Mapping crop and livestock value chain actors in Mbire and Murehwa districts in Zimbabwe

Hambulo Ngoma Moti Jaleta Frédéric Baudron (2023, [Documento de trabajo])

We conducted a preliminary value chain actors mapping for major crops grown and livestock kept by smallholder farmers in Mbire and Murehwa districts of Zimbabwe. Accordingly, in this report we mapped value chain actors for 11 crops and livestock commodities: namely, sorghum, cotton, sesame, maize, groundnut, sweet-potato, vegetables (tomato and onion), cattle, goats, poultry, and honey/beekeeping. Except sesame from Mbire, most of the crop and livestock commodities are channeled to the main markets in Harare and Marondera for Murehwa. Sesame is smuggled to Mozambique and the market is mainly dependent on middlemen. The Grain Market Board (GMB) is the major actor in sorghum and maize marketing in both districts. Groundnut is sold to both rural and urban consumers after processing it to peanut butter locally within the production zones. Goats and cattle are mostly supplied to the Harare market by middlemen collecting these livestock from village markets and moving door-to-door to buy enough quantity to transport to Harare. Honey production and marketing is still at its initial stage through the support of HELP from Germany and the Zimbabwe Apiculture Trust projects. Long dry season is a challenge in honey production. The Pfumvudza program supported by the Presidential free input scheme helped in introducing and scaling conservation agriculture practices in Zimbabwe. Though there is strong integration of crop-livestock systems at both districts, the level of manure use is gradually decreasing because farmers receive chemical fertilizer support from the Pfumvudza program and applying manure to crop fields is labor-intensive. The input supply system is more competitive in Murehwa district where there are quite several input suppliers in town. The possible interventions that favor agroecological transitions are: (1) honey processing plants and supply of beehives to potential areas, (2) encouraging manure use in crop production, possibly linking it to the basins preparation requirement to be eligible for the presidential input subsidy scheme, (3) support the organic vegetable production initiatives and explore market segments in Harare paying premium prices for certified organic products, (4) Expedite payment systems in sorghum and maize marketing with GMB, and (5) sesame production with agroecologically friendly agronomy and improve markets.

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA VALUE CHAINS CROPS LIVESTOCK SMALLHOLDERS SUPPLY CHAINS

Alternative cropping and feeding options to enhance sustainability of mixed crop-livestock farms in Bangladesh

Timothy Joseph Krupnik Jeroen Groot (2024, [Artículo])

We investigated alternative cropping and feeding options for large (>10 cows), medium (5–10 cows) and small (≤4 cows) mixed crop – livestock farm types, to enhance economic and environmental performance in Jhenaidha and Meherpur districts – locations with increasing dairy production – in south western Bangladesh. Following focus group discussions with farmers on constraints and opportunities, we collected baseline data from one representative farm from each farm size class per district (six in total) to parameterize the whole-farm model FarmDESIGN. The six modelled farms were subjected to Pareto-based multi-objective (differential evolution algorithm) optimization to generate alternative dairy farm and fodder configurations. The objectives were to maximize farm profit, soil organic matter balance, and feed self-reliance, in addition to minimizing feed costs and soil nitrogen losses as indicators of sustainability. The cropped areas of the six baseline farms ranged from 0.6 to 4.0 ha and milk production per cow was between 1,640 and 3,560 kg year−1. Feed self-reliance was low (17%–57%) and soil N losses were high (74–342 kg ha−1 year−1). Subsequent trade-off analysis showed that increasing profit and soil organic matter balance was associated with higher risks of N losses. However, we found opportunities to improve economic and environmental performance simultaneously. Feed self-reliance could be increased by intensifying cropping and substituting fallow periods with appropriate fodder crops. For the farm type with the largest opportunity space and room to manoeuvre, we identified four strategies. Three strategies could be economically and environmentally benign, showing different opportunities for farm development with locally available resources.

