scholarly journals Yam seed system characteristics in Nigeria: Local practices, preferences, and the implications for seed system interventions

2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110582
Author(s):  
Esmé Stuart ◽  
Asrat Asfaw ◽  
Patrick Adebola ◽  
Norbert Maroya ◽  
Alex Edemodu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiplication Rate ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Local Practices ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Seed System ◽  
Turn Over

Yam is an important food and cash crop in Nigeria. The seed system is mostly farmer-based and its challenges and opportunities are not well documented. This study reports results of surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations that describe local practices characterizing yam cultivation and the farmer-based seed system in five states in Nigeria. Our findings show that ware and seed yam are dynamic and highly commercialized goods in Nigeria. There is a high demand for, and a high turn-over of, seed yam. The reasons for the high demand are the low multiplication rate and degeneration of seed yam which lead farmers to frequently acquire fresh seeds and replace varieties, investing significantly in the seed of ware yam. The study found some farmers specializing in seed yam production but less than expected for such a highly commercial crop. The market is the major source for off-farm sourced seed yam, and although completely informal, the seed yam sector is vibrant and well organized. The identification of strategically positioned farmers and traders can offer opportunities and entry points for introduction of new varieties and improved seed production techniques. Building on the existing farmer-based system is a more logical strategy than replacing it with formal structures and legislative regulation.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Experiences Among Syrian Refugee Adolescent Girls in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-998
Author(s):  
L’Emira Lama El Ayoubi ◽  
Sawsan Abdulrahim ◽  
Maia Sieverding
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Source Of Information

Providing adolescent girls with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information protects them from risks and improves their well-being. This qualitative study, conducted in Lebanon, examined Syrian refugee adolescent girls’ access to SRH information about and experiences with puberty and menarche, sex, marriage, contraception, and pregnancy. We gathered data through three focus group discussions (FGDs) with unmarried adolescent girls, 11 in-depth interviews with early-married adolescents, and two FGDs with mothers. Our findings highlighted that adolescent participants received inadequate SRH information shortly before or at the time of menarche and sexual initiation, resulting in experiences characterized by anxiety and fear. They also revealed discordance between girls’ views of mothers as a preferred source of information and mothers’ reluctance to communicate with their daughters about SRH. We advance that mothers are important entry points for future interventions in this refugee population and offer recommendations aimed to improve adolescent girls’ SRH and rights.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Challenges in the Ethiopian Bamboo Sector: A Market Analysis of the Bamboo-Based Value Web

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Lin ◽  
Saurabh Gupta ◽  
Tim Loos ◽  
Regina Birner
Keyword(s):  
Product Diversification ◽  
Value Addition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Product Lines ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Collection Methods

Bamboo is one of the more important natural resources in Ethiopia and contributes to the bioeconomy as a potential source for high-value products. While the country is the largest producer of bamboo in Africa, the existing utilization of the bamboo sector in Ethiopia remains under-developed, with little value addition. This study identifies the current market challenges and opportunities for future developments of the northern Ethiopian bamboo sector, with a focus on the Injibara township. This research adopts the “value web” approach to assess the potentials of different product lines that create the bamboo biomass value web. We utilize qualitative data collection methods, in particular, semi-structured interviews and informal focus group discussions with key stakeholders. Our findings suggest that bamboo farmers in Injibara are constrained by a lack of local demand and market for bamboo products with high-value addition, leading to an absence of product diversification and innovation. Furthermore, there is an overreliance on foreign technology and methods that are poorly matched for local needs. We recommend that policymakers invest in targeted and effective training strategies on bamboo cultivation and processing. Furthermore, farmers can benefit from decreasing their reliance on middle men with cooperatives or contract arrangements.

PARTICIPATORY VARIETAL SELECTION IN LOWLAND SORGHUM IN EASTERN ETHIOPIA: IMPACT ON ADOPTION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY

2001 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. MULATU ◽  
K. BELETE
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Participatory Varietal Selection ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Seed System ◽  
Locally Grown ◽  
On Farm

Farmers' Participatory Varietal Evaluation (PVE) was conducted on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) crops in the Kile-Bisidimo plains of eastern Ethiopia for three consecutive years, 1995–1997. The study aimed at providing farmers with alternatives to their landrace to enable them to overcome crop losses and to identify farmers' varietal selection criteria for inclusion in future breeding work. In 1995 constraints and opportunities in sorghum growing and farmers' varietal matching characteristics were identified through an informal survey. This was followed by a search for varieties and acquisitions of seed. Subsequently, eight varieties were evaluated of which five varieties were released and three were at the pre-release stage.In 1996 and 1997 farmer-managed on-farm trials were conducted and farmers evaluated the performance of the experimental varieties against a locally grown cultivar. Through pairwise and matrix ranking, farmers' selection criteria were listed, preferred varieties identified and initiatives taken to diffuse the varieties through the local seed system. Out of the eight varieties that research workers considered the best, farmers selected only three. The study negated the generally accepted view that farmers in lowland areas of eastern Ethiopia are reluctant to grow short-duration varieties. The selection and introduction of three new varieties into a farming system where farmers were growing only one local variety reconfirmed PVE to be a means for enhancing adoption and increasing genetic diversity. The study also confirmed that increasing farmers' access to their preferred varieties would result in a faster rate of diffusion through farmer-to-farmer seed exchange.

scholarly journals Freedom from Choice? The Rollout of Person-centered Disability Funding and the National Disability Insurance Scheme

INKLUSI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Tania Hall ◽  
Tara Brabazon
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Disability Services ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Disability Support ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Person-centered funding models are replacing block-funding models in the disability services sector.  Australia is part of this international trend.  Concerns have been raised by service providers, suggesting that people with disabilities are not benefiting from this system.  This paper evaluates the views of service providers from a large non-government organization in South Australia, responsible for leading the transition from a block-funded model of support to a person-centered model of support.  Two focus groups were conducted.  Two themes emerged from these focus group discussions: customers with disabilities are vulnerable in the market, and marketizing disability services compromises quality.  Neoliberal ideologies and market-based values frame the challenges and opportunities for not-for-profit organizations when transitioning to person-centered funding for disability support.  This research both enlivens and confirms the existing research literature.  Although person-centered funding models offer a socially just model, there is evidence that unintended consequences emerge in an open and competitive quasi-market.  This study reveals that the competitive market design had stopped trans-sector collaboration. [Saat ini, model pendanaan berbasis orang banyak menggantikan model pendanaan-blok di sektor layanan disabilitas. Australia adalah bagian dari tren internasional ini. Lembaga layanan sosial khawatir bahwa para difabel tidak akan mendapatkan manfaat dari sistem ini. Artikel ini meninjau pandangan penyedia layanan dari organisasi non-pemerintah besar di Australia Selatan. Dua FGD dilakukan dalam riset ini. Dua tema muncul dari FGD: pelanggan difabel mengalami kerentanan di pasar dan ‘swastanisasi’ layanan disabilitas mengganggu kualitas. Ideologi neoliberal dan nilai berbasis-pasar menyajikan tantangan dan peluang bagi organisasi nirlaba ketika beralih ke pendanaan berbasis orang dalam layanan disabilitas. Penelitian ini mengonfirmasi literatur penelitian yang sudah ada. Meskipun model pendanaan berbasis orang menawarkan model yang adil secara sosial, ada bukti bahwa konsekuensi yang tidak diinginkan dapat muncul dalam pasar kuasi terbuka dan kompetitif. Studi ini mengungkapkan bahwa desain pasar yang kompetitif telah menghentikan kolaborasi lintas sector.]

scholarly journals African Initiated Churches’ potential as development actors

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Öhlmann ◽  
Marie-Luise Frost ◽  
Wilhelm Gräb
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Development ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Do So

African Initiated Churches (AICs) are not yet recognised as relevant actors of community development interventions. While it has been acknowledged that many of them provide coping mechanisms in adverse environments, support in social transformation and social capital, little information is available on their role as development actors. In this article, we evaluate the potential of AICs as partners of international development agencies for community development. We draw on interviews and focus group discussions with leaders of various AICs conducted in South Africa in February and March 2016. In particular, we examine the churches’ understanding of development, their view on the separation of spiritual and development activities and their priorities. Moreover, we outline the development activities which they are currently engaged in and analyse the structures they have in place to do so. Our findings indicate that AICs are increasingly active in community development and offer various entry points for possible cooperation.

Entrepreneurial round-tripping

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Hunt ◽  
Lauren Ortiz-Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Radical Innovations ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Food Waste Recycling

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test the theory that new industry entrants hold advantages over incumbents in the shift from unidirectional to multi-directional revenue streams. Design/methodology/approach Using a Cobb-Douglas production function, modified to isolate returns to innovation, the authors examine data from three separate contexts: steamships on Western US rivers (1810-1860), satellite-based internet services (1962-2010) and food waste recycling (1995-2015). Findings The results reveal that while incumbents often attempt to stretch existing technologies to fit emerging circumstances, entrepreneurial innovators achieve greater success by approaching multi-directional value creation as a distinct challenge, one requiring new technologies, organizational forms and business models. Existing theories have primarily attributed incumb ent inertia to a firm’s inability perceive and pursue radical innovations, the results also suggest that existing firms are unwilling to pursue innovations that are likely to erode the marginal profitability of their respective business models. Ironically, rather than protecting incumbents’ financial interests, the authors find that “marginal reasoning” can lead to diminished performance and even extinction. Research limitations/implications The proposed framework and empirical findings have implications for numerous multi-directional frontiers, including: social networking, commercial space travel, distance education and medical treatments using nanoscale technologies. Practical implications While incumbents often lament the destabilizing effects of multi-directionality, new and small firms enjoy a compelling array of entry points and opportunities. Originality/value Scholars, incumbent firms and start-ups both benefit from insights stemming from the novel formulation of multi-directionality challenges and opportunities.

scholarly journals Spread of bacterial wilt disease of potato in the highlands of Fouta Djalon, Republic of Guinea

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 3353-3360
Author(s):  
Michel Gbonamou ◽  
Aya Carine N’Guessan ◽  
Daouda Kone ◽  
Mamady Bamba
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Wilt ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Wilt Disease ◽  
West African ◽  
High Price ◽  
Potato Seed ◽  
Bacterial Wilt Disease ◽  
Republic Of Guinea ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
Seed System

Bacterial wilt in potato (Solanum tuberosum) is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in the highlands of Fouta Djalon in Guinea. The disease causes 50-70% loss of potato in Guinea. The bacterium is transmitted either by imported tuber seeds or through seed exchanges between the farmers themselves from a contaminated area to bacteria-free areas or through irrigation waters along the fields. This is mainly a consequence of the informal potato seed system that prevails in Guinea. Because of the high price of seeds, farmers use several sources of supply. However, potato is an attractive cash crop in Guinea and the most important economic crop in Fouta Djalon. Most populations in the middle Guinea utilizes potato. The potato farmer's organization in Guinea, FPFD (Fédération des Producteurs du Fouta Djalon), is a model in West African sub-region because of its dynamism and organization with its 500 groups, 25 unions and more than 25,000 members. Training of potato growers in certified seed production techniques remains a major problem in Guinea that needed to be solved. This information is important for developing bacterial wilt disease management strategies through the training of farmers and state support for research.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Improved Breadfruit Awareness and Adoption Status in Southeast Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
D. O. Enibe
Keyword(s):  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Questionnaire Data ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Conservation Awareness

This study analysed improved breadfruit (Treculia africana) awareness and adoption situation in Southeast Nigeria. It examined farmers’ budded breadfruit awareness and adoption status and their willingness to adopt the innovation. The study also identified the reasons why farmers do not adopt the crop’s new varieties. Two hundred and sixty respondents (260) spread in thirteen (13) communities of Anambra and Enugu States were randomly selected and interviewed using survey questionnaire. Data collected were verified in an in-depth interview (II) and two Focus group discussions (FGD). Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results show that: adoption status (20.47%) of its improved varieties was low while majority of the farmers were willing to adopt (88%). The study also found the major reasons why the farmers have not adopted the crop’s improved varieties. The result concludes that farmers are greatly in need of improved breadfruit varieties and that the crop requires favourable policy interventions. The paper recommends policy interventions for the crop’s conservation, awareness creation and provision of its improved varieties to farmers at affordable prices.

scholarly journals THE EXISTENCE OF “SAPI/PISANG” PEOPLE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDONESIA-PHILIPPINES BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo ◽  
Ganewati Wuryandari
Keyword(s):  
Field Research ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Border Area ◽  
Social Connectivity ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Accelerate Development ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Indonesia’s border region to Phillippines,  especially to the Sangihe Islands which borders to southern, is mostly a less developed area. To accelerate development of this border region, Indonesia and the Philippines need to exercise a strategy  which optimize social connectivity which has been existed  since centuries by the Indonesian Sangihe people known as Sangir-Philippines (“Sapi”) or the Philippines-Sangir (“Pisang”). Although they are sovereign states now with their sovereign territorial rights, these facts  do not prevent these peoples to continue their traditional cross border for the purpose of social, culture and economic activities. This paper examines how their social connectivity could be utilized to develop border area between Indonesia and the Philippine. By using qualitative methods, the data for this paper is collected  from interviews, focus group discussions, field research and literature reviews.This paper concludes that social connectivity among Sapi/Pisang people on the Indonesian and the Philippines respective side raises some challenges such as problems of stateless people, illegal cross-border activities, and terrorism-related activities. However, this paper also found out some positive impacts from their social connectivities, such as  the establishment of traditional cross-border cooperation and trade, the opening of the Davao-Bitung ferry line, and cooperation between regional governments. As a step forward, this research emphasizes the importance of strong political will and active participation from both countries in utilizing social connectivity to build a shared border region.Keywords: “Sapi”, “Pisang”, Border, Social Connectivity, Development, Indonesia, Philippine AbstrakKawasan Perbatasan Indonesia di Kepulauan Sangihe yang berbatasan dengan Filipina bagian selatan, tergolong sebagai daerah tertinggal. Untuk mempercepat pembangunan kawasan tersebut, Indonesia dan Filipina dapat melaksanakan strategi yang memanfaatkan konektivitas sosial yang sudah dibangun oleh masyarakat perbatasan yang dikenal dengan istilah Sangir-Philipina (Sapi) atau Philipina-Sangir (Pisang). Berdirinya Indonesia dan Filipina sebagai dua negara yang berdaulat sejak berakhirnya Perang Dunia II ternyata tidak menghentikan orang Sapi/Pisang untuk melakukan kegiatan lintas batas tradisional untuk tujuan sosial, budaya, dan ekonomi. Tulisan ini menganalisis bagaimana dampak negatif dan dampak positif dari konektivitas sosial di atas dalam membangun kawasan perbatasan Indonesia-Filipina. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara, diskusi kelompok terpimpin, penelitian lapangan dan studi pustaka. Tulisan ini menyimpulkan bahwa konektivitas sosial antar orang-orang Sapi/Pisang di sisi Indonesia dan di sisi Filipina menimbulkan masalah berupa orang-orang tanpa kewarganegaraan, kegiatan lintas batas ilegal, dan aktivitas terkait terorisme. Namun demikian, Tulisan ini juga menemukan dampak positif dari konektivitas sosial di atas berupa terjalinnya kerja sama lintas batas tradisional dan perdagangan, pembukaan jalur kapal feri Davao-Bitung, dan kerja sama antar pemerintah daerah. Sebagai langkah ke depan, penelitian ini menekankan pentingnya kehendak politik yang kuat dan partisipasi aktif dari kedua negara dalam memanfaatkan konektivitas sosial untuk membangun kawasan perbatasan bersama. 

scholarly journals Using English as a Medium of Instruction: Challenges and Opportunities of Multilingual Classrooms in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Pitambar Paudel
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
School Education ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Phenomenological Research Design ◽  
The Government ◽  
Local Languages

English as a medium of instruction has great influence in school education in Nepal. It is taken as a pluralistic language which promotes harmony and tolerance, and increases career, opportunities, hope and progress. At the same time, there is a danger of survival for local languages due to the imperialistic role of English. In such a context, this paper has tried to explore the results created due to the extensive use of English as a medium of instruction. To address this objective, the study employs a phenomenological research design under the qualitative approach. The information was collected from eight teachers and eight parents of eight different community schools through interviews and purposively selected two focus group discussions. The collected information from both the tools and sources were coded, triangulated, analyzed, interpreted and presented into three different themes. The results show the use of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in school education as a debatable issue due to the fear of loss of local languages despite its advantages. This implies that the government should make an appropriate language policy and education system to maintain a harmonious and mutual relationship between English and other languages in school education so that children can get opportunities in English language, and become aware of their languages.

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