Climate resilience in Tanzanian farming cooperatives: Adaptive strategies for food security

Smallholder irrigation schemes in Morogoro, Tanzania, underpin rice-based farming systems, which are further supported by maize, cassava, and small-scale trade. These households face recurrent flooding, waterlogging, and persistent pest infestations, which threaten crop yields and income stability. Using surveys (n = 192) and key informant interviews, the study examines how cooperative irrigation schemes foster climate resilience through governance, shared infrastructure, and training. Results show high exposure to hydrological hazards, moderate livelihood diversification alongside rice cultivation, and higher adoption of climate-smart practices among members who received cooperative training and access to pooled inputs. The study identifies three cooperative mechanisms, resource pooling (including shared inputs), learning systems (including training sessions), and financial intermediation (such as access to credit), that reduce adaptation costs and increase the uptake of drought- and flood-tolerant practices. The study argues that cooperative governance links individual, farm-level adaptations to create a cohesive, system-level resilience within the irrigation command area.

Ecological and economic performance of integrated pest management as a pathway to organic agriculture in rice farming in Indonesia

Sustainable rice production in tropical systems increasingly depends on farming strategies that balance productivity, input efficiency, and environmental integrity. Integrated pest management (IPM) is widely promoted as a pathway toward safer and more sustainable rice (paddy) cultivation; however, evidence on its economic performance and efficiency relative to conventional practices remains mixed, particularly in Indonesia. This study compares the economic efficiency of IPM and non-IPM rice farmers in Kampar District, Kampar Regency, Riau, Indonesia, using cost-based stochastic frontier analysis applied to cross-sectional survey data from 100 farm households. The results indicate that IPM farmers achieve significantly higher economic efficiency (0.67) than non-IPM farmers (0.46). This performance difference is primarily driven by higher technical efficiency, while allocative efficiency remains comparable between the two groups. IPM practices reduce pesticide expenditure by 63.1% and increase yields by 43.4%, although they require substantially higher labour inputs, highlighting a key barrier to adoption in regions experiencing labour-saving transitions. Strengthening IPM-aligned farmer networks and enhancing extension-based training may help accelerate progress toward ecologically resilient and economically competitive rice production systems in Indonesia

Behavioural drivers of agricultural resilience: Evidence from Nigeria’s NG-CARES social protection programme in Zamfara State

This study applies a theory-driven approach to assess the impact of Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, focusing on result area 2 (RA 2), which targets agricultural productivity and food security among smallholder farming households in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria. Implemented in response to pandemic-induced disruptions, RA 2 aimed to improve on-farm productivity and food access through the provision of agricultural inputs, climate-smart technologies, and extension services. A mixed-methods approach was employed using a quasi-experimental design based on cross-sectional household survey data from 723 respondents across four Local Government Areas. The analytical framework integrates the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), social cognitive theory (SCT), and the NG-CARES theory of change to examine behavioural, institutional, and economic pathways linking programme participation to welfare outcomes. Programme impacts were estimated using endogenous treatment effect (ETE) and augmented inverse probability weighting (AIPW) models. Results show that NG-CARES participation significantly increased yield by 34–37 % (kg ha-1), farm income by 86–87 % (₦ ha-1), and reduced household food insecurity scores by 0.64 points on the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), with all effects statistically significant at the 1\,\% level. The study provides empirical evidence of the behavioural impact of NG-CARES in fragile rural contexts. It emphasises the importance of incorporating behavioural insights into programme design, highlights the usefulness of integrated econometric tools for evaluating non-randomised interventions and stresses the need for gender-sensitive strategies to enhance inclusion. The policy recommendations are to scale up behavioural-informed input support systems, enhance extension platforms, institutionalise routine impact evaluations and target female farmers more effectively in order to inform adaptive programme design.

Determinants of poverty in the cassava stick sector in the Haut Ogooué province in southeastern Gabon

To escape poverty, Gabonese rural populations have moved overwhelmingly to the country's cities. Due to a lack of skills for better jobs, they are mostly engaged in informal activities, particularly in the agri-food sector. This study focuses on the poverty of direct actors in the cassava stick sector (CSS) in the province of Haut Ogooué (HO) in southeastern Gabon. The sample consists of 30 farmers, 157 cassava stick producers, 33 mill managers and 3 cassava paste importers. The socio-demographic, economic and poverty probability index (PPI) characteristics of these individuals were reported. Using a multivariate linear regression model with the PPI score as the dependent variable, the determinants of poverty were sought. The results show that women (90%) dominate this sector, almost a third of whom are heads of household. These actors are relatively old, poorly educated and the majority have less than 15 years of professional experience. Revenues from the activities of the CSS are used only to meet daily needs (76%). With an average PPI score of 51.9, the linked reference table indicates that 33.7% of farmers live below the poverty line. Importers of cassava pastes are less affected (2.2%). Finally, the money earned by most actors is insufficient. According to the model, it is the activity that the person does or does not perform outside this sector that determines whether this actor lives below the poverty line (P0.05)

Yak mortality in free-range grazing systems: A case study in Laya Block, Bhutan

Yak farming is economically and culturally vital to highland communities, providing protein-rich products in harsh environments. Despite their resilience, yak mortality presents a serious challenge. This study aims to examine the causes of yak mortality to inform effective management strategies for sustaining this essential species. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires via the Epicollect5 mobile application. All 53 herders from Laya Block were interviewed to gather information on mortality causes, herders’ characteristics, and income.Approximately 94.3% of herders reported yak mortality, with an annual mortality rate of 7.9% and a mean loss of 5.3 yaks per household. Yak mortality is primarily caused by wildlife depredation, which accounts for 58.8% of total proportional mortality. On average, each household loses 3.1 yaks annually to wildlife predation, representing a 4.6% mortality rate relative to the total yak population. The second leading cause is Gid (Coenurosis), responsible for 23.7% of deaths, with an average of 1.2 yak losses per household and a 1.9% mortality rate per total population. Other factors such as winter fodder shortages, accidents, harsh winter conditions, and natural causes contribute smaller shares to the overall yak mortality. However, no significant difference in mortality rates was observed between the two leading causes across age groups (P 0.05), indicating equal vulnerability and highlighting the urgent need for intervention strategies to mitigate these challenges and promote the conservation of this vital ruminant species in highland communities

Effectiveness of the farmer-field-school approach in small-scale mixed crop-livestock systems in Burundi

Dairy farming is one of the means to meet the growing demand for milk and reduce rural poverty in developing countries. To improve its productivity, many agricultural approaches have been tried, including the Farmer-Field-School (FFS) approach. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of this approach in terms of the adoption of new technologies introduced in small-scale mixed crop livestock systems in Burundi to improve its productivity. A survey was carried out among 98 FFS members and 78 non-members. Technology adoption rates were calculated among FFS and non-FFS members, as well as annual profits per cow. The results showed higher adoption rates among FFS respondents compared to non-FFS respondents for cemented barn floors, traditional lick-blocks, and manure composting, whereas fertilisation of fodder crops, treatment of hay with molasses/urea, and concentrate making were less adopted for the two groups. The annual gross margin was higher for the FFS-group (median: 654 US$) compared to the non-FFS one (median: 542 US$). The study showed that the dissemination of new technologies among non-supported, non-FFS farmers remained low. It is concluded from the results that FFS approach brings about a positive change in farmers’ behaviour towards adopting improved technologies. However, the results identified a number of constraints limiting the effectiveness of this approach including the low availability of inputs, the low financial capacities of farmers, and the complexity and/or the high price of certain technologies. Our results may provide useful information for strengthening the FFS approach in Burundi. For instance, a consistent financial support and follow-up are important for the sustainability of FFS practices. Harmonizing the market prices along the milk value chain is also proposed to increase incomes from the sale of milk

Evaluation of the synergistic influence of selenium and vitamin E on juvenile growth, antioxidant status, and physiological responses of heat-stressed broiler chickens

