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The genetic diversity of leaf vegetable jute mallow (Corchorus spp.): A review
(2017-09-15) Ngomuo, Munguatosha; Stoilova, Tsvetelina; Feyissa, Tileye; Kassim, Neema; Ndakidemi, Patrick
Corchorus spp. is among traditional vegetable which is very nutritious and has been in use in many households in Africa.
It contains high level of carotenoids (150µg/100g), vitamin C, Iron (190µg/g), 1.3% Calcium and 25.0% protein. The
leaves are used in treatment of diseases and have wide antibacterial properties. It is semidomesticated and sometimes
grows as a volunteer crop. Its status in some parts of Tanzania as a wild plant renders it unappealing for consideration in
crop development programs.There is limited scientific information on its diversity for use as a vegetable in crop improvement
and is a potential area for research. Variations exist among different accessions based on leaf shapes and color. Diversity
studies by using molecular markers, proteins and isozymes are reported by several authors. There is low variation within
species and high among species. Most of released varieties have a narrow genetic base. Conservation of this species in
Africa is scarcely reported.
Patterns of tsetse abundance and trypanosome infection rates among habitats of surveyed villages in Maasai steppe of northern Tanzania
(BioMed Central Ltd., 2017-09-04) Ngonyoka, Anibariki; Gwakisa, Paul; Estes, Anna; Salekwa, Linda; Nnko, Happiness; Hudson, Peter; Cattadori, Isabella
Background: Changes of land cover modify the characteristics of habitat, host-vector interaction and consequently
infection rates of disease causing agents. In this paper, we report variations in tsetse distribution patterns,
abundance and infection rates in relation to habitat types and age in the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania. In
Africa, Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis negatively impacted human life where about 40 million people are at risk
of contracting the disease with dramatic socio-economical consequences, for instance, loss of livestock, animal
productivity, and manpower.
Methods: We trapped tsetse flies in dry and wet seasons between October 2014 and May 2015 in selected habitats
across four villages: Emboreet, Loiborsireet, Kimotorok and Oltukai adjacent to protected areas. Data collected
include number and species of tsetse flies caught in baited traps, PCR identification of trypanosome species and
extraction of monitored Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectrometer (MODIS).
Results: Our findings demonstrate the variation of tsetse fly species abundance and infection rates among habitats
in surveyed villages in relation to NDVI and host abundance. Results have shown higher tsetse fly abundance in
Acacia-swampy ecotone and riverine habitats for Emboreet and other villages, respectively. Tsetse abundance was
inconsistent among habitats in different villages. Emboreet was highly infested with Glossina swynnertoni (68%) in
ecotone and swampy habitats followed by G. morsitans (28%) and G. pallidipes (4%) in riverine habitat. In the remaining
villages, the dominant tsetse fly species by 95% was G. pallidipes in all habitats. Trypanosoma vivax was the most
prevalent species in all infected flies (95%) with few observations of co-infections (with T. congolense or T. brucei).
Conclusions: The findings of this study provide a framework to mapping hotspots of tsetse infestation and
trypanosomiasis infection and enhance the communities to plan for effective control of trypanosomiasis.
Pastoralists’ Vulnerability to Trypanosomiasis in Maasai Steppe
(Springer New York LLC, 2017-09-04) Nnko, Happiness; Gwakisa, Paul; Ngonyoka, Anibariki; Saigilu, Meshack; Ole-Neselle, Moses; Kisoka, William; Sindato, Calvin; Estes, Anna
Trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of both livestock and humans. Although pastoral communities of the Maasai Steppe have been able to adapt to trypanosomiasis in the past, their traditional strategies are now constrained by changes in climate and land regimes that affect their ability to move with their herds and continually shape the communities’ vulnerability to trypanosomiasis. Despite these constraints, information on communities’ vulnerability and adaptive capacity to trypanosomiasis is limited. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted in Simanjiro and Monduli districts of the Maasai Steppe to establish pastoralists’ vulnerability to animal trypanosomiasis and factors that determined their adaptation strategies. A weighted overlay approach in ArcGIS 10.4 was used to analyze vulnerability levels while binomial and multinomial logistic regressions in R 3.3.2 were used to analyze the determinants of adaptation. Simanjiro district was the most vulnerable to trypanosomiasis. The majority (87.5%, n = 136) of the respondents were aware of trypanosomiasis in animals, but only 7.4% (n = 136) knew about the human form of the disease. Reported impacts of animal trypanosomiasis were low milk production (95.6%, n = 136), death of livestock (96.8%, n = 136) and emaciation of animals (99.9%, n = 136). Crop farming was the most frequently reported animal trypanosomiasis adaptation strategy (66%, n = 136). At a 95% confidence interval, accessibility to livestock extension services (β = 7.61, SE = 3.28, df = 135, P = 0.02), years of livestock keeping experience (β = 6.17, SE = 1.95, df = 135, P = 0.001), number of cattle owned (β = 5.85, SE = 2.70, df = 135, P = 0.03) and membership in associations (β = − 4.11, SE = 1.79, df = 135, P = 0.02) had a significant impact on the probability of adapting to animal trypanosomiasis.
Flowered-geodbapp: An application based on crowd-generating data using Sentinel2 imagery
(International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2017-07-05) Melis, M.; Dessì, F.; Loddo, P.; La Mantia, C.; Da Pelo, S.; Deflorio, A.; Ghiglieri, G.; Hailu, B.; Kalegele, K.; Mwasi, B.
This study is part of the EU H2020 research Project FLOWERED (de-FLuoridation technologies for imprOving quality of WatEr and agRo-animal products along the East African Rift Valley in the context of aDaptation to climate change). FLOWERED project aims to develop technologies and methodologies at cross-boundary catchment scales to manage the risks associated with high Fluoride water supply in Africa, focusing on three representative test areas along the African Rift Valley (i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania), characterized by high fluoride contents in waters and soils, water scarcity, overexploitation of groundwater and high vulnerability to risks arising from climate change, as drought and desertification. It also is empowering local communities to take responsibility for the integrated-sustainability of the natural resources, growing national and international environmental priorities, enhancing transboundary cooperation and promoting local ownership based on a scientific and technological approach.
Within the FLOWERED project, the transition from the land cover to the land use and water use maps is provided through the development of a mobile application (FLOWERED-GeoDBapp ). It is dedicated to the collection of local geo-information on land use, water uses, irrigation systems, household features, use of drinking water and the other information needful for the specific knowledge of water supply involving local communities through participative approach. This system is structured to be populated, through an action of crowd-generating data by local communities (students and people involved mainly by NGOs). The SHAREGEODBapp is proposed as an innovative tool for water management and agriculture institutions at regional and local level.
Innovative biomass conversion in Africa
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2017-06) Virgin, Ivar; Komakech, Allan; Kyambadde, Joseph; Njau, Karoli; Leta, Seyoum
Transforming the African agroprocessing sector so that it effectively adds value to the primary production and converts waste to valuable products in an environmentally friendly manner will be central in improving agricultural productivity in Africa. Applied modern bioscience is slowly but surely penetrating the agricultural and agroprocessing sector in Eastern Africa improving its sustainability and productivity. The purpose of this paper is to describe a selection of agroprocessing technology cases in Eastern Africa and their corresponding emerging innovation systems. On the basis of these technological innovation systems, the paper identifies barriers and enabling conditions for developing and adopting agroprocessing innovations in Eastern Africa. The public sector has a central role in adopting and disseminating promising bioscience innovations to agricultural and agroprocessing actors in Eastern Africa. A strong public sector research base is therefore a crucial condition for knowledge development, innovation and deployment. The study shows that structural and policy constraints, rather than scientific and technical knowledge, are the main barrier to bioscience technologies contributing to a more dynamic agricultural and agro-processing sector. The main structural and policy constraints are: i) unfavourable conditions for entrepreneurship, both in the private and public sector; ii) weak markets and ineffective or absent market incentives; iii) unfavourable and disconnected policy regimes; and iv)severe lack of access to affordable financing and credit. © 2017, ETA-Florence Renewable Energies. All rights reserved.