The farming question: Intergenerational linkages, gender and youth aspirations in rural Zambia

With agriculture considered key to generate jobs for Africa’s growing population, several studies have explored youth aspirations towards farming. While many factors explaining aspirations have been well studied, little is known about the actors shaping aspirations. We follow a unique “whole-family” approach, which builds on mixed-methods data from 348 parents and corresponding adolescents (boys and girls) in rural Zambia. The study finds that parents strongly shape youth aspirations – they are much more influential than siblings, peers, church, and media. Male youth are more likely to envision farming (full or part-time) than female youth. This reflects their parent's aspirations and is reinforced by the patriarchal system of land inheritance. Parent’s farm characteristics such as degree of mechanization are also associated with aspirations. We recommend a “whole-family” approach, which acknowledges the powerful role of parents, for policies and programs on rural youth, and a stronger focus on gender aspects

The effect of different nutrient concentrations on the growth rate and nitrogen storage of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.)

The mechanisms that allow broadly distributed aquatic plants to inhabit variable resource environments are unclear, yet understanding these mechanisms is important because broad environmental tolerance is often linked to invasiveness in terrestrial and aquatic plants. In an experimental stream, we examined the effects of different nutrient concentrations on the growth rate, biomass, and foliar nutrient concentrations of a cosmopolitan and potentially invasive aquatic plant, Nasturtium officinale (R. Br.). Nasturtium seedlings were grown under six nutrient treatment levels ranging from 0.64 μm N:0.09 μm P to 1531 μm N:204.13 μm P, for 8 weeks. Absolute and relative growth rates, and biomass of seedlings increased along a gradient of increasing nutrient concentrations but the effect of nutrient concentration was dependent on growing time. Seedling biomass varied among nutrient treatments in weeks 4 through 8 of the experiment, but did not differ in week 2. By week 8, the two highest nutrient treatments had greater biomass than the two lowest nutrient treatments. Foliar nitrogen concentration increased, whereas carbon concentration and C:N ratios decreased in response to increasing nutrients. Nasturtium grows slowly in nutrient-poor conditions but rapidly increases its growth, biomass accrual, and nitrogen storage as conditions become nutrient-rich. The response of Nasturtium to enhanced nutrient conditions may indicate how aquatic nuisance species successfully invade and dominate plant communities in streams, where resources often vary both temporally and spatially

Effect of Remuneration on Employee Job Satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya

Over the years, job satisfaction is considered to be one such factor that has attracted the attention of not only government agencies, organizations, businesses, banks, and independent institutions but it has also proven to be an important aspect in academic institutions. In light of the above scenario the Kenya public service is not an exception. Although the mandate of the commission is to provide competent human resource in the public service, low morale and lack of staff motivation has remained a major challenge that Public Service Commission has to endure over the years. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of remuneration on job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population for this study was 200 Public Service Commission employees. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 132 respondents. A five likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study found out that that Remuneration has a statistical significantly effect on employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya at 95% confidence level.  The study concluded that remuneration is an important factor affecting employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study recommended that the Public Service Commission in Kenya should improve on financial and non-financial compensation and increase employee wages in order to boost employee e satisfaction and enhance performance of public servants. Key Words: Remuneration, Job Satisfaction, Public Service Commission DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-10-07 Publication date:October 31st 202

Development of the Carers’ Alert Thermometer for Stroke Family Caregivers (CAT-S): A Multiphase Action Research Study

An estimated 1.3 million stroke survivors living in the United Kingdom (UK) currently rely on family caregivers for daily support. The needs of stroke family caregivers are, however, not routinely assessed by most clinical services. Early identification of their needs and support is crucial to maintain their well-being and caregiver role. At present, stroke-specific caregiver screening tools are lacking. This mixed method, the multiphase study aimed to develop a Carers’ Alert Thermometer for stroke family caregivers (CAT-S) by adapting the CAT, a short screening tool developed in the context of end-of-life care. Underpinned by principles of action research, qualitative and quantitative data were collected sequentially between February 2016 to December 2017 from purposive samples of stroke family caregivers (n = 76) and staff working within stroke services (n = 238) in the UK. Semistructured interviews were conducted to inform the contents of the CAT-S. Key items for inclusion were identified through a modified Delphi survey and consultation with an expert panel. The CAT-S was then piloted in North West England to test its usability and usefulness in practice to identify the needs of stroke family caregivers. Thematic and content analysis were used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The CAT-S comprises the key challenges that are experienced by stroke family caregivers. Two additional items not present on the original CAT were identified and included; training needs of family caregivers to provide care and support for caregivers’ emotional needs. The CAT-S was found to be useful and acceptable by both staff and stroke family caregivers and resulted in action plans and support being provided. The CAT-S is a supportive tool for achieving person-centred care and prioritising stroke family caregivers requiring comprehensive assessments

Connected cows and cyber chickens? : Stocktaking and case studies of digital livestock tools in Kenya and India

There are high hopes that digital tools can help to reduce constraints to livestock development, which in turn promises to alleviate poverty and ensure food and nutrition security. Yet, little systematic evidence exists on the state of digital livestock in low- and middle-income countries and, subsequently, whether such high hopes are justified. In this paper, we combine a review of digital livestock tools in India and Kenya with three “on-the-ground” case studies: Herdman, a tool for Indian dairy organizations working with small-scale livestock keepers, facilitating data collection and supervision of field agents; Farmtree, a tool supporting medium-scale livestock keepers in India to manage their herds, and iCow, an e-extension tool for farmers in Kenya. For the review, we develop a conceptual framework that distinguishes different types of digital livestock tools: 1) “simple digital tools”, providing generic information, 2) “smart digital tools”, providing tailored information based on data entered by livestock keepers, 3) “smart and connected digital tools”, using data from sensors, 4) “smart, connected and automated digital systems”, which are coupled with robots, allowing for automation, 5) “digital tools for value chains”, which enable the integration of value chain actors. The results suggest that digital tools provide many new options to address constraints to livestock development. So far, most tools are “simple digital tools”, followed by “smart digital tools”. Few tools are “smart and connected”. “Smart digital tools” that only require smartphone ownership are the “sweet spot” for supporting digital livestock development, however, even embodied “smart and connected digital tools” can be of relevance for small-scale livestock keepers with appropriate organizational models. Most digital tools focus on dairy production, suggesting neglect of other types of livestock, and there are few tools for pastoralists. While digital tools are no silver bullets – and come with some new challenges such as data security and sovereignty concerns - they are likely to become a key pillar of livestock development in the near future

Do African livestock policies address sustainability trade-offs? Evidence from Kenya, Zambia, and Burkina Faso

The livestock revolution has the potential to reduce poverty and (hidden) hunger but can also be associated with a “long shadow”, that are potential sustainability trade-offs, including regarding environmental and human health as well as animal welfare. As livestock development is high on the agenda of policymakers across Africa this report reviews the flagship livestock policies of three African countries, Kenya, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, to assess the extent to which trade-offs in livestock development have been incorporated. While all three case countries are committed to livestock development and have dedicated livestock policies and programs, the results suggest that several trade-offs including adverse environmental impacts, uneven distribution of socio-economic benefits between men and women, negative animal and human nutritional outcomes receive minimal attention in the reviewed policies. To address these challenges, the report calls for more integrated approaches in policy making processes, and presents potential strategies to engage a wider set of stakeholders to compensate for any blindspots in the design and implementation of livestock policies