Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID)
NEW 2024 IMPACT FACTOR released: 1.1 Our publisher is changing the web service provider, and the processing of submissions can be delayed. We apologize for this issue. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID) is an international, multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and technical papers concerning activities devoted to International Development in the Global South, particularly associated with marginalized and resource-limited contexts The topics covered by the journal comprehend, but are not limited to: Agronomy, crop production and food security studies in rural and urbanised marginal contexts Sustainable management of natural resources in agriculture (e.g. soil, land, water) Remote sensing applications, forestry and natural resources evaluation Rural development, inclusive of economic analysis, and social sciences studies concerning farmand environmental management Livestock production, aquaculture and fisheries and conservation of animal biodiversity Climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation strategies related to previous topics We encourage the submission of original and innovative results from international cooperation projects. The journal specifically does not address papers referring to human health studies and/or about experimental studies without a direct link to rural development. JAEID is a Diamond Open Access journal, published, distributed, and preserved with no fees to either reader or author. Editor-in-Chief Elena Bresci, University of Florence, Italy ISSN 2240-2802 The Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID) is indexed in:
Upon acceptance, the copyright of a paper becomes the property of 'Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development'. By virtue of their appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings. Permission to reprint in any form contributions or parts of contributions for commercial use can be given only by the Journal.
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices: A Synthesis of Implementation in Nigeria
The impact of climate is threatening sustainable food production worldwide. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a strategic practice that supports farming, ameliorates food insecurity, and advances sustainable agriculture. This study assesses the implementation of CSA through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). From an initial in-depth search of 337 publications, 98 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results showed that awareness of CSA remains low even with a steady increase in publications from 2020-2023. The south-western region was the most studied as farmers implemented various approaches across the country with 43% of the studies highlighting the implementation of indigenous knowledge which includes adjusting the planting dates and use of natural pest control methods. Major determinants of the adoption of CSA were access to credit, contact with extension service providers, years of farming experience, and level of education. Farmers recorded an increase in production and income with improvement in soil health due to their adoption of CSA. The absence of government policies, the high cost of implementation, and low level of technical skill were hindrances to the adoption of CSA. The study concludes that farmers in Nigeria are implementing CSA practices. There is a need to increase awareness and develop the capacity of farmers through training in CSA skills. The government should legislate reforms and provide incentives to support farmers to adopt CSA.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chibuzo U. Izuogu, Joy O. Oparaojiaku, Michael O. Olaolu, Susan C. Iroegbu, John O. Ifabiyi, Janet B. Ayegboyin, Abraham G. Ominikari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessment of indigenous farming practices of Nilotic Nuer farmers in Gambella region, south-west Ethiopia
Indigenous farming practices in the Gambella region are deeply rooted in local knowledge and traditions passed down through generations. One of the most important aspects of indigenous farming is the cultivation of diverse, drought-resistant crops such as sorghum, maize, and cassava. The primary objective of the study was to identify the indigenous farming practices of Nilotic Nuer farmers in the Gambella region, southwest Ethiopia. This study employed a mixed research method that integrated both qualitative and quantitative approaches. To ensure comprehensive data collection, a combination of simple random, systematic, purposive, and stratified sampling techniques was used to select the study areas, which included, Lare, Jekow, and Makuey districts, as well as Palbol, Kuachthiang, and Gier kebelles. Data were collected from both the primary and secondary sources. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions, percentages, means, standard deviations, and charts, were used. Inferential statistics, including t-tests and chi-square tests, were used to test relationships and differences. Additionally, an econometric model–the binary logistic regression model–was employed for further analysis. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings of this study indicated that most sample respondents strongly agreed on the role of increased crop and livestock yields (52%), while the majority strongly disagreed on the conservation of natural resources through agroforestry and crop rotation (47%). The majority of respondents agreed on the role of indigenous farming practices in minimizing soil erosion (32%), while most strongly agreed on the role of minimizing pollution (32%). The binary logit results showed that extension contact (p=0.042) and access to water (p=0.052) significantly and positively influenced Nuer farmers. However, household size (p=0.097) was significant and negatively influenced Nuer farmers.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chuol Bor Choul, Khat Gach Ger https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Phytosociological study of herbaceous communities under Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Savi) Kyal. & Boatwr in eastern Niger
The present study was conducted in eastern Niger with the objective of assessing the floristic diversity under the canopy of Vachellia tortilis. To collect detailed data on the plant species present, the sigmatist method of abundance-dominance of Braun-Blanquet was employed, which is a common phytosociological technique for determining the relative abundance and dominance of species in each area. This method helps classify species based on their frequency and coverage. A total of 138 plots were surveyed to ensure a comprehensive representation of the study area. These plots were distributed across various locations under the canopy of V. tortilis, covering diverse topographies and environmental conditions. Hierarchical Ascending Classification (HAC) was used to group plant species based on their similarities in abundance and presence across the plots. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) helped visualize the distribution of plant species in relation to environmental gradients such as soil type and moisture content, ensuring that plant groupings were not solely influenced by environmental variables. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was employed to further explore the relationships between plant species and environmental factors, providing a deeper understanding of how plant communities are structured and influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. The results revealed 5 plant groupings with a total species richness of 35 herbaceous species divided into 19 families. The analysis of the floristic composition shows that the Poaceae family (41.08%) is the most important, followed by the Mimosaceae (14.82%). The analysis of diversity indices shows that the greatest specific diversity is observed in the V. tortilis and Cenchrus biflorus grouping (22 species) with a Shannon index of 2.96 and a Piélou equitability of 0.83. The dominance of Poaceae under the V. tortilis canopy suggests that this tree species influences herbaceous community composition by creating favorable ecological conditions such as soil moisture retention and light availability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ismael Bio, Mamadou Boubacar Moussa, Idrissa Soumana, Ali Mahamane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Greening Agriculture: Exploring the Asymmetric Impact of Agriculture on Carbon Emissions in SCO Countries
The emission of CO2 becomes a main reason for environmental damage. Among various sources, this study aims to focus on the impact of agriculture on CO2 emissions. While agriculture plays a vital role in supplying essential foods, it also contributes to ecological ruin. Using the Nonlinear Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NPARDL) model, the study investigates the nonlinear impacts of agriculture on CO₂ emissions in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations for the period of 1992–2020. The results indicate that negative shocks to agriculture lead to substantial CO₂ emission reductions, in both the short- and long run, whereas shocks that are positive do not show a statistically significant short-run effect but result in statistically significant increase in emissions in the long-run. The study highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and renewable energy consumption in mitigating carbon emissions. By linking these findings to the principles of Green Economics, this research emphasizes the need for policies that balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation, promoting eco-friendly farming techniques and efficient resource use. The results provide actionable insights for policymakers in SCO countries to achieve sustainable development goals while addressing climate change challenges.
Copyright (c) 2025 Usama Abdul Rauf, Amanat Ali, Sareer Ahmad, Nikhil Shil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Forage crops status, determinants and constraints: Current status of improved forage crops, determinants and constraints on smallholders mixed crop-livestock farms in the semi-arid region of Algeria
In Algeria, forage crops face significant limitations, posing a challenge to the development of intensive livestock production. This study aims to understand the status, determinants, and constraints to the adoption of improved forage crops in mixed crop-livestock family farms in the province of Bordj Bou Arreridj, located in the semi-arid zone of eastern Algeria. We conducted a survey on 98 farms using a semi-structured questionnaire in two different ago-pedoclimatic zones, and our analysis included the description of forage cropping modalities and the empirical modelling of the factors influencing the adopted patterns of forage crops. Our results showed that fodder crops cover almost 20% of the total arable land. However, the allocation of land to forage crops varied considerably between farms and zones. Cultivated forage crops included barley, oats, corn, sorghum, and alfalfa. The adoption of improved fodder crops was influenced by several structural and socio-economic factors, such as exploited farmland size, size of sheep livestock, family labor size, access and permanent availability of irrigation water, farming equipment, social network involvement, and agricultural training. The development of forage crops encountered various constraints, including issues of seed availability and cost, limited farmland, and insufficient irrigation water. To boost forage incorporation in local farming systems, it is imperative to raise farmers' awareness of the agronomic benefits of cultivating fodder crops. In addition, supporting farmers to improve their knowledge, farm structures, and equipment and providing seeds and fertilizers are crucial for the successful promotion of fodder crops.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lounis Semara, Charefeddine Mouffok, Farida Belkasmi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Modelling Contract Farming Impact on Poultry Farm Income: Lessons from the Nigerian Anchor-Borrower Outgrowers’ Programme
Contract farming was introduced in Nigeria to address the challenges faced by smallholder farming households in realising farming objectives. Therefore, this study examined the effectiveness of the Anchor-borrower Outgrowers’ Programme in fulfilling one of its roles of increasing the net farm income of poultry farming households in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used for data collection from the respondents. The endogenous switching regression model was used to estimate the impact of contract farming on the net farm income of farming households in Southwestern Nigeria. The findings from the first stage of the Endogenous Switching Regression Model revealed that age, major distribution outlet, off-farm income, transaction cost, flock size, and association membership determined farmers’ participation in the poultry anchor-borrower outgrowers’ scheme. The second stage further revealed the socioeconomic characteristics affecting the net income of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, including sales price, flock size, proximity to the urban center (Lagos), education qualification, off-farm income, and transaction cost. The result from the estimated average treatment effect (ATE) revealed that participation in anchor-borrower poultry contract farming had a positive influence on the net farm income of beneficiaries. Thus, evaluating and providing solutions to factors highlighted in this study that hinder participation in contract farming is important to ensuring more farmers enjoy the opportunities provided by contract farming. In this same vein, contract farming programmes in Nigeria should consider providing fixed inputs such as land and buildings through lease agreements, as this influences participation in the programme. In addition, older farmers should be encouraged to key into anchor-borrower poultry contract farming and refrain from viewing them as scam schemes akin to past programmes they engaged in over their extensive years of agricultural experience.
Copyright (c) 2025 Olabisi Damilola Omodara, Oluwemimo Oluwasola, Temitope Oyebanji https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Synergistic effects of cattle dung, urea and lime on agronomic productivity and physicochemical properties of coarse-textured tropical soils
A major limitation to the use of some biowaste as manure is their high C/N ratio and hence slow mineralisation rate. Combined use of such slow-mineralising animal manures with N-rich fertilizers and/or synthetic lime may valorize them. The objective of this study was to assess the synergistic effects of cattle dung (CD), Urea and lime on crop productivity and physicochemical properties of sandy tropical soils. Treatments of CD, Urea, Lime, CD+Urea, CD+Lime, Urea+Lime, CD+Urea+Lime, standardized CD+Urea and Control were used to grow okra on sandy soils from a long-term fallow land. The CD and Lime were added at 20 and 0.15-t/ha equivalents three weeks before okra sowing, and Urea at 5-t/ha equivalent at sowing except for standardized CD+Urea where this mix (with reduced C/N of ca.10) was added three weeks before sowing. Agronomic and soil data were collected during and after nine-week crop growth phase, respectively. Treatment affected okra growth and soil variables. Plant height and leaf area generally showed CD+Urea+Lime > CD+Urea/CD+Lime/CD > Urea+Lime/Control, with 56-81% and 124-125% increases, respectively in CD+Urea+Lime relative to Urea+Lime/Control. However, CD+Urea and Urea+Lime/Urea/Lime/Control produced the most and fewest leaves per plant, respectively. Treatment CD+Urea+Lime gave the highest okra dry matter, lowest soil bulk density and highest available P and cations exchange. The CD+Lime improved macro-aggregation the most but, together with standardized CD+Urea, also caused soil colloidal dispersion. Okra dry matter reflected soil available P (R2 = 0.63). Fortifying CD-manure with lime and, afterward, Urea could produce synergistic agronomic effects mostly via boosted P-bioavailability, and is hereby proposed for physicochemical fertility management of coarse-textured acid tropical soils.
Copyright (c) 2025 Precious I. Ameh, Ntieneobong E. Etukudo, Paul O. Joseph, Benjamin A. Onuze, Solange T. Ndzeshala, Blessing I. Isaac, Sunday E. Obalum, Kayode P. Baiyeri, Charles A. Igwe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Realtime Monitoring of Animal Behavior Using Deep Learning Models
Accurate monitoring of animal health and behavior is crucial for improving welfare and productivity in livestock management. Traditional observation methods are time-consuming and prone to subjective bias. To address these challenges, we propose an automated system for behavioral pattern using deep learning-based pose estimation techniques. Specifically, we utilize ResNet-50, a deep convolutional neural network, to detect key anatomical landmarks such as the nose, eyes, ears, and body center. By tracking these keypoints, we generate movement trajectories that help identify behavioral patterns. For behavior classification, we initially applied a decision tree algorithm, achieving an accuracy of 60%. To enhance performance, we implemented a random forest classifier, which significantly improved the accuracy to 96%. The system tries to classify seven key behaviors: "stand," "sit," "eat," "drink," "aggressive," "sit with legs tied," and "let go of the tail." The random forest model achieved the highest accuracy in detecting "standing" and "aggressive" behaviors, while lower accuracy was observed for "eating" behavior. Additionally, our pose estimation model demonstrated high precision and recall metrics, indicating robust performance in keypoint detection with minimal deviation from ground truth annotations. This automated system reduces the need for manual observation and provides a reliable tool for monitoring some animal behavior. The potential applications extend to various domains, including animal studies and livestock management, offering a scalable and user-friendly solution for real-time behavior analysis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Romesa Rao, Salman Qadri, Rao Kashif https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The role of non-timber forest products in reducing rural poverty in Burkina Faso
Using data collected in 2023 on five hundred and thirty (530) randomly selected rural households in two regions of Burkina Faso, this research investigates the contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) exploitation to rural poverty reduction using two different approaches. Firstly, it considers NTFP income as an "exogenous transfer", which is added to total household income, and compares the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices calculated with and without NTFP income. Secondly, it considers NTFP income as a "potential substitute" for other household income and simulates the counterfactual of what rural household income and poverty would be in the absence of access to NTFPs. The results show that in the absence of NTFPs, rural poverty would be much higher and deeper. These results suggest that rural development policies focused on the sustainable exploitation of these products are potentially feasible.
Copyright (c) 2025 Issoufou Ouedraogo, Eugenie Maiga, Lars Esbjerg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of rhizosphere microbial communities on yield-related traits of six onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes
Microbial communities play an important role in plant functioning and development. The microbial population structure in the rhizosphere of six onion genotypes CRB, OPNB, CRR, OPNR, CRJ and OPNJ was monitored at three sampling times using the soil dilution plating technique. Onion genotypes were also screened for their plant growth and bulb production parameters. The total bacterial, Pseudomonas fluorescens and actinobacterial populations increased from 38 to 71% with the increase of plant growth stages compared to the status before planting. As for the fungal population, a decrease by 43-51% was recorded at harvest. Only bacterial and actinobacterial populations varied upon onion genotypes. The average bulb weight was 24.2-46.8 and 32.8-52.8% significantly higher in the OPNR and OPNJ genotypes compared to OPNB, CRJ and CRB and similar to CRR. Based on Principal Component Analysis, the total and average bulb weights were positively correlated to the total fungal and Aspergillus spp. populations in the first group and to P. fluorescens and actinobacteria populations in the second one.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rania Aydi Ben Abdallah, Hela Chikh-Rouhou, Hayfa Jabnoun-Khiareddine, Mejda Daami-Remadi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Environmental Resource Conflicts and Food Insecurity in Rural Southeast Nigeria: Implications for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development Policies
Environmental resource crises involving farmers and herdsmen in developing nations can affect the realisation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals’(SDGs) targets, such as elimination of poverty, elimination of hunger and food insecurity, peace and safety of the human settlements, as well as sustainable production and consumption. This study examined this situation among indigenous farmers and migrating herdsmen in southeast Nigeria. The study aimed to examine the relationship between environmental resource access crises and food insecurity indicators in southeast Nigeria, as well as investigate the social indicators of climate change and environmental resource access crises and the predictors of resource access crises among the farmers and herders. This study involved 1658 respondents and was guided by the Resource Access Theory (RAT) (Ribot & Peluso, 2003). The study applied a survey research design with multistage and probability sampling techniques. Data were collected with a questionnaire instrument developed using FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO’s (2019) mild, moderate and severe food insecurity scale, and Coleman et al.’s (2013) Household Food Security Survey Module [HFSSM]. Percentage analysis, Spearman’s rho Correlation and multiple linear regression statistics were utilised in analysing the collected data. The analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between environmental resource-access crises and food utilization rho (1658) = .329 P =.01, a decrease in food stability rho (1658) = .308 P =.01, a decrease in food access rho (1658) = .234 P =.01, a decrease in food availability rho (1658) = .526 P =.01, and a decrease in food production rho (1658) = .307 P =.01. There is also a positive correlation between climate change and environmental resource-access crises in the region rho (1658) = .388 P =.01, while environmental resource-access crises are predicted by education, religion, climate change, etc (** p<.01, *** p<.000, R2= 72.9).One implication of these findings is that the control of environmental resource-access crises and climate change will eventually reduce the affected dimensions of food insecurity in the region and beyond. Based on these findings, it is recommended that agricultural policies and emerging food security crises be harmonized to create a synergy for proactive intervention. There should be a synergy between agricultural and security policies to address the issue of migration, which is affecting different regions and has enormous implications for food security.
Copyright (c) 2025 Samuel Okafor, Andrew Ogbochie, Chukwuka Ugwu, Chizoba Oranu, Gloria Amadi, Chigozie Ugwuanyi, Okolo Modesta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Valuing the forest: willingness-to-pay for ecopark with notes on tree architecture in Ifugao, Philippines
The survey aimed to examine the factors influencing local tourists’ Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) for the ecopark, focusing on tree crown architecture and the georeferencing of indigenous trees. The study was conducted at the Ecotrail and Reservation Site of Indigenous Species (ECOTRIS) at Ifugao State University. The results revealed that ECOTRIS entails a significant consumption cost, as 90% of the tourists surveyed expressed a willingness to pay for its management. Among these, 72.2% were willing to pay ₱10, 18.5% ₱15, and 9.3% ₱20.The majority of respondents (69%) were aged 15–25 years, while 21% were 26–39 years old. The WTP results showed that ecological enhancements and approval of existing facilities were statistically significant factors. Regarding trail preferences, concreted trails were favored over unconcreted ones, with land use, situational features, and natural obstacles also influencing tourists’ willingness to pay and satisfaction with the facilities. The study found that ECOTRIS is predominantly visited by younger male tourists and university students, rather than older individuals, women, or high school students, with significant statistical differences observed among these groups. Additionally, the tree crown architecture of native trees was perceived to have higher aesthetic value compared to non-native or exotic species. Non-native species were noted to be potentially invasive, often outcompeting native trees for sunlight in forest stands.
Copyright (c) 2025 Eric D. Bimmoy, Daniel V. Bernardino, Sheila T. Bimmoy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Preferences and Perceptions of Consumers Toward Local Dairy Products in Palestine
Local foods have a positive environmental impact. Local foods not only reduce energy consumption and, consequently, the carbon footprint of the supply chain, but also require less additional packaging from producers to protect food products during transportation and marketing. This study aims to evaluate consumers’ preferences and perceptions towards local dairy products in Palestine. 799 participants were surveyed and segmented based on their purchasing behavior, perceptions, and willingness to buy local dairy products. The study revealed that consumers are more inclined to purchase local dairy products compared to imported dairy products, the main competitors. Consumers showed higher intentions to buy Nabulsi cheese and Labneh compared to other dairy products, with significant positive correlations between product attributes. Based on Principal Components Analysis (PCA), three components were extracted from 18 variables. The three components identified are (1) PCA1: product attributes; (2) PCA2: perception of local products; and (3) PCA3: willingness to purchase local dairy products. These components explained 38.73%, 26.10%, and 5.71% of the total variation, respectively. Cluster analysis grouped consumers into two clusters with marked differences in socio-demographic structure and in certain perceptions of local dairy products compared to their imported counterparts. In conclusion, despite that satisfaction in the quality characteristics of local products was not very high, respondents still expressed a strong desire to buy local dairy products.
Copyright (c) 2025 Samer Mudalal, Ola Anabtawi, Alma Irshaid, Jihad Abdallah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Innovative improvements of silvopastoral systems applied to the Brachiaria decumbens yields in degraded areas – A case study in Orellana, Amazonian Ecuador
Climate change is a global, recurring phenomenon that is altering weather patterns around the world. The corresponding changes have significant implications for natural ecosystems, agriculture, and livestock. Based on this context, we realized a study, which assessed the effect of silvopastoral systems on Brachiaria decumbens yields. Therefore, we realized a completely randomized block design with three replications for each treatment. The treatments were of low density of trees/ha (138 ha-1) named SPs1, a high density of trees/ha (312 ha-1) named SPs2, as well as a monoculture system (no trees) only pasture named simply Control. The experimental variables evaluated were forage production, chemical composition and nutrient values. The results yielded variations in the agronomic data by treatment (P < 0.05) and season effects (P = < 0.05). Despite that, all chemical determinations did not change among treatments (P = 0.11 to 0.96) nor for the season effect (P = 0.43 to 0.98). Subsequently, all nutritional values (i.e., energy and protein values) lacked to vary by main effects (P = 0.26 to 0.92). In conclusion, the SPs improved the agronomic responses, which may allow a greater chemical composition and forage quality in the long term. Nevertheless, further long-term studies should be performed in order to confirm and improve the given results of the current study.
Copyright (c) 2025 Armando Vinicio Paredes-Peralta, Santiago Alexander Guamán Rivera, Sandra Elizabeth Suárez Cedillo, Sandra Isabel Castañeda Caguana, Dina Maricela Veloz-Veloz, María Fernanda Baquero-Tapia, Myriam Valeria Ruiz Salgado, Diego Fabian Maldonado Arias https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Participatory Forest Management Implementation on Forest Condition: A Case Study of Dinsho and Agarfa Districts Forest Reserves, Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia
Efforts to conserve forest resources have been significant; however, sustainable conservation cannot be achieved without the active involvement of local communities. Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is recognized as an effective strategy for the long-term conservation of Ethiopia's remaining natural forests, particularly in the Bale zone, where community participation is essential. Despite this, the impacts of PFM have not been thoroughly evaluated or documented. This study aims to assess the effects of PFM on forest conditions in selected areas of the Bale zone. The research compares three forests practicing PFM with three that do not. To gather insights on the perceived status of these forests, the study employed semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. These qualitative methods provided a comprehensive understanding of local community perspectives regarding forest health and management practices. Data on forest parameters were collected through systematic sampling, using transects lines at 250-meter intervals across 152 plots, ensuring an equal number of plots for both forest types. Key forest metrics, including diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, and the number of seedlings and mature trees, were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and various diversity indexes. This quantitative analysis allowed for a robust comparison of forest health indicators between PFM and non-PFM areas. The findings indicate that forests managed under PFM exhibit higher average biodiversity indexes and a greater number of stems per hectare compared to non-PFM forests. Specifically, the average number of trees increased significantly in PFM areas from their initial years to 2018. Additionally, the mean basal area also showed substantial growth in PFM forests, indicating improved forest health and productivity. The study recommends expanding PFM initiatives to all forests in the Bale zone, including smaller patches. It also highlights the need to focus on regenerating seedlings, as they face pressure from animal browsing, which could hinder forest recovery and health. This research contributes valuable insights into the effectiveness of community-based forest management practices in enhancing forest conditions in the Bale zone.
Copyright (c) 2025 Umer Abdela https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Temperature and Precipitation Stress on Livestock Ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa
Climate change threatens the livelihoods of smallholders (i.e., smallholder farmers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) because of their exposure and sensitivity to the surrounding environment, including increases in temperature and changes to rainfall patterns. Scholars have argued that these environmental changes will compel crop farmers to increasingly adopt livestock because they are less vulnerable to environmental shocks than rainfed crops since livestock can be moved to access feed and water. While evidence exists that smallholders prefer different livestock species due at least in part to ecological conditions, the effects of shocks on smallholder livestock ownership in SSA remain understudied. This study investigates the impact of climatic shocks on livestock ownership in SSA using binary, ordinal, and multinomial logistic regression analyses. It finds that, under conditions of unusually high heat and low rainfall, smallholders are more likely to own livestock, more likely to diversify herds, and more likely to own smaller livestock like goats and chickens than large livestock like cattle. These findings provide important insights to help manage adversity due to climate change for vulnerable smallholders. These efforts, moreover, would be improved with more data collection and analysis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Forrest W. Stagner https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
How did Bangladesh Quintuple Rice Output and Quadruple Its Yield in Seven Decades? An Analysis of Seasonal Land-Use Changes and Implications for Economic Development
Despite the critical importance of rice production in Bangladesh, linking productivity trends and the annual and seasonal dimensions of land use in rice farming remains largely unexplored This study addresses this gap by employing seventy-four years of national data, up to 2020, to examine the significance and implications of rice farming and land use changes for Bangladesh’s economic development. Increased irrigated rice areas contributed to total (wet and dry season combined) rice output and yield. We found evidence of different time trajectories of the seasonal diffusion of high-yielding variety (HYV) rice; and a varying pace of production and yield growth of dry and wet season HYV rice. The paces of growth of total and dry season HYV rice outputs and yields have been tapering off more recently, in contrast to those for the wet season. Seasonal land-use changes over time have resulted in more even agricultural employment and the availability of foodgrains throughout the year. Results show that agriculture’s share in total employment declined from < 70% to ≈38% and the declining trend was faster during 2000-2006. The percentage shares of the industry and service sectors increased to 21.32% and 40.38%, respectively, in 2019. However, the quadrupling of rice yield and rising labor productivity have placed Bangladesh on a higher economic growth path. Our findings suggest that despite eco-environmental challenges in intensification methods, agriculture, including rice production, will continue to be an essential part of Bangladesh’s economy.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Alauddin, Clement A. Tisdell, Abdur Rashid Sarker, Zeenatul Islam https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessing climate change impacts on plant production and irrigation water demand at country level: analysis for Iran
Climate change poses a critical challenge to plant production and food security. A comprehensive report on the effects of climate change on the production of all major agricultural crops in the entire country level is currently lacking. We assessed the impact of climate change on 35 key agricultural plant species by analyzing crop yield under irrigated and rainfed conditions, and examining net irrigation water volume (IWV) at the country level for Iran as example case. The entire country was covered using the SSM-iCrop2 crop model. Rainfed or irrigated conditions, climate type, and crop species influenced the results. Results revealed that, except for wheat and rapeseed under rainfed conditions, climate change had either neutral or negative effects on crop yields. Rainfed cool-season pulses and barley showed no benefits from climate change, while under irrigated conditions, crop yields were projected to decline more significantly for plant species and climate zones currently experiencing higher temperatures. Warm-season crops experienced yield reductions of 8-12%, whereas cool-season crops saw smaller declines of around 5%. At the national level, the net impact of climate change on plant production was a 9% decrease under irrigated conditions and a 16% increase under rainfed conditions, largely due to the dominance of wheat and rapeseed as major rainfed crops. However, the 9% decline in irrigated systems is particularly concerning, as 92% of Iran’s plant production relies on irrigation. Additionally, while IWV decreased by 7.5% nationwide—primarily due to reduced water use for wheat, barley, and rapeseed—the challenge of adapting Iran’s agriculture to water scarcity remains greater than that posed by climate change alone. These findings highlight the need for future research focused on optimizing water and land resource allocation to sustain plant production in a changing climate.
Copyright (c) 2025 Afshin Soltani, Shabnam Pourshirazi, Benjamin Torabi, Samaneh Rahban, Seyyedmajid Alimagham https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Reducing Food Insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Institutions and Financial Stability
Achieving food security (SGD 2) is a central theme in promoting overall well-being, economic growth, and maintaining peace and security. In the efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, Sub-Saharan African countries are still burdened with widespread food insecurity, poverty, and inequality. These bottlenecks are further worsened by institutional inefficiencies and unstable financial systems. This study investigates not only the role institutions and stable financial systems play in the reduction of food insecurity and its four components but also how poverty and well-being in SSA affect food security. The study employed data from 28 SSA countries from 2011 to 2021 which was analyzed using a two-step system GMM estimator. The results show that although financial stability is insignificant relative to food security and utilization of food, it increases the affordability and sustainability of food. Quality institution on the other hand significantly increases food security. Furthermore, well-being increases food security, affordability, utilization, and sustainability, while poverty reduces food security, accessibility, utilization, and sustainability. The study suggests that strengthening financial systems to provide financial access and security will reduce poverty and support the achievement of SDG 2. Additionally, policies to improve people’s well-being and further the existing institutions will provide a stronger foundation for SSA countries to achieve SDG 2.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammed Muntaka Abdul Rahman, Asad Ul Islam Khan, Hasan Vergil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Modelling the Dynamic Interaction between Production Growth and Carbon Footprint of Livestock Sector in Ethiopia
: Livestock is the largest agricultural subsector, supporting the livelihood of many populations and the economy in Ethiopia. The sector is, however, a significant contributor to the carbon footprint in the country. Only direct emissions from the sector accounted for more than 36% of total emissions. Thus, the purpose of this study is to model and evaluate the livestock production system and its contribution to the carbon footprint. A system dynamics model that represents the livestock production system and its interaction with the environment in Ethiopia has been built. The simulated results have demonstrated that increasing meat productivity through improvement in feed quality and supply, increasing slaughter, managing land use change, and implementing price policy have a sound effect on lowering greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while also improving the supply and value of meat. The policy scenario has achieved 15% and 11% growth in meat and livestock value, respectively, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to the base case in 2040.
Copyright (c) 2025 Petros Terefe Tolcha, Helen Berga Paulos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Hydro-geochemical Characterization and Groundwater Quality Assessment of Mariri Aquifer, Kano, Nigeria
The chemical composition of groundwater, which reflects its quality, is a product of natural and anthropogenic factors that affect its use for different purposes. This study characterizes the groundwater chemistry of the Mariri aquifer using the Piper Diagram, Chadha Diagram, and Gibbs Plot. The suitability of the groundwater for irrigation was assessed using some irrigation quality parameters such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP or %Na), Permeability Index (PI), Residual Sodium Bicarbonate (RSBC), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Wilcox Diagram, and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI). In contrast, a weighted arithmetic water quality index was used to evaluate its suitability for drinking. The results show that the groundwater is hard freshwater of Ca-Mg-HCO3. The major process governing groundwater chemistry is the dissolution of carbonate rock. The Irrigation water quality parameters also indicate that the groundwater has excellent permeability with low to medium salinity, which, as shown by the IWQI, can be used for irrigation with moderate restrictions. The drinking water quality index also indicated “good” to “poor” water quality. The composition of the groundwater shows that it can be used for irrigation and drinking, but with some measure of restraint. The results of the study will benefit water resource managers and policymakers.
Copyright (c) 2025 Christian Chinweuba Onoyima, Clifford Baba Okpanachi, Jibrin Noah Akoji https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The effects of seed pretreatment on seed germination and biochar soil mixture on early survival of seedlings of Faidherbia albida (Del) Chev in nursery
Appropriate pretreatment of seed and soil mixture of nursery are required for proper seed germination and seedlings growth, respectively. Faidherbia albida (Del) Chev (syn. Acacia albida [Del.]) is a useful tree species that improve soil fertility, and supply dry season livestock fodder in some climatic zones of Africa. However, it is difficult to grow F. albida in clay soils and methods to improve the cultivation conditions are highly required. Although biochar can be a potential ingredient of nursery soil mixture in deforested areas, information is lacking about its effect in clay soil nursery sites. Seeds of F. albida are also difficult to germinate in a short period of time. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the effects of nicking, and warm and cold water stratification seed pretreatments on improving the seeds germination. Then different proportional ratios of bio-chars of saw dust, chat (Catha edulis Forsk) leaves and coffee (Coffea arabica L.) husks pyrolysed at 300 and 350°C temperature were mixed with local soil, and compost to grow transplanted seedlings in the first year of eight months and then continued to second year totally 20 months old. Among the presowing seed treatment, stratification resulted in greatest number of germination of the seeds, about 76%. The effect of the soil mixtures on the root collar diameter (RCD) growth was greater than the corresponding stem height growth. The greatest RCD and height growth was obtained from local soil, about 0.84cm, and 28cm, respectively. The minimum growth of RCD was obtained in soil mixtures of local soil, compost and biochar of sawdust 350°C. However, 25% biochar of saw dust 300°C showed maximum RCD growth in eight months. In the first year, although, the soil mixture that contained only local soil was the best in increasing the growth of RCD and height of seedlings, it was the least in the number of seedlings survived. In 20months, the highest survival about 94%, root collar diameter of 0.88cm and height of 30.85cm was obtained from the mixture of local soil and biochar of sawdust 300°C in the ratio of 03:01, while the least survival and growth was obtained from unmixed local soil. Soil mixtures that contained biochar in all cases improved the survival of seedlings. Therefore, seedling growing in clay loam soils should include biochar pyrolysed at appropriate temperature for better survival of seedlings of F. albida.
Copyright (c) 2025 Miftah Kedir, Abrhame Weldeyohannes, Abirham Cherinet, Chala Tadesse https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0