Towards a collaborative research: A case study on linking science to farmers' perceptions and knowledge on Arabica coffee pests and diseases and its management

The scientific community has recognized the importance of integrating farmer's perceptions and knowledge (FPK) for the development of sustainable pest and disease management strategies. However, the knowledge gap between indigenous and scientific knowledge still contributes to misidentification of plant health constraints and poor adoption of management solutions. This is particularly the case in the context of smallholder farming in developing countries. In this paper, we present a case study on coffee production in Uganda, a sector depending mostly on smallholder farming facing a simultaneous and increasing number of socio-ecological pressures. The objectives of this study were (i) to examine and relate FPK on Arabica Coffee Pests and Diseases (CPaD) to altitude and the vegetation structure of the production systems; (ii) to contrast results with perceptions from experts and (iii) to compare results with field observations, in order to identify constraints for improving the information flow between scientists and farmers. Data were acquired by means of interviews and workshops. One hundred and fifty farmer households managing coffee either at sun exposure, under shade trees or inter-cropped with bananas and spread across an altitudinal gradient were selected. Field sampling of the two most important CPaD was conducted on a subset of 34 plots. The study revealed the following findings: (i) Perceptions on CPaD with respect to their distribution across altitudes and perceived impact are partially concordant among farmers, experts and field observations (ii) There are discrepancies among farmers and experts regarding management practices and the development of CPaD issues of the previous years. (iii) Field observations comparing CPaD in different altitudes and production systems indicate ambiguity of the role of shade trees. According to the locality-specific variability in CPaD pressure as well as in FPK, the importance of developing spatially variable and relevant CPaD control practices is proposed. (Résumé d'auteur

Choices in tertiary education

The literature on intergenerational mobility has for long recognized the importance of education as the key intermediate factor (Breen & Jonsson, 2005; Erikson & Goldthorpe, 2002). The main findings resulting from this research are that there is a large increase in educational mobility, which, in time, facilitates also the class mobility across generations. Results, however, are not uniform across countries and have been demonstrated to depend on the country’s structure of schooling and its influence on transitions between levels of education for different social origins (Muller & Karle, 1993). In this project, we aim at analyzing education choices in Catalonia. Using the Social Inequality Panel Survey (Fundació Jaume Bofill), we want to analyze the role of parental background, area of birth and cohort in four education decisions: 1. level of education, 2. vocational vs academic education choice, 3. STEM field of study choice, and 4. long vs short university program (diplomatura/ licenciatura). The level of education refers to the choice between obtaining compulsory education only, non-compulsory secondary education or tertiary education. The non-compulsory education can be classified into vocational studies (job oriented) or academic studies (oriented to pursue further education). At the university level, field of education is an important choice. The interest in the distinction between technical and highly mathematical fields (STEM fields) and less technical fields (social sciences, philology, education…) has increased recently. Moreover, we can distinguish between long and short programs in the Spanish universities during the 2000s until recently. They differed in several qualitative aspects apart from the years of study they required. The long program, which was called Licenciatura (4-year studies), gave access to doctoral studies. Moreover, it was generally regarded as more prestigious by the labor market and on average offered more and better job opportunities than the short program (called Diplomatura, 3-year studies). In some occupations, it was actually required by law to have a degree from a long program (Engineering, Law, Medicine…). Since the entrance to the European Higher Education Area, most university degrees became 4 years long. This paper is related to research on social mobility in Catalonia. Xavier Martinez and Antoni Marín (2016; 2012) use the same data to study social mobility in Catalonia.   References: Breen, R., & Jonsson, J. O. (2005). Inequality of Opportunity in Comparative Perspective: Recent Research on Educational Attainment and Social Mobility. Annual Review Sociology, 31(2005), 223–43. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.31.041304.122232 Erikson, R., & Goldthorpe, J. H. (2002). Intergenerational Inequality: Sociological Perspective. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16, 31. Martínez-celorrio, X., & Marin, A. (2016). Crisi , descens social i xarxes de confiança. Martínez Celorrio, X., & Marín Saldo, A. (2012). Crisi , trajectòries socials i educació. Anàlisi longitudinal del PaD (2003-2009). Muller, W., & Karle, W. (1993). Social Selection in Educational Systems in Europe. European Sociological Review, 9(1), 1–23. &nbsp

Preliminary report on the status and host plant utilization by the Black Coffee Twig Borer, Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Uganda

The Black Coffee Twig Borer, Xyalosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) is a new but rapidly spreading pest of coffee and other plant species. However, knowledge of its pest status, damage and host plant species utilization in Uganda is still limited. To ascertain its spread and impact, a survey was conducted on 250 farms in 25 districts in the 5 major coffee growing regions of Uganda. At farm level, 12 coffee trees were randomly sampled along a diagonal transect and assessed for X. compactus infestation. In addition, host plant utilization by the pest was determined through farmers’ interviews and direct search by researchers. Our data show that the pest is present in all the 5 districts (100%) sampled in central region viz:- Mukono, Luwero, Mityana, Mubende and Mpigi, and at least 50% of the districts in southwestern viz:- Bundibugyo, Kasese and Rubirizi. However, the beetle was not observed in northwestern (West Nile), northern and part of eastern (Mt. Elgon) regions. X. compactus prevalence (percentage of infested farms), incidence (percentage of infested trees) and damage (percentage of infested primary branches) were 58.1, 34.0 and 3.8% respectively in the central region whereas, 22.1, 7.7 and 0.8% respectively in the southwestern region. At district level, the highest prevalence (100%) was observed in Mukono and Luwero then Bundibugyo (62.5%), Mityana (50.0%), Rubirizi (40%) and Kasese (30%). Similarly, high incidence rates of 91.7, 73.3 and 44.8% were observed in Mukono, Luwero and Bundibugyo respectively. Likewise, high damage rates of 13.6, 5.2 and 4.8% were observed in Mukono, Luwero and Bundibugyo districts respectively. Further, our study identified and documented more than 30 plant species in 17 families as potential hosts for X. compactus. These include important commercial and food crops, forest, fruit and shade trees and shrubs. In conclusion, this study confirms earlier surveys and reports that the black coffee twig borer is fast and rapidly spreading away from its initial occurrence (southwestern Uganda) and epicenter (central Uganda) to new infestation areas, posing a big threat to coffee production in the country. Therefore, there is an urgent need to put in place comprehensive mitigation measures in order to prevent the pest from spreading to new areas and also to minimize its impact on coffee production within the already affected areas