scholarly journals Adoption and Impact of the Improved Fallow Technique on Cotton Productivity and Income in Zambia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nandi Jama ◽  
Elias Kuntashula ◽  
Paul C. Samboko
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Improved Fallow ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Improved Fallows ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Cash Crops ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Impact

An improved fallow is a soil fertility agroforestry technique that has commonly been used in the staple maize production systems of Zambia and sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have assessed the adoption and impact of the improved fallow on maize production. Generally, it has been observed that though the improved fallow does increase maize yields, its efficacy on welfare in terms of increased income is low. The use of the technique on cash crops that could significantly contribute to household welfare has rarely been investigated. This study assessed the factors affecting the adoption and impact of improved fallows on a commonly grown cash crop, cotton, in the cotton growing provinces of Zambia. The study used a sub sample (N=1206) of the nationally representative 2014/15 Rural Agricultural Livelihoods Survey (RALS) data which was randomly collected by the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) and Central Statistical Office (CSO) of Zambia. The determinants of improved fallow adoption among the cotton farmers were examined through the use of the probit model while the impact of the technique on cotton production and income was evaluated by using the propensity score matching and the endogenous switching regression models. Among the socioeconomic factors significantly increasing the probability of improved fallow adoption included: increases in age, education level, and per capita productive assets of the farmer, in addition to the area under cotton production and the distance of the homestead to the market. Institutional factors found to increase the farmer’s likelihood of adopting the improved fallow in the cotton production systems included; farmer membership to a cooperative, receiving improved fallow seedlings from the government projects and having information on agroforestry tree species. On the other hand, an increase in land size per capita was found to negatively affect the likelihood of improved tree fallow adoption. Impact estimates showed significant cotton yield and income increases as a result of adopting the technique. The continuous provision of information on relatively new techniques such as the improved fallows preferably in farmer organized groups, and support towards the provision of the technique’s planting materials are some of the areas requiring government and NGOs attention. In addition, the study recommends that the farmers’ formal education level should be enhanced and that improved tree fallows should also be explicitly promoted on cash crops that have similar agronomic requirements to maize such as cotton.

Sustainable development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: the impact of infrastructure on wealth per capita

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (233-234) ◽  
pp. 199-212
Author(s):  
Onesmus Mbaabu Mutiiria ◽  
Qingjiang Ju ◽  
Koffi Dumor
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Cotton production systems in the Brazilian Cerrado: The impact of soil attributes on field-scale yield

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 126090
Author(s):  
Aline dos Santos ◽  
Eduardo da Silva Matos ◽  
Onã da Silva Freddi ◽  
Rafael Galbieri ◽  
Rattan Lal
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Brazilian Cerrado ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Soil Attributes ◽  
The Impact

Political stability as a factor affecting growth in agricultural sub-Saharan African countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-176
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Świerczyńska ◽  
◽  
Filip Kaczmarek ◽  
Łukasz Kryszak ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

The agricultural countries of sub-Saharan Africa remain the least economically advanced region of the world, with the relatively lowest quality of life. The agricultural sector plays a particularly important role in the economies of these countries. However, it is underdeveloped as a result of factors such as inadequate agricultural policy, institutional instability, chronic droughts, epidemics, deterioration of the environment, deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient investment in agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the paper is to examine the impact of political stabilization on the economic growth in these countries. We were also inclined to determine what the interdependences were between political stability and factors important for agricultural activity for both agricultural and non-agricultural sub-Saharan counties in the 1995–2017 period. The methods used in this research included panel models with fixed effects, non-parametric tests and quantile regression. It was found that stabilizing the political situation and lowering the level of conflict risk contributed to the growth of GDP per capita in both agricultural and non-agricultural countries. However, in agricultural countries, it also influenced the modernization of agricultural production methods and a shift in the proportion of agricultural production in the total volume of imports and exports. Furthermore, it was found that political stability contributed to a greater extent to the improvement of GDP per capita in the lowest income countries.

