Streamlining policies for enhancing rice production in Africa: Past experiences, lessons learnt and the way forward

There is a consensus that African development confronts several challenges, which include alleviating widespread poverty and unemployment, providing basic foods for the people, containing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, eliminating gender disparities and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources. In order to overcome theproblem of food supply, investment policies have focused on certain commodities. Rice (Oryza sativa) has been at the centre of particular policy attention in West Africa since the 1970s, following the formation of West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA). Even though substantial investments and policy actions have been undertaken, the results belied the efforts made and expectations nursed. Africa today still depends on rice imports at a scale never imagined and domestic rice production programmes have been largely unsuccessful. The question is: What went wrong? Why has Africa been unable to produce enough rice to stem imports? Why did the initial investments in irrigation schemes and programmes fail? Now that attention is on expanding rice cultivation to other parts of Africa, what policy imperatives are essential to ensure sustainable rice production? This paper examines these issues by drawing experiences from several countries across West Africa. The overall objective is to provide appropriate policy framework for the expansion and sustainable production of rice to new areas in Africa. Specifically, the paper examines some of the policies pursued in the past in a number of countries and the reasons for their ineffectiveness. Drawing on the benefits of past experiences, the paper makes proposals forimproved policy environment to support the new initiatives to increase rice output in the continent

Dynamique spatio temporelle de l’agriculture urbaine à Ouagadougou : Cas du Maraîchage comme une activité montante de stratégie de survie

La présente étude fait état de la caractérisation de l’agriculture urbaine à Ouagadougou et de son évolution malgré les contraintes auxquelles elle se trouve confrontée. Elle s’est intéressée spécifiquement à sa dynamique spatiale et temporelle depuis plus d’une décennie. Les premières études confirmées sur le maraîchage à Ouagadougou ont eu lieu en 1992 avec un inventaire spatialisé en 1996 (Cissé, 1997) qui correspond également à la période de l’adoption de la Réforme Agraire et Foncière (RAF) au Burkina. La RAF n’interdit pas explicitement l’agriculture urbaine à Ouagadougou mais elle précise que les terres urbaines du Burkina sont destinées principalement aux activités liées à la vie urbaine (habitation, commerce, l’industrie, artisanat) et celles rurales sont destinées à l’agriculture, à l’élevage, en sommes aux activités liées à la vie rurale (RAF, 1996). Il s’agit donc d’une interdiction qui ne dit pas son nom depuis 1996, ce qui justifie le choix pertinent de cette année comme référence dans l’analyse de l’évolution spatialisée qu’a connu cette activité. Les résultats obtenus présentent la répartition spatiale des sites maraîchers dans la ville de Ouagadougou en 1996 et 2009, ainsi que les valeurs des superficies exploitées. Ils analysent la dynamique spatiale observée et identifient les paramètres qui justifient l’évolution observée malgré la presque interdiction réglementaire. Basés sur une série de travaux de terrains (enquêtes, entretiens, levés au Global Positioning System - GPS) et une étude de la documentation existante couplée aux possibilités d’acquisition de données et d’analyse spatiale offertes par les systèmes d’informations géographiques (SIG), les résultats de l’étude révèlent que, en 13 ans, le nombre de sites agricoles à Ouagadougou n’a cessé de croitre malgré l’interdiction et les diverses pressions. Même si la localisation des grandes zones agricoles n’a pas beaucoup changé, les superficies cultivées sur place ont presque triplé. Cette croissance spatiale s’est doublée de la croissance du nombre d’exploitants et par conséquent, du nombre de personnes vivant de cette activité … autant de paramètres fondamentaux qui justifient à Ouagadougou une reconnaissance et une institutionnalisation de l’activité maraîchère qui se présente aujourd’hui comme une activité de subsistance en ville dans les pays en voie de développement. (Koc et al 2000 ; Mougeot, 2006 ; IAGU 2008 ; FAO 1996 - 1999 - 2009)The present study characterizes the different types of urban agriculture in Ouagadougou and defines their spatial distribution. The study was specifically interested in the spatial and temporal dynamics for more than a decade. The first studies on truck farming in Ouagadougou took place in 1992 with a spatial inventory in 1996 (Cissé, on 1997) which also corresponds to the period when the agrarian and land Reform was adopted in Burkina (RAF stands for Réforme Agraire et Foncière). The RAF does not explicitly prevent urban agriculture within the city of Ouagadougou, rather it says that the urban fields of Burkina are mainly used for activities related to the needs of the urban life (housing, trade, industry, arts crafts), while rural fields are mainly for agriculture, cattle breeding (or livestock), and to other rural activities in general (RAF, 1996). This reason justifies the relevant choice of this year as reference in the analysis of this spatial dynamics. The results present the spatial distribution of the sites of agriculture in the city of Ouagadougou between 1996 and 2009, as well as the total surface area exploited in the truck farming according to the seasons. They analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics observed according to the urban land pressure and to the availability of the water, which is an indispensable resource for the survival of the activity. Therefore, this is an inexplicit prohibition which exists since then, which explains the pertinent choice of 1996 as the reference in the analysis of the spatial evolution of this activity. The results present the spatial distribution of the sites of agriculture in the city of Ouagadougou between 1996 and 2009, as well as the total surface area exploited in the truck farming according to the seasons. They analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics observed according to the urban land pressure and to the availability of the water, which is an indispensable resource for the survival of the activity

An on-farm study of Striga as constraint to improved sorghum cultivar production in Mali

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the most important food crop in savanna areas of the West and Central Africa (WCA) region, including Mali, where grain yield averaged 0.71 t in 1999 (FAO 2001). Improved caudatum sorghum cultivars have not been widely adopted in Mali (Yapi and Debrah 1998). However, some of these cultivars such as ICSV 1063 and ICSV 1079 were introduced in the Kolokani area (about 130 km north of Bamako) by Catholic missionaries in the late 1980s. They have since spread and are being cultivated under the name “Gadiabani” by many farmers in over 100 villages (SEPD 1995)

Combined on-farm effect of plot size and sorghum genotype on sorghum panicle-feeding bug infestation in Mali

The reaction of four sorghum cultivars to panicle-feeding bugs was assessed in small (15 m2) and large (0.5–1.0 ha) plots for 2 years in three villages of the Kolokani region (Mali). The aim was to explain the somewhat contradictory earlier observations of pest infestation and damage in small experimental plots (on-station and on-farm) as well as in farmers’ field surveys. Irrespective of the plot size, the local guinea sorghum cultivar Bibalawili was consistently the least infested and damaged, followed by bug-resistant compact-headed cv Malisor 84-7, whereas the improved caudatum cultivar Gadiabani, which had been disseminated for nearly a decade in the region, and the improved hybrid ICSH 89002, were the most heavily damaged. When located along the border of large plots of a susceptible cultivar, small plots of the four cultivars overall were less infested and damaged than when located along the border of plots of resistant cultivars. However, they were more infested and damaged when located in the centre of large plots of susceptible cultivars than when they were in the centre of resistant cultivar plots. In large plots, bug populations and damage decreased from the border to the centre. These results suggest that, in addition to the mere plot size, plant breeders should take the genotypic environment of their experimental plots into account, namely the vicinity of large plots of pest-susceptible or -resistant cultivars, and the position of the test plots (border or centre) relative to these large plots

