Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)
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Use of total mixed ration citrus pulp silage as a new feeding strategy for growing lambs
Get PDFThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of using total mixed ration silage based on citrus pulp on feed intake, growth performance, serum metabolites and ruminal fermentation of growing female lambs. For this purpose, sixty-eight female Zel lambs (5-6-months) with an initial body weight of 20.65 ± 3.71 kg were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=34). Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetics diets were formulated based on corn silage (TMRC) and citrus pulp silage (TMRPS), respectively. To prepare TMRPS, first the citrus pulp and wheat straw were poured into A feed mixer, after which the concentrate was added. After thoroughly homogenising all components, the resulting mixture was ensiled into a permanent horizontal silo (a concrete bunker) and was covered with plastic shortly after the silo was filled. Each diet was randomly assigned to a group of lambs. Feed was offered two times a day (at 08:00 and 16:00 h) ad libitum. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 1067 g for the TMRC and 924 g for the TMRPS group. No significant differences were observed in the Kleiber ratio (6.9 versus 6.6) and average daily gain (ADG; 86 g versus 91 g) between the TMRC and TMRPS group. There was no difference in serum glucose and total protein concentration between treatments, but serum concentrations of urea-N and cholesterol in lambs fed the TMRC diet (80.5 and 47.1 mg/dl, respectively) were higher than in lambs fed the TMRPS diet (65.5 and 22.8 mg/dl, respectively). Ammonia-N content of the rumen fluid was reduced by changing the diet from TMRC to TMRPS. It can be concluded that TMRPS can be used as a low-cost diet for lambs without negative impact on the growth performance
Effects of Petiveria alliacea (guinea hen weed) leaf extract on fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility and faecal worm egg count in growing West African dwarf goats
Get PDFMedicinal plants are used in animal feeding as natural antimicrobial to improve nutrient utilisation and health status of animals. This study assessed the effects of varying concentration of Petiveria alliacea leaf extract (PLE) on fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilisation and faecal worm egg count of growing West African dwarf goats. Twenty- four (24) growing West African dwarf bucks with average body weight of 8.50 ± 0.55 kg were divided into four treatment groups with six bucks each in a completely randomized design. Each treatment group were administered varying concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 %) of PLE at 5 ml per animal and day and fed wilted Panicum maximum as basal feed and concentrate supplement. Results showed that oral administration of varying concentrations of PLE did not significantly (p0.05) influence ammonia-N, pH and total volatile fatty acids concentration of the rumen fluid of the experimental goats. Dry matter intake, weight gain and dry matter digestibility were also not affected (p0.05) by administration of PLE. Crude protein, NDF and ADF digestibility were higher (p0.05) in goats on 0 and 2 % concentrations and lower in those administered 4 and 6 % concentrations. Urinary N and total N excretion values were lowest in goats administered 6 % concentration of PLE. Nitrogen retained (% of N intake) was highest (p0.05) in goats administered 4 and 6% concentration of PLE. Highest reduction (55.6%) in faecal worm egg count was obtained at 6% concentration of PLE. Petiveria alliacea leaf extract could be administered to West African dwarf goats at 4 % concentration for increased nitrogen retention and at 6 % concentration as anthelminthic
Agripreneurial drive among women shea butter processors in Kwara State, Nigeria: the motivating factors and efficiency
Get PDFThis study examined agricultural entrepreneurship among women shea butter processors in Kwara State Nigeria. It assessed their motivation factors, level of efficiencies, determinants of output and challenges faced in the entrepreneurial drive by the women. Primary data, collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, were collected from randomly selected 120 shea butter women processors. The data obtained were analysed with descriptive statistics, index ranking and the stochastic frontier function. The results showed that the motivating factors for agripreneurship among women were the quest to take care of the family, be financially independent, have increased income and be self-employed. The mean entrepreneurial, managerial and prudent efficiencies of the women were 0.78, 0.60 and 0.47, respectively. This indicates that there is still room for welfare gain by the women through improvement in their efficiency levels. The main determinants of output by the women were the quantity of shea nuts, water, and labour used. Meanwhile, educational status, access to extension services and membership in cooperatives had a direct effect on the level of entrepreneurial efficiency of the women, while their inefficiency increases with age. Entrepreneurial drive by the women was constrained by inadequate governmental and institutional support, poor credit facilities, lack of training on entrepreneurial development, poor potable water supply, and seasonality of the shea nuts. This study advocates efforts by the government and relevant stakeholders to support women to improve their agripreneurial efficiency. This could be achieved through the provision of processing technology, financial aid and training on entrepreneurial development
Morphological characterisation of three indigenous Mozambican cattle populations
