Synthetic seeds and their role in agriculture: status and progress in sub-Saharan Africa

Dicot seeds are commonly characterised by the rapid loss of moisture, vigour and longevity that cause adverse physiological and biochemical effects. Such changes reduce seed viability, germinability and seedling vigour in most agronomic legume crops. Thus, this paper evaluates the potential role of synthetic seed production as an avenue to achieve genetic variability, avert recalcitrance and fleet seed viability challenges experienced in recalcitrant legume species. Synthetic seeds, also known as synseeds or artificial seeds produced via somatic embryogenesis are crucial for the successful establishment of plants, and serve as an important determinant of plant productivity, especially for crops such as soybean. The potential use of synseeds could serve a fundamental role in ensuring cheap and rapid supply of new genetic resources and seed propagules for both breeders and farmers. This approach will ultimately maximise crop yield and offer a tremendous potential for micropropagation and germplasm preservation of recalcitrant species in sub-Saharan Africa. This review reports on a variety of applications and benefits of plant biotechnology in the African context and highlights important advantages such as genetic uniformity, simplified handling, storage, efficient distribution etc. that could be of immeasurable benefit to the seed value chain in agriculture, particularly for rural communities in these developing countries.

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A metric-based assessment of flood risk and vulnerability of rural communities in the Lower Shire Valley, Malawi

Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences ◽

10.5194/piahs-370-139-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 370 ◽

pp. 139-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. J. Adeloye ◽

F. D. Mwale ◽

Z. Dulanya

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Spatial Variability ◽

Flood Risk ◽

Flood Hazard ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Flood Depth ◽

Inundation Area ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract. In response to the increasing frequency and economic damages of natural disasters globally, disaster risk management has evolved to incorporate risk assessments that are multi-dimensional, integrated and metric-based. This is to support knowledge-based decision making and hence sustainable risk reduction. In Malawi and most of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), however, flood risk studies remain focussed on understanding causation, impacts, perceptions and coping and adaptation measures. Using the IPCC Framework, this study has quantified and profiled risk to flooding of rural, subsistent communities in the Lower Shire Valley, Malawi. Flood risk was obtained by integrating hazard and vulnerability. Flood hazard was characterised in terms of flood depth and inundation area obtained through hydraulic modelling in the valley with Lisflood-FP, while the vulnerability was indexed through analysis of exposure, susceptibility and capacity that were linked to social, economic, environmental and physical perspectives. Data on these were collected through structured interviews of the communities. The implementation of the entire analysis within GIS enabled the visualisation of spatial variability in flood risk in the valley. The results show predominantly medium levels in hazardousness, vulnerability and risk. The vulnerability is dominated by a high to very high susceptibility. Economic and physical capacities tend to be predominantly low but social capacity is significantly high, resulting in overall medium levels of capacity-induced vulnerability. Exposure manifests as medium. The vulnerability and risk showed marginal spatial variability. The paper concludes with recommendations on how these outcomes could inform policy interventions in the Valley.

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ASR FORUM: ENGAGING WITH AFRICAN INFORMAL ECONOMIES

African Studies Review ◽

10.1017/asr.2013.80 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 77-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michal Lyons ◽

Alison Brown ◽

Zhigang Li

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Informal Economy ◽

Low Cost ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Value Chains ◽

Socioeconomic Mobility ◽

Informal Economies ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Economic Development Strategies

Abstract:This article analyzes the value chain for Chinese manufactured goods such as garments and textiles sold in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores the opportunities for Africans with small, private businesses in the export trade from China, the potential for long-term business development, and how strategies of engagement have changed over time. It finds that the value chains for low-cost goods vary. There is great diversity of entry levels and opportunities for socioeconomic mobility, and traders evolve diverse strategies to obtain and defend their position in the chain. These findings are discussed in terms of understandings of international value chains, the informal economy, and African economic development strategies.

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Features of Rural Communities in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa That Influence Well-Being of Older Persons

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 420-421

Author(s):

Andrew Banda ◽

Norah Keating ◽

Jaco Hoffman ◽

Jose Parodi ◽

Nereide Curreri

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Latin America ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Older People ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Older Persons ◽

Subjective Wellbeing ◽

Well Being ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract In their recent volume, Critical Rural Gerontology, Skinner et al (2021) challenge us to set aside unidimensional notions of rural communities as bypassed vs very supportive; and to identify the elements of rurality that empower or exclude older people and how these differ across cultures and settings. Covid-19 has highlighted the need for safe and inclusive communities. Given that LMIC will be home to the majority of older adults (Gonzales et al. 2015), we undertook a scoping review of features of rural communities that influence wellbeing of older people in countries across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The review included literature in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, using search engines MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycInfo, SocINDEX, SciELO, AJOL (Africa Journals Online), LILACS, Redalyc, LatinIndex and Clacso. Findings illustrate diversity in how community features including remoteness, infrastructure and belonging influence material, social and subjective wellbeing of older residents.

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Scaling-up health insurance through community- based health insurance schemes in rural sub- Saharan African communities

Journal of Hospital Administration ◽

10.5430/jha.v3n1p14 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ufuoma John Ejughemre

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Community Based ◽

Seek Health Care ◽

Community Based Health Insurance ◽

The Poor ◽

Sub Saharan

Context: The knotty and monumental problem of health inequality and the high burden of diseases in sub-Saharan Africa bothers on the poor state of health of many of its citizens particularly in rural communities. These issues are further exacerbated by the harrowing conditions of health care delivery and the poor financing of health services in many of these communities. Against these backdrops, health policy makers in the region are not just concerned with improving peoples’ health but with protecting them against the financial costs of illness. What is important is the need to support more robust strategies for healthcare financing in these communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: This review assesses the evidence of the extent to which community-based health insurance (CBHI) is a more viable option for health care financing amongst other health insurance schemes in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Patterns of health insurance in sub-Saharan Africa: Theoretically, the basis for health insurance is that it allows for risk pooling and therefore ensures that resources follow sick individuals to seek health care when needed. As it were, there are different models such as social, private and CBHI schemes which could come to bear in different settings in the region. However, not all insurance schemes will come to bear in rural settings in the region. Community based health insurance: CBHI is now recognized as a community-initiative that is community friendly and has a wide reach in the informal sector especially if well designed. Experience from Rwanda, parts of Nigeria and other settings in the region indicate high acceptability but the challenge is that these schemes are still very new in the region. Recommendations and conclusion: Governments and international development partners in the region should collect- ively develop CBHI as it will help in strengthening health systems and efforts geared towards achieving the millennium development goals. This is because it is inextricably linked to the health care needs of the poor.

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Global Value Chain Participation and Trade Barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Value Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa - Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-06206-4_2 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 13-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Herman S. Geyer

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Global Value Chain ◽

Trade Barriers ◽

Sub Saharan

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Integration of eye care into primary healthcare tier in Nigeria health system: A case for Delta State

Clinical Medical Reviews and Reports ◽

10.31579/2690-8794/038 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

pp. 01-06

Author(s):

John Moyegbone

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Web Search ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Care Providers ◽

Eye Care ◽

Community Needs ◽

System A ◽

Basic Services ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Knowledge And Attitude

Primary Eye Care (PEC) provides the essential cares of the eyes and visual pathways at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in order to prevent avoidable visual impairment and blindness. The aim of this study is to review the need for integration of PEC services into PHC in Nigeria healthcare system – with focus oF Delta State. A narrative review approach was used in evaluation of community needs, government and PHC facilities. Published literatures from around the world including in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria was done through web search and Mendeley reference library. The evaluations show that there is ability and willingness to integrate PEC into PHC. Yet, there is observable mismatch in capacity vs. opportunity or a knowledge and attitude gap. In Delta State on Nigeria, there appears to be specialist Eye-care providers located in just 24% of the local government areas and absolutely none (zero %) at any PHC facility. In the rural communities, there is the barrier of affordances including problem of access, but the PHC staff can be equipped to provide basic services such as educational, preventive and referral services that non-governmental organisations have done. Therefore, integration of PEC into PHC at the community level is possible.

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Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Origin, Cultivation, and Potential Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa

10.20944/preprints201904.0149.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Amadou Tidiane Sall ◽

Tiberio Chiari ◽

Wasihun Legesse ◽

Kemal Seid-Ahmed ◽

Rodomiro Ortiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Durum Wheat ◽

Value Chain ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Raw Material ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Marginal Lands ◽

Wheat Varieties ◽

Variety Release ◽

Sub Saharan

Durum wheat is an important food crop in the world and an endemic species of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In the highlands of Ethiopia and the oases of the South Sahara this crop has been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, smallholder farmers still cultivate it on marginal lands to assure production for their self-consumption. However, durum wheat is no longer just a staple crop for food security but it has become a major cash crop. In fact, the pasta and couscous industry currently purchase durum grain at prices 10 to 20% higher than bread wheat. Africa as a whole imports over € 4 billion per year of durum grain to provide the raw material for its food industry. Hence, African farmers could obtain a substantial share of this large market by turning their production to this crop. Here, the achievements of the durum breeding program of Ethiopia are revised to reveal a steep acceleration in variety release and adoption in the last decade. Furthermore, the variety release for Mauritania and Senegal is described to show how modern breeding methods could be used to deliver grain yields above 3 t ha-1 in seasons of just 92 days of length and daytime temperatures always above 32°C. This review describes the ability of releasing durum wheat varieties adapted to all growing conditions of SSA, from the oases of the Sahara to the highlands of Ethiopia. This potential area of expansion for durum wheat production in SSA is not linked to any breeding technology, but rather it remains dependent on the market ability to purchase these grains at a higher price to stimulate farmer adoption. The critical importance of connecting all actors along the semolina value chain is presented in the example of Oromia, Ethiopia, and that success story is then used to prompt a wider discussion on the potential of durum wheat as a crop for poverty reduction in Africa.

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RESOURCE CURSE AND THE EITI MEMBERSHIP EFFECT ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CORRUPTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: PART I - A THEORETICAL REVIEW

Oradea Journal of Business and Economics ◽

10.47535/1991ojbe085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 18-28

Author(s):

Andries Francois Geldenhuys ◽

Oluseye Samuel Ajuwon ◽

Michael Graham

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Value Chain ◽

Resource Curse ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Resource Governance ◽

Growth Outcomes ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Rich Countries ◽

Resource Sector ◽

The Impact

This study reviews the theoretical literature concerning the resource curse as it pertains to the impact of natural resources upon economic growth and corruption in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and how the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) membership can be of help. The EITI is an international standard promoting open and transparent resource governance through disclosure mechanisms in the resource value chain. Corruption has been associated with less-than-average economic growth in resource-rich countries. This research concludes that the theoretical review found that through the dissemination of disclosures in the natural resource sector, the EITI can potentially reduce the prevalence of corruption in implementing countries in SSA and it can address negative economic growth outcomes associated with resource abundance. However, there is not much evidence empirically needed to suggest this.

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