Calf muscle stimulation with the Veinoplus device results in a significant increase in lower limb inflow without generating limb ischemia or pain in patients with peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Increase in arterial inflow to the lower limbs is important to obtain functional improvement in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients with claudication. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of electrical stimulation of calf muscles on arterial inflow and tissue oxygen content in PAD in the area of stimulation.METHODS: Fifteen adult patients [mean (standard deviation) age, 62 (12 ) years; height, 165 (8)cm; weight, 76 (13) kg; lowest ankle-brachial index 0.66 (0.19)] with stable arterial claudication were recruited. All patients performed a treadmill test (3.2 km/h, 10% slope) associated with a transcutaneous oximetry test expressed as decrease from rest of oxygen pressure (DROP) index values (calf changes minus chest changes from rest) with a maximum walking distance (median [25th/75th percentiles]) of 295 [133-881] m. The DROP index on the symptomatic side was -25 [-18/-34] mm Hg. On another day the patients underwent electrical stimulation in the seated position on the leg that was the most symptomatic on the treadmill. After resting values were recorded, the gastrocnemius was stimulated for 20minutes at increasing contraction rates at 5-minute steps of 60, 75, 86, and 100bpm on the most symptomatic side. Arterial blood inflow with duplex Doppler ultrasound scanning of the femoral artery, DROP transcutaneous oxygen pressure value, and oxygen concentration (O2Hb) from the near-infrared spectroscopic signal of the calf were recorded on both sides. Patients were instructed to report eventual contraction-induced pain in the stimulated calf. Results are given as mean (standard deviation) or median [25th/75th percentiles] according to distribution, and the level of statistical significance was set at P < .05 on two-tailed tests. RESULTS: Lower limb inflow (mL/min) was 64 [48/86] vs 63 [57/81] (P> .05) before stimulation, 123 [75/156] vs 57 [44/92] (P < .01) at 60bpm, 127 [91/207] vs 49 [43/68] (P < .01) at 75bpm, 140 [84/200] vs 57 [45/71] (P < .01) at 86bpm, and 154 [86/185] vs 55 [46/94] (P < .01) at 100bpm on the stimulated vs nonstimulated limb, respectively. No apparent decrease or significant leg difference was observed in DROP index or O2Hb values. None of the patients reported contraction-induced pain in the leg. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical stimulation of calf muscle with the Veinoplus device results in a significant increase of arterial inflow without measurable muscle ischemia or pain. Potential use of this device as an adjuvant treatment to improve walking capacity in PAD patients remains to be evaluated

Etude de la germination de cinq provenances de Tamarindusindica L. en conditions de stress hydrique au Sénégal

Ce présent travail se propose d’évaluer le comportement germinatif de cinq provenances de tamarinier (Tamarindus indica L.) dans des conditions de stress  hydrique. Six concentrations croissantes 0 ; - 1,4 ; - 2,8 ; - 4,2 ; - 5,6 ; -7 bar de polyéthylène glycol (PEG 6000) ont été testées. Les résultats ont montré une  variabilité de la germination de l’espèce en fonction de l’intensité du stress et de la provenance. Le seuil critique de germination des provenances du tamarinier est  de -7 bar. La provenance Sakkal de la zone sahélienne s’est montrée plus tolérante au stress hydrique avec un taux de germination de 2% en conditions de stress  sévère. Toutefois, ces faibles résultats sont imputables aux conditions de conservation des graines. Ces informations sur l'écologie et la physiologie de la  germination du tamarinier sont vitales, non seulement pour comprendre les variations génétiques des différentes populations de tamarinier au Sénégal, mais aussi pour développer des stratégies pour la conservation de la biodiversité et la restauration des forêts tropicales.Mots clés : Germination, provenances, Tamarindus indica L., stress hydrique, Sénégal

Intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors in communities exposed to wastewater in urban and peri-urban transition zones in Hanoi, Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Infections with intestinal parasites (helminths and intestinal protozoa) are endemic in Southeast Asia and inappropriate management and reuse of wastewater might exacerbate the risk of human infections. In rapidly growing urban settings, little is known about the extent of intestinal parasite infections. We assessed the point-prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasite infections in population groups differently exposed to wastewater in urban and peri-urban transition zones in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between April and June 2014 in people aged ≥ 18 years at risk of wastewater exposure from To Lich River: workers maintaining wastewater treatment facilities; urban farmers reusing wastewater; and urban dwellers at risk of flooding events. For comparison, two peri-urban population groups living in close proximity to the Red River were chosen: farmers using river water for irrigation purposes; and people living in the same communities. A single stool sample was subjected to Kato-Katz and formalin-ether concentration methods for the diagnosis of helminth and intestinal protozoa infections. A questionnaire was administered to determine risk factors and self-reported signs and symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 681 individuals had complete data records. Highest point-prevalence rates of intestinal parasite infections were observed for peri-urban farmers (30 %). Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura were the predominant helminth species (25 % and 5 %, respectively). Peri-urban farmers were at higher odds of infection with intestinal parasites than any other groups (adjusted odds ratio 5.8, 95 % confidence interval 2.5 to 13.7). Lack of access to improved sanitation and not receiving deworming within the past 12 months were associated with higher infection risk, while higher educational attainment and socioeconomic status were negatively associated with intestinal parasite infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exposure to wastewater was not directly associated with infection with helminths and intestinal protozoa in different population groups in Hanoi. These findings might be explained by a high level of awareness of health risks and access to safe sanitary infrastructure in urban areas. The high prevalence rates observed in peri-urban farmers call for specific interventions targeting this population group

Phosphorus recovery: a need for an integrated approach

Increasing cost of phosphate fertilizer, a scarcity of high quality phosphate rock (PR)and increasing surface water pollution are driving aneed to accelerate the recovery and re-use ofphosphorus (P) from various waste sectors. Options to recover P occur all along the open P cycle from mining to households to oceans. However, P recovery as a regional and global strategy towards P sustainability and future food, bio energy and water security is in its infancy because of a number of technological, socio-economic and institutional constraints. There is no single solution and resolving these constraints requires concerted collaboration betweenrelevant stakeholders and an integrated approach combiningsuccessful business models withsocio-economic and institutional change. We suggest that an operational framework is developed for fast tracking cost-effective recovery options

Acceptance of exotic beverages with health benefits in Europe: a crosscountry comparison of hibiscus products

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Détermination du débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) au cours du diabète : Cockroft et Gault, MDRD ou CKD-EPI ?

Plusieurs paramètres peuvent être étudiés pour évaluer le rein. Parmi ceux-ci, le débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) a été déterminé avec les formules de Cockroft et Gault (CG), du Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) et du Chronic Kidney Disease EPIdemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) et la formule la mieux adaptée pour le diabétique a été recherchée. Chez 59 diabétiques de type 1 (DT1) et 70 diabétiques de type 2 (DT2), le DFG a été déterminé avec les formules de CG, du MDRD et du CKD-EPI. Avec l’analyse statistique, les seuils de significativité ont été fixés pour p<0,05 ; T0α>1,96 et Z0α>1,96. Le MDRD est superposable au CKD-EPI chez les DT1 et DT2. Chez les DT1, le DFG moyen et la corrélation entre 1/créatininémie et DFG ne varient pas si CG ou CKD-EPI ; cependant, les sujets à DFG réduit (< 90 ml/min/1,73 m²) sont plus nombreux avec CG plutôt qu’avec CKD-EPI (66,10% vs 47,46% ; T0α=2,05). Chez les DT2, le DFG moyen et la proportion de sujets à DFG réduit sont indépendants de la formule utilisée, mais la corrélation entre 1/créatininémie et DFG est plus forte si CKD-EPI que CG (0,961 vs 0,632 ; Z0α=7,02). Ainsi, la formule la mieux adaptée pour la détermination du DFG serait CG chez les DT1 et CKD-EPI chez les DT2, sachant que CKD-EPI est équivalent à MDRD quel que soit le type de diabète.Mots clés : Cockroft et Gault - MDRD - CKD-EPI – débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) – diabète