scholarly journals Cottonseed Press Cake as a Potential Diet for Industrially Farmed Black Soldier Fly Larvae Triggers Adaptations of Their Bacterial and Fungal Gut Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Tegtmeier ◽  
Sabine Hurka ◽  
Patrick Klüber ◽  
Karina Brinkrolf ◽  
Philipp Heise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Press Cake ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽  
Fly Larvae ◽  
The Impact

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) are used for the bioconversion of organic side products into valuable compounds such as proteins, lipids and chitin. However, the economic competitiveness of farmed insects compared to conventional protein production systems in agriculture and aquaculture depends on the availability of large quantities of inexpensive insect feed. Cottonseed press cake (CPC) is a side-stream of cotton production that is rich in proteins and lipids but unsuitable as feed for several farmed animals, except ruminants, due to the presence of the anti-nutritional sesquiterpenoid gossypol. Here, we tested CPC as a feed for black soldier fly larvae and studied the impact of this diet on the gut microbiome. Larvae reared on CPC developed normally and even showed a shorter life-cycle, but were smaller at the end of larval development than control larvae reared on chicken feed. The adaptability of the larvae to different diets is mediated by their versatile gut microbiome, which facilitates digestion and detoxification. We therefore used amplicon sequencing to analyze the bacterial and fungal communities associated with larvae reared on each diet, revealing differences between the larval guts and frass (residual feed substrate) as well as differences between the two diet groups. For example, Actinomycetaceae and Aspergillaceae were significantly enriched in guts of the CPC diet group and may help to metabolize compounds such as gossypol. Potentially probiotic yeasts and beneficial Enterobacteriaceae, which presumably belong to the core microbiota, were detected in high relative abundance in the gut and frass, indicating a functional role of these microbes, especially the protection against pathogens. We conclude that CPC may be suitable as an inexpensive and environmentally sustainable feed for the industrial rearing of black soldier flies.

scholarly journals Wpływ międzynarodowych instytucji finansowych na sytuację gospodarczą krajów najsłabiej rozwiniętych

2019 ◽  
Vol 19(34) (3) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Jakub Kraciuk
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
International Financial Institutions ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The International Monetary Fund

The aim of the study was to show the impact of the activities of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the economic situation of the least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It was found that the operation of these organizations in accordance with the principles of the Washington consensus did not bring the expected results, and the credit aid of IMF and World Bank increased debt, but did not contribute to a significant GDP growth per capita in the analyzed countries. Therefore, it is necessary to change the rules of operation of international financial institutions towards least developed countries. The proposed adjustment programs are to generate economic growth, which will be subordinated to the needs of societies, and the choice of economic and social policy options should be adapted to the conditions of a given country.

Maize systems under climate change in sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Sika Gbegbelegbe ◽  
Jill E Cairns ◽  
Bekele Shiferaw ◽  
Boddupalli M Prasanna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change ◽  
Bioeconomic Models

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the biophysical and socioeconomic impacts of climate change on maize production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using adapted improved maize varieties and well-calibrated and validated bioeconomic models. Design/methodology/approach – Using the past climate (1950-2000) as a baseline, the study estimated the biophysical impacts of climate change in 2050 (2040-2069) and 2080 (2070-2099) under the A1B emission scenario and three nitrogen levels, and the socioeconomic impacts in 2050. Findings – Climate change will affect maize yields across SSA in 2050 and 2080, and the extent of the impact at a given period will vary considerably between input levels, regions and maize mega environments (MMEs). Greater relative yield reductions may occur under medium and high-input intensification than under low intensification, in Western and Southern Africa than in Eastern and Central Africa and in lowland and dry mid-altitude than in highland and wet mid-altitude MMEs. Climate change may worsen food insecurity in SSA in 2050 through its negative impact on maize consumption and reduction in daily calorie intake. However, international trade has the potential to offset some of the negative impacts. Originality/value – The study calibrated and applied bioeconomic models to estimate the biophysical and socioeconomic impact of climate change on maize production at fine resolution. The results could be used as a baseline to evaluate measures that will be applied to adapt maize to the future climate in SSA.

Impact of improved fallow periods on soil properties and productivity of maize ( Zea mays L.) in major and minor seasons of Asian humid tropics

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Sangakkara ◽  
P. Stamp
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Improved Fallow ◽  
Improved Fallows ◽  
Maize Yields ◽  
The Impact

Improved fallows are considered an easy, low cost and suitable method of increasing the productivity and sustainability of smallholder tropical rainfed cropping systems, although most farmers allow weeds to grow when the environmental conditions are not conductive for crop production. Field studies were carried out over the minor and major seasons, to evaluate the impact of a preceding improved fallow using Crotalaria or Tithonia , two popular tropical green manures, on selected soil properties, and on the growth and yield of maize. Improved fallows enhanced chemical soil properties significantly and the impact was most prominent at the onset of the minor maize season. Thus, the growth and yield of maize was also increased to a greater extent in this season, when yields are generally lower due to the suboptimal climatic conditions of lower rainfall and higher temperatures. However, fallows in the minor season also improved soil characteristics and maize yields in the major season, the most significant impact being increased seed yields and harvest indices. Although farmers may not grow fallow crops in major seasons, the potential of these green manure fallows in increasing maize yields in minor seasons and possible strategies to include the fallows in the cropping sequences of tropical rainfed upland cropping systems are discussed on the basis of this field study.

scholarly journals The Nexus between Education and Economic Growth: Analyzing Empirically a Case of Middle-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-60
Author(s):  
Lamia Jamel ◽  
Monia Ben Ltaifa ◽  
Ahmed K Elnagar ◽  
Abdelkader Derbali ◽  
Ali Lamouchi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the nexus between education accumulation and economic growth for a sample of middle-income countries through panel data regressions. The sample consists of 28 middle-income countries from various continents: North Africa and the Middle East (6 countries), sub-Saharan Africa (7 countries), Latin America and the Caribbean (8 countries), East Asia and the Pacific (3 countries), and Europe and Central Asia (4 countries). Education is measured by quantitative (average years of labour force study) and qualitative indicators (student scores on international assessments of educational achievements). To test the impact of education accumulation on GDP per capita growth, a static panel is used during the period of study from 1970 to 2014. A dynamic panel is also being developed to estimate the effect of the education stock on the growth rate of GDP per capita. The results confirm the positive and significant impact of the education quantity and quality on economic growth, both in level and variation. The stock of education and its increase are positively affecting the growth. Moreover, this paper’s original findings suggest that the quality of education is more significant than its quantity.

scholarly journals The Impact of Air Quality on Population Migration

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-32
Author(s):  
Ke Wang ◽  
◽  
Yiwei Wang ◽  
Chun-Ping Chang
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fixed Effect Model ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Population Migration ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Impact

Based on annual panel data of OECD countries from 1995 to 2014, this paper analyzes the impact of air quality (including per capita CO2, PM2.5, and SO emissions) on the immigrant population through a panel fixed-effect model, while employing control factors such as GDP, unemployment rate, and education level. Overall, we provide evidence that air quality is a key determinant of immigration in the selected countries, and in particular the host country’s emissions have a negative impact on immigrants. Greater emissions imply fewer immigrants, while fewer emissions denote more immigrants. Our findings provide countries with a way to more accurately estimate migrant inflow and offer an idea for OECD members on how to attract immigrants via an improvement in environmental quality.

Structural adjustment and market imperfections: a stylized village economy-wide model with non-separable farm households

1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEIN T. HOLDEN ◽  
J. EDWARD TAYLOR ◽  
STEPHEN HAMPTON
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Credit Rationing ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
External Shocks ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Adjustment Policies ◽  
The Impact

Village economies and peasant households represent the main link between the economy and the environment in sub-Saharan Africa. The links from the macro level and down to the household level and further to the natural resource base are complex. It may therefore be difficult to predict the impact of macro policies and external shocks on the environment. This paper presents a typology of village economies and village economy-wide models. The framework is applied to a special case where a model is proposed and estimated to examine the impacts of external shocks, including structural adjustment policies, on cash-crop production and chitemene (shifting cultivation) in a remote Zambian village characterized by a missing (or negligible) labour market, input supply constraints, and credit rationing. Our findings indicate that structural adjustment policies, by decreasing the profitability of maize production, may encourage households to increase their chitemene production, resulting in more rapid deforestation.

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