Survey and cartography of the spatial variation of the pollution of the waters from well of some districts of the township of Abomey-Calavi, Benin

Objective: The objective of this work was conducted to study and map the spatial variation of the physical, chemical and microbiological  contamination of well water in some areas of the town of Abomey-Calavi inBenin.Methods and Results: The methods used to measure physical and  chemical parameters are those spectrophotometric, colorimetric, conductivity and some other methods recommended by the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR). Microbiological parameters were measured according to the method by incorporating agar described in the book Rodier and maps were produced by Arc View 3.2 software. On the physical and chemical level, 50% of the analyzed well water have a normal pH and are all located at the lake. All analyzed well water has a redox potential higher than normal with the highest values for wells along the lake. Lead and zinc concentrations in these waters comply with WHO standards. Bacteriological analyzes showed that all well water pollution reveal bacteria such as thermotolerant coliforms, intestinal enterococci, total coliforms with the highest concentrations in the wells located on LakeNokoué. This indicates that the water may be responsible for the spread of waterborne diseases. The ratio thermotolerant coliforms and intestinal enterococci show that the origin of faecal contamination of human type in 50% of the wells. Faecal contamination of human kind concerns all the lake nearby well and the animal type concerns distant wells that lake.Conclusion and Application: These cards will attract the attention of people in the town of Abomey-Calavi and policy makers on areas where well water are the most polluted.Key words: physical chemical and microbiological quality, well water, pollution, mapping

Influence de la fertilisation minérale sur la qualité physico-chimique et organoleptique du jus d’ananas transformé de Cayenne lisse au Bénin

L’objectif de l’étude est d’analyser l’influence de la fertilisation N, P et K sur les caractéristiques physico-chimique et organoleptique du jus Cayenne lisse produit au Bénin. Un essai en plan factoriel NPK complet a été installé à Soyo, un village de la commune d’Allada du Département de l’Atlantique en République du Bénin. Les traitements NPK appliqués en unités fertilisantes exprimées en g/plant et randomisés dans quatre blocs ont été les suivants : T1: 6,7-1,6-9,3 ; T2 : 2,7-2,7-2,7 ; T3: 10,7- 0,5-2,7 ;T5: 10,7- 2,7-16 ; T6: 2,7- 2,7-16 ; T7: 2,7- 2,7-16 ; T8: 10,7-2,7-2,7 ; T9:2,7-0,5-2,7 ;T10: 10,7- 0,5-16. Le degré Brix du jus a été déterminé au réfractomètre et le pH au pH-mètre. Une évaluation des caractéristiques sensorielles telles que le goût sucré, le goût acide et l’arôme du jus d’ananas fabriqué a été effectuée par un panel de dégustateurs sélectionnés et entraînés. Une analyse en composantes principales, suivie d’une classification numérique a été réalisée sur les caractéristiques sensorielles et physico-chimiques des fruits. Les traitements T1, T3, T5 et T6 ont permis d’obtenir des jus de qualité organoleptique appréciable.Mots clés : Intensification, Rendement, Jus, Evaluation sensorielle, Fumure, Allada

Building sorghum seed sector along the grain market in Tanzania: Areas for policy support

In Tanzania, sorghum is the 3rd most grown cereal with approximately 500,000 tons produced per year (FAOSTAT, 2018). It is grown in semi-arid regions of Dodoma, Singida, Mara, Shinyanga, Mwanza, and Tabora regions. Farmers primarily produce sorghum for consumption (83%) rather than commercial purpose (17%). It is mainly used as human food, animal feeds, alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. In the past years, there has been an increase in sorghum production from 676,772 tons in 2015 to 750,000 tons in 2020 (FAOSTAT, 2022). Recently, there is an increase in demand for sorghum since many people are increasingly getting aware of the health benefits thatcome with the consumption of sorghum like prevention of cancer, reducing tumor incidence, and lowering blood pressure (Saleh et al, 2013); and increase in sorghum demand among breweries like Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) (American sorghum, 2016). White sorghum is highly preferred in and outside the country because of its use, color and low tannin; and red sorghum is highly demanded in Lake Zone and Northern Highland of Tanzania and exported to Burundi and Rwanda. Tanzania mostly exports sorghum to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sorghum grain in Tanzania hardly competes in both local and international markets because of the low-quality grain produced due to the use of landraces, traditional postharvest method, limited extension services, and lack of information in good agronomic practices. The presence of low-quality grain gives grain off-takers hard time to compete in the market and this results in low grain prices. Sorghum grain sector faces a number of challenges including unreliable market (close to 36%), low quality grain (about 25%), high tariff (around 11%), lack of storage facilities and low price (around 5 to 6%) (Table 1). The sorghum value chain in Tanzania can be strengthened if the seed sector is responsive

