A study on Extent of Participation and Perception of Farmers on Benefits of IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme)

Watershed is a basin-like landform defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. Watershed development involves conservation, regeneration and judicious utilization of natural resources. It aims to bring about an optimum balance between the demand and use of natural resources so that they remain sustainable over time. Ex-post-facto research design was adopted for the study with the objective to find out the extent of participation of watershed farmers in Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and to find out its benefits. Majority of the watershed farmers had medium level of participation in IWMP followed by low and high participation. The independent variables viz., age, education, farming experience, training received, socio-political participation, efficiency of group leadership, group cohesiveness, decision making pattern and hard work oriented-ness were found positively and significantly related with the extent of participation of watershed farmers in IWMP

Construction of Knowledge Test to Measure the Knowledge on Recommended Groundnut Production Practices

The non-availability of a standardized scale to measure the farmers’ knowledge level influenced the researchers to construct a test for measuring the knowledge on recommended groundnut production package of practices. Pertinent items were collected covering all aspects from the crop production guide developed by the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. After getting jury opinion on the items, test index of item difficulty, index of item discrimination and point biserial correlation for the items were worked out. All these were taken in to account to arrive at the final scale. While administrating the knowledge test a respondent was given one mark for each correct answer and zero for wrong answer. Eleven (11) items were finally selected from a total of fifty five (55) items

Tuberculosis chemotherapy: current drug delivery approaches

Tuberculosis is a leading killer of young adults worldwide and the global scourge of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is reaching epidemic proportions. It is endemic in most developing countries and resurgent in developed and developing countries with high rates of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This article reviews the current situation in terms of drug delivery approaches for tuberculosis chemotherapy. A number of novel implant-, microparticulate-, and various other carrier-based drug delivery systems incorporating the principal anti-tuberculosis agents have been fabricated that either target the site of tuberculosis infection or reduce the dosing frequency with the aim of improving patient outcomes. These developments in drug delivery represent attractive options with significant merit, however, there is a requisite to manufacture an oral system, which directly addresses issues of unacceptable rifampicin bioavailability in fixed-dose combinations. This is fostered by the need to deliver medications to patients more efficiently and with fewer side effects, especially in developing countries. The fabrication of a polymeric once-daily oral multiparticulate fixed-dose combination of the principal anti-tuberculosis drugs, which attains segregated delivery of rifampicin and isoniazid for improved rifampicin bioavailability, could be a step in the right direction in addressing issues of treatment failure due to patient non-compliance

Do smallholder farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply good-quality, fungal-free sorghum seed?

Local seed systems that are developed, managed and maintained by farmers are a fundamental practice in smallholder crop production, supporting more than 80% of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and feeding more than 70% of its population. The resilience of such systems is under threat from poverty, climate change, drought, increased pests and diseases, over-promotion of modern crop varieties, change of lifestyles and restrictive seed policies. The system continues to be maligned as having inferior quality, yet few studies support this assertion. This study aims to fll this research gap by evaluating 60 sorghum seed samples collected from smallholder farmers in Uzumba-MarambaPfungwe and Chimanimani districts of Zimbabwe. We investigated the efect of farmer-led seed management practices (e.g. seed acquisition and seed storage practices) on farm-derived sorghum seed quality (moisture, germination and fungal incidences). We found farmers using diverse seed sources and seed storage practices. Seeds were typically of good quality in that their storage moisture content was low, their germination was high, and fungal incidences were low. Seed sourced from local markets, non-governmental organizations and other farmers had germination and moisture standards that met the sorghum certifcation standards in Zimbabwe. However, few samples obtained from the relatives and government failed to meet the germination and/or moisture certifcation standards. We detected low incidences of fungi (Aspergillus favus, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp.) in sorghum seed samples tested and in particular Fusarium sp., which is the most economic important fungus in sorghum production. We conclude that farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply seeds of good quality and recommend that such systems should be recognized and promoted to meet the ever-evolving needs of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa

HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibition, type 2 diabetes, and bodyweight: evidence from genetic analysis and randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: Statins increase the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess whether this increase in risk is a consequence of inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the intended drug target. METHODS: We used single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HMGCR gene, rs17238484 (for the main analysis) and rs12916 (for a subsidiary analysis) as proxies for HMGCR inhibition by statins. We examined associations of these variants with plasma lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations; bodyweight; waist circumference; and prevalent and incident type 2 diabetes. Study-specific effect estimates per copy of each LDL-lowering allele were pooled by meta-analysis. These findings were compared with a meta-analysis of new-onset type 2 diabetes and bodyweight change data from randomised trials of statin drugs. The effects of statins in each randomised trial were assessed using meta-analysis. FINDINGS: Data were available for up to 223 463 individuals from 43 genetic studies. Each additional rs17238484-G allele was associated with a mean 0·06 mmol/L (95% CI 0·05-0·07) lower LDL cholesterol and higher body weight (0·30 kg, 0·18-0·43), waist circumference (0·32 cm, 0·16-0·47), plasma insulin concentration (1·62%, 0·53-2·72), and plasma glucose concentration (0·23%, 0·02-0·44). The rs12916 SNP had similar effects on LDL cholesterol, bodyweight, and waist circumference. The rs17238484-G allele seemed to be associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] per allele 1·02, 95% CI 1·00-1·05); the rs12916-T allele association was consistent (1·06, 1·03-1·09). In 129 170 individuals in randomised trials, statins lowered LDL cholesterol by 0·92 mmol/L (95% CI 0·18-1·67) at 1-year of follow-up, increased bodyweight by 0·24 kg (95% CI 0·10-0·38 in all trials; 0·33 kg, 95% CI 0·24-0·42 in placebo or standard care controlled trials and -0·15 kg, 95% CI -0·39 to 0·08 in intensive-dose vs moderate-dose trials) at a mean of 4·2 years (range 1·9-6·7) of follow-up, and increased the odds of new-onset type 2 diabetes (OR 1·12, 95% CI 1·06-1·18 in all trials; 1·11, 95% CI 1·03-1·20 in placebo or standard care controlled trials and 1·12, 95% CI 1·04-1·22 in intensive-dose vs moderate dose trials). INTERPRETATION: The increased risk of type 2 diabetes noted with statins is at least partially explained by HMGCR inhibition. FUNDING: The funding sources are cited at the end of the paper

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Not AvailableSeed Banks are places of storage where indigenous seed varieties are conserved and managed by farmers. These are not evaluated with respect to their relevance to tribal farmer’s needs and preferences. In order to measure the tribal farmer’s attitude towards seed bank, it is necessary to construct a scale for this purpose. Method of Equal-Appearing Intervals was used to construct the attitude scale. Total 53 attitude statements about seed banking expressing varied degree of favorableness were collected, edited on the basis of the Edward’s criteria. These statements were subjected to scrutiny by an expert panel. Based on subjects response a standardized scale has been developed with 25 statements. The reliability and validity of the scale indicates its precision and consistency of the results.Not Availabl

Profile Characteristics of Watershed Farmers and the Extent of Adoption of NRM Practices in Watershed Areas of the Andhra Pradesh State

This study describes the association between the profile characteristics of watershed farmers and the extent of adoption of various NRM (Natural Resource Management) practices in watershed areas of the Andhra Pradesh state. The results indicate that positive and significant relationships were seen between profile characteristics such as training undergone, team work, risk-taking ability, input usage pattern, farm size, environmental awareness and socio-political participation and the extent of adoption of NRM activities. The value of the coefficient of multiple determination (R2) indicates that a combination of six independent variables (farm size, training, input usage pattern, environmental awareness, risk-taking ability and group communication) could explain 78.49 % of the variation in the dependent variable of the extent of adoption of NRM practices

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Not AvailableThe present study has been initiated focusing on tribal farmers knowledge, attitude and manifested behaviour towards seed banking. The study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh state (erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh). Ex-post facto Research Design was used in the present investigation. Random sampling method was used to select the respondents. A total of 240 respondents were selected for the study from three districts. The results revealed that majority of the tribal farmers (58.75%) were found to possess favourable attitude towards seed banking. 47.5% of the tribal farmers were found to have medium level of knowledge on seed banking activities. They have knowledge on special storage structures like gunny bags, bottle guard shell, pots, mud bins that occupy less space. Majority of the tribal farmers (62.8%) had high seed banking behavior. There was a positive and significant relationship between seed banking behaviour of the tribal farmers and the variables viz., age, farming experience, land holding, cosmo politeness, extension contact, training, socio-politico participation, risk orientation, storage facilities and religious belief.Not Availabl