Botswana, Africa's Haven of Ethnic Peace and Harmony: Status and

This paper has the dual objectives to highlight some of the factors that account for the absence of ethnic tensions and conflict in Botswana since independence and to reflect on the future of ethnic relations in the country. It identfles factors such as the nature of ethnic relations during the colonial period, the nature of British indfrect rule, the relatively even development across regions occupied by different ethnic groups, deliberate government efforts to create national as opposed to tribal consciousness and the institutions of chieftaincy as having contributed to harmonious ethnic relations. An examinatn of the current situation, however, points to emerging disintegrative ethnic consciousness. This is evident from three factors: I) The political debates centred on ethnic representation in the House of Chiefs and the fairness of sections 77, 78, and 79 of the Constitution that are sweeping across the country; 2) the appointment of a Presidential Commission to review sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution, and 3) the focus the subject of ethnicity has received in the print ,?ledia. It is concluded that Botswana is no longer safe from the ethnic strjfe, tensions and conflicts that have engulfed most other Africa countries, unless deliberate corrective measures are adopted by the state, drawing from other African countries to ident5.' what works and what does not work

Botswana, Africa's Haven of Ethnic Peace and Harmony: Status and Future Prospects

This paper has the dual objectives to highlight some of the factors that account for the absence of ethnic tensions and conflict in Botswana since independence and to reflect on the future of ethnic relations in the country. It identfles factors such as the nature of ethnic relations during the colonial period, the nature of British indfrect rule, the relatively even development across regions occupied by different ethnic groups, deliberate government efforts to create national as opposed to tribal consciousness and the institutions of chieftaincy as having contributed to harmonious ethnic relations. An examinatn of the current situation, however, points to emerging disintegrative ethnic consciousness. This is evident from three factors: I) The political debates centred on ethnic representation in the House of Chiefs and the fairness of sections 77, 78, and 79 of the Constitution that are sweeping across the country; 2) the appointment of a Presidential Commission to review sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution, and 3) the focus the subject of ethnicity has received in the print ,?ledia. It is concluded that Botswana is no longer safe from the ethnic strjfe, tensions and conflicts that have engulfed most other Africa countries, unless deliberate corrective measures are adopted by the state, drawing from other African countries to ident5.' what works and what does not work

The possibility of positive selection for both F18(+) Escherichia coli and stress resistant pigs opens new perspectives for pig breeding

International audienc

The Effect of Balanced Processing on the Performance of Employees of Commercial Banks in Kenya

The study investigated the effect of Balanced Processing of Information on the performance of employees of commercial banks in Kenya. The independent variables that were measured include private knowledge, internal experiences and externally based evaluative information. These independent variables were regressed against performance of employees, whose indicators include efficiency, productivity, turnover and quality of work output. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. The population was 31,605 employees of 38 commercial banks in Kenya. The study sample was 395 respondents, which was attained using proportionate stratified sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. The study formulated the null hypothesis and tested it using the spearman correlation coefficient aided by the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 28.0.0.0. The analysis results at 0.05 level of significance showed that Balanced Processing of information has a statistically significant effect on the performance of employees of commercial banks in Kenya. The findings would be useful to commercial banks in Kenya and other organizations in evaluating their leaders’ Balanced Processing behaviour in order to improve performance of their employees. Keywords: Balanced processing, employee performance, private knowledge, internal experiences, externally based evaluative information. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-16-04 Publication date:August 31st 202

Grafted Mangoes Enhances Smallholder Farmers Livelihoods in Matinyani Division, Kitui County

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit is produced and consumed globally, regionally, and locally. The fruit is a potential source of essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and is an excellent source of vitamin A and C. Mangoes can also be sold to earn income. Kitui County is among the leading Counties in mango production with smallholder farmers concentrating on local varieties which are fibrous and of little market value. This study was conducted at Matinyani Division of Kitui County to investigate mango varieties grown and income generated by smallholder mango farmers in Matinyani Division. A sample of 120 mango farmers was studied and simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Primary data was obtained by use of questionnaires while secondary data was obtained by review of relevant literature. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0 of year 2009.The results revealed that in Matinyani Division both local and grafted mangoes were grown. The local mangoes grown included: Ngowe, Dodo and Boribo with majority of the farmers growing Ngowe mango. Varieties of grafted mangoes grown included: Apple, Kent, and Tommy with majority of the farmers growing Apple mangoes. On income generation, the study revealed that, farmers earned KES 1,000 to KES 15,000 per annum from sale of local mangoes with majority earning KES 1,000 to KES 5,000. On the other hand, farmers earned KES 1,000 to KES 20,000 per annum from sale of grafted mangoes with majority earning KES 6,000 to KES 9,000.The study concludes that, grafted mango farming is essential in enhancing livelihoods of smallholder mango farmers and recommends farmers to be sensitized to increase growth of grafted mango varieties.

Effect of Legume Cover Crops on Soil Moisture and Orange Root Distribution

Inadequate rain is a major hindrance to soil moisture and crop root growth in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. A field study was conducted in Ganda, Vitengeni and Matuga locations within the coastal lowland region of Kenya from May, 2012 to April, 2015 to evaluate the effects of three leguminous cover crops on soil moisture retention and orange tree feeder root distribution. Treatments included mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), dolichos (Lablab purpureus) cover crops and unplowed fallow of natural vegetation as a control. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and each treatment was replicated four times. Data collected were: soil particle size distribution, soil moisture content and orange dry root density. The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using procedures of R statistical analysis version 3.3.2. Mean separation was done using the least significant difference (LSD) value at 5% level of significance. Results indicated that mucuna, dolichos and cowpea cover crops significantly (P=.05) increased soil moisture content. The mucuna treated plots recorded an increase in SMC by 39.0% and 33%, dolichos increased by 34.4% and 28.9% and cowpea by 33.6% and 27.3% at soil depth 0-20 and 20-40 cm, respectively, over their own controls. Mucuna and dolichos significantly (P=.05) increased orange feeder root distribution. Mucuna treated plots supported the highest increase in orange root distribution by 36.5% and 31.8%, dolichos increased by 30.2% and 34.1% while cowpea increased by 18.3% and 18.8% in soil depth 0-20 and 20-40 cm respectively compared to their own control. It can be concluded that the three legumes; mucuna, cowpea and dolichos cover crop improved soil moisture and root distribution in orange production. The overall ranking was as follows: mucuna > dolichos > cowpea. From the finding, the use of mucuna and dolichos cover cropping system is recommended as a soil management practice aimed at improving the orange productivity. Further evaluation on the long term (>3 years) effects of cover crops on soil moisture and orange root distribution under different agro ecological zones is suggested

Market-Oriented Strategies to Improve Household Access to Food: Experience from Sub-Saharan Africa

The objectives of this report are to identify market-oriented strategies to alleviate both chronic and transitory food insecurity, and to examine the interactions between short-run targeting mechanisms and longer-run strategies designed to alleviate the chronic causes of inadequate access to food. The main premise of the report is that sustained improvements in household access to food in Sub-Saharan Africa require the development of more reliable food and input markets that (a) create incentives to adopt cost-reducing investments at various stages in the food system; and (b) offer incentives for rural households to shift from a subsistence-oriented pattern of production and consumption to more productive systems based on specialization and gains from exchange. Sustained productivity growth in most parts of the world has typically entailed some form of structural transformation, which, in the historical development processes of other regions, has been a prerequisite for broad-based and sustained growth in productivity, real incomes and purchasing power throughout society. Structural transformation involves a movement away from subsistence-oriented, household-level production toward an integrated economy based on specialization and exchange. But specialization makes households dependent on the performance of exchange systems. The ability to capture the productivity gains from new technology and specialization thus depends on reducing the risks and uncertainty of market-based exchange, thereby facilitating greater participation in the types of specialized production and consumption patterns involved in the process of structural transformation. Section 3 presents empirical evidence from research conducted in Africa to draw conclusions about how the design of agricultural policies and transfer programs have affected household access to food in both rural and urban areas. Based on the foregoing, section 4 presents the following guidelines for the design of strategies to promote access to food in Africa: (1.) Focus on achieving productivity gains in the food system. (2.) Focus on how food and income transfer programs can be designed to promote the long-run development of the food system- the basis for providing food for most people over the long run in addition to providing food to people in the short run. (3.) Focus on reducing consumer food costs by expanding the range of products available to produce and consume. (4.) Focus on the cost and reliability of food supplies to rural areas as a component of non-farm, livestock, and other income diversification strategies designed to promote access to food over the longer run. (5.) Focus on developing local analytical expertise to help guide food system development.Food Security and Poverty, Downloads July 2008-June 2009: 12,

Trends in Real Food Prices in Six Sub-Saharan African Countries

Demand and Price Analysis, Downloads July 2008-July 2009: 12,

The Centrality of a Historical Perspective to the Analysis of Modern Social Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Tale From Two Case Studies

A Journal article by Prof. Munyae Mulinge and Dr. Margaret Mulinge, Lecturers at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in USIU- AfricaThis paper advances the view that the analyses of the origins and persistent growth of the social problems affecting most sub-Saharan African countries today must proceed from a historical perspective. It is argued that for sociologists, social workers, political scientists, policy makers, administrators and social scientists in general to provide well-rounded accounts of thebirth and spread of social problems and develop well-informed policies for the alleviation of the same, they must not overlook the role played by history. The authors utilise the cases of ethnicity and corruption to demonstrate that historical forces, particularly those associated with the process of colonisation, are pertinent to the understanding of social problems in the African continent. The outcomes of the social, economic and political restructuring accompanying colonisation such as the policy of divide and rule, the creation of a new economic order, the discriminatory allocation of resources and the emergence of a new political culture are considered to be central to the comprehensive explanation of ethnic tensions and conflicts and/or corruption. Because such outcomes have a legacy that has been extended to the neo-colonial period, it is concluded that these and/or other related factors are essential components in the explanation of today's social problems