Analysis of Potential Value Chains for Scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture in West Africa

Despite the development of several CSA options and their positive gains, their wide scale adoption remains a challenge. Integrating the value chain analysis into the Climate-Smart Village (CSV) - Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) approach sounds positioning as an effective approach for upscaling of CSA

Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria provides substantial protection against malaria in children already protected by an insecticide-treated bednet in Burkina Faso: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in children (IPTc) is a promising new approach to the control of malaria in areas of seasonal malaria transmission but it is not known if IPTc adds to the protection provided by an insecticide-treated net (ITN). METHODS AND FINDINGS: An individually randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of seasonal IPTc was conducted in Burkina Faso in children aged 3 to 59 months who were provided with a long-lasting insecticide-treated bednet (LLIN). Three rounds of treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine or placebos were given at monthly intervals during the malaria transmission season. Passive surveillance for malaria episodes was established, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the end of the malaria transmission season, and use of ITNs was monitored during the intervention period. Incidence rates of malaria were compared using a Cox regression model and generalized linear models were fitted to examine the effect of IPTc on the prevalence of malaria infection, anaemia, and on anthropometric indicators. 3,052 children were screened and 3,014 were enrolled in the trial; 1,505 in the control arm and 1,509 in the intervention arm. Similar proportions of children in the two treatment arms were reported to sleep under an LLIN during the intervention period (93%). The incidence of malaria, defined as fever or history of fever with parasitaemia ≥ 5,000/µl, was 2.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.70-3.06) per child during the intervention period in the control arm versus 0.87 (95% CI 0.78-0.97) in the intervention arm, a protective efficacy (PE) of 70% (95% CI 66%-74%) (p<0.001). There was a 69% (95% CI 6%-90%) reduction in incidence of severe malaria (p = 0.04) and a 46% (95% CI 7%-69%) (p = 0.03) reduction in the incidence of all-cause hospital admissions. IPTc reduced the prevalence of malaria infection at the end of the malaria transmission season by 73% (95% CI 68%-77%) (p<0.001) and that of moderately severe anaemia by 56% (95% CI 36%-70%) (p<0.001). IPTc reduced the risks of wasting (risk ratio [RR] = 0.79; 95% CI 0.65-1.00) (p = 0.05) and of being underweight (RR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.72-0.99) (p = 0.03). Children who received IPTc were 2.8 (95% CI 2.3-3.5) (p<0.001) times more likely to vomit than children who received placebo but no drug-related serious adverse event was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: IPT of malaria provides substantial protection against malaria in children who sleep under an ITN. There is now strong evidence to support the integration of IPTc into malaria control strategies in areas of seasonal malaria transmission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT00738946. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

Phytochemical screening of Saye, a traditional herbal remedy for malaria

phytochemical assay was conducted to establish the chemical profile of “Saye”, a mixture of leaf of Cassia alata, root of Cochlospermum planchonii and whole plant of Phyllantus amarus, used as antimarial remedy. Water and organic extracts were prepared. Characterization of phytoconstituents using specific chemical reagents was performed in tubes, by thin layer chromatography and by high performance liquid chromatography. Steroids and/or triterpenes, cathechic tannins were identified in the decocted and the macerated water extracts of “Saye”. An anthraquinone with a retention time Rt corresponding to 3.34 min was identified by the HPLC analysis.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Chemical profile, anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenes, tannins

Monitoring outcomes of climate smart agricultural options at multiple levels: understanding adoption, synergies and tradeoffs

This framework will support field practitioners in tracking over time, the progress and dynamic changes in adoption of CSA options and their related impacts at household and farm level

Production Locale De Médicaments Issus De La Médecine Et Pharmacopée Traditionnelles : Analyse Des Déterminants De La Survie De L’unité De Production (UPHARMA))

Introduction: L’accès durable à des médicaments de qualité et abordables par la production locale contribue au développement sanitaire et socioéconomique d’un pays. L’unité de production pharmaceutique (UPHRAMA) a été créée pour pallier à ce besoin au Burkina Faso. Cependant, elle rencontre d'énormes difficultés susceptibles d'entrainer sa fermeture. Objectif: L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser les déterminants de la survie de l’unité de production de médicaments (UPHARMA). Méthodes: La méthodologie utilisée a combiné la recherche bibliographique et l’enquête de terrain qui a consisté en une série d’entretiens. Résultats/Discussion: Les résultats obtenus indiquent que l’unité n'a pas de personnalité juridique lui permettant de jouir d'une autonomie dans la gestion de ses activités. L'encrage institutionnel ne la permet pas de mener ses activités dans une logique d'entreprise commerciale compétitive. Les activités de l’unité se trouvent piégées par la procédure de gestion des actes administratifs et financières de la fonction publique. Au regard de ce constat, elle doit être envisagée comme étant une société à capitaux publics avec une personnalité juridique ayant une autonomie financière et de gestion. Conclusion: Au regard des analyses, il ressort que l’unité est soumise de façon caractéristique aux principes de l’administration publique marqué par la subordination, la dépendance et le contrôle qui reflètent le pouvoir de l'Etat. La création d’un nouveau statut juridique, celui d’entreprise publique autonome avec des modes de gestion et de financements adéquats favorisera la mobilisation de ressources pour booster les activités de recherche-développement de nouveaux phytomédicaments au sein de l’IRSS. Introduction: Sustainable access to quality and affordable medicines through local production contributes to health and socio-economic development of a country. The pharmaceutical production unit (UPHRARMA) was created to address this issue in Burkina Faso. However, it encounters serious difficulties which could lead to its closure. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of the survival of this production unit. Methods: The method combined a bibliographic review and field survey which consisted of a number of interviews. Results/Discussion: The results showed that the unit has no legal form enabling autonomy in management activities. Its institutional anchor does not allow it to perform its activities as a competitive commercial enterprise. The activities of the unit are trapped by the public procedures of administrative and financial management. In that line, the status of the unit should be revised as a public shareholding company with a legal form allowing financial and management autonomy. Conclusion: Regarding the results, U-PHARAMA is subject to the public administration’s principles such as subordination, dependence and control. The new legal status will allow an autonomy of a public company with adequate management and financing mechanisms. This will encourage funds raising in order to mobilize resources for boosting research and development of new phytomedicines within the health sciences research institute

Assessing the Climate-Smartness of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP): What can we learn from Benin, Guinea, Niger, Togo and Chad projects?

