Does Specialising In Science Significantly Influence Proficiency In Process Skills Approach To Teaching Environmental Science By Trainee (Primary) Teachers?

A journal article.The objective of this study was to find out if specializing in science significantly influenced proficiency in process skills approach to teaching of Environmental Science (ES) by trainee primary teachers. The sample included 123 final year students from three teachers’ colleges. Data collection strategies employed include (i) Questionnaires, (ii) A test on integrated process skills (TIPS), and (iii) Analysis of ES lesson observation critiques. The study established that (i) There was no significant difference in performance between main subject' students and non-main subject students, in both TIPS test and teaching of ES (ii) Training appeared not to give main subject students confidence to act as ES resource persons

Jangwa wedding songs among the Manyika people of Zimbabwe : cultural meanings and functions conveyed through song lyrics

Jangwa music is indigenous to the Manyika people of Zimbabwe. African societies carefully craft song texts for different contexts to serve a functional and educational purpose, and an investigation was undertaken to explore the ways in which this is embodied through jangwa wedding music. The aim of this article is to discuss the cultural meanings and functions conveyed through song lyrics amongst the Manyika people of Zimbabwe. Since the young generation no longer values traditional music being performed at weddings, 150 elderly Manyika people acted as key informants, performing jangwa songs of which they had extensive knowledge and experience. Data collection strategies included participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions. Most jangwa wedding songs have a positive outlook and encouragement for the newly-weds, while other songs are more critical and warn of the possible pitfalls in marriage. Findings revealed that the majority of jangwa wedding songs focus on the role of brides and married women as a whole, signifying the pivotal role they play within the Manyika society. Active participation in indigenous African musical arts is diminishing, therefore a concerted effort is needed to ensure that jangwa wedding music is revived and documented for future generations.http://www.journals.co.za/content/journal/sajfsam2017Musi

Smallholder irrigation and poverty reduction in developing countries : a review

Several studies have been conducted on the impacts of smallholder irrigation on food security, agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and poverty. However, little attention has been placed on the nexus between smallholder irrigation and poverty reduction. This study intends to close this gap by identifying and reviewing contemporary published evidence to examine the nexus between smallholder irrigation and poverty reduction in developing countries in general and Zimbabwe in particular. A systematic review of literature was conducted. The AGRICOLA, PubAG and Google Scholar databases were used to search for relevant literature. A multi-stage screening process was used to select relevant literature. The literature reviewed included research publications in peer-reviewed journals, dissertations and reports from world institutions published between 1994 and 2021. The findings show that there are inconsistencies in terms of the contribution of smallholder irrigation to household food security, livelihoods, and poverty reduction. This could be attributed to the methodological and contextual differences. Despite the inconsistencies, it was noted that investments in smallholder irrigation remain a key strategy to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and livelihoods and reduce poverty in rural communities. Therefore, the study recommends that policies supporting investments in smallholder irrigation development and rehabilitation should be encouraged in developing countries to reduce poverty.Midlands State Universityhttps://www.cell.com/heliyon/homeGordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Perception of climate change and coping strategies among smallholder irrigators in Zimbabwe

IntroductionAcross sub-Sahara Africa, governments and international aid agencies are making huge investments in smallholder irrigation schemes to enhance food security, climate resilience and economic transformation in rain-fed farming systems. Unfortunately, a majority of the smallholder irrigation schemes have performed dismally on these fronts. Climate change is a major exacerbating factor to existing challenges resulting in the poor performance of the schemes. Hence, it is crucial to understand smallholder irrigators' perceptions of climate change and current adaptation strategies to co-design appropriate and acceptable adaptation strategies to address water stress in the schemes. This area had received less significant research attention. This study aims to determine the perception of climate change and coping strategies in smallholder schemes.MethodsA mixed-method research strategy was used to collect data from 317 irrigation scheme farmers in three schemes (Exchange, Insukamini, and Ruchanyu) in Midlands Province. A binary logistic regression (BLR) method was used for data analysis.ResultsThe results suggest that scheme farmers have noticed changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. Results obtained from the model show that climate change perception was mainly influenced by age, gender, location, irrigation experience, and plot size. Farmers perceived that climatic change has resulted in decreased irrigation water availability, thus leading to poor yields. This study also shows that the main adaptation strategies to water stress include improving soil moisture conservation, construction of small-scale reservoirs, water charging and trade, setting clear water use priorities, and adoption of climate-resilient and short-season crop varieties. Perception of high temperatures, long dry periods, late rainfall, increase in the frequency of drought, shortening of cold season, and shortening of rain season influence adaptation strategies adopted by scheme farmers.ConclusionThis study offered useful data for policymakers and irrigation developers to develop appropriate policies and programs to improve the sustainability of schemes given current and projected water stress in Zimbabwe and sub-Sahara Africa in general

