Session presentation

Aflatoxins are a group of toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus molds that contaminate a variety of food and animal feeds. Exposure to aflatoxins causes serious illness in humans, including liver cancer and stunting in children. When cows ingest aflatoxin-contaminated feed, they secrete aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in their milk. Aflatoxin M1 has been detected in high concentration throughout sub-Saharan Africa in cow’s milk and in human breast milk, putting infants at high risk. In Ethiopia, a currently ongoing study has revealed high levels of contamination of dairy feeds with aflatoxins in the Greater Addis milk shed. In this study, we have collected raw milk samples from dairy farmers and milk collectors in the Greater Addis milk shed and quantified the levels of AFM1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 100 raw milk samples were collected from dairy farms in Addis Ababa and its surrounding areas (27 from Addis Ababa, 23 from Debre Zeit, 9 from Sebeta, 31 from Sendafa and 10 from Sululta). All the milk samples were contaminated with AFM1 and most (92%) of the samples had aflatoxin levels exceeding 50 ppt, which is the FAO/WHO and EU permissible level of AFM1 in milk. The highest AFM1 content was 4977 ppt and the lowest was 28 ppt. In addition, ten raw milk samples were collected from milk collectors located in Addis Ababa (1), Debre Zeit (3) and Sululta (6). All of the samples from milk collectors were contaminated with AFM1 exceeding 50 ppt. The high levels of AFM1 in milk in the Greater Addis milk shed is alarming, because it is one of the largest milk sheds in the country, and most residents of Addis Ababa get their milk from these sources. Children in particular are encouraged to drink milk as much as possible. Considering that young children are weaned on to cow's milk and they are not immune-competent at this early age, consumption of milk contaminated with AFM1 may further suppress their immunity and also contribute to stunting. In addition, it has been estimated that aflatoxins may play a causative role in up to 30% of the cases of liver cancer globally each year. Therefore, the high level of aflatoxin contamination in the peri-urban dairy value chain of Addis Ababa requires urgent response to reduce human and animal exposure to these toxins. Our research group is currently testing intervention strategies to address the problem of aflatoxins in dairy feed in Ethiopia

Market-oriented beekeeping development to improve smallholder income: Results of development experiences in Atsbi-Womberta District, northern Ethiopia

Beekeeping is an important income-generating activity in the Atsbi-Womberta district of Tigray. Beekeeping can also be easily integrated into the on-going natural resources conservation developments in the district. However, beekeeping has traditionally been considered as a supplementary enterprise and its potential as a source of smallholder income has never been fully utilized. The Improving Productivity and Market Success (IPMS) of Ethiopian Farmers Project, in collaboration with the district Office of Agriculture and Rural Development (OoARD), the regional Bureau of ARD and other partners have introduced, tested and promoted improved beekeeping development practices based on the value chains framework. This paper presents results of this experience. The core of the experience is the transformation of a largely traditional system towards a more knowledge based and market-oriented beekeeping. Major interventions include introduction, testing and promotion of learning platforms on improved use of hive equipment, improved apiary and colony management, bee forages, harvesting and postharvest handling practices, and facilitation of access to market information and linkages. Qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted to assess developmental changes made due to the interventions. Results show that the honey productivity of adopters increased by about threefold (32 kg honey/hive per year) compared to the non-adopters (10 kg honey/hive per year) in 2008 despite the variation in rainfall distribution and amount. Interestingly, the honey productivity of adopters increased by 52% in 2008 (32 kg honey/hive per year) compared to those adopters in 2004 (21 kg honey/hive per year). Market-oriented improved beekeeping adopters had a threefold higher income from the sale of honey (Ethiopian birr, ETB1 1820/household per year) than non-adopters (ETB 614/household per year). Moreover, the gross annual income of smallholder beekeepers in the district increased from about ETB 2.7 million in 2004 to ETB 19.5 million in 2008. Similarly, the number of honeybee colonies has increased by about fourfold and that of beneficiaries increased by about threefold. About 36% of the beekeepers adopted improved beekeeping management which contributed to about 75% of the district gross annual income of smallholder beekeepers in 2008. The basis of transformation towards market-oriented beekeeping has been capacity building of beekeepers to acquire, share and use improved skills. Results show that marketoriented improved beekeeping appears to be a more resilient income generating business under the uncertain and variable rainfall conditions

Hypertension in hemodialysis patients treated with atenolol or lisinopril: a randomized controlled trial

Background The purpose of this study was to determine among maintenance hemodialysis patients with echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension whether in comparison with a β-blocker-based antihypertensive therapy, an angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor-based antihypertensive therapy causes a greater regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods Subjects were randomly assigned to either open-label lisinopril (n = 100) or atenolol (n = 100) each administered three times per week after dialysis. Monthly monitored home blood pressure (BP) was controlled to <140/90 mmHg with medications, dry weight adjustment and sodium restriction. The primary outcome was the change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to 12 months. Results At baseline, 44-h ambulatory BP was similar in the atenolol (151.5/87.1 mmHg) and lisinopril groups, and improved similarly over time in both groups. However, monthly measured home BP was consistently higher in the lisinopril group despite the need for both a greater number of antihypertensive agents and a greater reduction in dry weight. An independent data safety monitoring board recommended termination because of cardiovascular safety. Serious cardiovascular events in the atenolol group occurred in 16 subjects, who had 20 events, and in the lisinopril group in 28 subjects, who had 43 events {incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.36 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.36–4.23, P = 0.001]}. Combined serious adverse events of myocardial infarction, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death in the atenolol group occurred in 10 subjects, who had 11 events and in the lisinopril group in 17 subjects, who had 23 events (IRR 2.29, P = 0.021). Hospitalizations for heart failure were worse in the lisinopril group (IRR 3.13, P = 0.021). All-cause hospitalizations were higher in the lisinopril group [IRR 1.61 (95% CI 1.18–2.19, P = 0.002)]. LVMI improved with time; no difference between drugs was noted. Conclusions Among maintenance dialysis patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, atenolol-based antihypertensive therapy may be superior to lisinopril-based therapy in preventing cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause hospitalizations. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00582114

Farmer access to irrigation scheduling advice leads to sustainable intensification of high value crops

United States Agency for International Developmen

Global governance approaches to addressing illegal logging: Uptake and lessons learned

One of the most challenging tasks facing development agencies, trade ministries, environmental groups, social activists and forest-focused business interests seeking to ameliorate illegal logging and related timber trade is to identify and nurture promising global governance interventions capable of helping improve compliance to governmental policies and laws at national, subnational and local levels. This question is especially acute for developing countries constrained by capacity challenges and “weak states” (Risse, 2011). This chapter seeks to shed light on this task by asking four related questions: How do we understand the emergence of illegal logging as a matter of global interest? What are the types of global interventions designed to improve domestic legal compliance? How have individual states responded to these global efforts? What are the prospects for future impacts and evolution? We proceed in the following steps. Following this introduction, step two reviews how the problem of “illegal logging” emerged on the international agenda. Step three reviews leading policy interventions that resulted from this policy framing. Step four reviews developments in selected countries/regions around the world according to their place on the global forest products supply chain: consumers (United States, Europe and Australia); middle of supply chain manufacturers (China and South Korea) and producers (Russia; Indonesia; Brazil and Peru; Ghana, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo). We conclude by reflecting on key trends that emerge from this review relevant for understanding the conditions through which legality might make a difference in addressing critical challenges