Ruminant Feed Pareto-Based Optimization Farm Bioeconomic Model CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA RUMINANT FEEDING BIOECONOMIC MODELS MIXED CROPPING FARMS LIVESTOCK

Agricultural lime value chain efficiency for reducing soil acidity in Ethiopia

Moti Jaleta (2023, [Artículo])

Soil acidity is challenging agricultural production in Ethiopia. Above 43% of the farmland is under soil acidity problem and it leads to low crop yields and production losses. Ag-lime is widely considered as an effective remedy for amending soil acidity. This study assesses the current structure of ag-lime value chain and its functionality focusing on central parts of Ethiopia where lime is produced and channeled to acidity affected areas. The study uses Ethiopia as a case study and applies qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from different actors in the ag-lime value chain. Key findings indicate that both public and private ag-lime producing factories are operating below their capacity. Due to limited enabling environments, the engagement of private sector in ag-lime value chain is minimal. In addition, farmers have a good awareness of soil acidity problem on their farms, and its causes and mitigation strategies in all regions. However, the adoption of ag-lime by smallholders was minimal. Overall, the current structure of the ag-lime value chain appears fragmented and needs improvement. Addressing soil acidity challenge through efficient ag-lime value chain could narrow lime supply-demand mismatches and increase widespread adoption by farmers to enhance crop productivity and food security in acidity-prone areas of the country.

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA LIMES PRODUCTION COSTS VALUE CHAINS SOIL PH

Landscape and micronutrient fertilizer effect on agro-fortified wheat and teff grain nutrient concentration in western Amhara

Tilahun Amede Elizabeth Bailey Abdul Wahab Mossa Dereje Tirfessa MESFIN KEBEDE DESTA Getachew Agegnehu Tesfaye Shiferaw Sida Stephan Haefele R. Murray Lark Martin Broadley Samuel Gameda (2023, [Artículo])

Agronomic biofortification, encompassing the use of mineral and organic nutrient resources which improve micronutrient concentrations in staple crops is a potential strategy to promote the production of and access to micronutrient-dense foods at the farm level. However, the heterogeneity of smallholder farming landscapes presents challenges on implementing agronomic biofortification. Here, we test the effects of zinc (Zn)- and selenium (Se)-containing fertilizer on micronutrient concentrations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) grown under different landscape positions and with different micronutrient fertilizer application methods in the western Amhara region of Ethiopia. Field experiments were established in three landscape positions at three sites, with five treatments falling into three broad categories: (1) nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate; (2) micronutrient fertilizer application method; (3) sole or co-application of Zn and Se fertilizer. Treatments were replicated across five farms per landscape position and over two cropping seasons (2018 and 2019). Grain Zn concentration ranged from 26.6 to 36.4 mg kg−1 in wheat and 28.5–31.2 mg kg−1 in teff. Grain Se concentration ranged from 0.02 to 0.59 mg kg−1 in wheat while larger concentrations of between 1.01 and 1.55 mg kg−1 were attained in teff. Larger concentrations of Zn and Se were consistently attained when a foliar fertilizer was applied. Application of ⅓ nitrogen (N) yielded significantly larger grain Se concentration in wheat compared to a recommended N application rate. A moderate landscape effect on grain Zn concentration was observed in wheat but not in teff. In contrast, strong evidence of a landscape effect was observed for wheat and teff grain Se concentration. There was no evidence for any interaction of the treatment contrasts with landscape position except in teff, where an interaction effect between landscape position and Se application was observed. Our findings indicate an effect of Zn, Se, N, landscape position, and its interaction effect with Se on grain micronutrient concentrations. Agronomic biofortification of wheat and teff with micronutrient fertilizers is influenced by landscape position, the micronutrient fertilizer application method and N fertilizer management. The complexity of smallholder environmental settings and different farmer socio-economic opportunities calls for the optimization of nutritional agronomy landscape trials. Targeted application of micronutrient fertilizers across a landscape gradient is therefore required in ongoing agronomic biofortification interventions, in addition to the micronutrient fertilizer application method and the N fertilizer management strategy.

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA BIOFORTIFICATION LANDSCAPE SELENIUM ZINC WHEAT

Not raised ‘to make big decisions’: young people’s agency and livelihoods in rural Pakistan

Patti Petesch Lone Badstue Dil Bahadur Rahut Akhter Ali (2022, [Artículo])

Social Norms Qualitative Research CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGRICULTURE GENDER LIVELIHOODS SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS YOUTH AGENCIES

Uso potencial de pellets para el tratamiento de aguas contaminadas con arsénico en comunidades de Xichú, Gto., México

Pellets potential use for the treatment of contaminated water with arsenic in communities Xichú, Gto. Mexico

ALMA HORTENSIA SERAFIN MUÑOZ MELINA GUADALUPE MEDINA GARCIA FRANCISCO AGUSTIN VIDO GARCIA BERENICE NORIEGA LUNA ADRIAN ZAMORATEGUI MOLINA (2017, [Artículo])

En el presente trabajo se llevó a cabo el desarrollo del uso de pellets, provenientes de resi-duos lignocelulósicos, para el tratamiento de aguas contaminadas con arsénico de las comu-nidades del municipio de Xichú, Gto., México. Las muestras de agua, n = 72, se evaluaron con base en la NOM-127-SSA1-1994. La concentración más alta de arsénico fue arriba de los límites permisibles, 0.2 mg.L–1 ± 0.04 mg.L–1. Los pellets utilizados fueron a partir de aserrín, paja de trigo, agave y sorgo. Se optimizó la rampa de temperatura para la mejor consistencia de los pellets. Se realizaron varios diseños experimentales con los pellets, n = 162, a diferentes condiciones, para desarrollar el proceso de activación y tratamiento con Fe (III). Los pellets obtenidos fueron colocados en muestras de agua contaminadas con ar-sénico por 24 h. Se logró una remoción de arsénico a pH entre 6.5 a 7, del 98.50% ± 1.2%.

Present work was carried out development of use of pellets from lignocellulosic waste for arsenic-contaminated waters treatment in communities of the municipality of Xichu, Guanajuato, Mexico. Water samples, n = 72, were evaluated based on NOM-127-SSA1-1994.

The highest concentration of arsenic was above permissible limits, 0.2 mg.L–1 ± 0.04 mg.L–1. Pellets used were from sawdust, wheat straw, agave and sorghum. Temperature ramp to the best consistency of pellets is optimized. Several experimental designs with pellets were

performed,n = 162, in different conditions to develop activation process and treatment with Fe (III). Pellets obtained were placed in water samples contaminated with arsenic 24 h. Arsenic removal at pH between 6.5 to 7, of 98.50% ± 1.2% was achieved.

BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA Arsénico Pellets Lignocelulósica Tecnologías sustentables Xichú, Gto. México Arsenic Lignocellulosic wastes Sustainable technologies

PERFILOMETRÍA LÁSER DE FORMA LIBRE PARA LA INSPECCIÓN DE TUBERÍAS Y RECONSTRUCCIONES CILÍNDRICAS EN 3D

Mario Montoya (2022, [Tesis de maestría])

"La inspección de infraestructura de tuberías es esencial en la gestión de su integridad para evitar formación de agentes corrosivos y prevenir fracturas. Sin embargo, los métodos actuales están limitados por baja resolución y bajo alcance físico de medición. En este trabajo, se establece un modelo teórico de propagación láser basado en perfilometría láser de forma libre. Además, incorpora un sistema láser totalmente funcional compuesto por un espejo cónico dentro del sistema óptico para recuperar la información de desplazamiento. El dispositivo óptico presenta alta resolución, precisión y velocidad de adquisición en comparación con tecnologías actuales."

Perfilometría Sensores Haz láser Inspección Emisión láser de superficie Tuberías CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA FÍSICA ÓPTICA LÁSERES LÁSERES

Identification and characterization of resistance loci to wheat leaf rust and stripe rust in Afghan landrace “KU3067”

CAIXIA LAN Ravi Singh JULIO HUERTA_ESPINO Zaifeng Li Evans Lagudah sridhar bhavani (2022, [Artículo])

Genetic Analysis Molecular Mapping Wheat Rusts APR Genes CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA ADULT PLANT RESISTANCE LANDRACES WHEAT RUSTS

An updated checklist of plant agrobiodiversity of northern Italy

Marco Canella Nicola Maria Giuseppe Ardenghi Graziano Rossi Filippo Guzzon (2022, [Artículo])

Ex Situ Conservation CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA ETHNOBOTANY LANDRACES ON-FARM CONSERVATION PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

User manual: How to use Agvisely to generate climate service advisories for livestock in Bangladesh

T.S Amjath-Babu Timothy Joseph Krupnik (2023, [Libro])

The Agvisely digital service for livestock integrates location-specific meteorological forecasts generated by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) with species specific biological thresholds for weather variables (Temperature, rainfall, and temperature-humidity index (THI). When a biological threshold is to be breached in next five days' forecast, the system automatically generates location-specific management advice for livestock farmers. Advisories are based on a decision tree developed by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and CIMMYT. Agvisely is a smart phone app and web-based service developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) CIMMYT with the support of USAID, securing the Food Systems of Asian Mega- Deltas (AMD) for Climate and Livelihood Resilience and the Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) initiatives in collaboration with Bangladesh Dept. of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CLIMATE SERVICES LIVESTOCK DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY