger coefficient (0.98) compared to that of BCR against PEY (0.82) implying that VCR is a simple tool that could be adopted for economic returns to investment studies such as potato-legume inter-cropping systems.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 568
Author(s):  
George Obeng-Akrofi ◽  
Joseph O. Akowuah ◽  
Dirk E. Maier ◽  
Ahmad Addo

In Ghana, smallholder maize farmers continue to serve as the primary contributor to maize production. These farmers, however, still face challenges of access to appropriate, effective, and efficient drying systems. They continue to depend on open sun drying, which leads to high post-harvest losses. In this study, a 500 kg portable column dryer with a biomass burner heat source was evaluated using maize. Indicators such as drying rate, drying efficiency, and moisture extraction rate were used to assess its technical performance. The economic performance of the drying system was appraised using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and Payback Period (PBP). The results showed that the moisture content of maize was reduced from 22.3% to 13.4 ± 2.6% in 5 h at an average drying rate of 1.81%/h and drying efficiency of 64.7%. Utilization of the column dryer for the provision of drying services in a maize-growing community over a 10-year utilization period proved viable with an NPV and IRR of $1633 and 71%, respectively, PBP of less than two years, and BCR of 2.82. Adoption of such low-capacity mobile grain dryers in sub-Saharan Africa would be beneficial in providing timely drying services and improve the socio-economic status of smallholder maize farmers in the region.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin C. Warf ◽  
Blake C. Alkire ◽  
Salman Bhai ◽  
Christopher Hughes ◽  
Steven J. Schiff ◽  
...  

Object Evidence from the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) suggests that treatment for hydrocephalus in infants can be effective and sustainable in a developing country. This model has not been broadly supported or implemented due in part to the absence of data on the economic burden of disease or any assessment of the cost and benefit of treatment. The authors used economic modeling to estimate the annual cost and benefit of treating hydrocephalus in infants at CCHU. These results were then extrapolated to the potential economic impact of treating all cases of hydrocephalus in infants in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review of all children initially treated for hydrocephalus at CCHU via endoscopic third ventriculostomy or shunt placement in 2005. A combination of data and explicit assumptions was used to determine the number of times each procedure was performed, the cost of performing each procedure, the number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted with neurosurgical intervention, and the economic benefit of the treatment. For CCHU and SSA, the cost per DALY averted and the benefit-cost ratio of 1 year's treatment of hydrocephalus in infants were determined. Results In 2005, 297 patients (median age 4 months) were treated at CCHU. The total cost of neurosurgical intervention was $350,410, and the cost per DALY averted ranged from $59 to $126. The CCHU's economic benefit to Uganda was estimated to be between $3.1 million and $5.2 million using a human capital approach and $4.6 million–$188 million using a value of a statistical life (VSL) approach. The total economic benefit of treating the conservatively estimated 82,000 annual cases of hydrocephalus in infants in SSA ranged from $930 million to $1.6 billion using a human capital approach and $1.4 billion–$56 billion using a VSL approach. The minimum benefit-cost ratio of treating hydrocephalus in infants was estimated to be 7:1. Conclusions Untreated hydrocephalus in infants exacts an enormous price from SSA. The results of this study suggest that neurosurgical intervention has a cost/DALY averted comparable to other surgical interventions that have been evaluated, as well as a favorable benefit-cost ratio. The prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus in SSA should be recognized as a major public health priority.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254558
Author(s):  
Zewdu Abro ◽  
Menale Kassie ◽  
Beatrice Muriithi ◽  
Michael Okal ◽  
Daniel Masiga ◽  
...  

Trypanosomiasis is a significant productivity-limiting livestock disease in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to poverty and food insecurity. In this paper, we estimate the potential economic gains from adopting Waterbuck Repellent Blend (WRB). The WRB is a new technology that pushes trypanosomiasis-transmitting tsetse fly away from animals, improving animals’ health and increasing meat and milk productivity. We estimate the benefits of WRB on the production of meat and milk using the economic surplus approach. We obtained data from an expert elicitation survey, secondary and experimental sources. Our findings show that the adoption of WRB in 5 to 50% of the animal population would generate an economic surplus of US$ 78–869 million per annum for African 18 countries. The estimated benefit-cost ratio (9:1) further justifies an investment in WRB. The technology’s potential benefits are likely to be underestimated since our estimates did not include the indirect benefits of the technology adoption, such as the increase in the quantity and quality of animals’ draught power services and human and environmental health effects. These benefits suggest that investing in WRB can contribute to nutrition security and sustainable development goals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Martha Swamila ◽  
Damas Philip ◽  
Adam Meshack Akyoo ◽  
Julius Manda ◽  
Lutengano Mwinuka ◽  
...  

Declining soil fertility and climatic extremes are among major problems for agricultural production in most dryland agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. In response, the agroforestry technology intercropping of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.)) and Maize (Zea mays L.) was developed to complement conventional soil fertility management technologies. However, diversified information on the profitability of Gliricidia-Maize intercropping system in dryland areas is scanty. Using data from the Gliricidia and maize models of the Next Generation version of the Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), this study estimates the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system relative to an unfertilized sole maize system. Results show significant heterogeneity in profitability indicators both in absolute and relative economic terms. Aggregated over a 20-year cycle, Gliricidia-Maize intercropping exhibited a higher Net Present Value (NPV = Tsh 19,238,798.43) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR = 4.27) than the unfertilized sole maize system. The NPV and BCR of the latter were Tsh 10,934,669.90 and 3.59, respectively. Moreover, the returns to labour per person day in the Gliricidia-Maize system was 1.5 times those of the unfertilized sole maize system. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system is more negatively affected by the decrease in output prices than the increase in input prices. A 30% decrease in the former leads to a decrease in NPV and BCR by 38% and 30%, respectively. Despite the higher initial costs of the agroforestry establishment, the 30% increase in input prices affects more disproportionally unfertilized sole maize than the Gliricidia-Maize system in absolute economic terms, i.e., 11.1% versus 8.8% decrease in NPV. In relative economic terms, an equal magnitude of change in input prices exerts the same effect on the unfertilized sole maize and the Gliricidia-maize systems. This result implies that the monetary benefits accrued after the first year of agroforestry establishment offset the initial investment costs. The Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology therefore is profitable with time, and it can contribute to increased household income and food security. Helping farmers to overcome initial investment costs and manage agroforestry technologies well to generate additional benefits is critical for the successful scaling of the Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology in dryland areas of Dodoma, Tanzania.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Novdin M Sianturi

Abstrak: Pengelolaan sampah di Kota Pematangsiantar masih bertumpu pada pendekatan akhir (kumpul-angkut-buang), dengan tingkat pelayanan yang rendah, sehingga untuk meningkatkan pelayanan sampah, perlu dilakukan pemilahan di tempat penampungan sementara (TPS). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji sistem pengelolaan sampah dengan melakukan pemilihan di TPS dapat meningkatkan pelayanan aset persampahan sampai tahun  2015 secara teknis operasional dan dari aspek keuangan. Analisa teknis operasional aset pengelolaan sampah mulai dari pewadahan, pengumpulan dan pengangkutan sedangkan analisa keuangan dan analisa kelayakan menggunakan Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Benefit/Cost Ratio, dan Payback Period. Dari hasil analisa tersebut diperoleh suatu sistem pengelolaan sampah dengan pemilihan di TPS berdasarkan zona pelayanan dengan skala prioritas secara bertahap daritahun 2013-2017, dapat meningkatkan cakupan pelayanan sampah eksisting rata-rata 6,69 %, cakupan pelayanan TPS eksisting rata-rata 8,29 %, dan cakupan pelayanan truk pengangkut sampah eksisting rata-rata 12,03 %. Investasinya layak, diperoleh Net Cashflow pada tahun 2020 sebesar Rp 1.720.242.284,-, NPV suku bunga 15 % bernilai positif, IRR > MARR 15 %,  B/C Ratio > 1, dan PP 4,7 tahun, lebih pendek dari periode investasi 10 tahun. Dari Metode penelitian ini maka pengumpulan data, observasi lapangan dan pengukuran contoh timbulan sampah dengan sampel 4 TPS perumahan yang terlayani pengangkutan.


Author(s):  
Wahyu Setiawan ◽  
Atikah Nurhayati ◽  
Titin Herawati ◽  
Asep Agus Handaka

Gill net is one of the fishing gear used by Jatigede Reservoir fisherman. The purpose of this research is to analyzed the feasibility of fish catching business with gill net in Jatigede Reservoir. This research was conducted by used data collection method (observation, questioner, literature study) and method of data analysis (feasibility business analysis). The benefits of this research is expected to be informations and references for the research who will expand a fishing business with gill net at Jatigede Reservoir. The result of feasibility of fish catching business with gill net at Jatigede Reservoir is profit value Rp. 70.890.000, Break Event Point price and production (all species of fish) Rp. 4.154/kg and 2.136kg in a year, Benefit Cost Ratio 3,37, Payback Period 2 months and Net Present Value >1 Rp. 52.820.243, the fish catching business using gill net at Jatigede Reservoir is feasible to be developed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Rama Dwi Aryandi ◽  
Ari Sandhyavitri ◽  
Reni Suryanita

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tingkat pelayanan simpang berdasarkan data lalu lintas simpang tersebut apakah derajat jenuhnya sudah melewati ambang batas DS = 0,75, jika nilai DS>0,75, akan dikaji penerapan beberapa alternatif penanganan untuk meningkatkan tingkat pelayanan simpang, untuk kemudian dipilih lagi alternatif terbaik untuk jangka pendek, menengah dan panjang. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode traffic counting, sedangkan untuk pengkajian alternatif penanganan simpang secara teknik menggunakan metode MKJI 1997, secara ekonomi menggunakan metode LAPI ITB, analisa nilai waktu dengan nilai waktu hasil penelitian Dirjen Bina Marga dan analisa biaya investasi dengan analisa Benefit Cost Ratio dan Net Present Value.  Dari tiga alternatif manajemen lalu lintas yang diajukan, hanya alternatif ke-3 yaitu kombinasi peniadaan hambatan samping, pelarangan belok kiri dan optimasi traffic light  yang menghasilkan nilai DS<0,75 untuk kondisi eksisting, sedangkan untuk tahun 2020 nilai DS-nya adalah 0,79 untuk Hari Selasa dan 0,83 untuk Hari Rabu. Sedangkan dengan alternatif pembangunan flyover, untuk jangka pendek atau 5 tahun nilai BCR dan NPV-nya 1,25 dan 48,9 milyar rupiah, tahun ke-10  2,29 dan 256,4 milyar rupiah, serta tahun ke-15 3,35 dan 472,19 milyar rupiah, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa pembangunan flyover adalah solusi penanganan terbaik untuk menignkatkan kinerja Simpang Pasar Pagi Arengka.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
DHANANJAI SINGH ◽  
A.K. PATEL ◽  
S.K. SINGH ◽  
M.S. BAGHEL

Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down Front Line Demonstration in the year 2010-11 and 2011-12 introducing new, high yielding and scented variety “Pusa Sugandha-3” and applying scientific practices in their cultivation. The FLDs were carried out in village “Dainiha” of Sidhi district in supervision of KVK scientist. The productivity and economic returns of paddy in improved technologies were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmer's practices (local check). Improved practices recorded higher yield as compared to farmer's practices. The improved technology recorded higher yield of 30.83 q/ha and 32.65 q/ha in the year 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively than 22.13 and 24.21 q/ha. The average yield increase was observed 37.15 per cent. In spite of increase in yield of paddy, technology gap, extension gap and technology index existed. The improved technology gave higher gross return (37020 and 39180 Rs./ha), net return (16820 and 18920 Rs./ha) with higher benefit cost ratio (1.83 and 1.93) as compared to farmer's practices. The variation in per cent increase in the yield was found due to the poor management practices, lack of knowledge and poor socio economic condition. Under sustainable agricultural practices, with this study it is concluded that the FLDs programmes were effective in changing attitude, skill and knowledge of improved package and practices of HYV of paddy adoption.


10.1068/c3p ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Kessides

In this paper I ask how the ongoing processes of urban and local government development in Sub-Saharan Africa can and should benefit the countries, and what conditions must be met to achieve this favourable outcome. The region faces close to a doubling of the urban population in fifteen years. This urban transition poses an opportunity as well as a management challenge. Urban areas represent underutilised resources that concentrate much of the countries' physical, financial, and intellectual capital. Therefore it is critical to understand how they can better serve the national growth and poverty reduction agendas. The paper challenges several common ‘myths’ that cloud discourse about urban development in Africa. I also take a hard look at what the urban transition can offer national development, and what support cities and local governments require to achieve these results. I argue that, rather than devoting more attention to debating the urban contribution to development in Africa, real energy needs to be spent unblocking it.


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