scholarly journals “Now we’ve all turned to Eating Processed Foods”: A Photovoice Study of the Food and Nutrition Security Implications of ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong ◽  
Aaron Kobina Christian ◽  
John Ganle ◽  
Richmond Aryeetey
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Food And Nutrition

Abstract Small-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, health, and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akyem Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Primary data was collected using photovoice, photo exhibition, and interviews. Results show that galamsey has Resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. This has resulted in reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increases in food prices, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally produced food. Given the adverse health consequences of both food/nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.

scholarly journals “Now we’ve all turned to Eating Processed Foods”: A Photovoice Study of the Food and Nutrition Security Implications of ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong ◽  
Aaron Kobina Christian ◽  
John Ganle ◽  
Richmond Aryeetey
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
Food And Nutrition Security ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Food And Nutrition

Abstract Background: Small-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, and human health and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akyem Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Methods: Primary data was collected in the East Akim District of Ghana, using photography, interviews based on the photographs, and a photo exhibition, all conducted . Thirty-six male and female adults were purposively selected with the help of a community focal person and advertisements in the study community. Respondents participants in a one-day photography training and thereafter, deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray the effect of galamsey on food security and health. Subsequently, each participant was asked to selected five of the photographs and to explain the image and why they captured that in the photo. A photo exhibition was held to facilitate community conversation and perspectives on the effects of galamsey on food and nutrition security. Results: Galamsey has resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. As a consequence, there is reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increase in food price, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally-produced food. Conclusions: Given the adverse health consequences of both food and nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.

scholarly journals Is Cut-Flower Industry Promotion by the Government Negatively Affecting Pollinator Biodiversity and Environmental/Human Health in Uganda?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-52
Author(s):  
Bin Mushambanyi Théodore Munyuli
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
The Government ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Impact

A study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 around the flower growing areas in central Uganda to generate baseline information on the status of pollinators. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire that aimed at determining farmers and flower farm officials’ perceptions on the impact of activities carried out inside greenhouses on pollinators, human health, and on crop production in the surroundings. Results indicated that the quantity of pesticides and fertilizers applied daily varied among the different flower farms visited. Bee species richness and abundance varied significantly (P<0.01) according to flower farm location, to the landscape vegetation type, and to field types found in the surrounding of flower farms. Bee richness found around flower farms varied in number from 20 to 40 species in total across seasons and years. Bee density increased significantly with the increase in flower density. Small-scale farmers were aware of the value and importance of pollination services in their farming business. There was no clear evidence of a direct effect of agrochemicals application on bee communities living in the surrounding habitats. There is a need for further research to be conducted on human health risks and for toxicological studies on soils, plants, flowers, and bees in the farm landscape.

scholarly journals Assessment of training needs on crop production for farmers in some selected areas of Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-690
Author(s):  
MS Rahman ◽  
M Khatun ◽  
ML Rahman ◽  
SR Haque
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Management Technology ◽  
Regular Training

The study attempts to determine the training needs of the farmers emphasizing nine selected major thematic areas. Under each major component, specific and relevant training needs item were collected and systematically incorporated into an interview schedule and administered in terms of frequency of training imparted. Four districts were purposively selected for the study and a total of eighty farmers were randomly selected from four districts. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that more male was involved in farming and 45% farmers were middle age category (30-39 years). Majority of the farmers completed primary level of education compared to other categories and family size of more than half (60 %) of the respondents was three. Majority number of respondents (57%) had more than 10 years farming experience. A small number of farmers (8.75%) had owned agricultural land and 45% had land between 0.50- 1 hectare. More than 75% of annual gross income of 57.50% farmers came from agricultural activities. More than half (55%) of the respondents collected information on crop and its varieties by own attempt while about 34% was informed from seed seller or dealer. Farmers in Chattogram district had first priority to get training on integrated pest and diseases management, production of bio control agents and bio pesticides, marketing and transportation. Water management, integrated pest and disease management, vermi-compost production, marketing and transportation ranked first in Khagrachori district. The areas of priority for training in Rajshahi district were production and management technology, processing and value addition, marketing and transportation, integrated pest and disease management, water management and vermi-compost production. Training on integrated pest and disease management, bio-control of pests and diseases, production of bio control agents and bio pesticides, production of off-season vegetables, vermi-compost production, marketing and transportation were most emphasized by the respondents in Rangpur district. Respondents defined identification of adulterated fertilizer, insecticide and pesticide application, disease and insects of mango varieties and fruit bagging system of mango as very good type of training. The study concluded that there is an urgent need to design regular training programs in identified thematic areas to fulfill the knowledge gap among the farmers of Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(4): 669-690, December 2018

Structure and impact of cattle manure trade in crop–livestock systems of Vietnam

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keenan C. McRoberts ◽  
Charles F. Nicholson ◽  
David Parsons ◽  
Le Van Nam ◽  
Nguyen Xuan Ba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Addition ◽  
South Central ◽  
Dragon Fruit ◽  
Livestock Systems

AbstractCattle manure value chains play important biological and economic roles in smallholder crop–livestock systems in developing countries, but relative to other livestock products our understanding of the nature and impact of manure sales is limited. In regions with an active manure trade, farmers face a choice between manure use on-farm and sales, which affects nutrient flows and participant incomes. We analyzed the manure value chain operating in south-central Vietnam as an example of the function and role of manure trade in crop–livestock systems. Lowland cattle farmers sell manure through a network of chain participants, including small-scale collectors, lowland and highland traders, to pepper, coffee, dragon fruit and rubber farms in the central highlands and southeast coast. We collected and summarized quantitative data (e.g., manure-related labor, manure transactions, and fertilizer and manure use) gathered in semi-structured interviews with value-chain participants [lowland cattle owners (n = 101), traders (n = 27) and end users (n = 72)]. Lowland cattle owners were selected by stratified random sampling, and subsequent participants were identified in preceding interviews. One key finding concerns the seasonality of the manure value chain: most manure flowed between February and August (lowland dry season and period of peak highland demand) from lowland communes to highland coffee and pepper farms for use as organic soil amendments. Fewer sales occurred, at a lower price, to southeast coastal dragon fruit farms and rubber companies. Value addition to manure occurred via drying, bagging, collection, transport and composting. The presence of local traders facilitated market sales for smallholder cattle owners, and prices through the value chain generally reflected costs for value addition. The geographic distribution of cattle relative to agricultural land influenced the flow of manure, with net outflows from regions with higher animal density to regions with lower density and higher value crop production. Manure trade was an important source of supplementary income for farmers and a primary livelihood activity for traders. Value chain participant net incomes ranged from near US$100 yr−1 for lowland farmers to over US$13,000 yr−1 for traders, and returns to labor were just over US$0.50 h−1 for lowland farmers and US$2 h−1 for traders. The quantitative information generated during our descriptive assessment provides an important first step toward manure value chain improvement, indicates survey methods that can be applied in other areas, and identifies next steps necessary to evaluate chain evolution and resilience.

scholarly journals Climate change and food security

2005 ◽  
Vol 360 (1463) ◽  
pp. 2139-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J Gregory ◽  
J.S.I Ingram ◽  
M Brklacich
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Food Utilization ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Gangetic Plain

Dynamic interactions between and within the biogeophysical and human environments lead to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food, resulting in food systems that underpin food security. Food systems encompass food availability (production, distribution and exchange), food access (affordability, allocation and preference) and food utilization (nutritional and societal values and safety), so that food security is, therefore, diminished when food systems are stressed. Such stresses may be induced by a range of factors in addition to climate change and/or other agents of environmental change (e.g. conflict, HIV/AIDS) and may be particularly severe when these factors act in combination. Urbanization and globalization are causing rapid changes to food systems. Climate change may affect food systems in several ways ranging from direct effects on crop production (e.g. changes in rainfall leading to drought or flooding, or warmer or cooler temperatures leading to changes in the length of growing season), to changes in markets, food prices and supply chain infrastructure. The relative importance of climate change for food security differs between regions. For example, in southern Africa, climate is among the most frequently cited drivers of food insecurity because it acts both as an underlying, ongoing issue and as a short-lived shock. The low ability to cope with shocks and to mitigate long-term stresses means that coping strategies that might be available in other regions are unavailable or inappropriate. In other regions, though, such as parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India, other drivers, such as labour issues and the availability and quality of ground water for irrigation, rank higher than the direct effects of climate change as factors influencing food security. Because of the multiple socio-economic and bio-physical factors affecting food systems and hence food security, the capacity to adapt food systems to reduce their vulnerability to climate change is not uniform. Improved systems of food production, food distribution and economic access may all contribute to food systems adapted to cope with climate change, but in adopting such changes it will be important to ensure that they contribute to sustainability. Agriculture is a major contributor of the greenhouse gases methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O), so that regionally derived policies promoting adapted food systems need to mitigate further climate change.

scholarly journals PARTICIPATORY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN NYANGATOM DISTRICT OF SOUTH OMO ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Asmelash Tesfaye ◽  
Ermiyas Mekonnen ◽  
Mekete Girma ◽  
Tekleyohannes Birhanu ◽  
Wondwesen Shiferaw
Keyword(s):  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Livestock Products

The aim of the study was to identify potential constraints to mutual resource utilization in the bordering areas of Nyangatom and to identify and develop participatory mitigation measures to resource utilization problems based on community and government proposals. The study employed Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) to collect the primary data. 1 FGD and 2-3 FGDs were held in each kebele. Livestock production is the major source of livelihood followed by crop production in the district. Bee keeping, fishery and gathering of forest products are the supplementary activities performed by the community. Sell of livestock and livestock products, honey and crop in times of surplus production are the major sources of income and they spend it to fulfill their food demand, medication and purchase of clothing’s. Most of the communities in Nyangatom are food insecure. Drought, conflict, diseases and invasive species are the main hazards to the environment in the area whereas resource scarcity and sense of ownership are among the reasons that prohibit mutual resource utilization. Area enclosures allied with plantation of grasses, Rehabilitation of the depleted grazing lands and introduction of improved pasture management, Maintenance, rehabilitation and construction of water infrastructure, Expanding small scale irrigation, Ensuring security and Countering prosopisjuliflora were the mitigation measures suggested by the community.

scholarly journals Understanding Livelihood Diversification Patterns among Smallholder Farm Households in Southern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tagesse A. Melketo ◽  
Endrias Geta ◽  
Stefan Sieber
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cash Income ◽  
Livelihood Diversification ◽  
Land Use Patterns ◽  
Smallholder Farm

Smallholder farm households face an increasing need of looking for alternative income sources to supplement their small scale on-farm incomes. However, livelihood diversification is a complex phenomenon and it involves different forms. This study, therefore, delves to realize the patterns of livelihood diversification strategies adopted by the smallholder farmers at Kembata-Tembaro zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study was based on cross-sectional survey data from 384 farm households that were selected through a combination of three-stages: cluster, simple random, and proportional to the size of population sampling techniques. A mix of instruments including interview- schedule, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations were used to acquire primary data. Descriptive statistics in combination with multidimensional approaches involving cluster analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed using word descriptions and verbatim discussions. It was found that the diversification patterns of the smallholder farm households in the study area took different forms involving alteration of land use patterns, intensification of crops and livestock productions, and non/off-farm activities. Superiority order of livelihood strategies in terms of the average annual cash income obtained by the households was set. Accordingly, commercial crop stands first followed by livestock rearing and subsistence crop production as second and third, respectively. It was suggested that livelihood diversification can only be a viable strategy to achieve sustainable rural livelihoods if the farmers are capacitated so that they can choose the right remunerative livelihood strategy among the existing options.

scholarly journals “Illegal” Gold Mining Operations in Ghana: Implication for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Northwestern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Yenglier Yiridomoh
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Globally, climate-smart agriculture is highly recognized as an approach for sustainable agriculture and food systems. In Africa and other developing countries, climate-smart agriculture is observed to reposition and modify agricultural systems for improved food and nutritional security. Despite the relevance of the approach to sustainable agricultural planning, illegal gold mining in many parts of the society is placing constraints to its implementation and adoption through its contest with agricultural land for space and activities. Illegal gold mining is on the rise due to the lucrativeness of the non-regulated gold rush opportunities with hard consequences on sustainable agriculture and resilience food systems. As a result, this study seeks to investigate illegal gold mining and its environmental implication for climate-smart agriculture in Ghana. The study used a single case study using a mixed-methods approach to research. The study adopted purposive and systematic sampling techniques to select the study communities and respondents, respectively. Questionnaire and interviews were used to gather the primary data from respondents at the household level, as the unit of analysis. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis reveal that known agricultural practices such as terracing, crop rotation, use of domestic waste/manure, and irrigation of crops were affected adversely by activities of illegal mining. The study recommends the need for conscious efforts from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to sustain the ban on illegal mining with intensified monitoring and supervision while a systematic scheme involving relevant stakeholders is developed and implemented to ban illegal mining in Ghana completely. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture needs to develop an approach to support the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices by smallholder farmers to meet the food demand of their households.

scholarly journals Labour Absorption in Crop Production for Principal Crops in Semi-Arid and Flood Prone Eastern Plain Region of Rajasthan

2021 ◽  
pp. 196-207
Author(s):  
Arjun Singh Rajput ◽  
Vikalp Sharma ◽  
M. K. Jangid ◽  
Latika Sharma ◽  
D. C. Pant
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Wage Rate ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Green Gram ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Plain Region ◽  
Large Farms ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Labour Absorption

The present investigation was undertaken with a view to study the labour absorption (both family and hired labour) in principal crops in Semi-Arid and Flood Prone Eastern Plain Region of Rajasthan. The primary data were collected from 200 households of 10 villages during the year 2018-2019. To study the labour absorption in crop production for principal crops the model suggested by Singh, 1996 was used. In semi-arid and flood prone eastern region (Region-III), the average labour absorption in crop production was 48.72 man-days per hectare in selected principal crops i.e., pearl millet, green gram, wheat, rapeseed & mustard and chickpea. The participation of family and hired labour was 31.11 man-days per hectare and 17.61 man-days per hectare in region-III. The wage rate for machine labour was maximum on marginal farms (Rs. 849.86 per hour) while minimum on large farms (Rs. 596.71 per hour).

scholarly journals ANALISIS KONVERSI LAHAN SAWAH DI KOTA SOLOK

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
. Mardianto
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Internal Factor ◽  
Factors Affecting

Agricultural land conversion occurs mostly in big cities in Indonesia and also occurs in small villages and towns on a small scale but not much has been done by the study. This study was linked to detect factors affecting land conversion in Kota Solok. This research was conducted by survey method. Sampling is done by simple random sampling with balanced amount. The data collected in this study includes primary data and secondary data. The analysis is done by description using percentage of respondent's level of achievement (tcr). The result of the analysis shows that the conversion of paddy fields in Solok City is mostly done by individual buyers, the internal factor which has the greatest effect on the conversion of paddy fields in Solok City is the economic condition, while the external factor is caused by the population growth and the policy caused by the weakness of policy control which government apparatus.

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