Capacity building efforts for rabies diagnosis in resource-limited countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case report of the central veterinary laboratory in Benin (Parakou)

Rabies has been listed as a priority zoonotic disease in many African countries and the countdown to reach the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030 means that disease control measures need to be applied fast. In this context, an essential pillar of any national plan to control rabies is the implementation of reliable diagnostic techniques to ensure the success of field surveillance systems. Although many African countries have received international support for the control of rabies-some countries, like Benin, have not received a similar level of support. Indeed, until 2018, Benin was not able to diagnose rabies and rabies diagnosis in animals as well as humans relied solely on observed clinical symptoms. Although the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) of Parakou had the equipment to implement two recommended tests, the lack of specific reagents and skills prevented the implementation of a rabies diagnostic service. Here we present the joint efforts of the national authorities in Benin, intergovernmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the government's rabies control efforts. We have applied the Stepwise Approach toward Rabies Elimination (SARE) analysis, implemented rabies diagnostic capacities at the CVL of Parakou, characterized strains of rabies virus circulating in Benin, and finally integrated an inter-laboratory comparison program

Brewery industry-led seed sector development for sorghum in Tanzania

The use of sorghum improved variety seeds has been low among sorghum farmers in Tanzania. Due to this, stakeholders such as brewing companies have launched various initiatives to expand the use of improved sorghum seeds. In general, this study was undertaken to assess the contribution of brewing industry to the sorghum value chain in Tanzania. Specifically, this study aims to determine the extent of use of sorghum in brewing (by quantifying the amount of sorghum grain sold to brewing companies and grain off-takers), identifying stakeholders in the value chain, and the impact of the brewing industry on use of improved seeds by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted in 11 districts in 6 regions of Tanzania covering sorghum farmers, grain off-takers, brewing companies, extension officers, and seed producers. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to select respondents: 591 individual farmers, 160 farmers from 16 focus groups, 15grain off-takers, 14 extension officers, 4 Quality Declared Seed (QDS) producers, and 2 brewing companies. Data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis statistics, Probit Regression, and cost-benefit analysis

Mapping out market drivers of improved variety seed use: the case of sorghum in Tanzania

It is understood that the grain market pulls the seed market. The problem of low quality prompted failure of traders and processors to purchase most of the farmers' grain to subsequently drive the use of improved variety seed. The aim of this study is to identify drivers that persuade farmers to use improved variety seeds for grain production. It also assesses factors affecting market participation among small-scale farmers. Descriptive analysis, Binary Logistic model, Probit model and gross margin analysis was conducted from random selected sample of 212 individual farmers, 63 grain off-takers, 3 extension officers and 7 seeds producers through structured interviews. In additional, 80 farmers were interviewed through 10 focus group discussion. The results showed that taste, preferences and price difference between grain and seed were significant and positive drivers that influenced the decision of farmers to use improved varieties at 47% and 0.007%, respectively. Factors such as group membership and farm size were significantly positive affecting farmer's market participation while age was negatively significant affecting farmer's market participation. Gross margin was computed to compare the profit margin between users and non-users of improved variety seeds, where users had high profit margin (530 979.89Tsh/Ha) compared to non-users (472 885.94Tsh/Ha), because non-users incurred high seed cost (54 504.84Tsh/15kg) compared to users of improved variety seeds (39 329.94Tsh/kg). Also, users obtained high grain revenue compared to non-user at 1 353 268.37Tsh and 848 249.11Tsh, respectively. Efforts should be made by value chain actors and other agricultural actors to support farmers based on market demand so they could benefit from high grain quality, quantity and promising grain market

Upscaling groundnut seed production and delivery through long-term public–private and development organization partnerships : Experiences from Tanzania

Making quality seed of improved legume varieties sustainably available and accessible to farmers in a timely manner and at affordable price is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Overcoming this challenge requires collective and long-term action through public–private and development organization partnerships (PPDOPs). The PPDOP model was tested by key seed system actors under the Tropical Legumes (TL) and Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) projects from 2008 to 2021. The study used the case of groundnut in Tanzania to assess the role played by long-term PPDOPs in groundnut seed production and delivery systems. The effectiveness of seed production and delivery models of the various actors involved in the TL and AVISA projects was analyzed. The study used secondary data obtained from annual reports, unpublished and published literature, and institutional websites. The PPDOP model brought about significant changes to the seed systems. It was found that sustained seed production and delivery over a decade enhanced the performance of the groundnut value chain in Tanzania. Under the TL and AVISA projects, a total of 49,046 tons of groundnut from different seed classes were produced through PPDOPs, covering an estimated 613,078 hectares with improved groundnut varieties. The intervention reached 45,201 stakeholders through 3048 demonstration plots, 128 field days, 55 seed fairs, and 8147 tons of small seed packs of 1–5 kg. The study recommends the use of long-term PPDOPs in seed production and delivery systems for greater impacts on increased variety adoption and consistent seed supply and availability in SSA. Long-term PPDOPs ensure proper coordination, open communication, clear accountability, solid trust, and standardized practices among actors in seed production and delivery systems

Farmer perceptions on labor-saving technologies in groundnut production systems in Tanzania

Groundnut is among the most valuable crops in Tanzania. It is a good source of oil, food, and income to many households however, it is considered a labor-intensive crop. Farmers perform tedious and laborious activities during ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, and shelling just to mention a few. Therefore, in ensuring that groundnut production achieves its potential within and outside the country, the introduction and use of labor- saving technologies cannot be overemphasized. This study intended to assess the farmers perception on groundnut labor-saving technologies in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at (i) analyzing the labor-saving technologies used by groundnut farmers; (ii) Investigating farmers perception on the LSTs. Also, (iii) Comparing the farmers’ resource (such as time and finances) use associated with the traditional tools versus the labor-saving technologies (LST) and (iv) Discussing policy environment for labor saving technology in Tanzania

Current status of groundnut improvement in Uganda

In Uganda, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) is the second most important legume after beans. Groundnuts is cultivated on nearly 260,000 ha, representing 24.6% of the total arable land. On-farm pod yields are low, averaging 800 kg/ha of dry pods, compared to on-station potential yields of 3,000kg/ha. Sales from current production could potentially generate $344 million to the producers who are largely small-scale farmers. The yield gaps are attributed to a combination of biotic, abiotic, cultural and political factors. Since the 1920s, research efforts have released 24 varieties, the most recent commercial varieties being the Serenut 1-14 series. These varieties have overcome some of the mentioned production constraints. However, varied growing agroecologies, land tenure systems, diverse market preferences, and emerging stresses call for continuous research. Current research agenda includes breeding for high oleic, leafminer resistance, confectionery, aflatoxin tolerance, drought tolerance, early to medium maturing varieties, high yielding, and rosette disease resistant varieties. We have initiated Marker Assisted Selection for high oleic breeding and adopted BMS for Digitalization of data capture, management, analyses and storage. Recently developed regeneration protocol will aid in introgressing additional traits across taxa. The bimodal rainfall pattern and active hybridization programme increases our breeding cycles. To date, the groundnut breeding program has an active breeding pipeline frequently releasing varieties and lines which have already been shared with National Programs across Africa, Haiti and the USA with many additional National Programs making requests. We have strong partnerships in Research and Development among the African Countries, USAID, ICRISAT, and BMGF

Updated African biomass burning emission inventories in the framework of the AMMA-IDAF program, with an evaluation of combustion aerosols

African biomass burning emission inventories for gaseous and particulate species have been constructed at a resolution of 1 km by 1km with daily coverage for the 2000–2007 period. These inventories are higher than the GFED2 inventories, which are currently widely in use. Evaluation specifically focusing on combustion aerosol has been carried out with the ORISAM-TM4 global chemistry transport model which includes a detailed aerosol module. This paper compares modeled results with measurements of surface BC concentrations and scattering coefficients from the AMMA Enhanced Observations period, aerosol optical depths and single scattering albedo from AERONET sunphotometers, LIDAR vertical distributions of extinction coefficients as well as satellite data. Aerosol seasonal and interannual evolutions over the 2004–2007 period observed at regional scale and more specifically at the Djougou (Benin) and Banizoumbou (Niger) AMMA/IDAF sites are well reproduced by our global model, indicating that our biomass burning emission inventory appears reasonable