Application of human excreta on the farms as an effective option to the uptake and replication of ecological sanitation (Ecosan) in Burera District, Rwanda

The ecological sanitation (Ecosan) technology continues to be challenged by diverse factors including exposure of human excreta to the users in different geographical settings. The purpose of the study is to understand the linkage between the uptake of Ecosan technology and theapplication of human excreta on the farms among farmers in Burera district. A quantitative study was conducted to assess the linkage between the application of human excreta on the farms and the uptake of Ecosan technology among farmers of Burera District, Northern Province of Rwanda. By using a multistage sampling strategy, a sample of 361 household farmers was selected in the sectors of Rugarama, Gahunga and Cyanika in the District of Burera where the Ecosan technology has been mostly implemented at the household level Findings show that Ecological sanitation technology is favorable among females and 70% of females prefer to use it as sanitation facilities due to its privacy and design compared to the pitlatrine technology. In addition, the application of human excreta on the farm was high and 60% of farmers apply excreta on the farmers especially when there is a time of emptying excreta from their sanitation technologies. However, only 3% of the users of Ecosan technology apply also human excreta as Ecosan products on their farms. This implies that there is a need to scale up the Ecosan technology in the community of Burera district to optimize the proper use of human excreta. The high uptake of Ecosan technology will evolve the implementation strategies such as community education, the supply of Ecosan materials in the community and the construction of Ecosan technology. This will boost sanitation coverage and increase crop production in Burera district by taking into account the community health as well as the environmental aspect

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Toward Zero Hunger Through Coupled Ecological Sanitation-Agriculture Systems

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2021.716140 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Ryals ◽

Elena Bischak ◽

Katherine K. Porterfield ◽

Steven Heisey ◽

Julie Jeliazovski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Ecological Sanitation ◽

Organic Nutrient ◽

Human Excreta ◽

Carry Over ◽

Zero Hunger ◽

Nutrient Resources

Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) systems capture and sanitize human excreta and generate organic nutrient resources that can support more sustainable nutrient management in agricultural ecosystems. An emerging EcoSan system that is implemented in Haiti and several other contexts globally couples container-based household toilets with aerobic, thermophilic composting. This closed loop sanitation system generates organic nutrient resources that can be used as part of an ecological approach to soil nutrient management and thus has the potential to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation for all), and 13 (climate change solutions). However, the role of organic nutrient resources derived from human excreta in food production is poorly studied. We conducted a greenhouse experiment comparing the impact of feces-derived compost on crop production, soil nutrient cycling, and nutrient losses with two amendments produced from wastewater treatment (pelletized biosolids and biofertilizer), urea, and an unfertilized control. Excreta-derived amendments increased crop yields 2.5 times more than urea, but had differing carry-over effects. After a one-time application of compost, crop production remained elevated throughout all six crop cycles. In contrast, the carry-over of crop response lasted two and four crop cycles for biosolids and biofertilizer, respectively, and was absent for urea. Soil carbon concentration in the compost amended soils increased linearly through time from 2.0 to 2.5%, an effect not seen with other treatments. Soil nitrous oxide emissions factors ranged from 0.3% (compost) to 4.6% (biosolids), while nitrogen leaching losses were lowest for biosolids and highest for urea. These results indicate that excreta-derived compost provides plant available nutrients, while improving soil health through the addition of soil organic carbon. It also improved biogeochemical functions, indicating the potential of excreta-derived compost to close nutrient loops if implemented at larger scales. If captured and safely treated through EcoSan, human feces produced in Haiti can meet up to 13, 22, and 11% of major crop needs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively.

