Measuring the Impacts of Using the Process Approach to Teach Second-Year English Major Students Essay Writing

This paper aimed at measuring the impacts of using the process approach to teach second-year English major students at the English Department of Université de Zinder (henceforth, UZ) essay writing. Drawing on the pre-test-post-test repeated measures design, this study examined the written essays produced by the EFL students before and after the writing class. These pre and post tests were scored based on a criterial fair copy, and the scores were compared by means of an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to check whether there were any statistically significant differences between the mean scores. The findings revealed that the process approach had a positive impact on the participants’ essay writing skills. Also, employing Classroom Observation, the article attempted to qualitatively measure student engagement in the writing class. The findings further exuded that the EFL students observed were cognitively involved in the learning activities conducted in the class. Based on the foregoing findings, this study recommends that the process approach to (the teaching of) writing be adopted and used to teach writing in EFL classes across/in Niger

Action levers for a sustainable farmland management in Niger

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the sustainable farmland management in Niger. Specifically, it examines the determinants of adoption of sustainable land management practices including measures to combat erosion, and the use of manure, residues and fertilizer with a view to support the formulation of efficient land use policies based on evidences given fact that the impact of factors influencing farmland management appears to be specific to each context. The study is based on data from the National Survey of Household Living Conditions and Agriculture of 2011 (ECVMA-2011) analyzed within the framework of multivariate Probit model. The results show that there are unobservable interdependences between the decisions on farmland management practices. Furthermore, several types of factors related to access to physical, human, financial and biophysical capitals as well as infrastructure and services seem to play an important role. In addition, it appears that more security is needed in land tenure for a sustainable farmland management while farmland defragmentation can act negatively on sustainable farmland management

Global price transmission in Senegal’s groundnut markets: can smallholders benefit from high international prices?

In this paper, we seek to know whether the smallholders in Senegal can benefit from the high world prices. By means of Enders and Siklos (2001) approach, we analyzed the asymmetry of price transmission from the global market to the Dakar market which is the central market in Senegal. Moreover, the transmission from the central market to the local markets is studied. Our findings show that the groundnuts national central market is not integrated to the international market. Otherwise, the transmission between the central market and local markets of groundnuts is symmetric. Furthermore, it takes two months for a shock to be fully transmitted to local markets. Thus, it will be possible for the smallholders to benefit from the high world groundnut prices as the local markets and the central market are well integrated if this later and the international one are integrated

Action levers for a sustainable farmland management in Niger

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the sustainable farmland management in Niger. Specifically, it examines the determinants of adoption of sustainable land management practices including measures to combat erosion, and the use of manure, residues and fertilizer with a view to support the formulation of efficient land use policies based on evidences given fact that the impact of factors influencing farmland management appears to be specific to each context. The study is based on data from the National Survey of Household Living Conditions and Agriculture of 2011 (ECVMA-2011) analyzed within the framework of multivariate Probit model. The results show that there are unobservable interdependences between the decisions on farmland management practices. Furthermore, several types of factors related to access to physical, human, financial and biophysical capitals as well as infrastructure and services seem to play an important role. In addition, it appears that more security is needed in land tenure for a sustainable farmland management while farmland defragmentation can act negatively on sustainable farmland management

Global price transmission in Senegal’s groundnut markets: can smallholders benefit from high international prices?

In this paper, we seek to know whether the smallholders in Senegal can benefit from the high world prices. By means of Enders and Siklos (2001) approach, we analyzed the asymmetry of price transmission from the global market to the Dakar market which is the central market in Senegal. Moreover, the transmission from the central market to the local markets is studied. Our findings show that the groundnuts national central market is not integrated to the international market. Otherwise, the transmission between the central market and local markets of groundnuts is symmetric. Furthermore, it takes two months for a shock to be fully transmitted to local markets. Thus, it will be possible for the smallholders to benefit from the high world groundnut prices as the local markets and the central market are well integrated if this later and the international one are integrated

Quelles zones cibler pour accroître l’efficacité agricole en Ouganda?

L'objectif de cet article est d'élaborer un outil opérationnel pour la mise en place des politiques agricoles visant à accroitre l’efficacité de l’agriculture en Ouganda. A cet effet, des analyses effectuées sur les données d’Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) 2011-2012 ont permis d’élaborer une cartographie du niveau d’efficacité de la production agricole et des facteurs terre et travail. Ceux-ci sont les principales dotations de la population pauvre à partir desquelles elle tire sa subsistance. Il ressort que les zones abritant les unités de productions les plus efficaces en termes de production agricole ne sont pas forcément celles où la main d’œuvre ou la terre est utilisée de façon efficace. Des foyers d’inefficacité peuvent être ainsi repérés grâce aux atlas élaborés et fait l’objet d’un ciblage approprié en termes de politiques agricoles. The objective of this paper is to develop an operational tool for the implementation of agricultural policies to increase the agriculture efficiency in Uganda. For this purpose, the analysis performed on the data of Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) from 2011/2012 has permitted to elaborate a map of the level of efficiency of agricultural production and land and labor inputs. These are the main endowments of the poor population from which it draws its subsistence. It appears that areas with the most effective production units in terms of agricultural production are not necessarily the ones in which labor or land is used efficiently. Inefficient areas can then be identified by the atlas elaborated and targeted by agricultural policies

Time Path of Price Adjustment in Domestic Markets of Non-tradable Staples to Changes in World Market Prices

The paper presents a model to analyze the adjustment of prices of non-traded food staples to changes in global food prices via the response of traded commodities in domestic markets. It shows that the impact on local prices of shocks originating in global markets lasts much longer than suggested by findings in the traditional literature on market integration. Furthermore, unlike the conventional analysis which focuses on estimating a single parameter indicating the degree of market interconnectedness, the model used here allows us to trace the future impact of shocks on local prices over time and thus helps policy makers to anticipate changes and better plan response strategies. It combines the methodology developed by Gonzales-Rivera and Helfand (2001) and Granger and Gonzalo (1995) on market cointegration with the model developed by Badiane and Shively (1998) for the estimation of the time path of price adjustments to market shocks. It is then applied to monthly price data over a 12-year period from all major regions of Niger, a landlocked country that is extremely vulnerable to volatility in staple foods markets. The results suggests that it takes much longer for the impact of shocks on local prices to stabilize. They also show that the impact of shocks originating from global markets can be more pronounced across markets for non-traded staples, such as local maize and sorghum, compared to traded food commodities such as rice. Furthermore, it appears from the findings that prices the two non-traded staples tend to be “stickier” as their rate of increase decelerates much more slowly than for rice

Online Accelerated Learning Experiences and Self-Regulated Learning Skills Amoung Undergraduate Students

Many institutions have adopted an online accelerated learning model in which intensive online instructions are offered during the course of a normal semester to help students complete classes. Current research has focused on comparing different instructional lengths. Mixed findings have been reported. Accelerated instructions are not necessarily superior or inferior to traditional 16-week instructions. Research should focus on what is crucial and how to prepare students to succeed in accelerated online courses. This study examines whether self-regulated learning (SRL) skills may serve as predictors of positive accelerated learning experiences. It concludes that five SRL skills can predict success in online accelerated learning experiences and suggested educators should identify and prepare students with relevant SRL skills prior to attempting accelerated instructions to warrant a positive learning experience

ETUDE COMPARATIVE DE LA TOXICITE DE TROIS SUBSTANCES ACRIDIFUGES SUR LES LARVES DU CINQUIEME STADE ET SUR LES ADULTES DE SCHISTOCERCA GREGARIA FORSKÅL, 1775 (ORTHOPTERA, CYRTACANTHACRIDINAE) COMPARATIVE STADY OF THE THREE ACRIDIFUGES TOXICITY OF LARVA AT

RESUMEL’étude de la toxicité des extraits de Melia azedarach, d’Azadirachta indica et d’Eucalyptus globulus, vis à vis des larvesL5 et des adultes de S. gregaria a révélé la présence de substances qui inhibent ou diminuent fortement la prise de nourriturechez cet acridien. Le chou traité au neem ou au melia n’a pas été consommé alors que les fragments de chou imprégnésd’eucalyptus sont faiblement appetés. Ceci révèle l’effet dissuasif d’A. indica et de M. azedarach et montre une actionantiappétant d’Eucalyptus globulus. Les larves mises en présence de chou trempé dans les extraits de neem, de mélia etd’eucalyptus perdent respectivement 56%, 37% et 19,5% de leurs poids initiaux. Quant aux imagos, cette chute de poids est de36% pour le neem, 29,9% pour le mélia et 18,6% pour l’eucalyptus. De plus, les larves de cinquième stade, nourries à l’aide defragments de chou, traités au neem ou au mélia n’ont pas atteint la mue imaginale, 20% de celles nourries en présenced’eucalyptus ont pu effectuer leur dernière mue. Pour A. indica une mortalité de 100% est atteinte au bout de 12 jours pour lesL5 et 13 jours pour les adultes. Elle est pour M. azerdarach de 11 jours et 14 jours respectivement pour les L5 et les adultes. Lesindividus traités à l’eucalyptus meurent quelques jours plus tard. Il s’est avéré que les larves sont plus sensibles que les imagosà ces extraits. L’examen des temps létaux 50 (TL50) montre pour les L5 que le temps le plus court est obtenu avec l’extrait deneem (7,5 jours) puis le mélia (8,2 jours) et enfin l’eucalyptus (10,4 jours). Il en est de même pour les adultes avecrespectivement 8,1 jours, 8,3 et 9,6 jours.Mots clés : Schistocerca gregaria/ toxicité/ extraits foliaires/ mortalité/ chou.SUMMARYThe study of the toxicity of Melia azedarach extracts, Azadirachta indica and of Eucalyptus globules, concerning L5 and adultsof S. gregaria has revealed the presence of substances that inhibit greatly the consumption of food by these locust. Cabbagetreated with neem or melia has not been consumed, whereas fragments of cabbage filled with eucalyptus were little bitconsumed. This reveals the dissuasive effect of A. indica together with M. Azedarach, and shows an anti-appealing action ofeucalyptus globules. Larva’s in presence of cabbage soaked in neem, melia and eucalyptus extracts lose respectively 37% and19,5% of their initial weights as for imagoes, this loss of weight is by 36% for neem, 29,9% for melia and 18,6% foreucalyptus. Also larva of fifth didn’t reach their imaginable molt, 20% of those fed in presence of eucalyptus could have donetheir last. For A. indica a mortality of 100% is reached during 12 days for L5 and 13 days for adults. Individuals treated witheucalyptus die few days after. It was proved out that larva’s are more sensitive than imagoes. The examination of the TL50shows that the L5, the shortest time is obtained with the extract of neem (7,5 days) then the melia

Effet des touffes de Guiera senegalensis (J.F. Gmel) sur la fertilité des sols dans la région de maradi (Niger)

Objectifs : A Guidan Bakoye, dans la région de Maradi au Niger, pour faire face à la dégradation et la baisse de la fertilité des terres, les paysans ont entre autres adopté la régénération naturelle assistée des espèces ligneuses telles que Guiera  (Guiera du Sénégal). Cette étude traite de l’influence des touffes de cet arbuste sur la fertilité des sols dans le terroir de Guidan Bakoye.Méthodologies et résultats : Un dispositif en blocs randomisés complet avec trois répétitions des touffes, a été utilisé en plein champ. Des prélèvements des sols ont été effectués autour des touffes selon les points cardinaux, les distances 0, 50, 100, 150 et 200 cm de la touffe et la profondeur du sol (0 -10 ; 10 -20, 20 - 30 et 30 -40 cm), et leurs caractéristiques physico-chimiques ont été déterminées. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé généralement une amélioration significative des paramètres physico-chimiques des sols localisés à proximité des touffes de Guiera senegalensis.Conclusion et application de la recherche : Il ressort de cette étude, un fort taux de repeuplement de Guiera senegalensis (1800 pieds/ha) dans le terroir grâce à la régénération naturelle assistée et à l’introduction de la technique de marcottage. Par ailleurs, les résultats des analyses physico-chimiques des sols sous Guiera senegalensis, ont montré l’absence de changement textural avec la distance, et la prédominance des sables dans les horizons de surface indiquant que les touffes de Guiera senegalensis piègent essentiellement les sables transportés par les vents. Il est aussi apparu que les touffes de Guiera senegalensis ne semblent pas influencer le pH, la capacité d’échanges cationiques et le Ca contrairement à la matière organique, au phosphore, Mg et K. En définitive, les touffes de Guiera senegalensis améliorent moyennement les propriétés physico-chimiques du sol.Mots clés : Touffes, Guiera senegalensis, paramètres physico-chimiques des sols, Guidan Bakoye, MaradiEffect of Guiera senegalensis (JF Gmel) tufts on soil fertility in Maradi (Niger)ABSTRACTObjectives: In arid and semi-arid, the degradation and the decline in the fertility of land is a major concern for farmers. At Guidan Bakoye, in the Maradi region, to cope with this, the farmers have adopted the assisted natural regeneration to rebuild a degraded environment due to uncontrolled use. Thus, woody species like Guiera senegalensis (Guiera du Sénégal) have been bred and maintained in this region. The present study deals with the influence of the tufts of this plant on the soil fertility of Guidan Bakoye.Methodology and Results: A device block randomized complete with three repetitions of the tufts, was used in the field. Soil Samples were carried out around the tufts according to the cardinal points, the distances of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 cm of the tuft and the soil depth (0 -10 ; 10 -20, 20 -30 and 30 -40 cm).Conclusion and application of research: This study show a high rate of Guiera senegalensis repopulation (1800 plants/ha) in the soil through assisted natural regeneration and the introduction of the technique of layering. In addition, the results of the physico-chemical analysis of soils under Guiera senegalensis have shown the absence of textural change with the distance, and the predominance of sand in the surface horizons, indicating that the tufts of Guiera senegalensis trap essentially the sand transported by the wind. It is also apparent that the tufts of Guiera senegalensis did not seem to influence the pH, the capacity of the cation exchange and the Ca in contrast to the organic matter, phosphorus, Mg and K. In the end, the tufts of Guiera senegalensis improve moderately physico-chemical properties of the soil.Keywords : Tufts, Guiera senegalensis, physico-chemical parameters of the soil, Guidan Bakoye, Marad