scholarly journals Exploring the Resource Value of Transvaal Red Milk Wood (Mimusops zeyheri) for Food Security and Sustainability: An Appraisal of Existing Evidence

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
Abiodun Olusola Omotayo ◽  
Enioluwa Jonathan Ijatuyi ◽  
Adebayo Isaiah Ogunniyi ◽  
Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security ◽  
Exotic Fruits

Many African countries are endowed with rich biodiversity with enormous nutritional and economic prospects, but the majority of these resources are not fully harnessed. Exploring these neglected resources, for example, the Transvaal red milkwood tree [(Mimusops zeyheri) Sond. family: Sapotaceae] is of paramount importance for food and nutritional security as well as economic prosperity. This review provides a critical appraisal of the nutritional and health benefits as well as the economic potential of Mimusops zeyheri. The plant is known for its diverse uses among rural communities. In folk medicine, the decoction from the bark and leaves of Mimusops zeyheri are used for treating wounds and ulcers, while the root is used as an infusion taken to treat candidiasis and other health issues. The nutritional profile of the fruit tree is similar to popular exotic fruits and richer in vitamin C when compared to guava and orange. Mimusops zeyheri is a rich source of vitamins, protein, and fatty acids. Based on the rich chemical pool, especially in the fruit and seeds, it has the potential to provide an accessible, readily available, and affordable enriched functional food with valuable health benefits. However, the successful exploration of Mimusopszeyheri for food security and sustainability requires multidisciplinary research. This will help achieve the envisaged food-nutrition security and poverty alleviation potential of the plant, especially among local communities.

The contributions of wild tree resources to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan African drylands: a review of the pathways and beneficiaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-82
Author(s):  
C.K. Koffi ◽  
A. Lourme-Ruiz ◽  
H. Djoudi ◽  
E. Bouquet ◽  
S. Dury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Food And Nutrition Security ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Wild Tree ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security

Wild tree resources are known to play an important role in local stakeholders' livelihoods particularly in the food and nutrition security of people living in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this article examines the relative importance of the contributions of tree resources to food and nutrition security for rural households, while considering alternative causal pathways. The main conclusions of the review are that most studies provide useful evidence on specific contributions of tree products to food and nutritional security, and for whom. However, detailed data on the actual contribution of tree products are still lacking. In addition, we argue that the concept of access as a pillar of food security is not sophisticated enough to understand the landscape dynamics and the socio-economic relations at the nexus of food security and rights of access. Links are needed to better understand the underlying processes in the definition of each stakeholder's rights of access to tree resources in a context of rapidly changing landscapes, and how income generated by tree resources contributes to food and nutrition security. An approach to food security based on rights of access would advance our understanding of their use and tackle the root causes of food deficiency based on different social groups. In light of current patterns of access to tree food for different stakeholders, including women and children, an intersectional approach that accounts for age, gender, ethnicity and wealth would benefit food security research by a more targeted and discerning approach to existing rights of access and to the roles of different community members.

scholarly journals Food and medicinal relevance of Cucurbitaceae species in Eastern and Southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaoluwa Omoniyi Olarewaju ◽  
Olufunke Omowumi Fajinmi ◽  
Georgina Dede Arthur ◽  
Roger Murugas Coopoosamy ◽  
Kubendran Kista Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Main Body ◽  
African Culture ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa

Abstract Background The traditional use of medicinal plants is an integral part of African culture and plays a major role in African societies. For centuries, plants have been used to cure diseases and till date, a vast majority of the African people especially in rural communities depend on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments. Main body The Cucurbitaceae family has a diversity of medicinally relevant species which also play significant roles in food security in Africa. While some are underutilised and are sourced from the wild, others are domesticated and cultivated for food. This review therefore highlights the significance of Cucurbitaceae species in Eastern and Southern African countries. The use of various species in the traditional food and medicine systems of these countries is documented. The review further discusses some poisonous species with close resemblance to edible plants. The fatal effect of consuming any part of such plant species like young or old leaves and unripe fruit is highlighted. Conclusion This review is thus a documentation of the crucial role of Cucurbitaceae species in food security, treatment of a variety of diseases and its negative effect on humanity and livestock.

Ghana: the State of Agriculture and Prospects for Food Security in the Context of Achieving SDGs

2018 ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Tatyana Denisova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

For the first time in Russian African studies, the author examines the current state of agriculture, challenges and prospects for food security in Ghana, which belongs to the group of African countries that have made the most progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 with a view of achieving them by 2030. The SDGs include: ending poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1); ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture (2); ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (3), etc. These goals are considered fundamental because the achievement of a number of other SDGs – for example, ensuring quality education (4), achieving gender equality (5), ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12), etc. – largely depends on their implementation. Ghana was commended by the world community for the significant reduction in poverty, hunger and malnutrition between 2000 and 2014, i.e. for the relatively successful implementation of the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) – the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. However, SDGs require more careful study and planning of implementation measures. In order to achieve the SDGs, the Government of Ghana has adopted a number of programs, plans and projects, the successful implementation of which often stumbles upon the lack of funding and lack of coordination between state bodies, private and public organizations, foreign partners – donors and creditors, etc., which are involved in the processes of socioeconomic development of Ghana. The author determines the reasons for the lack of food security in Ghana, gives an assessment of the state of the agricultural sector, the effective development of which is a prerequisite for the reduction of poverty and hunger, primarily due to the engagement of a significant share (45%) of the economically active population in this sector. The study shows that the limited growth in food production is largely due to the absence of domestic markets and necessary roads, means of transportation, irrigation and storage infrastructure, as well as insufficient investment in the agricultural sector, rather than to a shortage of fertile land or labor.

scholarly journals Road Maintenance in Africa: Approaches and Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 01005
Author(s):  
Mostafa Hassan M
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Over Time

In Africa, roads are the dominant mode of passenger and freight transport, for which the need is growing rapidly. It is noticeable that most of the African countries do not do enough to ensure the sustainability of road infrastructure as it has been widely reported that roads are affected, to varying degrees, by premature deterioration. Most of the African countries have adopted institutional reforms, notably entailing the creation of road funds and road agencies, and made significant progress on road maintenance. However, many challenges remain to be addressed in all of them to ensure appropriate maintenance. Although spending on road maintenance has increased over time in all African countries it remains insufficient to cover the needs. Poorly maintained roads constrain mobility, significantly raise vehicle operating costs, increase accident rates and their associated human and property costs, and aggravate isolation, poverty, poor health, and illiteracy in rural communities. This paper focuses, in particular, on road maintenance in some African countries considering types of road maintenance and the different approaches aiming at a comparison to reflect on similarities and differences.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Glopan Food Systems Framework by Integrating Gender: Relevance for Women in African Agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8564
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mkandawire ◽  
Melody Mentz-Coetzee ◽  
Margaret Najjingo Mangheni ◽  
Eleonora Barusi
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Gender Barriers ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
African Agriculture ◽  
Agriculture And Food ◽  
Systems Framework

Globally, gender inequalities constrain food security, with women often disproportionately affected. Women play a fundamental role in household food and nutrition security. The multiple roles women play in various areas of the food system are not always recognised. This oversight emerges from an overemphasis on one aspect of the food system, without considering how this area might affect or be affected by another aspect. This study aimed to draw on international commitments and treaties using content analysis to enhance the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Security food systems framework by integrating a gender perspective. The study found that generally, there is a consensus on specific actions that can be taken to advance gender equality at specific stages of the food system. However, governance and social systems constraints that are not necessarily part of the food system, but have a significant bearing on men and women’s capacity to effectively participate in the food system, need to be addressed. While the proposed conceptual framework has some limitations, it offers a foundation on which researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders can begin conceptualising the interconnectedness of gender barriers in the food system.

scholarly journals COVID-19: From health crises to food security anxiety and policy implications

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linley Chiwona-Karltun ◽  
Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Caroline Wamala-Larsson ◽  
Salome Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Assem Abu Hatab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Economic ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Local Spread

AbstractLike the rest of the world, African countries are reeling from the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19. The continent’s governments have responded by imposing rigorous lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus. The various lockdown measures are undermining food security, because stay at home orders have among others, threatened food production for a continent that relies heavily on agriculture as the bedrock of the economy. This article draws on quantitative data collected by the GeoPoll, and, from these data, assesses the effect of concern about the local spread and economic impact of COVID-19 on food worries. Qualitative data comprising 12 countries south of the Sahara reveal that lockdowns have created anxiety over food security as a health, economic and human rights/well-being issue. By applying a probit model, we find that concern about the local spread of COVID-19 and economic impact of the virus increases the probability of food worries. Governments have responded with various efforts to support the neediest. By evaluating the various policies rolled out we advocate for a feminist economics approach that necessitates greater use of data analytics to predict the likely impacts of intended regulatory relief responses during the recovery process and post-COVID-19.

scholarly journals Delineating Smallholder Maize Farms from Sentinel-1 Coupled with Sentinel-2 Data Using Machine Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4728
Author(s):  
Zinhle Mashaba-Munghemezulu ◽  
George Johannes Chirima ◽  
Cilence Munghemezulu
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Subsistence Agriculture ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Sentinel 2

Rural communities rely on smallholder maize farms for subsistence agriculture, the main driver of local economic activity and food security. However, their planted area estimates are unknown in most developing countries. This study explores the use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data to map smallholder maize farms. The random forest (RF), support vector (SVM) machine learning algorithms and model stacking (ST) were applied. Results show that the classification of combined Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data improved the RF, SVM and ST algorithms by 24.2%, 8.7%, and 9.1%, respectively, compared to the classification of Sentinel-1 data individually. Similarities in the estimated areas (7001.35 ± 1.2 ha for RF, 7926.03 ± 0.7 ha for SVM and 7099.59 ± 0.8 ha for ST) show that machine learning can estimate smallholder maize areas with high accuracies. The study concludes that the single-date Sentinel-1 data were insufficient to map smallholder maize farms. However, single-date Sentinel-1 combined with Sentinel-2 data were sufficient in mapping smallholder farms. These results can be used to support the generation and validation of national crop statistics, thus contributing to food security.

scholarly journals Achieving Sustainable Energy in Rural Communities in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Kwabena Boafo Adom-Opare ◽  
Daniel Kweku Baah Inkoom
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Water Evaporation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Industrial Energy

The paper uses a range of sustainability-measuring indicators to define and measure sustainable energy in a rural context. The use of fuel wood and charcoal in rural areas has consequences on the environment and human health and ultimately, climate change. Fuel wood and charcoal consumption for example pose threats in through carbon emissions. Though Ghana and most African countries are not heavy carbon emitters, it is important to recognize that fuel wood and charcoal are major sources of residential and industrial energy resource. From the study, it was estimated that household and industrial/commercial fuel wood and charcoal consumption, emitted 24,171 tCO2/year and the net carbon capture was about 112billion tCO2/year. The balance between carbon emitted and capture provides an indication of more room for carbon sequestration in the area and its environs; however high growth in fuel consumption coupled with increasing forest reduction and water evaporation (refer to section 4.6.3 on data on evaporation) presents a case for concern over the years.

scholarly journals Short Communication: The fruit plant species diversity in the home gardens and their contribution to the livelihood of communities in rural area

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elfrida ELFRIDA ◽  
Albian Mubarak ◽  
Adi Bejo Suwardi
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Improve Food Security

Abstract. Elfrida, Mubarak A, Suwardi AB. 2020. Short Communication: The fruit plant species diversity in the home gardens and their contribution to the livelihood of rural communities in Tenggulun Sub-district, Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3670-3675. Home gardens have a significant potential to improve food security and offer a contribution to household income for communities in rural areas. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of fruit plant species in the home gardens and their contribution to the livelihood of rural communities in Tenggulun Sub-district, Indonesia. The study was conducted in three villages of Tenggulun Sub-district, Aceh Tamiang District, namely Tenggulun, Selamat, and Simpang Kiri. Extensive field surveys, plant collections, and interviews with local communities were conducted, involving 350 households, using random sampling methods. A total of 39 fruit plant species consisting of 23 genera and 17 families were recorded at the three villages. Sixteen species, i.e., A. muricata, A. jiringa, Artocarpus integer, Averrhoa bilimbi, Baccaurea motleyana, Carica papaya, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus hystrix, Garcinia mangostana, Mangifera indica, Manilkara zapota, Musa x paradisiaca, Nephelium lappaceum, Psidium guajava, Spondias pinnata, and Syzygium aqueum were the most frequently recorded in all of the villages. In addition to being used as food, the fruit plants in the study area were also used as medicines, fodder, fuelwood, and household items. The fruit plant species have a significant role in supporting household livelihoods to improve food security and potentially offer a household income for the rural community in the study area.

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.

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