This info note summarizes the findings from participatory assessments of the climate-smartness of World Bank funded West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP)”. This activity was implemented by CCAFS West Africa regional programme in partnership with CORAF under the Capacitating Stakeholders in Using Climate Information for Enhanced Resilience in the Agricultural Sector in West Africa (CaSCIERA-WA) project to strengthen the capacity of country stakeholders of WAAPP to mainstream and implement CSA in their activities in West Africa

NEEDS AND DETERMINANTS OF ACCESS TO CLIMATE INFORMATION SERVICES BY WOMEN PRODUCERS IN SENEGAL

Climate change affects differently men and women around the world. Due to women’s limited access to, and control over key assets, information and inputs for instance, they tend to be disadvantaged in terms of ability, flexibility and means to change their agricultural practices to adapt to a changing climate (Bryan et al. 2012). In sub-Saharan Africa in particular, where women are mostly engaged in rain-fed agriculture under precarious conditions, the effects of land degradation linked to climate change are increasingly affecting their production system. This is why the gender roles in climate-related practices and policies is more and more desired. In order to improve farmers’ capacity to cope with recurrent climate variability through the use of climate information, a study was conducted in 10 Regions of Senegal. The specific objectives were to: i) understand and identify farming adaptation practices used by men and women, ii) determine the climate information needs from women, and iii) identify the factors that can influence women's access to climate information

Seasonal performance of a malaria rapid diagnosis test at community health clinics in a malaria-hyperendemic region of Burkina Faso

BACKGOUND: Treatment of confirmed malaria patients with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) at remote areas is the goal of many anti-malaria programs. Introduction of effective and affordable malaria Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) in remote areas could be an alternative tool for malaria case management. This study aimed to assess performance of the OptiMAL dipstick for rapid malaria diagnosis in children under five. METHODS: Malaria symptomatic and asymptomatic children were recruited in a passive manner in two community clinics (CCs). Malaria diagnosis by microscopy and RDT were performed. Performance of the tests was determined. RESULTS: RDT showed similar ability (61.2%) to accurately diagnose malaria as microscopy (61.1%). OptiMAL showed a high level of sensitivity and specificity, compared with microscopy, during both transmission seasons (high & low), with a sensitivity of 92.9% vs. 74.9% and a specificity of 77.2% vs. 87.5%. CONCLUSION: By improving the performance of the test through accurate and continuous quality control of the device in the field, OptiMAL could be suitable for use at CCs for the management and control of malaria

Formulation of a Robust National Rural Sector Program in Burkina Faso: What new themes have emerged from the socio-economic and climate scenarios process?

Under the partnership initiated in 2015 between the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and the Permanent Secretariat for Coordination of Agricultural Sector Policies (SP-CPSA), in collaboration with other CGIAR research programs and centers, an analysis of the National Rural Sector Program (PNSR) based on the CCAFS socio-economic and climate scenarios was conducted with the effective participation of rural sector stakeholders in Burkina Faso. Twenty-two (22) recommendations were made to allow for the effective mainstreaming of plausible socio-economic, environmental and climatic factors in the near and distant future, that will make PNSR II more robust to face future uncertainties related to climate change, global dynamics, socio-economic changes, changes in norms and values, etc. In addition, an exercise with all the stakeholders helped in translating the said recommendations into new actions and themes to be taken into account when formulating PNSR II. Discussions between the stakeholders also underscored the need for crosscutting involvement of research in the implementation of the activities of PNSR II

Formulation d’un Programme National du Secteur Rural robuste au Burkina Faso : Quelles thématiques nouvelles issues du processus des scénarios socio- économiques et climatiques?

Dans le cadre du partenariat initié en 2015 entre le Programme de recherche du CGIAR sur le Changement Climatique, l’Agriculture et la Sécurité Alimentaire (CCAFS) et le Secrétariat Permanent de la Coordination des Politiques Sectorielles Agricoles (SP-CPSA), en collaboration avec d’autres programmes et centres de recherche du CGIAR, une analyse du Programme National du Secteur Rural (PNSR) fondée sur les scénarios socio-économiques et climatiques du CCAFS a pu être menée avec la participation effective des parties prenantes du secteur rural du Burkina Faso. Les 22 recommandations qui en sont issues devraient permettre une prise en compte effective des facteurs socio- économiques, environnementaux et climatiques plausibles dans le futur proche et lointain, et ainsi aider à rendre le PNSR II plus robuste face aux incertitudes futures liées au changement climatique, aux dynamiques mondiales, aux évolutions socioéconomiques, aux changements des normes et valeurs, etc. En outre, un exercice avec l’ensemble des acteurs impliqués a consisté à traduire lesdites recommandations en actions et thématiques nouvelles à prendre en compte lors de la formulation du PNSR II. Les échanges entre acteurs ont également fait ressortir la nécessité d’une implication transversale de la recherche dans la mise en œuvre des activités de cet important outil politique qu’est le PNSR I