26 research outputs found
Prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Mali, West Africa
No full textGroundnut is a major source of livelihood for the rural poor in Mali. However, the crop is prone to preand
post-harvest aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.
Therefore, to minimize health related hazards from exposure to aflatoxin contaminated food, information
on the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxins (AFB1) in the groundnut value chain in Mali is needed for
timely interventions. To this end, a study was undertaken in three districts (Kayes, Kita and Kolokani) to
assess aflatoxin contamination in the field and storage. Ninety pod samples in each district were
collected from fields (30 villages/district and 3 samples/village) during 2009 and 2010. Pre-harvest
contamination was estimated at harvest, whereas samples for post-harvest contamination were
collected from granaries of the same farmers at a monthly interval for 3 months. The villages in each
district were categorized into safe, acceptable, moderate risk and high risk areas based on pre-harvest
AFB1 levels. Kayes recorded more pod samples (77%) within 20 mg/kg of pre-harvest aflatoxins followed
by Kolokani (55.6%) and Kita (45.6%) based on 2009 and 2010 mean values. Toxin concentrations at
harvest were comparatively less in Kayes during both years. Further, Kayes had more villages under safe
and acceptable limits when compared to Kolokani and Kita. Overall, 46 out of 90 villages in the three
districts had acceptable pre-harvest toxin limits. Further, 12 villages in Kolokani were in the high risk
category. An increase in toxin levels was noticed with period of storage during both years. Comparatively,
toxin levels after storage were least in Kayes during 2009. Kayes also recorded less AFB1 levels in 2010
after Kita. Our results indicate that Kayes is relatively safe over Kita and Kolokani in pre-harvest aflatoxin
contamination. The reasons for district-wide variations in pre-harvest contamination; and the reasons
for post-harvest flare up of the problem are discussed. Further, proper storage of pods at farmers' granaries
in Mali is suggested to overcome the problem from reaching alarming levels
Post-harvest management of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut
No full textAflatoxin contamination in groundnut by Aspergillus section Flavi is a major pre-and post-harvest problem causing kernel-quality loss. Post-harvest aflatoxin contamination is caused initially by infestation of aflatoxigenic strains at the pre-harvest stage, resulting in reduced kernel quality after harvest.....
Multifunctional land-use practices in Africa
No full textKey evidence of multifunctionality from the success stories: the ‘what?’ Recalling that multifunctional land use aims to produce more than one product or service, we ask: what lessons emerge from the six case studies? Let us look for a moment at the services and products produced and how farmers turned scarcities into resources..
Higher Agricultural Education in Ethiopia: Current status and future prospects
No full textHigher Education quality and relevance is an increasingly important issue in Ethiopia. Previous reforms have significantly increased financing, access and enrollment as well as transformed governance of the higher education system. This study assessed the status of higher agricultural education in Ethiopia and identified key issues for improving its relevance, quality and contribution to national development objectives. The study involved a desk review of literature, key informant discussions, focused group discussions and analysis. The findings revealed that although access to higher education in Ethiopia has improved significantly in the last two decades, important gaps, including those of quality and relevance, equity, leadership and governance remain. There are currently 176 undergraduate and more than 300 postgraduate academic programs in Ethiopia, with 35% female, and 15% private students enrolment. Of these, 50 undergraduate, 74 Masters, and 22 Doctoral programs are related to agriculture in public universities. Discussions with key informants revealed that there was a low perception of agriculture as a program of study. University programs need to be aligned to employment opportunities and relevant staff employed to support program delivery. Facilities for teaching, particularly the science subjects require improvement. The Ethiopian government should consider mechanisms to support the improved transition of graduates to employment, job creation and other opportunities
African faculties of agriculture within an expanding university sector
No full textThis chapter identifies key challenges for universities and the higher-education sector in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) and, more specifically, explores trends in African faculties of agriculture and their impact on postgraduate training programs. Selected mechanisms by faculties of agriculture and educational networks to respond to the identified challenges are presented and implications of the current trends within the selected faculties are discussed. Finally, the chapter provides lessons and recommendations for improving the quality of postgraduate programs at African faculties
Multifunctional land-use practices in Africa [Elektronisk resurs]
No full textKey evidence of multifunctionality from the success stories: the ‘what?’ Recalling that multifunctional land use aims to produce more than one product or service, we ask: what lessons emerge from the six case studies? Let us look for a moment at the services and products produced and how farmers turned scarcities into resources..
African faculties of agriculture within an expanding university sector
No full textThis chapter identifies key challenges for universities and the higher-education sector in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) and, more specifically, explores trends in African faculties of agriculture and their impact on postgraduate training programs. Selected mechanisms by faculties of agriculture and educational networks to respond to the identified challenges are presented and implications of the current trends within the selected faculties are discussed. Finally, the chapter provides lessons and recommendations for improving the quality of postgraduate programs at African faculties.PRIFPRI1; CRP2; ASTIEPTD; PIMCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM
Making it to the PhD: Gender and student performance in sub-Saharan Africa.
No full textWomen's underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) impedes progress in solving Africa's complex development problems. As in other regions, women's participation in STEM drops progressively moving up the education and career ladder, with women currently constituting 30% of Africa's STEM researchers. This study elucidates gender-based differences in PhD performance using new survey data from 227 alumni of STEM PhD programs in 17 African countries. We find that, compared to their male counterparts, sampled women had about one less paper accepted for publication during their doctoral studies and took about half a year longer to finish their PhD training. Negative binomial regression models provide insights on the observed differences in women's and men's PhD performance. Results indicate that the correlates of publication productivity and time to PhD completion are very similar for women and men, but some gender-based differences are observed. For publication output, we find that good supervision had a stronger impact for men than women; and getting married during the PhD reduced women's publication productivity but increased that of men. Becoming a parent during the PhD training was a key reason that women took longer to complete the PhD, according to our results. Findings suggest that having a female supervisor, attending an institution with gender policies in place, and pursuing the PhD in a department where sexual harassment by faculty was perceived as uncommon were enabling factors for women's timely completion of their doctoral studies. Two priority interventions emerge from this study: (1) family-friendly policies and facilities that are supportive of women's roles as wives and mothers and (2) fostering broader linkages and networks for women in STEM, including ensuring mentoring and supervisory support that is tailored to their specific needs and circumstances