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Semi-parametric analysis of agricultural production under dichotomy of inputs

Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika) ◽

10.17221/327/2016-agricecon ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (No. 8) ◽

pp. 378-388

Author(s):

Iqbal Naveed ◽

Sial Maqbool Hussain

Keyword(s):

Technical Efficiency ◽

Crop Production ◽

Labour Force ◽

Scale Up ◽

Agricultural Economics ◽

Farm Families ◽

Household Level ◽

Alternative Employment ◽

Level Data ◽

On Farm

Inputs used in agriculture play asymmetric roles during the production process. Growth inputs, i.e. water, nutrients, seed and soil environment, become a part of the biological growth of plants, whereas facilitating inputs, i.e. labour, capital and pesticides, help regulate the functions of growth inputs from outside of the plants. This insight about the asymmetric role of agricultural inputs has been incorporated into agricultural economics on the basis of agronomic principles of crop production. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of facilitating inputs on the technical efficiency of growth inputs. This analysis has been carried out semi-parametrically by employing the double bootstrap procedure on farm household level data from Pakistan. The results indicate that pesticides, capital and family labour scale up the technical efficiency of the growth inputs, whereas hired labour significantly scales down this efficiency. We recommend the creation of alternative employment opportunities for the rural labour force, provision of effective agricultural extension services to farm families, a minimisation of trade barriers to the import agricultural machinery and an enhancement of the extent of farm mechanisation.

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On-farm trees are a safety net for the poorest households rather than a major contributor to food security in Rwanda

Food Security ◽

10.1007/s12571-020-01138-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alain Ndoli ◽

Athanase Mukuralinda ◽

Antonius G. T. Schut ◽

Miyuki Iiyama ◽

Jean Damascene Ndayambaje ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Household Income ◽

Crop Production ◽

Scale Up ◽

Safety Net ◽

Farm Size ◽

Income Sources ◽

Agroforestry Practice ◽

On Farm ◽

Agroforestry Practices

AbstractThe world is challenged to meet the food demand of a growing population, especially in developing countries. Given the ambitious plans to scale up agroforestry in Africa, an improved understanding of the effect of agroforestry practices on the already challenged food security of rural households is crucial. The present study was undertaken to assess how on-farm trees impacted food security in addition to other household income sources in Rwanda. In each of the six agroecologies of Rwanda, a stratified sampling procedure was used where two administrative cells (4th formal administrative level) were selected in which households were randomly selected for interviews. A survey including 399 farmers was conducted and farmers were grouped in three types of agroforestry practice (i) low practitioners (LAP) represented by the first tertile, (ii) medium practitioners (MAP) represented by the second tertile and (iii) high practitioners (HAP) represented by the third tertile of households in terms of tree number. Asset values, household income sources, crop production, farm size, crop yield, and food security (food energy needs) were quantified among the types of agroforestry practice. A larger proportion of HAP households had access to adequate quantity and diversity of food when compared with MAP and LAP households. Food security probability was higher for households with more resources, including land, trees and livestock, coinciding with an increased crop and livestock income. We found no difference in asset endowment among types of agroforestry practices, while farmers in agroecologies with smaller farms (0.42 ha to 0.66 ha) had more on-farm trees (212 to 358 trees per household) than farms in agroecologies with larger farms (0.96 ha to 1.23 ha) which had 49 to 129 trees per household, probably due to differences in biophysical conditions. A positive association between tree density and food security was found in two out of six agroecologies. The proportion of income that came from tree products was high (> 20%) for a small fraction of farmers (12%), with the more food insecure households relying more on income from tree products than households with better food security status. Thus, tree income can be percieved as a “safety net” for the poorest households.

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Scaling-up production of plant endophytes in bioreactors: concepts, challenges and perspectives

Bioresources and Bioprocessing ◽

10.1186/s40643-021-00417-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Seedhabadee Ganeshan ◽

Seon Hwa Kim ◽

Vladimir Vujanovic

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Process Development ◽

Hazard Analysis ◽

Scale Up ◽

Process Technology ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Agriculture Industry ◽

Start Up ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Agriculture And Food

