Structural Studies of BaTiO3 Ferroelectric Material Prepared by Green Chemistry (Sol-gel) Method

Nano particle Barium Titanate (BT) is the first ferroelectric ceramics and a good nominee for a variety of applications from large family of Perovskite. In this study BaTiO3 was synthesised by using Sol-gel (green chemistry) method. It is environmental friendly method and has a significant influence on the structure and properties of BT. XRD patterns were indexed on the basis of tetragonal-BaTiO3 phase. The microstructure of the samples was investigated by using Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The grain size range was 90 nm for the dried gel powder for the powder calcined at . 1150°C. Infrared (IR) spectrum was recorded at room temperature. The absorption peak observed at 545 cm-1 found to be BT characterization peak

Factors determining household market participation in small ruminant production in the highlands of Ethiopia

Small ruminants, which account for more than half of the domesticated ruminants in the world, are an important component of the farming systems in most developing countries. Despite their economic and social importance, socioeconomic and marketing research on small ruminants has so far been limited, a fact which also holds strongly true in Ethiopia. This study, based on survey data of 5004 Ethiopian smallholder households, uses analysis of descriptive information and econometric analysis to draw implications to promote market orientation. Econometric results are based on estimation of bivariate, ordinal, and multinomial probit models. We find that herd size, herd structure, access to livestock market, and involvement in the institutional services of extension and credit stand out as the most important factors affecting market participation behaviour of households. Our results imply that an effective package of interventions to promote market-oriented small ruminant production will need to include development of livestock market infrastructure and market institutions, improved access to extension and credit use, efficient animal reproduction and management, and proper animal health care

An analysis of milk production, butter marketing and household use of inputs in rural Ethiopia

Global Affairs Canad

Evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for tolerance to Frost in controlled environment

The study aimed to evaluate the frost tolerance variability of Ethiopian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm under controlled environment using growth chamber. A total of 72 genotypes were screened for frost tolerance using complete randomized design with two replications. The analysis of variance result indicated that there was a significant (P<0.01) difference amongst genotypes for plant height, number of foliage, number of primary branch, growth rate, and fresh biomass weight. Based on plant survival rate (SR), 31 (43.1%) genotypes scored above 0.8 values. Based on Freezing tolerance rate (FTR), 37(51.4%) and 31(43.1%) genotypes were rated at a score of 1 to 3 in freezing test 1 (T1) and freezing test 2 (T2), respectively. There was a strong negative correlation between fresh biomass yields with SR (-0.75** for T1 and -0.71** for T2 at p<0.01), while a strong positive correlation with FTR value (0.74** at p<0.01). Based on the combined result of FTR and SR scores, 26 genotypes were found to be frost-tolerant genotypes at a temperature level as low as -5oC at seedling stage. Based on our findings, Ethiopian chickpea germplasm has a genetic potential for frost-tolerance traits for use in breeding programs

Integrated management of watersheds for agricultural diversification and sustainable livelihoods in eastern and central Africa: lessons and experiences from semi-arid south Asia: proceedings of the International Workshop

This book contains the following chapters: welcome and opening; ICRISAT in eastern and central Africa: partnerships in soil and water management to create opportunities for improving livelihoods by Silim, S.; introduction and objectives of the workshop by Shiferaw, B.; issues, concepts approaches and practices in integrated watershed management: experiences and lessons for Asia by Wani, S.P.; Ramakarishna, Y.S.; Sreedevi, T.K.; Long, T.D.; Wangkahart, T.; Pathak, P.; Kesava Rao, A.V.R.; policy and institutional issues and impacts of integrated watershed management: experiences and lessons from Asia by Shiferaw, B.; Bantilan, C.; Wani, S.P.; research on integrated soil and water management in semi-arid eastern and sourthern Africa: past experiences, current activities and future thrusts by Twomlow, S.J.; Rao, K.P.C.; watershed development and natural resources management experiences in eastern and central Africa and the need for partnerships with south Asia by Hatibu, N.; integrated watershed management experiences in eastern and central Africa: lessons from Ethiopia by Zeleke, G.; conclusion and future directions by Shiferaw, B.; Hatibu, N.; Rao, K.P.C

Opportunities for the private sector in soil water conservation programs in rainfed areas

Rainfed areas are threatened by problems of high population, poverty, land degradation and drought, water is a key factor increasing the risks for investments by the farmers as well as private entrepreneurs.........

Adarsha Watershed in Kothapally Understanding the Drivers of Higher Impact: Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 10

A new science-based farmer participatory consortium model for efficient management of natural resources and for improving the livelihood of poor rural households was evaluated in Adarsha watershed, Kothapally, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh, India by ICRISAT and partners. The salient impacts that resulted due to the implementation of this model were substantial reductions in runoff and soil loss, improvement in groundwater levels, reduction in pesticide usage, improvement in land cover, increase in productivity and high incomes to the farmers. Compared to the pre-project situation, average household incomes from crop production have doubled. The drivers of this success were: (i) selection of the watershed on a demand driven basis; (ii) higher farmer participation in the watershed program; (iii) good local leadership; (iv) integrated approach to watershed management; (v) team effort and collective action by the consortium partners; (vi) social vigilance and transparency in financial dealings; (vii) increased confidence of the farmers; (viii) choice of low-cost conservation structures that provide benefits to large segments of the community; (ix) constant participatory monitoring; (x) knowledge-based entry point activity; and (xi) concerted local capacity building efforts by all the partner

Adarsha Watershed in Kothapally Understanding the Drivers of Higher Impact

Water, the very basis of life and the single most important feature of our planet, is the most threatened resource today. In rainfed areas watershed management is the approach used for conservation of water and other natural resources as well as for sustainable management of natural resources. A watershed is a hydrologically defined area that is drained by a network of streams, which meet together in such a way that the water leaves through a common point. A watershed is made up of soil, vegetation and water along with the people and animals who are the integral part of the system. Sustainable management of a watershed thus entails the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production but minimum hazard to natural and human resources. Therefore, watershed management is the process of guiding and organizing land use and use of other resources in a watershed to provide desired goods and services to people while enhancing the resource base without adversely affecting natural resources and the………………