Validating high frequency deployment of the Diet Quality Questionnaire

In recent work, Manners et al. (2022) crowdsourced the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DDQ), assessing whether a lean and low-cost data collection system could be deployed for mapping of diet quality. In 52 weeks of data collection, the system generated responses from more than 80,000 unique respondents, collecting around 1800 respondents per week. The preliminary success of the piloted system points towards a viable alternative modality for deployment for the DQQ. Crowdsourcing data is an attractive option for the DQQ, generating data at a relatively low-cost. The scaling potential of a high-frequency, crowdsourced based system is evidenced by a second pilot launching imminently in Guatemala. However, there remain questions regarding the accuracy and reliability of crowdsourced data- respondents may inaccurately respond intentionally (for malicious purposes or gaming of the system), or unintentionally (due to a lack of understanding). Validation of crowdsourced data has been done via simple phone based follow ups, to more complex machine learning frameworks. Despite the uncertainties around crowdsourced data, crowdsourcing may provide respondents with a sense of anonymity, responding more accurately, without the feeling of enumerator expectations. Enumerator biases have been well documented in enumerator administered data collection, where respondents may adapt responses based upon their perceptions of what they think the enumerator wants to hear. Enumerator and mobile phone generated diet quality data may be hindered by different issues of reliability and accuracy. Previous studies have sought to address similar problems of comparing different technologies, through observational benchmarking (e.g. Matthys et al., 2007; Fallaize et al., 2014; Putz et al., 2019). In a recent study, Rogers et al. (2021) assessed the accuracy of two dietary recall data collection methods, against a weighed food record. The application of this method permitted a quantitative dietary benchmark to be established, through enumerator observation of consumption. This benchmark was used to compare the accuracy and reliability of the data collection methods under study

Variability in traditional processing of gari: a major food security product from cassava

Cassava is a major crop for food security in Nigeria and its principal processed form is gari. Gari processing practices were observed in the southwest (Oyo State) and southeast (Benue State) of Nigeria using two complementary approaches: 1) semi-quantitative surveys with processors (n=123) and 2) actual detailed measurements at processing units (n=7). Size of processing operations and type of practices differed significantly between the two States. There were also intra-State differences, influenced by ethnicity and customs. Variability of processing practices should be considered whilst seeking to improve processing productivity and introducing nutritious varieties of cassava to feed fast-growing Nigerian population

Cassava brown streak disease: historical timeline, current knowledge and future prospects

Cassava is the second most important staple food crop in terms of per capita calories consumed in Africa and holds potential for climate change adaptation. Unfortunately, productivity in East and Central Africa is severely constrained by two viral diseases: cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). CBSD was first reported in 1936 from northeast Tanzania. For approximately seventy years CBSD was restricted to coastal East Africa and so had a relatively low impact on food security compared to CMD. However, at the turn of the 21st century CBSD re-emerged further inland, in areas around Lake Victoria and it has since spread through many East and Central African countries, causing high yield losses and jeopardising the food security of subsistence farmers. This recent re-emergence has attracted intense scientific interest, with studies shedding light on CBSD viral epidemiology, sequence diversity, host interactions and potential sources of resistance within the cassava genome. This review reflects on 80 years of CBSD research history (1936 – 2016) with a timeline of key events. We provide insights into current CBSD knowledge, management efforts and future prospects for improved understanding needed to underpin effective control and mitigation of impacts on food security

Africa RISING-Cowpea Baby Trial in Northern Ghana

Project title: Cowpea Baby Trial in Northern Ghana Project abstract: This project aims to evaluate the performance of cowpea varieties by farmers. Project website: http://africa-rising.netIFPRI1; Africa Risin

Africa RISING-Effects of P-Fertilizer Rates on Groundnut Yield in Northern Ghana

Project title: Africa RISING-Effects of P-Fertilizer Rates on Groundnut in Northern Ghana. Project abstract: The data set evaluates adaptability and suitability of groundnut varieties to different ecozones. Project website: http://africa-rising.net http://africa-rising.net/where-we-work/west-africa/IFPRI1; Africa Risin

Africa RISING-Soybean Baby Trial in Northern Ghana

This data study contains three-year data from three northern regions of Ghana which were collected to evaluate and demonstrate soybean practices.IFPRI1; Africa Risin

East and Southern African Regional Root Crop Network (ESARRN) / Phase I Terminal Report

Appendices includedThe International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) provided technical assistance at the onset of the project and later the International Potato Centre (CIP) and the International Institute of Biological Control (IIBC) all provided technical backstopping to the East and Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network (ESARRN). All collaborating national programs made efforts to fulfil the objectives of the network; namely: Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These objectives were also those of the respective programs. Phase I of the project was executed from June 1987 to September 1992. This document presents the summary of what the network achieved. Three hybridization centres have been established for the purpose of superior population improvement. Three centers, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia have produced new populations which are having impact on raising yield performance and enhancing other important agronomic traits. These centres will continue to generate new types adapted to the various agro-ecologies of the region. Multiplication and distribution systems are being rap}dly adapted and attracting support from NGO's and other development agencies. This intervention is assisting the delivery of healthy planting materials of improved root crop varieties to farmers. A post harvest development facility has been established in Malawi to investigate improved drying systems which are now at on-farm testing stage. Village level processing constraints are being monitored and interventions developed to address them. Trained manpower in the region has been greatly improved as compared to the situation before the network started. Several hundred technicians and some researchers have been trained. They have also advanced professionally and improved their skills. They now freely exchange scientific and technical ideas among themselves and interact with each other at regular intervals through seminars, meetings, workshops and exchange visits. The overall thrust of transferring technology to NARS and then to farmers through a network of partnerships with extension and adaptive research teams in the national ministries of agriculture, farmers' groups and other NGOs is progressively bearing fruits in many programs. The network's steady success to date is so encouraging that other groups now seek to emulate its strategy

Gender Evaluation of Cowpea Living Mulch in Northern Ghana

This dataset is generated from the research study conducted to understand gender issues surrounding the adoption and sustainability of living mulch technologies at the household as well as community level. The survey was conducted among farmers who were practicing living mulch in Northern Ghana. Data were collected from 77 farmers in 12 communities across six districts from Jan-Feb, 2019. The data collected include demographic information, general farm system description, gender and household processes, and market participation among others. The main data generation strategy of this study was focus group discussions.IFPRI1; Africa Risin