AbstractThe benefit of microorganisms to humans, animals, insects and plants is increasingly recognized, with intensified microbial endophytes research indicative of this realization. In the agriculture industry, the benefits are tremendous to move towards sustainable crop production and minimize or circumvent the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The research leading to the identification of potential plant endophytes is long and arduous and for many researchers the challenge is ultimately in scale-up production. While many of the larger agriculture and food industries have their own scale-up and manufacturing facilities, for many in academia and start-up companies the next steps towards production have been a stumbling block due to lack of information and understanding of the processes involved in scale-up fermentation. This review provides an overview of the fermentation process from shake flask cultures to scale-up and the manufacturing steps involved such as process development optimization (PDO), process hazard analysis (PHA), pre-, in- and post-production (PIP) challenges and finally the preparation of a technology transfer package (TTP) to transition the PDO to manufacturing. The focus is on submerged liquid fermentation (SLF) and plant endophytes production by providing original examples of fungal and bacterial endophytes, plant growth promoting Penicillium sp. and Streptomyces sp. bioinoculants, respectively. We also discuss the concepts, challenges and future perspectives of the scale-up microbial endophyte process technology based on the industrial and biosafety research platform for advancing a massive production of next-generation biologicals in bioreactors.

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Implementing Cancer Care in Rwanda: Capacity Building for Treatment and Scale-Up

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13137216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 7216

Author(s):

Paul H. Park ◽

Cyprien Shyirambere ◽

Fred Kateera ◽

Neil Gupta ◽

Christian Rusangwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Capacity Building ◽

Scale Up ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Essential Medicines ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Cancer Centers ◽

Implementation Approach ◽

Single Cancer

Background: The majority of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are ill-prepared to address the rising burden of cancer. While some have been able to establish a single cancer referral center, few have been able to scale-up services nationally towards universal health coverage. The literature lacks a step-wise implementation approach for resource-limited countries to move beyond a single-facility implementation strategy and implement a national cancer strategy to expand effective coverage. Methods: We applied an implementation science framework, which describes a four-phase approach: Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS). Through this framework, we describe Rwanda’s approach to establish not just a single cancer center, but a national cancer program. Results: By applying EPIS to Rwanda’s implementation approach, we analyzed and identified the implementation strategies and factors, which informed processes of each phase to establish foundational cancer delivery components, including trained staff, diagnostic technology, essential medicines, and medical informatics. These cancer delivery components allowed for the implementation of Rwanda’s first cancer center, while simultaneously serving as the nidus for capacity building of foundational components for future cancer centers. Conclusion: This “progressive scaling” approach ensured that initial investments in the country’s first cancer center was a step toward establishing future cancer centers in the country.

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Decoupling livestock and crop production at the household level in China

Nature Sustainability ◽

10.1038/s41893-020-00596-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shuqin Jin ◽

Bin Zhang ◽

Bi Wu ◽

Dongmei Han ◽

Yu Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Household Level

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Availability of Adequately Iodized Salt at Household Level and Associated Factors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

ISRN Public Health ◽

10.1155/2013/160582 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Hailay Gebrearegawi Gebremariam ◽

Melkie Edris Yesuf ◽

Digsu Negese Koye

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Iodized Salt ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Household Level ◽

Gondar Town ◽

Multistage Sampling ◽

And Control

Background. Iodine deficiency has serious effects on body growth and mental development. This study assessed availability of adequately iodized salt at household level and associated factors in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was carried out among households in Gondar town during August 15–25, 2012. Multistage sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. Results. A total of 810 participants were participated. The availability of adequately iodized salt (≥15 parts per million) in the study area was 28.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that using packed salt (AOR (95% CI) = 9.75 (5.74, 16.56)), not exposing salt to sunlight (AOR (95% CI) = 7.26 (3.73, 14.11)), shorter storage of salt at household (AOR (95% CI) = 3.604 (1.402, 9.267)) and good knowledge of participants about iodized salt (AOR (95% CI) = 1.94 (1.23, 3.05)) were associated with availability of adequately iodized salt at household level. Conclusions. Availability of adequately iodized salt at household level was very low. Hence, households should be sensitized about importance of iodized salt and its proper handling at the household level.

