International Development Research Centre: IDRC Digital Library
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Factors influencing aflatoxin contamination in Haiti's peanut commodity chain
Get PDFAflatoxins in crops pose a risk to food safety and have been detected in samples of Haitian peanuts. Using an interdisciplinary commodity chain approach, this paper examines the factors that increase the likelihood of aflatoxin contamination in the country's peanut supply. The results indicate that contamination risk is influenced by political, organizational, institutional, socio-economic, technological, and environmental constraints. A systemic analysis was performed to examine how such factors affect the quality of peanuts as they pass through the commodity chain. The results of our study offer broad insights into the challenges of preventing aflatoxins and protecting food safety in Haiti
Towards eliminating anemia in the high Andes : linking social protection with agriculture and nutrition interventions for scaling : “zero anemia”
Get PDFThe Zero Anemia project developed a conceptual framework for scaling agriculture and nutrition interventions by linking with social protection programs and other local partners. The innovation package included iron and zinc biofortified potato varieties, nutritional education strategy and communication materials, as well as institutional coordination with social protection programs and local partners. The COVID-19 health crisis and associated quarantine measures have had striking impacts on malnutrition indicators with an increase of anemia to 54.2% in Curgos and 66.4% in Julcán, according to the Health Care System in Peru. The report provides a detailed look at the study and pilot project
Effect of Desmodium intortum and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) based meal on sensory and physicochemical properties of broiler chicken meat in Kenya
Get PDFAlthough few studies have been conducted on the sensory effects of adding legume forage such as Desmodium intortum in combination with Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) in poultry (broiler) diets, the increased sensory appeal of the D. intortum-BSFLM based diets is unique, and corroborates previous studies. In this study the physical attributes of meat derived from various treatments differed; the increased addition of D. intortum-BSFLM mixture has a significant effect on poultry meat, particularly in moisture retention, pH and water holding capacity. As well, the inclusion of BSFLM and D. intortum influenced the fatty acid profile. These attributes could be comparative to free-range chicken ‘kienyeji’.Biovision Foundation, SwitzerlandNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global DevelopmentAustralian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchRockefeller Foundatio
Student industrial secondments for engineering in East Africa : project technical report
No full textRelative shortage of engineering practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa has been reported as a major concern in many studies on industrial and technological development of the region. However, the region simultaneously records a significant number of existing engineering graduates who find it difficult to find employment in engineering fields. While that situation reflects the inability to absorb human capital in industrial processes, it can also be partly explained by a relative deficit (real or perceived) in the competency of local engineering graduates in the ever-advancing areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and/or a scarcity in opportunities to hone and demonstrate competency of local engineering graduates in the labour market. Consequently, local engineering graduates have inadequate hands-on experience needed in industries as well as for establishing start-up engineering firms/businesses. To address this situation, it was postulated that promoting engineering student industrial secondment (SIS) programmes can be a suitable approach to strengthening the linkages between engineering education, practice and employability
Socioeconomic impact of covid-19 in low- and middle-income countries : a synthesis of learning from the COVID-19 responses for equity programme
Get PDFThis report provides a snapshot of the research undertaken and published by members of the IDRC-supported CORE programme. It sets out the main themes addressed by the research in relation to Covid-19 impacts on industries, sectors and socioeconomic groups in locations across Africa, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America. This includes both descriptions of how the pandemic has affected the lives of people from marginalised and excluded communities, and the efficacy of policy responses to the pandemic. Much of the learning arising from this ongoing research has implications for the pandemic response in different contexts, for building resilience against future shocks, and for the challenges of undertaking applied research during a global health emergency
Building safer and more sustainable food systems in Peru
Get PDFThe Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the food insecurity situation of people living in Latin American cities. In Peru, the most vulnerable are facing great difficulties in accessing food, while food market vendors are also struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Covid-19 Responses for Equity (CORE) partner Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE) – a renowned Latin American development research centre based in the country – has been working with the authorities in Peru to support community managed kitchens. These are led by women to provide affordable food to people in poor areas. The team has also been collaborating with the private sector and municipal authorities to improve the functioning of traditional food markets
Building leadership and managerial capacity for maternal and newborn health services
Get PDFStrengthening leadership and management is important for building an effective and efficient health system. This paper presents the findings from a L&M capacity building initiative which was implemented as part of a larger study aimed at improving maternal and newborn outcomes within primary health facilities in the Morogoro, Tanzania. The initiative, involving 30 stakeholders from 20 primary health facilities, 4 council health management teams and the regional health management team in the Morogoro region, provided leadership and managerial training through two 5-day in-person workshops, onsite mentoring, and e-learning modules. The initiative was evaluated using a pre-post design. Quantitative instruments included the ‘Big Results Now’ star-rating assessments and a team developed survey for health providers/managers. The ‘Big Results Now’ star-rating assessments, conducted in 2018 (19 facilities) and 2021 (20 facilities), measured overall facility leadership and management capability, with comparisons of star-ratings from the two time-points providing indication of improvement. The survey was used to measure 3 key leadership indicators - team climate, role clarity/conflict and job satisfaction. The survey was completed by 97 respondents at baseline and 100 at follow up. Paired t-tests were used to examine mean score differences for each indicator. Triangulated findings from focus groups with 99 health providers and health management team members provided support and context for quantitative findings. Star-ratings increased in 15 (79%) of 19 facilities, with the number of facilities achieving the target of 3 plus stars increasing from 2 (10%) in 2018 to 10 (50%) in 2021, indicating improved organizational performance. From the survey, team climate, job satisfaction and role clarity improved across the facilities over the 3 project years. Focus group discussions related this improvement to the leadership and managerial capacity-building. Improved leadership and managerial capacity in the participating health facilities and enhanced communication between the health facility, council and regional health management teams created a more supportive workplace environment, leading to enhanced teamwork, job satisfaction, productivity, and improved services for mothers and newborns. Leadership and managerial training at all levels is important for ensuring efficient and effective health service provision.Global Afairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR
