Regime Switch and Effect on Per Capita Food Security Issues in South Africa

This paper examines whether the food security situation in South Africa is sensitive to the past and present governance systems. The study was aimed at reviewing the performance of key indicators: per capita land utilization, price index and consumption of a major staple food commodity (maize) in the pre- and post-apartheid periods. It also aimed at validating the application of population growth and food advocacy theories on South African food security. Time series analysis involving variables such as per capital land cultivation, consumption/tons and price/tons of maize within the period of 1970 to 2010 was conducted. Threshold autoregressive model (TAR) approach was used to capture per capita food security status of South Africans and to monitor trends under apartheid and post-apartheid eras. We found that there is a declining trend in per capita land cultivation and mixed results of per capita consumption of maize. The study revealed that population growth in South Africa has not been harnessed and there is possibility of worsening food security in the country. The long-run effect between the variables was established. The study recommends per capita targeting policy strategies for the improvement of staple food production and dietary balancing to ensure sustainable food security

Seasonal Distribution, Antimicrobial Activity, and Risk Factors Associated with the Incidence of Staphylococcus Species in Bovine Milk from a Dairy Farm in Eastern Cape, South Africa

The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence and seasonal distribution of Staphylococcus species on a medium-scale dairy farm and investigate their antimicrobial sensitivity with selected standard antibiotics. Several biochemical tests with the API staph kits were utilized to recognize the presence of micro-bacteria in the milk a species level. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated following the approved Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. In total, 217 samples of milk were cultured for bacterial tests over nine months. Of the 217 milk samples analyzed, 13 varied Staphylococcus species were identified from the 86 (39.63%) positive isolates. Of the identified isolates, Staphylococcus xylosus (22.09%), Staphylococcus hominis (15.11%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (11.63%) were the most common. Bacteria species that showed resistance to the 15 different antimicrobial agents used in this study included Staphylococcus xylosus (80%), Staphylococcus sciuri (60%), Staphylococcus aureus (53.33%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (46.67%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (46.67%), and Staphylococcus chromogenes (40%). The results found a high incident rate and multiple Staphylococcus species resistant to antimicrobial drugs like penicillin and ampicillin, which are utilized on the farm, which calls for drastic measures

River catchment dynamics and access to clean water in rural South Africa

Context: This paper explores evidence-based indicators of the National Water Policy Review (NWPR, 2013) among households in the Mthatha River catchment of the Oliver Regina (OR) Tambo District Municipality, one of the rural areas of South Africa.Data source & Method: A total number of 420 households were surveyed in the upper, township/peri-township, lower and coastal regions of the Mthatha River catchment. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted on the data collected from households.Findings: Approximately 68% of the total households surveyed reported that they have access to the required minimum of 25 litres/person/day, but only 30% had access to piped water either in the house or from public taps. Logistic regression showed that access to clean piped water was influenced by lack of water infrastructure, proximity to urban regions, daily flow of pipe-borne water, household size and distance to public taps.Conclusion: The promotion of point-of-use technologies are recommended to ensure equitable clean water acces

The Medicinal Natural Products of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> Linn.: A Review

Cannabis sativa is known among many cultures for its medicinal potential. Its complexity contributes to the historical application of various parts of the plant in ethno-medicines and pharmacotherapy. C. sativa has been used for the treatment of rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, skin burns, pain, the management of sexually transmitted diseases, difficulties during child labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal activity. However, the use of C. sativa is still limited, and it is illegal in most countries. Thus, this review aims to highlight the biological potential of the plant parts, as well as the techniques for the extraction, isolation, and characterization of C. sativa compounds. The plant produces a unique class of terpenophenolic compounds, called cannabinoids, as well as non-cannabinoid compounds. The exhaustive profiling of bioactive compounds and the chemical characterization and analysis of C. sativa compounds, which modern research has not yet fully achieved, is needed for the consistency, standardization, and the justified application of Cannabis sativa products for therapeutic purposes. Studies on the clinical relevance and applications of cannabinoids and non-cannabinoid phenols in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening diseases is indeed significant. Furthermore, psychoactive cannabinoids, when chemically standardized and administered under medical supervision, can be the legal answer to the use of C. sativa.</i

Therapeutic Potential of Pectin and Its Derivatives in Chronic Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are described as a collection of chronic diseases that do not typically develop from an acute infection, have long-term health effects, and frequently require ongoing care and therapy. These diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, neurological diseases, osteoporosis, mental health disorders, etc. Known synthetic drugs for the treatment or prevention of NCDs become increasingly dangerous over time and pose high risks due to side effects such as hallucination, heart attack, liver failure, etc. As a result, scientists have had to look for other alternatives that are natural products and that are known to be less detrimental and contain useful bioactive compounds. The increasing understanding of the biological and pharmacological significance of carbohydrates has helped to raise awareness of their importance in living systems and medicine, given they play numerous biological roles. For example, pectin has been identified as a class of secondary metabolites found in medicinal plants that may play a significant role in the treatment and management of a variety of NCDs. Pectin is mainly made of homogalacturonan, which is a linear polymer composed primarily of D-galacturonic acid units (at least 65%) linked in a chain by α-(1,4)-glycosidic linkages. There are also modified pectins or derivatives that improve pectin’s bioavailability. Pectin is found in the cell walls of higher plants (pteridophytes, angiosperms, and gymnosperms), particularly in the middle lamella of the plant material. Citrus pectin is used in various industries. This article compiles information that has been available for years about the therapeutic importance of pectin in chronic diseases, different modes of pectin extraction, the chemistry of pectin, and the potency of pectin and its derivatives

Determinants of Health Management Practices&rsquo; Utilization and Its Effect on Poultry Farmers&rsquo; Income in Ondo State, Nigeria

Nigeria is the second largest poultry industry in Africa, with its poultry industry the most commercialized livestock sub-sector. Despite its significance, the farmers still experience economic losses due to disease outbreaks. Hence, the application of standard Health Management Practices (HMPs) is very important, as these practices improve the welfare of animals and increase animal production and farmers&rsquo; income. This paper examined the determinants of HMP&rsquo;s utilization and its effect on poultry farmers&rsquo; income in Ondo State, Nigeria. We used multistage sampling procedures to select 120 respondents who provided data for the study. The study used Generalized Poisson Regression (GPR) and Conditional Quantile Regression (CQR) models to estimate the determinants of HMP&rsquo;s utilization intensity, and its heterogeneous effects on farmers&rsquo; income, respectively. The results revealed that the HMP&rsquo;s utilization intensity was significantly driven by variables such as education, training, experience, land ownership, stock size, mortality rate, and production system. In addition, HMP&rsquo;s utilization had significant heterogeneous effects on farmers&rsquo; income. Therefore, the government and other developmental agencies should promote HMP&rsquo;s utilization through the provision of poultry-based skills acquisition and vocational education

Assessment of Turkey Farming Management Practices by Small-Scale Rural Farmers in Eastern Nigeria

A survey of rural turkey farmers was conducted in three villages in the Eastern part of Nigeria, namely: Amukwa, Amaeze and Nguru. The aim of the study was to assess the prevailing management and production practices of turkey farmers in the area. Information obtained included flock size, reasons for keeping birds, breeding and management practices among others. The multistage random sampling method was used to collect information from 180 respondents. Results obtained revealed variability in response among flock sizes (1–20), with most (90%) respondents being part-time farmers. Mean scores, in terms of the level of adoption of standard management practices by turkey farmers, were given as cleaning and disinfection of pen before restocking ( = 4.60), removal of droppings ( = 4.57), and changing and replacement of litters ( = 4.4). Beak trimming ( = 1.27) was the lowestranked farm practice by farmers. It was concluded that the management practices and production of turkey in the study area are below standard when compared to those in developed societies. Adequate support for farmers in terms of finance and regular training, among others, by relevant agencies including the government may help improve the production of turkey in the area

Assessment of Turkey Farming Management Practices by Small-Scale Rural Farmers in Eastern Nigeria

A survey of rural turkey farmers was conducted in three villages in the Eastern part of Nigeria, namely: Amukwa, Amaeze and Nguru. The aim of the study was to assess the prevailing management and production practices of turkey farmers in the area. Information obtained included flock size, reasons for keeping birds, breeding and management practices among others. The multistage random sampling method was used to collect information from 180 respondents. Results obtained revealed variability in response among flock sizes (1–20), with most (90%) respondents being part-time farmers. Mean scores, in terms of the level of adoption of standard management practices by turkey farmers, were given as cleaning and disinfection of pen before restocking ( = 4.60), removal of droppings ( = 4.57), and changing and replacement of litters ( = 4.4). Beak trimming ( = 1.27) was the lowestranked farm practice by farmers. It was concluded that the management practices and production of turkey in the study area are below standard when compared to those in developed societies. Adequate support for farmers in terms of finance and regular training, among others, by relevant agencies including the government may help improve the production of turkey in the area