Physical, anthropometric and physiological profiles of experienced junior male and female South African Taekwondo athletes

The research was aimed at identifying the anthropometric, physical and physiological characteristics of junior Taekwondo athletes to achieve an international status. Data were collected from 25 males and 11 females aged 15.5 ±2.6 years. Measurements consisted of body composition (body fat percentage (%BF), sum of 6 skinfolds), flexibility (sit & reach, hip flexor (HF) and quadriceps flexibility (QF), lower extremity explosive power (vertical jump (Diff VJ) and vertical jump relative power (R Power), muscle endurance (sit-ups and push-ups), muscular strength (handgrip right and left), hexagonal agility (HEX) and agility T-test, aerobic power (20 m bleep test (20MST) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max.). Data were analyzed using t-test for independent samples and Z-score statistics. Significant higher %BF and sum of skinfolds were recorded in junior female players. No differences in body mass, stature and BMI were found. Male athletes had higher (p<0.001) VO2max (42.2±6.8 ml/kg/min) compared to females (31.7±6.5 ml/kg/min). Female athletes showed lower (p<0.001) results in push-ups (9.0±6.5 reps) compared to males (25.6±10.5 reps). Maximal grip strength (kg) of both hands was higher (p<0.05) in males. No differences in sit-ups, explosive leg power and agility were found between males and females. The analysis of individual Z-score for assessment of fitness variables has practical implications contributing to the trainability and performance of junior taekwondo athletes.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2017-12-31am201

MOTOR ABILITY PROFILE OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR MALE SOUTH AFRICAN TAEKWONDO ATHLETES

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare motor abilities in young and adult male South African Taekwondo athletes. To date, knowledge of the motor ability demands of this combat sport is in its infancy. Methodology: Participants were profiled as junior (n = 25, 15.5 ± 2.6 years, 163.0 ± 13.4 cm, 53.3 ± 10.7kg) and senior (n = 20, 23.5±2.5 years, 166.8 ± 7.9cm, 68.6±7.9kg) males from a local Taekwondo (WTF) club in South Africa. Flexibility (sit-and reach), abdominal strength and endurance (60-second sit-ups and 2 minutes push-ups), explosive leg power (vertical jump), agility (T-test), aerobic power (20 m bleep test) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured. Data were analyzed with t-test for independent samples and Z-score individual radar plot statistics for each athlete. Results: There was no significant difference in agility between juniors (10.9 ±0.4s) and seniors (12.6 ± 1.2s) (p>0.05). The seniors showed significant (p<0.05) higher values in sit ups (53.1 ± 6.1 vs 48.9 ±13.8), push-ups (76.6 ± 17.1 vs 25.6 ±10.6), sit & reach (54.6 ±5.8 vs 40.1± 7.5 repetitions), horizontal jump (2.6 ± 1.1 vs 1.9 ±0.3), and VO2max (52.5 ± 2.8 vs 42.2 ±6.6) than in juniors. More extensive research is required before extending existing knowledge from this study in order to permit specialized conditioning with junior athletes leading to improved motor ability at an early stage of Taekwondo training, resulting into better combat performances. Conclusions: The results showed that the performance of senior male Taekwondo athletes is higher than the juniors’

Comparative performance of five hermetic bag brands during on-farm smallholder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) storage

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grain is an important source of protein for smallholder farmers in developing countries. However, cowpea grains are highly susceptible to bruchid attack, resulting in high quantitative and qualitative postharvest losses (PHLs). We evaluated the performance of five different hermetic bag brands for cowpea grain storage in two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe (Guruve and Mbire districts) for an 8-month storage period during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 storage seasons. The hermetic bag treatments evaluated included: GrainPro Super Grain bags (SGB) IVR™; PICS bags; AgroZ® Ordinary bags; AgroZ® Plus bags; ZeroFly® hermetic bags. These were compared to untreated grain in a polypropylene bag (negative control) and Actellic Gold Dust® (positive chemical control). All treatments were housed in farmers’ stores and were subjected to natural insect infestation. Hermetic bag treatments were significantly superior (p< 0.001) to non-hermetic storage in limiting grain damage, weight loss and insect population development during storage. However, rodent control is recommended, as rodent attack rendered some hermetic bags less effective. Actellic Gold Dust® was as effective as the hermetic bags. Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic.) populations increased within eight weeks of storage commencement, causing high damage and losses in both quality and quantity, with highest losses recorded in the untreated control. Cowpea grain stored in Mbire district sustained significantly higher insect population and damage than Guruve district which is ascribed to differences in environmental conditions. The parasitic wasp, Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) was suppressed by Actellic Gold Dust® and all hermetic treatments. All the hermetic bag brands tested are recommended for smallholder farmer use in reducing PHLs while enhancing environmental and worker safety, and food and nutrition security

