African Journal of Tropical Agriculture

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (3), pp. 143-148, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Stakeholder demands to determine the communication gaps and problems in Zangros Forest

Bahar Mahmoud Aghashloo

Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Payame Noor University, Iran.

E-mail: mahmoud33@ pnu.ac.ir

Accepted 24 February, 2015

Abstract 

Zagros forests, located in the western part of Iran. Up to now, enough attention has not been paid to the demands of stakeholders and participatory management in Zagros forests. The main objective of this research is studying the demands of various stakeholders in Zagros forests to determine the communication gaps and problems of participatory management. This research was carried out in Dashte-Barm watershed of Fars province, south-west of Zagros forest. In this research, with the questionnaire design based on Likert scale, the stakeholder’ demands of forest management plan (FMP) were studied. The result of research show the decentralization of management is most important element of stakeholder demands. Decentralization of management include giving the right of suffrage to the local resident, attention to traditional knowledge, participatory management and delegating authority to local units. It is important that the local inhabitants have the opportunity to periodically review the actions of municipal authorities and community representatives. No effort can succeed if the majority of the local inhabitants must follow rules and regulations that others can circumvent, thereby reaping lion’s share of the benefits.

Key words: Decentralization of management, Likert scale, traditional knowledge, participatory management.

Review

Wide spread of insufficient Energy supply in developing and under developed countries

Shen Robin Ziqing

Department of Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 15 January, 2015

Abstract

Energy problems in developing and under developed countries are serious and widespread. Lack of access to sufficient and sustainable supply of energy affects over 85% of the population in these countries. Over 3 billion people are without electricity and a similar number remains dependent on fuels such as animal dung, plant residue, kerosene, wood and charcoal as a source of fuel for lighting and cooking. Without efficient supply of clean energy, peoples’ efforts to effectively engage in economic activities or improve living standard will be fruitless. Sierra Leone has just emerged from a decade-long civil war which virtually paralyzed the economy. As the country currently embarks on post-conflict development and economic modernization, there is need to thoroughly address energy issues for sustainable economic growth. Modern economies are energy dependent; meaning that economic prosperity and sustainable living standards could only be achieved through paradigm shift in energy policy and planning. Sierra Leone is fairly endowed with energy resources, like biomass energy, hydropower, solar energy and other renewable energy resources. If properly harnessed, these rich resources of energy can lay the basis for sustainable economic development in Sierra Leone.

Key words: Economic development, energy, hydro electric power, living standard, Sierra-Leone.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (1), pp. 123-129, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Climatic change on the status of silvo-agriculture species in Mahottary district, Nepal

*Madhav Ruat Kumar, Surya Dhakal and Gyanendra Subedi

Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Purbanchal University, Biratnagar, Nepal.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 26 December, 2014

Abstract 

This paper aims at exploring the impacts of climate change on the marginal communities and the status of silvo-agriculture species. Mahottary district of Nepal was selected for this study in 2012. A pertinent questionnaire was used to determine the impacts of climate change. The key respondents were interviewed and workshops organized at three different levels to triangulate the information. Stratified random sampling was applied to collect the bio-physical data. The results showed a shift in flowering and ripening seasons of agriculture crops. The associate species of Shorea robusta were at threat. Those species were abundant in the past, but rarely found nowadays. The values of Shannon Weinner and Simpson indices were 2.53 and 0.86 respectively in 2005 and 2.34 and 0.85 respectively in January, 2012 showing the impacts of climate change on forest species. Bees that make hive on Bombax ceiba were not found and the marginal communities were affected. Similarly, Terai indigenous communities and Dalits were found to have been affected because of insufficient fish in the paddy fields. Frogs and storks were scarcely found in the farmlands. Extreme drought, untimely floods and mass-wasting have been damaging the wealth and health in the locality.

Key words: Dalits, Terai indigenous, impacts, climate change, forest biodiversity.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 2 (12), pp. 116-122, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hindering factors to the effectiveness to second-tier rural producer organizations (RPOs) in linking their members to output markets in Uganda

Rukiya Nakadama Odipo

Department of Agriculture Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Buganda.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 9 November, 2014

Abstract 

The study investigates the factors influencing the effectiveness of second-tier rural producer organizations (RPOs) in linking their members to output markets in Uganda. The percentage of farmers who sold some of their produce through the RPO was used as a proxy for effectiveness. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis indicated that RPO effectiveness was positively related to the size of a RPO and democratic leadership. On the other hand, the proportion of RPO leaders with leadership training, enforcement of internal control practices, bulking distance and size of executive committee had a significant negative effect on the effectiveness of such organizations. It was concluded that improving the effectiveness of RPOs required the (i) use of numerous sub-committee instead of many all-member meetings and smaller executive committees; (ii) dedication, respect and commitment by leaders of RPOs when imparting skills learnt in order to boost members’ morale; (iii) devising reward systems for leaders or putting in place stringent rules, such as leadership codes, to guide leader behaviour so as to prevent conflict of interest and possible elite capture; and (iv) policies guiding Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) lending conditions be reviewed to match rural producers’ economic status and seasonality of enterprises.

Key words: Marketing rural producer organizations (RPOs), RPO effectiveness, smallholder farmers, market participation, Uganda.

African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 2 (11), pp. 111-115, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Economic down turn in aggregate cocoa Production

Olise V. O. Cyril

Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 24 October, 2014

Abstract 

In the 1970s and 1980s there was a consistent economic down turn and decline in aggregate cocoa output in Nigeria. This culminated in the introduction of structural adjustment programme (SAP) in 1986 to stem this trend. The objective of the paper was to evaluate the effect(s) of the deregulated policy measures on the cocoa industry in southwest Nigeria. Data were collected from six important cocoa producing Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the region and these were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression techniques. The study found that after two decades of operating SAP and economic liberalization policy in the country, cocoa production still remains in the hands of smallholder operators with little application of chemical inputs to enhance output. The paper concludes that significant increases in aggregate cocoa output can be achieved through a combination of sustained increase in real producer prices, local currency devaluation and increased supply of chemical fertilizers.

Key words: market deregulation, cocoa, southwest Nigeria.