A qualitative meta-synthesis of interpersonal violence prevention programs focused on males

Exceptionally high levels of interpersonal violence have triggered a call by many experts for the need to determine effective ways to address the onset and effects of exposure to interpersonal violence. The specific aim of this study was to identify and draw on existing promising practices to make a more informed decision on strategies to develop a contextually relevant intervention that focused on the promotion of positive forms of masculinity to create safety and peace. This study used a qualitative meta-synthesis (QMS) technique to integrate and interpret findings from various intervention studies that focused on males and/or gender. An in-depth literature search yielded a total of 827 papers that met the search criteria. After removal of duplicates, abstract review, and review of the full texts, the subsequent sample for this meta-synthesis included 12 intervention programs and 23 studies. This QMS revealed the value of a comprehensive approach, using multiple strategies, employing participatory and interactive methods, and promoting social mobilization to address interpersonal violence. The promotion of positive forms of masculinity as an interpersonal violence prevention strategy is a much-needed, relatively untapped approach to generating safety and peace for both males and females

MODELS OF CROP COMMERCIALIZATION AND CROP CLUSTERS

The introduction of new crops into a region, or the cultivation of otherwise wild crafted plants can be a significant benefit to the growers, processors and rural communities. Yet the successful introduction of any new crop requires a purposeful market-driven strategy which requires careful consideration and detailed studies on the plant, the development of appropriate sustainable production systems, harvesting and processing requirements, and marketing factors. Those involved in new crop development have long recognized the difficulties in this initial commercialization phase and the multitude of obstacles that arise. As such, we developed several different models of crop commercialization for use in medicinal and aromatic plant development. The introduction of botanicals need not be pursued as a single enterprise, but as part of a crop rotation scheme, in a multi-cropping or combined agro/forestry system in which the use of crop clusters should be considered. Crop clusters refer to the growing (in fields or forest) of several plants simultaneously to reduce grower risk, enhance the number and nature of products that would become available and to provide more than one crop that could generate income and provide other useful products such as food/fiber/fence posts. Many growers in rural communities farm on a small scale and are resource limited. Given the volatile nature of the marketplace, crop clusters could be a strategic vehicle to minimize their risk while fostering economic opportunities by crop diversification. We developed a selection criteria matrix to identify the most promising crops and plant products and crop clusters

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN NATURAL PLANT PRODUCTS

The development of sustainable agricultural businesses in high-value niche sectors can stimulate agricultural growth that could improve the livelihoods of rural Africa and have a multiplier effect on the rest of the economy. The natural plant product (NP) industry is one that can offer higher income and niche markets for resource limited farmers in developing countries compared to traditional agronomic crops. However, the NP industry is beset with challenges hindering the realization of its full contribution to economic development and poverty reduction. Among these challenges are: (1) limited appropriate germplasm; (2) lack of quality control and quality assurance systems for production and processing; (3) Lack of knowledge and understanding of international markets and markets channels; (4) Limited processing infrastructure which constrains value-added opportunities; (5) variable market prices, and (6) weak enterprises with low technical and managerial skills to meet the requirements of buyers. In 1999, we began to develop models for the sustainable commercialization of NP in sub-Sahara Africa using a market-first and scientific-driven approach. This program implemented under ASNAPP (www.asnapp.org) is conducted in partnership with the public and private sector to facilitate diversification of agricultural commodities and marketing channels. Sustainable development incorporates good environmental stewardship from the bush to final product, GAP and robust quality assurance and quality control systems for collection or cultivation to ensure high quality and food safety. This evolving model consists of a multi step value-addition process through the commodity chain to provide safe and high quality NPs and economic opportunities to those rural communities

Adolescents’ Views on the Power of Violence in a Rural School in South Africa

This study aims to explain how adolescents in a rural high school conceptualise school violence. Qualitative data were collected over two two-day periods (24 hours) through child-centred tasks like drawing and the completion of open-ended sentences, informal conversations regarding the given activities, observations documented as visual data (photographs), a research journal, and focus group discussions. In total, four boys and five girls participated in the study. Results of the study indicate that the adolescents (aged 15–17 years) view school violence both as negative, in that it causes harm, and positive, in that it serves as a strategy to ensure order and protection. The adolescents conceptualise violence as interweaving constructs of power, discipline and aggression. Future adolescent-focused interventions regarding violence must include conversations about these nuanced understandings.National Research Foundation Grant: 82620 CEC 12091412827.http://jas.sagepub.comhb201