Regional Science Review and Planning Meeting 2020

The Research Program-West and Central Africa is structured around four (4) research themes: 1.) Crop Improvement; 2.) Integrated Crop Management; 3.) Systems Research; and 4.) Policy and Impact. The presentations addressed these four themes, highlighting key achievements and focusing on perspectives and areas of collaboration within and across the three regions (Asia, ESA and WCA) and also with key stakeholders within our mandate areas. Partnership is crucial in delivering on our goal and objectives. We therefore pursue our efforts of strengthening partnership and collaboration. Resource mobilization has received due attention in the past few years. We have constituted various consortia comprising CG centers and IARCs (IITA, ILRI, ICRAF, World Vegetable Center), NARS, private sector, regional organizations (e.g. CORAF) to respond to large calls from USAID-Mali and Niger; the Government of the Netherlands (Dryland Sahel Program-DryDev- 2); with support from SMC/HQ and using the services of a consultant. We are also working with Anthony Whitbread and other colleagues from CG centers and CCAFS to organize the 2-D initiative meeting for the Sahel either in Bamako or another venue in WCA. We are pleased to have recently launched the newly EU approved DeSIRA/APSAN EUR 4 million project in Mali which will complement the AVISA project. We will devote some time to discuss our technology dissemination approach using case studies of HOPE II, TL III, TAAT, Africa RISING’s ARDT-SMS, SINCERE and other CCAFS projects and how we learn from these experiences, and how this work can be published. Dr. Sereme will provide us with an update on the on-going discussions on the One CGIAR reform as he has been attending various related meetings. Dr. Kiran Sharma will provide us with guidance on aligning our work to the forthcoming changes within the CG. Dr. Carberry will lead and guide us through the ICRISAT’s Strategic Planning in the context of One CGIAR reform. We will also discuss the need and level of capital investment in strengthening the facilities and infrastructures in the Regional Crop Improvement Hub (RCIH) at Samanko

Implementation of Web-Based Patient Education in Newly Transplanted Kidney Recipients

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients suffering from kidney failure. It is a complex process that is intended to improve one’s quality of life by adhering to a lifelong treatment plan of immunosuppressant therapy. Therefore, it is essential for patients or their caregivers to have adequate knowledge to care for themselves following post-transplant, which can contribute to better patient outcomes. In a metropolitan Bay area hospital in Northern California, the current state of practice involves educating newly transplanted kidney recipients through face-to-face interactions with the patient and handing out a transplant booklet during their initial transplant hospital stay. Delivering patient education using this modality was met with some challenges, including limited time to provide effective patient teaching and assess patient understanding, lack of standardized patient education, and limitations in evaluating patient knowledge. This Quality Improvement project aimed to determine whether using a web-based patient education platform, Emmi, would assist with improving patient knowledge and follow-up care after three months post-transplant. A total of 45 patients were enrolled in the study, which involved watching a post-transplant education video and completing two surveys on health literacy and assessment of transplant knowledge respectively. The Quality Improvement project aim showed did not yield any noticeable impact on patient adherence and follow-up care. Future studies are necessary to address the subsequent challenges that may hinder the integration of technology- based patient education as part of delivering patient care

Botanical Knowledge and its Differentiation by Age, Gender and Ethnicity in Southwestern Niger

Indigenous knowledge is unevenly distributed. Individual knowledge level may be affected by many factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, profession, religious and cultural beliefs, abundance and usefulness of the species. This study documents indigenous knowledge of herbaceous and woody plant species of farmers and herders in southwestern Niger. Specifically, we examine the effects of age, gender, and ethnicity on knowledge of local vegetation. Results from the study showed that on average a higher proportion of woody species was identified by the respondents compared to herbaceous species. Both gender and ethnicity had a significant effect on the identification of herbaceous species but no effect on identification of woody species. Respondents in lower age group (10 to 30 years) identified lower number of species compared to other age classes. There seems to be a curvilinear relationship between age of respondents and number of plant species identified. Results from this study reaffirm the uneven distribution of indigenous knowledge within a given area due to social factors. The main challenge is how to incorporate these social differences in knowledge of native plant species into sustainable management and conservation of community natural resources

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PENGELOLAAN PAJAK RUMAH SEWA DI KOTA JAYAPURA

This study aims to analyze and determine the implementation of rental house management policies in Jayapura City, as well as analyze the supporting and inhibiting factors for implementing the policy. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach conducted in Jayapura City, the determination of informants is carried out by snowball. Data collection techniques used are observation and interviews. Data analysis includes the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the implementation of the Regional Regulation Number 13 of 2016 concerning Rental Houses in Jayapura City. Judging from the aspect of communication and information dissemination, it has been carried out by utilizing information technology and installing billboards as an appeal to the public to pay taxes, including rental house taxes. In the aspect of resources owned, the quality of the resources is inadequate and does not meet the adequacy aspect, so it is very necessary to hold training and technical guidance as well as increase the level of education to improve aspects of management and service delivery. Disposition is going quite well based on the high commitment that exists at the District office level. Then, the Bureaucratic Structure is based on the authority and responsibility given in governance, but does not yet have an SOP so that the division of tasks and main functions is still unclear. the supporting factor is the institutional aspect that involves all components of the related unit, as well as the commitment of all existing personnel in managing governance and providing services to the community. Then the inhibiting factors are the quality of human resources which are still very lacking and the lack of facilities and infrastructure to support governance in implementing these policies

The Influence of Burning on Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity along the Boro Route in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

The Okavango Delta, a protected area in northeastern Botswana because of its annual flooding pattern, is the main source of water in an otherwise arid environment with a high diversity of plants and animals and forms the main tourist area in the region. However, the area is under threat from range fires. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of fire on soil microbial activity, biomass C, fungal population and diversity, and some soil properties along the Boro route of the Okavango Delta (Botswana)