The dance of the positives and negatives of life: Student wellbeing in the context of #FeesMustFall-related violence

Violence has become a regular occurrence in the context of the South African student movement. However, to date there are no studies that investigate student wellbeing in the context of student movement violence. How are violence and wellbeing experienced in the context of the student movement? What resources do students draw upon to protect or restore their wellbeing during and in the aftermath of violence? This article discusses students’ experiences of violence and wellbeing and particularly the resources that fostered their psychological wellbeing during and after experiences of violence related to the #FeesMustFall protests of 2015/16. The study used a photovoice methodology and worked with groups of former student activists from four universities in South Africa. Student psychological functioning in the midst of adverse circumstances is demonstrated in their ability to make meaning of their experiences by inventing knowledge spaces; creating spaces of inner harmony; having a sense of purpose; and protecting symbolic spaces of hope. It is also shown in their courage to challenge spaces of oppression. This study suggests that the co-production of social space for functioning occurs through an important psychological process of meaning-making that provides direction for student movement activities. Given our findings, it is recommended for student affairs and counselling services to  m,./=-09864 facilitate the co-creation of spaces of knowledge and spaces of safety, spaces where students can experience being wanted and connected, and spaces where they can make sense of their experiences in the unfamiliar and potentially alienating higher education space. &nbsp

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMERS AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION INFORMATION IN RURAL AREAS OF NIGERIA

This study investigated the relationship between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics (independent variables) and utilization of extension information (dependent variable). A total of 125 respondents were purposively and randomly sampled from two Local Government areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The data received were decoded and analyzed with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS). The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents identified were; age, farmer’s awareness, level of education, extension visits, access to radio, social participation and farm size. Pearson’s correlation matrix results established positive and significant relationship between farmer’s socio-economic characteristics and utilization of extension information. Further result of Pearson’s Step-wise linear regression analysis showed that farmers’ awareness and access to radio were statistically significant at 5% probability level, having effects on utilization of extension information

Strategies for Solving World Food Crisis: Lessons, Constraints and Opportunities for Nigeria

The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status. The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status. The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status

Strategies for Solving World Food Crisis: Lessons, Constraints and Opportunities for Nigeria

The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status. The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status. The two-sided economic down-turn and food crisis being experienced in many parts of the world has become a concern of many world leaders and peoples. The Malthusian theory is gradually steering many pessimists in the face as food production is nothing to compare with the population growth in many parts of the world. While poverty, insecurity and diseases pandemics are manifested in many facets of human life, food crisis is compounding the situation. The well-articulated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is almost half its deadline (2015) but the battle for control of severe poverty and deprivation is far from being won. Some notable factors responsible for food crisis are noted. Empirical examples of countries suffering from the problem of food insecurity and the repercussions on the national life are examined. Over many years now, different kinds of strategies have been employed to improve agricultural production in many countries of the world. Some recent approaches/strategies employed toward containing food crisis are reviewed and suggestions put forward for consideration. This paper presents a position, tracing the issues that contribute to food crisis, some strategies toward alleviating them and using Nigeria as a focal point. For, food security can only be assured if only majority of the people of the world are given that status

THE ROLE OF HORTICULTURAL PACKAGE VENT HOLE DESIGN ON STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE

Globally, ventilated paperboard packaging has been widely utilised particularly in the horticultural industry to protect packed produce against damage to satisfy consumer needs. During postharvest activities, the packages are exposed to cold environment and mechanical hazards. The mechanical hazards may result from different loadings such as drop, impact, vibration, compression or a combination of all. Designing ventilated packages should be such that they can provide uniform air distribution to cool the packed produce and protect the produce against mechanical damage. However, the presence of vent holes causes material loss of the package, thereby reducing the stacking strength of the packages and consequently resulting in produce damage. The strength of the package is crucial for preserving the produce and therefore optimising the package is essential to save time, money and resources. This research was aimed at evaluating the structural behaviour of ventilated packages. Finite element analysis was used to create models to study the buckling of three ventilated package designs when subjected to compression load. Packages with different vent area and paperboard grades were studied. Experiments were used to quantify box compression strength. Results of mechanical strength evaluation showed a negative linear relationship between carton strength and vent area. Board thickness increased the compression strength of the packages. At 2% and 4% vent areas, packages with C flute board reduced in strength by as high as 46% when compared with the strength of the packages with B flute board. Numerical results and experimental results were in good agreement, within 12%. This study suggests the need for alternative package designs, considering the mechanical strength while still providing proper and adequate ventilation to the packed produce

The role of horticultural package vent hole design on structural performance

Globally, ventilated paperboard packaging has been widely utilised particularly in the horticultural industry to protect packed produce against damage to satisfy consumer needs. During postharvest activities, the packages are exposed to cold environment and mechanical hazards. The mechanical hazards may result from different loadings such as drop, impact, vibration, compression or a combination of all. Designing ventilated packages should be such that they can provide uniform air distribution to cool the packed produce and protect the produce against mechanical damage. However, the presence of vent holes causes material loss of the package, thereby reducing the stacking strength of the packages and consequently resulting in produce damage. The strength of the package is crucial for preserving the produce and therefore optimising the package is essential to save time, money and resources. This research was aimed at evaluating the structural behaviour of ventilated packages. Finite element analysis was used to create models to study the buckling of three ventilated package designs when subjected to compression load. Packages with different vent area and paperboard grades were studied. Experiments were used to quantify box compression strength. Results of mechanical strength evaluation showed a negative linear relationship between carton strength and vent area. Board thickness increased the compression strength of the packages. At 2% and 4% vent areas, packages with C flute board reduced in strength by as high as 46% when compared with the strength of the packages with B flute board. Numerical results and experimental results were in good agreement, within 12%. This study suggests the need for alternative package designs, considering the mechanical strength while still providing proper and adequate ventilation to the packed produce

The nexus between plant and plant microbiome : revelation of the networking strategies

The diversity of plant-associated microbes is enormous and complex. These microbiomes are structured and form complex interconnected microbial networks that are important in plant health and ecosystem functioning. Understanding the composition of the microbiome and their core function is important in unraveling their networking strategies and their potential influence on plant performance. The network is altered by the host plant species, which in turn influence the microbial interaction dynamics and co-evolution. We discuss the plant microbiome and the complex interplay among microbes and between their host plants. We provide an overview of how plant performance is influenced by the microbiome diversity and function