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Effect of Extension Training on Technical Efficiency of Maize Farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Review ◽

10.52403/ijrr.20210928 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 210-217

Author(s):

Akintonde J. Oluwole ◽

Akintaro O. Segun ◽

Rahman S. Bayonle

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Technical Efficiency ◽

Crop Production ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Interview Schedule ◽

Extension Services ◽

Maize Production ◽

The Mean ◽

Multistage Sampling ◽

Selection Of

The efficiency of any entrepreneur is a function of personal production skill, knowledge and experience acquired over time and exposure via training in the field of his or her enterprise focus. It is on this premise that this study examined the effect of extension training on technical efficiency of maize farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of One-hundred and Eighty-One (181) maize farmers, while structured and validated interview schedule was used to obtain necessary information from the sampled respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The mean age of sampled farmers was 48 years and majority (80.1%) of the farmers was male. The farmers with extension contact have access to different extension trainings on maize production in the study area. The average household sizes were 7 and 8, with the average farm sizes of 1.423ha and 1.417ha for both contact and non-contact maize farmers respectively. Those farmers with extension contact were found to be technically efficient than non-contact farmers. Significant relationship existed between some selected socio-economic characteristics of both sampled maize farmers and their maize output. The study therefore suggests the need to create more awareness on the roles of extension services on crop production among farmers and the authorities concern with extension service delivery should improve on the frequency of extension contact in order to encourage farmers' participation in extension activities in the study area and rural communities in Nigeria at large. Keywords: Extension training, technical efficiency, contact and non-contact maize farmers.

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A protocol for evaluating a multi-level implementation theory to scale up obstetric triage in referral hospitals in Ghana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16855/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Caitlin Rain Williams ◽

Stephanie Bogdewic ◽

Medge Owen ◽

Emmanuel K. Srofe ◽

Rohit Ramaswamy

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Scale Up ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Clinical Intervention ◽

Interactive Systems ◽

Interactive Systems Framework ◽

Implementation Theory ◽

Care Plans ◽

Implementation Approach ◽

Multi Level

Abstract Background: Ghana significantly reduced maternal and newborn mortality between 1990 and 2015, largely through efforts focused on improving access to care. Yet achieving further progress requires improving the quality and timeliness of care. Beginning in 2013, Ghana Health Service and Kybele, a US-based non-governmental organization, developed an innovative obstetric triage system to help midwives assess, diagnosis, and determine appropriate care plans more quickly and accurately. In 2019, efforts began to scale this successful intervention into six additional hospitals. This protocol describes the theory-based implementation approach guiding scale-up and presents the proposed mixed-methods evaluation plan. Methods: An implementation theory was developed to describe how complementary implementation strategies would be bundled into a multi-level implementation approach. Drawing on the Interactive Systems Framework and Evidenced Based System for Implementation Support, the proposed implementation approach is designed to help individual facilities develop implementation capacity and also build a learning network across facilities to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions.A convergent design mixed methods approach will be used to evaluate implementation with relevant data drawn from tailored assessments, routinely collected process and quality monitoring data, textual analysis of relevant documents and WhatsApp group messages, and key informant interviews. Implementation outcomes of interest are acceptability, adoption, and sustainability.Discussion: The past decade has seen a rapid growth in the development of frameworks, models, and theories of implementation, yet there remains little guidance on how to use these to operationalize implementation practice. This study proposes one method for using implementation theory, paired with other kinds of mid-level and program theory, to guide the replication and evaluation of a clinical intervention in a complex, real-world setting. The results of this study should help to provide evidence of how implementation theory can be used to help close the “know-do” gap.

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Introduction

10.1093/oso/9780198853046.003.0001 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Camilla Toulmin

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Field Size ◽

Household Level ◽

Research Site ◽

And Migration ◽

The Village

This chapter introduces the study, its purpose and methods. It outlines the uncertain, drought-prone setting of the village of Kala, central Mali, and explores the links between labour, investment, crop production, livestock and migration at household level. A range of risks are identified, which play out over the short and longer term. Choice of research site and types of data collected are explored, covering labour, field size, crop harvests, household budgets, marriage, livestock and migration.

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