Collective action for small-scale producers of agricultural biodiversity products:

"The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized, however the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Bioversity International has undertaken several studies that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. Case studies have been developed on a range of species, varieties and derived products, including underutilized species and commodities in several regions of the world. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate and how changes in the market chain and market institutions can permit a more equitable distribution of welfare benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, a mutual understanding of each actor's involvement and the need for an agreed process of collective action that involves a high level of community participation to achieve an improved market chain organization benefiting the poor. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis of these cases identified a range of options and situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods. Bringing together these experiences will also help to identify the situations in which a collective approach can maximize the capturing of market benefits for smallholders. Trade-offs between income generation, livelihood security, and agrobiodiversity conservation should be further examined in order to find solutions that support sustainable development of poor communities that manage agricultural biodiversity." authors' abstractAgricultural biodiversity, Market chain, Market access, Livelihoods, Collective action, Small farmers, Biodiversity,

Small and medium-sized enterprise champions promoting climate resilient agriculture in Eastern Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the poorest regions in the world, where an estimated 386 million people (48% of the region’s total population) live on less than USD 1.25 per day (Ravallion 2012). This group of people are considered the most vulnerable to climate change as they possess minimum financial and technical resources to cope with climate change (Wheeler and von Braun 2013). In SSA, meteorological disasters, especially droughts and floods, are the most common forms of natural disasters. As such, drought and floods represent 70% of economic losses related to natural hazards in SSA (Bhavnani et al. 2008). Because of climate change, the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts are projected to increase in the future (Bernstein et al. 2008) which negatively affects agriculture

Private sector climate resilient agriculture co-investment reaches over 237,000 farmers in East Africa

Farming communities in Eastern Africa face immense challenges in the second decade of the 21st century, including a continuing population increase, rising food prices, declining soil fertility and crop yields, limited access to land, poor market access and high inflation (Kristjanson et al. 2012). Climate change is adding another challenge on top of these others. Africa’s climate is warmer than it was 100 years ago, and model-based projections of future greenhouse gas induced climate change for the continent project that this warming will continue, and in most scenarios, accelerate (Christensen et al. 2007)

A Randomized Trial of Intravenous Alteplase before Endovascular Treatment for Stroke

The value of administering intravenous alteplase before endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke has not been studied extensively, particularly in non-Asian populations. METHODS We performed an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial in Europe involving patients with stroke who presented directly to a hospital that was capable of providing EVT and who were eligible for intravenous alteplase and EVT. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive EVT alone or intravenous alteplase followed by EVT (the standard of care). The primary end point was functional outcome on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 [no disability] to 6 [death]) at 90 days. We assessed the superiority of EVT alone over alteplase plus EVT, as well as noninferiority by a margin of 0.8 for the lower boundary of the 95% confidence interval for the odds ratio of the two trial groups. Death from any cause and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were the main safety end points. RESULTS The analysis included 539 patients. The median score on the modified Rankin scale at 90 days was 3 (interquartile range, 2 to 5) with EVT alone and 2 (interquartile range, 2 to 5) with alteplase plus EVT. The adjusted common odds ratio was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62 to 1.15; P=0.28), which showed neither superiority nor noninferiority of EVT alone. Mortality was 20.5% with EVT alone and 15.8% with alteplase plus EVT (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.84 to 2.30). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 5.9% and 5.3% of the patients in the respective groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.60 to 2.81). CONCLUSIONS In a randomized trial involving European patients, EVT alone was neither superior nor noninferior to intravenous alteplase followed by EVT with regard to disability outcome at 90 days after stroke. The incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was similar in the two groups

Collective Action for Small-Scale Producers of Agricultural Biodiversity Products

The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized, however the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Bioversity International has undertaken several studies that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. Case studies have been developed on a range of species, varieties and derived products, including underutilized species and commodities in several regions of the world. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate and how changes in the market chain and market institutions can permit a more equitable distribution of welfare benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, a mutual understanding of each actor’s involvement and the need for an agreed process of collective action that involves a high level of community participation to achieve an improved market chain organization benefiting the poor. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis of these cases identified a range of options and situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods. Bringing together these experiences will also help to identify the situations in which a collective approach can maximize the capturing of market benefits for smallholders. Trade-offs between income generation, livelihood security, and agrobiodiversity conservation should be further examined in order to find solutions that support sustainable development of poor communities that manage agricultural biodiversity

Seasonal Forecast Information Synthesis and Dissemination in Association with CRAFT Tanzania and AICCRA - ESA

The Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) in partnership with the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) for East Africa, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Agriterra and Rabo Bank is implementing the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project in Eastern Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) funded by the foreign ministry of the Netherlands. The CRAFT program uses an inclusive business development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The program works with and through the private sector. It supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices, including more efficient use of water and (renewable) energy sources. Here we present a regional capacity building workshop report on ‘Seasonal Forecast Information Synthesis and Dissemination.’ Jointly organized by the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa program for Eastern and Southern Africa (AICCRA-ESA) and ICPAC together with SNV in Tanzania with the following objectives: (i) To create seasonal forecasting awareness and disseminate seasonal forecasts for the upcoming growing season, (ii) Introducing the current state of sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasting and enhancing experts’ capacities in using the monthly and seasonal climate forecasting tools for the agricultural sector as shared by TMA and ICPAC. The workshop drew several public and private professional (e.g., experts from TMS, NARES, MoA, insurance, finance, and private sector value chain actors) in climate, climate change, and weather forecasts from various national and international (e.g., SNV, Agriterra and Rabo Bank etc.) organizations. 37 participants took part – of which 17 were women and 7 were youths. The general setup of the workshop was short presentations, plenary discussions, and breakaway groups to discuss specific topics in greater detail

Collective action for small-scale producers of agricultural biodiversity products

The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized. However the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Several case studies were undertaken that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate, and the changes that could permit a more equitable distribution of benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, mutual understanding of each actor's involvement, and an agreed process of collective action with a high level of community participation. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis identified a range of situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods.Agricultural biodiversity Market chain Market access Livelihoods Collective action

Enabling minimal invasive parathyroidectomy for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism using Tc-99m-sestamibi SPECT-CT, ultrasound and first results of F-18-fluorocholine PET-CT

Objective: Assessment of the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US), single photon-emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) and F-18-fluorocholine (FCH) PET-CT for preoperative localization of hyper-functioning parathyroid(s) in order to create a more efficient diagnostic pathway and enable minimal invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) in patients with biochemical proven non-familial primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Methods: A single-institution retrospective study of 63 consecutive patients with a biochemical diagnosis of non-familial pHPT who received a Tc-99m-sestamibi SPECT-CT and neck ultrasound. Surgical findings were used in calculating the sensitivity and the positive predictive value (PPV) of both imaging modalities. Furthermore we present 5 cases who received additional FCH PET-CT. Results: A total of 42 (66.7%) patients underwent MIP. The PPV and sensitivity of SPECT-CT, 93.0% and 80.3%, were significantly higher than those of US with 78.3% and 63.2%, respectively. Adding US to SPECT-CT for initial pre-operative localization did not significantly increase sensitivity but did significantly decrease PPV. Performance of US was significantly better when performed after SPECT-CT. 18F-fluorocholine PET-CT localized the hyper-functioning parathyroid gland in 4/5 cases with discordant conventional imaging, enabling MIP. Conclusion: SPECT-CT is the imaging modality of choice for initial pre-operative localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland(s) in patients with biochemical pHPT. Ultrasound should be performed after SPECT-CT for confirmation of positive SPECT-CT findings and for pre-operative marking allowing MIP. In cases with negative or discordant imaging additional FCH PET-CT should be considered since this might enable the surgeon to perform MIP. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved