Effect of landcover/land-use changes on water availability in and around Ruti Dam in Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe

The aim of this study was to quantify the upstream land-use and landcover changes and assess their effect on Ruti Dam levels and water availability in Nyazvidzi catchment. Remote-sensing techniques, hydrologic modelling and statistical inference were applied. Spatial landcover dynamics were derived from Landsat satellite data for the years 1984, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2008, and 2013 using the maximum likelihood classification technique. Results showed that forests and shrubs decreased by 36% between 1984 and 2013 whilst cultivated areas increased by 13% over the same period. The HEC-HMS rainfall-runoff model was used to simulate steamflow for the Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe. For the calibration period (2000–2001), a satisfactory Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) model peformance of 0.71 and relative volume error (RVE) of 10% were obtained. Model validation (1995—1997) gave a NSE of 0.61 and RVE of 12%. We applied the Mann-Kendall trend test to assess for monotonic trends in runoff over the study period and the results showed that there were significant decreases in observed runoff at Station E140 (monthly time scale) and at Stations E62 and E140 (seasonal time scale). Results showed that the wet season (Nov–Feb) had higher mean water balance values with an excess runoff of 8.12 mm/month. The dry season (April— Sept) had lower mean water balance values, with the lowest at 0.04 mm/month. Strong positive relationships (r2) between dam levels and land-use changes were obtained as follows: bare (0.95), cultivation (0.76) and forests (0.98). The relationship between runoff generated and land-use changes was found to be relatively weaker (0.54 for forests, 0.51 for bare and 0.14 for cultivation). Findings of this study underscore the relevance of applying hydrological models, remote sensing and statistical inference in quantifying and detecting environmental changes, as well as how they affect the availability and the quality of water resources in space and time

Circular bioeconomy potential and challenges within an African context: From theory to practice

A circular bioeconomy has the potential to minimize the environmental impacts of biowaste while simultaneously generating value-added bioproducts and bioenergy. Currently, most countries of the African Union lack well-defined policies, requisite infrastructure, and expertise for biowaste valorisation, thus limiting the potential development of the region. Against this background, it is necessary to deploy circular bioeconomy principles based on the awareness of the biocapacity of territories through the nexus of biowaste management and life cycle thinking. In the present study, a preliminary assessment of waste management practices in a tourist hotel in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is explored. The hotel produces about 3.26 tons per month of biowaste, which is often improperly disposed in non-engineered waste dumps. Furthermore, the disposal options for 1 tonne of biowaste are explored using City of Harare (CoH) as a case study. The preliminary results show composting as the most environmentally favourable option (9.6 kg CO2 eq), followed by anaerobic digestion (56.4 kg CO2 eq), and finally, biowaste incineration (140 kg CO2 eq). Anaerobic digestion and composting remain the most viable biowaste disposal alternatives in Africa, due to limited expenses and expertise for construction, operation, and maintenance. However, both technologies remain under-utilized, hence, a significant portion of the source-separated biowaste is still disposed of in waste dumps and this reflects the lack of supportive institutional, regulatory and policy frameworks. Overall, these early results point to the potential to develop a circular bioeconomy in Africa, while calling for shared responsibilities among the state, market, and civil society actors to develop and adopt appropriate institutional, regulatory, policy and funding models

Comparative Cost of Early Infant Male Circumcision by Nurse-Midwives and Doctors in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND: The 14 countries that are scaling up voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) for HIV prevention are also considering early infant male circumcision (EIMC) to ensure longer-term reductions in HIV incidence. The cost of implementing EIMC is an important factor in scale-up decisions. We conducted a comparative cost analysis of EIMC performed by nurse-midwives and doctors using the AccuCirc device in Zimbabwe. METHODS: Between August 2013 and July 2014, nurse-midwives performed EIMC on 500 male infants using AccuCirc in a field trial. We analyzed the overall unit cost and identified key cost drivers of EIMC performed by nurse-midwives and compared these with costing data previously collected during a randomized noninferiority comparison trial of 2 devices (AccuCirc and the Mogen clamp) in which doctors performed EIMC. We assessed direct costs (consumable and nonconsumable supplies, device, personnel, associated staff training, and waste management costs) and indirect costs (capital and support personnel costs). We performed one-way sensitivity analyses to assess cost changes when we varied key component costs. RESULTS: The unit costs of EIMC performed by nurse-midwives and doctors in vertical programs were US$38.87 and US$49.77, respectively. Key cost drivers of EIMC were consumable supplies, personnel costs, and the device price. In this cost analysis, major cost drivers that explained the differences between EIMC performed by nurse-midwives and doctors were personnel and training costs, both of which were lower for nurse-midwives. CONCLUSIONS: EIMC unit costs were lower when performed by nurse-midwives compared with doctors. To minimize costs, countries planning to scale up EIMC should consider using nurse-midwives, who are in greater supply than doctors and are the main providers at the primary health care level, where most infants are born

THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM AS A MEASUREMENT TOOL FOR PROVIDING RELIABLE INFORMATION ON QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SKILLS-BASED SUBJECTS: A REVIEW

Educational systems world-over rely on examination systems and any actions undermining examinations pose a great threat to validity and reliability of examination results and certification. Factors such as teacher competency and suitability, availability of funds, quality of management and supervision of schools and changes in examinations are inter-linked and key to success of any educational reforms and curriculum changes. Teacher skills and knowledge are important considerations, together with the level of support from school administrators, supervisors and the availability of resources. The examination process in many countries, unfortunately, has become a “contemporary shame” because of the examination malpractice that has become endemic in educational systems to the extent of undermining the validity, reliability, and authenticity of examinations and ultimately the integrity of certificates issued. This paper therefore, attempted to review studies done on examinations and assessment techniques used, and the challenges faced in attempts to ensuring that examinations remain valid and reliable measurement tools of competencies attained in skill-based subjects. Portfolio assessment is recommended as providing alternative and authentic mode of assessment for skill-based subjects. Introducing its use would add to examination techniques currently used and thus help as a better measure tool of skills and competencies achieved for quality education

Raising the productivity of smallholder farms under semi-arid conditions by use of small doses of manure and nitrogen: a case of participatory research

Participatory on-farm trials were conducted for three seasons to assess the benefits of small rates of manure and nitrogen fertilizer on maize grain yield in semi-arid Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe. Two farmer resource groups conducted trials based on available amounts of manure, 3 t ha-1 (low resource group) and 6 t ha-1 (high resource group). Maize yields varied between 0.15 t ha-1 and 4.28 t ha-1 and both absolute yields and response to manure were strongly related to rainfall received across seasons (P<0.001). The first two seasons were dry while the third season received above average rainfall. Maize yields within the seasons were strongly related to N applied (R2=0.77 in season 1, and R2=0.88 and 0.83 in season 3) and other beneficial effects of manure, possibly availability of cations and P. In the 2001-2002 season (total rainfall 478 mm), application of 3 and 6 t ha-1 of manure in combination with N fertilizer increased grain yield by about 0.14 and 0.18 t ha-1, respectively. The trend was similar for the high resource group in 2002-2003 although the season was very dry (334 mm). In 2003-2004, with good rainfall (672 mm), grain yields were high even for the control plots (average 1.2 and 2.7 t ha-1). Maize yields due to manure applications at 3 and 6 t ha-1 were 1.96 and 3.44 t ha-1, respectively. Application of 8.5 kg N ha-1 increased yields to 2.5 t ha-1 with 3 t ha-1 of manure, and to 4.28 t ha-1 with 6 t ha-1 of manure. In this area farmers do not traditionally use either manure or fertilizer on their crops, but they actively participated in this research during three consecutive seasons and were positive about using the outcomes of the research in future. The results showed that there is potential to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the use of small rates of manure and N under semi-arid condition

Spreading the word on fertilizer in ZimbabweGlobal Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 24

Next to drought, poor soil fertility is the single biggest cause of hunger in Africa. Despite this, smallholder farmers use very little manure, and less so, the recommended inorganic fertilizers. This is largely due to the input being unaffordable to the majority of smallholders. In drier regions, farmers are also concerned about application risks. In light of this, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is promoting the use of small fertilizer quantities (micro-dosing) that smallholders are more likely to afford and adopt. Although higher rates are known to give higher yields, the marginal returns from the small investment when using lower fertiliser rates are much better. In the 2003-04 cropping season, with assistance from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), a large-scale relief program distributed 25 kg of ammonium nitrate to each of 170,000 small-scale farmers through a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGO). With technical assistance from ICRISAT and a simple fertilizer pamphlet, NGOs established 1,200 on-farm trials across the country to demonstrate the micro-dose approach. In each trial, the farmer selected the cereal crop, and compared results with and without fertilizer. Data were obtained from more than 900 of these demonstrations, and a national survey assessed impacts on the larger group of 170,000 farms. Despite poorer than average rains, micro-dosing increased grain yields by 30 to 50%, and almost every farmer achieved significant gains. The 170,000 households increased their production levels by an estimated 40,000 tons. The program significantly improved household food security, and saved US$7 million in food imports. Many of these farmers are now becoming interested in investing their own resources in fertilizer, but access remains a constraint. The program has started working with fertilizer companies to test strategies for resolving this problem

A serological survey of bovine babesiosis in northern and eastern Zimbabwe

The geographical distribution of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina antibodies in communal herds in northern and eastern Zimbabwe was determined using the ELISA technique. The animals in different herds in the study region had different levels of natural exposure to B. bovis (mean 32 %, range 0-79%) and B. bigemina (mean 52%, range 5-92%) infections. The majority of herds (90%) were endemically unstable for B. bigemina and 62 % were unstable for B. bovis. Natural region 5 and Manicaland province had the highest seroprevalence of B. bovis infection, while natural region 5 and Masvingo province had the highest seroprevalence of B. bigemina infection.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Australian Agency for International Development. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Central Veterinary Laboratory, Harare.mn201

Larvisida Dan Pupisida Isotearil Alkohol Etoksilat Terhadap Larva Dan Pupa Aedes Aegypti

Isotearil alkohol etoksilat merupakan larvasida yang bekerja sebagai barier fisik bagi pertumbuhan nyamuk. Larvasida ini membentuk lapisan yang sangat tipis (monomolecular surface film) dan menurunkan tegangan permukaan air. Permasalahan penelitian adalah bagaimana efektifitas isotearil alkohol etoksilat dalam membunuh larva dan pupa nyamuk vektor DBD Ae. aegypti. Tujuan penelitian ingin mengetahui efektifitas isotearil alkohol etoksilat dalam membunuh larva dan pupa nyamuk vektor DBD Ae. aegypti. Metode penelitian dengan pengujian efikasi isotearil alkohol etoksilat terhadap larva Aedes aegypti. Penelitian menggunakan 5 dosis, yaitu 0,5 ml/m2, 0,75 ml/m2, 1,0 ml/m2, 1,5 ml/m2 dan 2 ml/m2 serta kontrol. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa isotearil alkohol etoksilat selama satu minggu membunuh larva dan pupa Ae. aegypti ± 75%. Hasil analisis data menggunakan Anova menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan jumlah kematian larva Ae. aegypti pada dosis yang berbeda (p=0,999). Simpulan penelitian adalah isotearil alkohol etoksilat dosis 0,5, 0,75, 1,0, 1,5 dan 2 ml/m2 kurang efektif digunakan untuk membunuh larva dan pupa nyamuk vektor DBD Ae. aegypti. Isotearil alcohol ethoxylate is larvicide who works as a physical barrier to mosquito\u27s growth. This larvicides form is very thin layer (monomolecular surface film) and lowers the surface tension of water. The research problem was how effectiveness of alcohol ethoxylate isotearil for killing mosquito larvae and pupae dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Research purpose was to determine the effectiveness of alcohol ethoxylate isotearil for killing larvae and pupae of dengue mosquitoes vector Aedes aegypti. Research methods used to test the efficacy of alcohol ethoxylate isotearil against Aedes aegypti larvae. Research used 5 doses, 0.5ml/m2, 0.75ml/m2, 1.0ml/m2, 1.5ml/m2, and 2ml/m2, and control. The results showed that the alcohol ethoxylate isotearil for a week to kill the larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti ± 75 %. Data analysis using ANOVA showed no difference in mortality of larvae of Aedes aegypti at different doses (p=0.999). Therefore, isotearil alcohol ethoxylate dose of 0.5 , 0.75 , 1.0 , 1.5 and 2 ml/m2 were not effective used to kill mosquito larvae and pupae dengue vector Aedes aegypti

Fluorescent Sensing of Chlorophenols in Water Using an Azo Dye Modified β-Cyclodextrin Polymer

A water soluble azo dye modified β-cyclodextrin polymer 4 was synthesized and used as a chemosensor for the detection of chlorinated phenols, model chlorinated by-products (CBPs) of water treatment for drinking purposes. The characterization of the intermediates and the azo dye modified β-CD polymer was done by UV/Vis Spectrophotometry, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. The chlorophenols were capable of quenching the fluorescence of the polymer. The polymer showed greater sensitivity towards 2,4-dichlorophenol, with a sensitivity factor of 0.35 compared to 0.05 and 0.12 for phenol and 4-chlorophenol, respectively. The stability constants (Ks) of the pollutants were also determined by the Benesi-Hildebrand method to be 2.104 × 103 M−1 for 2,4-dichlorophenol and 1.120 × 102 M−1 for 4-chlorophenol