Get PDFInformation on phenotypic and morphometric variation is important in the characterisation of indigenous cattle breeds. The objective of this study was to assess the morphological variation of the indigenous Angone, Landim, and Tete cattle breeds of Mozambique, kept under traditional management systems. These breeds are farmed mainly for meat and draught power, although they can produce some milk, especially the Landim. Data were collected through a survey of twenty-three villages in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane (southern Mozambique), and Tete (central Mozambique) provinces. A total of 614 heads of adult animals including 140 Angone, 292 Landim, and 182 Tete were sampled. The collected qualitative and quantitative data were examined using SPSS version 16. The dominant coat pattern was even (no spotting) (59.5 %), with black being the most common coat colour (51.5 %), followed by light brown (26.5 %). The three breeds showed morphological differentiation based on size, body weight, and horn shape. Landim males and females were significantly (p0.05) heavier than their Tete and Angone counterparts. Across breeds, the majority of cattle (95.2 %) had horns, and 66.9 % of these horns were curved. Individual assignment using discriminant function analysis revealed that 73.0 % of Landim, 77.4 % of Angone, and 59.9 % of Tete cattle were correctly assigned to their respective populations. Results from this study indicate a considerable phenotypic variation of Mozambican indigenous cattle and will assist in future improvement and conservation programs
Mechanisms and consequences of benefit sharing from oil palm agribusiness plantations establishment in South Comoé Region, Côte d’Ivoire
Get PDFOne of the main difficulties facing agribusiness development in Cote d’Ivoire, is the issue of benefit sharing. Although communal land is expected to be equitably beneficial to all who have a stake on the land, unclear benefit sharing principles and modalities affect the implementation of benefit sharing to the disadvantage of the rural communities. Using a qualitative research approach, the study investigates if the benefit sharing approach practiced by oil palm plantations investors in South Comoé align with globally established standards of access and benefit sharing (ABS). To this end data for the study was collected from 50 participants: rural community members (N=36), agribusiness developers (N=6) and local government authorities (N=8). The results revealed inequality in the land acquisition and benefit sharing negotiation process in favour of local elites. Lack of fairness experienced in the benefit sharing approach in the districts of Aboisso, Bonoua and Adiaké was attributed to the lack of institutional, policy and legal frameworks to guide a fair benefit sharing. Inequality in benefit sharing scheme affects the working relationship between the parties thus generating tensions with consequences on the stability of commercial farming. The study contributes to the debate on the marginalisation of smallholders in the distribution of benefits from agribusiness investments. Therefore, the designing of policies and practical measures that bring together rural communities and agribusiness developers to negotiate fair benefit sharing terms in line with international standards including honesty, inclusive participation of rural community in land acquisition process are recommended
Agroecological transition in vegetable farming systems in southern Benin. Lessons from a diagnostic analysis
No full textIn Benin, agroecological intensification and agroecological transition of vegetable farming systems is an undeniable necessity for achieving the objectives of food and nutrition security while preserving natural resources, human and animal health. The present study analyses vegetable farming systems in southern Benin, to highlight bottlenecks and challenges in the process of an agroecological transition and intensification of these systems. Data were collected with questionnaires and interview guides through individual interviews and focus groups among a sample of 105 producers practicing one of the three types of vegetable farming systems encountered in south of Benin. These data concern mainly production factors, cropping systems, costs of cropping operations, and production constraints. They were analysed using parameters of descriptive statistics. The results revealed a diversity of cropping practices according to agroecological zones. Vegetable farming systems in flooded land value agroecological practices more than those in coastal areas. The performance of these systems is limited by constraints such as land insecurity, difficulties in accessing organic inputs, low technical capacities of farmers, and low development of agroecological markets. Therefore, facing the challenges of agroecological transition and intensification of vegetable farming systems in the south of Benin, requires the implementation of appropriate technical, organisational and political measures to overcome these obstacles. Among others, these measures will consist to facilitate producers' access to secured land, to make agroecological technologies accessible and affordable for producers, to facilitate their learning process, and to promote the development of short circuit sales
Comparison of linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine and artificial neural network in classifying Nigerian local turkeys based on plumage colours using biometric traits
Get PDFThe ability of linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) models to differentiate biometric traits of Nigerian local turkeys was investigated in this study. The biometric traits (bodyweight, body length, breast girth, thigh length, shank length, keel length, wing length, and wingspan) in 200 (20-week-old) turkeys were measured. Seventy percent of the datasets were used to train the three models, with the remaining 30% being used to test their performance. All biometric traits were positively associated, with strong correlation values for several pairs of traits. In the testing dataset (Lavender = 30.0%, Black = 51.9% and White = 65.5%), the LDA had lower classification efficiency than in the training dataset (Lavender = 55.2%, Black = 43.4%, and White = 65.5%), indicating that the training model was not efficient in classification at the testing stage. In comparison to the training dataset (Lavender = 100.0%, Black = 87.3% and White = 98.2%), the SVM showed low classification efficiency for the testing dataset (Lavender = 70.0%, Black = 76.0% and White = 64.0%). However, in ANN, there was no variation in classification efficiency between the testing and training datasets (Lavender = 100.0%, Black = 100.0% and White =100.0%). In categorizing turkey plumage colours, the ANN model is the most powerful, followed by SVM. When the dataset's normality or multi-colinearity is broken, we propose using an ANN model rather than a standard model like the LDA for classification of biometric traits of Nigerian local turkeys
Rural alternatives for local development: An intercultural analysis (case study from northern Ecuador)
No full textThis study takes a historical and analytical tour of the experiences, ways of life and community knowledge oriented towards the construction of alternatives to achieve development in the communities of Cotacachi and Yunguilla, Ecuador. Rural development has been an extremely neglected issue by the Ecuadorian government and local authorities. In the 21st century, this neglect continues to impact peasants and indigenous people, manifesting itself in all kinds of inequalities that affect the quality of life of their families. From this reality, alternatives for change arise within the communities and community organisations, which are oriented towards local development and thus avoid deterritorialisation.During this process, the cooperation of external actors such as foundations and non-governmental organisations has been of vital importance. In addition, the intercultural approach presents social and economic development in accordance with the national reality itself. However, on some occasions, the traditional knowledge of local communities is not valued because it is empirical, oral and transgenerational. In this sense, bioculturality highlights the relevance of community dynamics and their attachment to the natural environment. For this study, a qualitative methodology was applied, together with qualitative techniques and instruments. The present work informs on two cases of rural development that are born from the active participation and empowerment of local actors, located in the northern Andean region of Ecuador
Technical efficiency of paddy farming in West Java: a combination of synthetic and organic fertilisers versus conventional farming
Get PDFIn developing countries, agriculture’s burden is not just ensuring enough food for the people but also securing net income for the farmers to alleviate poverty and to conserve the environment at the same time. Consumption shift towards staples, particularly during economic crisis or pandemic, requires a policy that could make food growers respond to the demand appropriately. Initially, from soil science, an argument asserts that mixing organic and synthetic fertilisers can increase yield/productivity and be safe for the environment. Previous studies showed that, on average organic farming produced lower yield compared to conventional farming using synthetic fertilisers. The objective of this study was to investigate if the farming method using mixed fertilisers could outperform the conventional method. This study used the 2014 household survey data of paddy farmers in West Java, part of a more extensive survey on main agricultural sub-sectors conducted by Statistics Indonesia every ten years. Applying the Stochastic Frontier Analysis and the Generalised Linear Model, this study found that the combination of organic and synthetic fertilisers could yield an efficiency level as high as 9% over the conventional method. The Logit model results also showed that improving efficiency reduced the likelihood of farmer households being in a state of poverty. Therefore, the government should encourage farmers to apply the mixed fertiliser method rather than using only synthetic fertilisers
The ‘fine balance’ of West African savannah parklands: biomass generation versus firewood consumption
Get PDFIn sub-Saharan Africa, the long-awaited fuelwood gap, resulting of the unbalance between a declining supply of firewood and the increasing demand of households, remains a latent social-ecological challenge. As its quantitative basis remains elusive, we have assessed agroforestry parklands, assumedly main providers of firewood, and firewood consumption in Dassari, Benin and Dano, Burkina Faso, both in the West African savannah. Data collected included botanical inventories, tree biomass estimations, householders’ firewood collection habits and consumption. Our findings show a drifting in preference for firewood-provider species, either by resource exhaustion or as preventive strategy. Tree biomass stock is a misleading proxy of firewood availability, by the increased use of other species, and the bias in calculations caused by non-used larger species. Firewood gathering has expanded towards communal lands and even natural reserves and its trade is emerging, what aside the ecological harm, started to weaken regulatory institutions and the internal social networks. Although the estimated firewood per capita consumption rounds 1 kg day-1 (inferior to precedent estimations), the signs of forest degradation persist. Commercial uses, like local breweries, pose the main challenge, as their demands are disproportional, up to one third of the whole; their demand of larger pieces that leads to more detrimental chopping, and contributes to emerging firewood markets fed by pieces of doubtful origin