Heat stress is a growing concern in broiler production and this has been exacerbated by climate change. This study involved 300-one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks, which were divided over five treatments with five replicates of 12 chickens each. The chickens were assigned in a completely randomised design as follows: conventionally reared chicks (CC), chicks subjected to early-age thermal conditioning (EATC) at 38°C for 24 h on day 5 (TC), EATC-treated chicks supplemented with vitamin E at 250 mg kg-1 feed (TCV), EATC-treated chicks supplemented with selenium at 0.5 mg kg-1 feed (TCS), and a combination of TCS and TCV (TCVS). Growth performance data and blood samples were collected and analysed at the end of the third week of the experiment. The results showed that TCVS chickens had higher body weights than CC chickens. The plasma concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) was significantly (P0.05) higher in the TCVS chickens. Higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were detected in the TCVS, TCV and TCS groups. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was the lowest (P˂0.05) in the TCVS chickens. The results demonstrated that EATC combined with supplemental vitamin E and selenium (TCVS) improved performance and oxidative status in broiler chickens

Use of palm kernel expeller and empty fruit bunches in beef cattle feed pellets in Malaysia

This study evaluated the effects of an oil palm by-product-based (OPB) feed pellet on beef cattle growth and feed intake. A total of 42 beef cattle were assigned to two groups and fed either the OPB or a commercial (COM) feed pellet at 1% of body weight (BW) over a 90-day trial, with ad libitum supply of oil palm fronds daily. Daily feed intake and monthly BW changes were recorded. Proximate analysis showed that the OPB feed pellet was isonitrogenous and isocaloric to the COM pellet. At the end of the feeding trial, a similar BW increment was observed, from 165 kg to 222 kg and 159 kg to 212 kg for OPB and COM, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) of the OPB group was slightly higher than that of the COM group with 0.63 kg day-1 and 0.59 kg day-1, respectively. Similarly, feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the OPB group was slightly better at 9.59 as compared to the COM group with 9.98. Additionally, meat from cattle on the OPB diet showed higher redness and yellowness values (p 0.05), indicating improved meat appearance. In conclusion, the oil palm-based feed pellet provides complete nutrition for beef cattle and is comparable to commercial feed pellets in supporting growth performance

Forest conservation practices: Insights of local communities near wildlife-protected areas in Ghana

Effective forest conservation relies on active community participation; however, local communities in Ghana are often excluded from policy development. This study explored community perspectives on forest conservation by identifying practices that local inhabitants believed could help preserve the forests in two wildlife-protected areas within the forest-savannah transition zone of Ghana: Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS) and Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve (KSNR). A cross-sectional survey involving 300 respondents was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires to gather insights into locally suggested conservation practices. A Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) model was employed to assess whether the socio-demographic variables such as age, sex, educational level, occupation and residential status influenced these perspectives. Wildfire prevention was the most emphasised conservation strategy in BFMS (38.6%), while respondents in KSNR (37.2%) emphasised increased staffing for effective forest monitoring. Socio-demographic variables had no statistically significant influence (p 0.05) on respondents’ perspectives. The findings highlight the importance of integrating local knowledge and community-driven conservation approaches for effective forest management. Strengthening participatory strategies can enhance conservation outcomes and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), which focus on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience

Growth promoting and health enhancing effects of aged palm sap-enriched activated biochar in broiler nutrition

This study aimed to assess the impact of aged palm sap-enriched activated biochar (AC+APS) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, haematological parameters and biochemical indices of broilers. Two hundred and forty (240) male day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatment groups with six (6) replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group was fed a basal diet (A0) containing no additives. Groups A1 and A2 were fed a basal diet containing activated biochar (AC) at 0.50 and 1.00%, respectively, while groups A3 and A4 were fed a basal diet containing 0.50 and 1.00% activated biochar enriched with aged palm sap (AC+APS), respectively during an experimental period of 6 weeks.  The results revealed significant (p0.05) improvements in growth performance in 0.50% AC+APS-supplemented broilers compared to those in the AC-supplemented or control group during the finisher and overall production stages. The effect of AC and AC+APS inclusion on average daily feed intake was pronounced (p0.05) only during the finisher (22-42 days) period. All the test groups exhibited similar (p0.05) carcass traits to those of the control group and the treatments had no deleterious effects on organ development. Moreover, the AC+APS additive improved (p0.05) haematopoietic processes / parameters, serum protein profiles, glucose synthesis, and decreased serum enzyme activities while increasing mineral retention in broilers compared to those in the control or AC-supplemented broilers. The 0.50% AC+APS therefore proved to be the most beneficial additive for improving productive and physiological functions in broilers and could be a useful substitute for antibiotic growth-promoting additives in poultry diets