Seasonal Dynamics of Agro-meteorological Drought in Mberengwa and Zvishavane Districts between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe

Drought severity is increasing in Southern Africa which is affecting rain-fed agriculture, the main source of livelihood in most countries in this region. The study assessed the seasonal spatio-temporal dynamics of agro-meteorological drought between 2017 and 2020 in Mberengwa and Zvishavane Districts. An empirical research design supported by quantitative geographical information system and remote sensing techniques was adopted in this study. Microsoft excel 2013, SPI generator and ArcMap 10.5 software were used for data analysis in this study. Results showed that both Mberengwa and Zvishavane Districts experienced an increasing trend in spatial coverage of drought from 2017 to 2019 before a slight decline in 2020. From 2017, drought severity increased in terms of spatial coverage with this spatial distribution increasing to almost over ¾ of the wards in both Mberengwa and Zvishavane Districts between 2018 and 2020. Since 2017, on a ward level basis, both districts have been experiencing late onset and early cessation of the rain season as shown by increasingly dry October, November and March, months which determine the length of crop growing season in these two districts. Results indicated that the month of March was drier in Mberengwa whilst the month of December was drier in Zvishavane, an indication of more mid-season dry spells in Zvishavane and earlier rainfall cessation in Mberengwa. Drought is worsening in both Mberengwa and Zvishavane Districts hence long term drought resilience interventions are required to improve drought resilience of communities in these areas. The study recommends the Government of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders of drought resilience building like CARE International, World Vision among others to prioritize launching of resilience building initiatives in most vulnerable areas whilst guided by fine empirical information on spatial distribution of drought.

Source Apportionment of Fine Organic Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Central Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The development of infrastructure, a rapidly increasing population, and urbanization has resulted in increasing air pollution levels in the African city of Addis Ababa. Prior investigations into air pollution have not yet sufficiently addressed the sources of atmospheric particulate matter. This study aims to identify the major sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its seasonal contribution in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Twenty-four-hour average PM2.5 mass samples were collected every 6th day, from November 2015 through November 2016. Chemical species were measured in samples and source apportionment was conducted using a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model that uses particle-phase organic tracer concentrations to estimate source contributions to PM2.5 organic carbon (OC) and the overall PM2.5 mass. Vehicular sources (28%), biomass burning (18.3%), plus soil dust (17.4%) comprise about two-thirds of the PM2.5 mass, followed by sulfate (6.5%). The sources of air pollution vary seasonally, particularly during the main wet season (June–September) and short rain season (February–April): From motor vehicles, (31.0 ± 2.6%) vs. (24.7 ± 1.2%); biomass burning, (21.5 ± 5%) vs. (14 ± 2%); and soil dust, (11 ± 6.4%) vs. (22.7 ± 8.4%), respectively, are amongst the three principal sources of ambient PM2.5 mass in the city. We suggest policy measures focusing on transportation, cleaner fuel or energy, waste management, and increasing awareness on the impact of air pollution on the public’s health.

Effect of climate variations on maize yields across Abeshge district in Ethiopia

The mean onset date, cessation date and length of growing period of the main rain season remained May 5, September 14 and 133 days, respectively across Abeshge district in Ethiopia. The dry spell is minimum during the peak rainy season (June to August or DOY 153-244) and switch upward once more around DOY 247 (September 4), indicating end of the season). Rainy days have a strong positive relationship (r=0.72) with maize yield, whereas total rainfall and rainfall cessation have moderately negative (r=-0.56) and positive (r=0.58) correlation, respectively. Increase in total rainfall caused a decrease in maize yield. However, increased rainy days, length of growing period and maximum temperature will result to increase in maize yield. Therefore, to minimize the effects of total rainfall, cutoff drain should be considered along the farmland.

Observed Changes of Rain-Season Precipitation in China from 1960 to 2018

Precipitation during the main rain season is important for natural ecosystems and human activities. In this study, according to daily precipitation data from 515 weather stations in China, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variation of rain-season (May–September) precipitation in China from 1960 to 2018. The results showed that rain-season precipitation decreased over China from 1960 to 2018. Rain-season heavy (25 ≤ p < 50 mm/day) and very heavy (p ≥ 50 mm/day) precipitation showed increasing trends, while rain-season moderate (10 ≤ p < 25 mm/day) and light (0.1 ≤ p < 10 mm/day) precipitation showed decreasing trends from 1960 to 2018. The temporal changes of precipitation indicated that rain-season light and moderate precipitation displayed downward trends in China from 1980 to 2010 and rain-season heavy and very heavy precipitation showed fluctuant variation from 1960 to 2018. Changes of rain-season precipitation showed clear regional differences. Northwest China and the Tibetan Plateau showed the largest positive trends of precipitation amount and days. In contrast, negative trends were found for almost all precipitation grades in North China Plain, Northeast China, and North Central China. Changes toward drier conditions in these regions probably had a severe impact on agricultural production. In East China, Southeast China and Southwest China, heavy and very heavy precipitation had increased while light and moderate precipitation had decreased. This result implied an increasing risk of flood and mudslides in these regions. The advance in understanding of precipitation change in China will contribute to exactly predict the regional climate change under the background of global climate change.

Malaria treatment compared for homeopathic medicines and Coartem in homeopathic clinics in Kenya – A multicentre, pragmatic, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, ongoing trial

Malaria still has in Kenya a high mortality and morbidity rate; this is coupled with rising resistance levels to the new standard drug Coartem in several South Asian countries, according to WHO reports. Homeopathy can be considered a form of individualized immune therapy and as such it deserves a place next to treatments focused at the microorganisms themselves. These factors require scientific evidence that may support its application in endemic diseases. We have developed a research line that comprises both qualitative and quantitative aspects of homeopathic management of malaria patients. The first two studies have been conducted in 2014, the third in 2015. Aims: The assessment of homeopathically treated patients in several rural health care settings. This involves treatment of malaria in homeopathic clinics where comorbidity is also treated. The documentation of individualized homeopathy within homeopathic clinics, not an isolated study in a context where homeopathy usually not is applied. Material and Methods: 1. In a retrospective design in one clinic, the 2013-2014 rain season, a group of 54 malaria patients were assessed for classical malaria symptoms, homeopathic case taking, laboratory tests and prescription strategies. 2. The prospective study in three clinics assessed the 2014 March – June rain season patients for the effect of homeopathic individual treatment. 86 patients were assessed and 69 completed follow up. All but one who returned for follow-up were negative for parasites. A drop-out analysis was made, indicating logistics as the main cause. 3. In 2015 a comparative study is being conducted between the effectiveness of homeopathy and the standard treatment of Coartem. Dependent variables are parasite conversion and quality of life. Both homeopathic and government clinic patients are participating; until now 50 cases from both groups have been confirmed negative for malaria parasites. 4. Pooled results from the three studies shall be analyzed using principal component analysis, for correlation of patterns of affected organs and prescribed remedies.

Determinants of Participation of Smallholder Farmers in Weather Index Insurance in Embu County, Kenya

The study examined how multiple factors influence participation of farmers in Weather Index Insurance WII in Embu County, Kenya. Data wer e collected from a sample of 401 smallholders following multi stage sampling technique The study employed the Cragg ’s Double Hurdle model in determining factors that influence participation and extent of participation in WII. Results revealed th at short rain season, household size, land size, perception of the household head on WII , owners h ip of a mobile phone a nd location of the farm were important factors in explaining participation in WII. The distance to a registered agro veterinary products outlet, insurance premium , group membership, the weather station in Runyenjes station and distan c e to the local weather station influenced probability to participate negatively. Similarly, ownership of mobile phone had a positive influence on the extent of participation in WII while the size of the household, distance to a registered agro veterinary p roducts outlet and land size were significant with a negative influence. The findings of this study highlight the importance of shaping farmers’ perceptions to wards WII, promotion of policies that allow for access and use of information and communication t echnologies ( such as mobile phones by the farming households as a pathway to providing smart so lutions to smallholder farmers in dealing with weather rela ted risks . Further, the research recommends for development of policies that would ensure modest WII insurance premiums that are aligned to the unique need s of the smallholder farmers.

Service Level Indicators for Water Supply Systems: Appraisal and Implications for Sustainable Management

Access to adequate water supply is vital. The wellbeing of the human population and their environs is directly linked to the level of water service delivery. The service level of three main categories of water supply systems was assessed across 6 locations in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. The water supply systems categories included: self-supply systems (hand-dug wells and boreholes), communal water supply systems (boreholes only), and public water systems. Five service level indicators (access, quality, management, cost, and reliability) were assessed using structured questionnaires. Questionnaire administration targeted water supply system users and owners in two categories: owners/resident users and non-resident users. Results show that owners/resident users restricted the access of non-resident users to water assets, which expectedly dipped access to adequate service level for non-resident users. When post-abstraction treatment was practiced by water users, the use of sodium hypochlorite solutions (Water Guard®) was the most prominent option of treatment. Management and costs (cleaning, maintenance and repair) of water supply systems are borne by owners/resident users; costs borne by non-resident users is only from purchase of water. Reliability of water supply systems is hampered by geology and climatic seasonal variations as some water supply systems dried up during the off-rain season. Coverage area and number of public water supply systems needs to be improved to reduce reliance of water users on questionable alternative sources that can expose water users to water-related diseases and prevent restricted access to water supply sources.

Effects of nutrients supply on milk yield, composition, and enteric methane gas emissions from smallholder dairy farms in Rwanda

This study investigated the effects of feed on milk yield and quality through feed monitoring and quality assessment, and the consequent enteric methane gas emissions from smallholder dairy farms in drier areas of Rwanda, using the Tier II approach for four seasons in three zones namely; Mayaga and peripheral Bugesera (MPB), Eastern Savanna and Central Bugesera (ESCB), and Eastern plateau (EP). The study was carried out using 186 dairy cows with a mean live weight of 292 Kg in three communal cowsheds. The milk quality analysis was carried out on 418 samples. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA.The dry matter intake was lower (p<0.05) in the long dry season (7.24 Kg) with the ESCB zone having the highest value of 9.10 Kg. The Dry matter digestibility varied between seasons and zones ranging from 52.5 to 56.4% for seasons and from 51.9 to 57.5% for zones. The daily protein supply was higher (p<0.05) in the long rain season with 969 g. The mean daily milk production of lactating cows was 5.6 L with a lower value (p<0.05) during the long dry season (4.76 L) and MPB zone having the lowest value of 4.65 L. The yearly milk production per cow was 1179 L. The milk fat varied from 3.79 to 5.49% with a seasonal and zone variation. No variation was observed with milk protein. The seasonal daily methane emission varied from 150 g for the long dry season to 174 g for the long rain season (p<0.05). The mean emission factor was 59.4 Kg of methane/year. The methane emission per unit of milk production was lower in EP zone (46.8 g/L). Farmers should use high-quality feeds to increase the milk yield and reduce the methane gas produced per unit of milk