Field efficacy and persistence of synthetic pesticidal dusts on stored maize grain under contrasting agro-climatic conditions

Grain storage trials were conducted in two districts of Zimbabwe with contrasting agro-climatic conditions (mean annual temperature of 18–30 °C and 28–42 °C; total rainfall of 750–1000 mm per annum and <450 mm per annum; respectively) to determine the comparative efficacy of commercially-available grain storage synthetic pesticides under contrasting climatic conditions. The five grain protectants, namely Shumba super dust® (fenitrothion 1% + deltamethrin 0.13%), Actellic gold dust® (pirimiphos-methyl 1.6% + thiamethoxam 0.36%), Super guard® (pirimiphos-methyl 1.6% + permethrin 0.4%), Chikwapuro® (pirimiphos-methyl 2.5% + deltamethrin 0.1%) and Ngwena yedura® (pirimiphos-methyl 2.5% + deltamethrin 0.2%) were evaluated at manufacturer's rates on stored shelled maize. The trials were conducted for a 40 week-long storage season in 2014/15 and again in 2015/16. Samples were analysed for insect grain damage, total insects per kilogram, grain weight loss, insect feeding dust and chaff as well as grain moisture content. Temperature and relative humidity within stores were recorded using data loggers. The results highlighted the generally poor efficacy of the synthetic pesticides under both cooler and hotter climatic test conditions. The pesticides failed to prevent insect grain damage or suppress insect pest numbers. Only Actellic gold dust®, introduced in the 2015/16 storage season was effective under both the agro-climatic conditions. The current study suggests that only Actellic gold dust® can be recommended for smallholder farm grain protection under both cooler and hotter climatic conditions. The findings confirm the frequent claims of smallholder farmers in east and southern Africa regarding poor storage pesticide performance, and emphasize the need to develop alternative effective storage insect pest control options

Do smallholder farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply good-quality, fungal-free sorghum seed?

Local seed systems that are developed, managed and maintained by farmers are a fundamental practice in smallholder crop production, supporting more than 80% of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and feeding more than 70% of its population. The resilience of such systems is under threat from poverty, climate change, drought, increased pests and diseases, over-promotion of modern crop varieties, change of lifestyles and restrictive seed policies. The system continues to be maligned as having inferior quality, yet few studies support this assertion. This study aims to fll this research gap by evaluating 60 sorghum seed samples collected from smallholder farmers in Uzumba-MarambaPfungwe and Chimanimani districts of Zimbabwe. We investigated the efect of farmer-led seed management practices (e.g. seed acquisition and seed storage practices) on farm-derived sorghum seed quality (moisture, germination and fungal incidences). We found farmers using diverse seed sources and seed storage practices. Seeds were typically of good quality in that their storage moisture content was low, their germination was high, and fungal incidences were low. Seed sourced from local markets, non-governmental organizations and other farmers had germination and moisture standards that met the sorghum certifcation standards in Zimbabwe. However, few samples obtained from the relatives and government failed to meet the germination and/or moisture certifcation standards. We detected low incidences of fungi (Aspergillus favus, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp.) in sorghum seed samples tested and in particular Fusarium sp., which is the most economic important fungus in sorghum production. We conclude that farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply seeds of good quality and recommend that such systems should be recognized and promoted to meet the ever-evolving needs of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa

Does Specialising In Science Significantly Influence Proficiency In Process Skills Approach To Teaching Environmental Science By Trainee (Primary) Teachers?

The objective of this study was to find out if specializing in science significantly influenced proficiency in process skills approach to teaching of Environmental Science (ES) by trainee primary teachers. The sample included 123 final year students from three teachers’ colleges. Data collection strategies employed include (i) Questionnaires, (ii) A test on integrated process skills (TIPS), and (iii) Analysis of ES lesson observation critiques. The study established that (i) There was no significant difference in performance between main subject' students and non-main subject students, in both TIPS test and teaching of ES (ii) Training appeared not to give main subject students confidence to act as ES resource persons