Climate Smart Agriculture for Improving Crop Production and Biodiversity Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century - A Narrative Review
Wycliffe Tumwesigye,
Abebe Aschalew,
Wambi Wilber,
Doreen Atwongyire,
Goretty Mary Nagawa,
Daniel Ndizihiwe
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, October 2019
Pages:
56-62
Received:
5 February 2019
Accepted:
8 April 2019
Published:
17 October 2019
Abstract: Climate change and agriculture are interlinked and affect each other globally. The global population continues to rise while food and nutritional insecurity remain main global challenges facing humanity. Traditional agriculture methods need transformation to climate smart agriculture (CSA) approaches that have potential to improve food production amidst climate change realities. The review aimed at evaluation of published literature on CSA, establishment of CSA linkages with national development plans for Uganda and Ethiopia, African Union Agenda 2063, UN Sustainable Development Goals and CSA contribution to biodiversity conservation across the globe. Additionally, the review aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges of CSA in the 21st Century and recommend possible options for all stakeholders for improved income, environmental conservation, and food and nutritional security. Literature search from 2000-2019 was carried out using key words and key phrases in relevant journals and authentic websites. It was found out that CSA supports three pillars: 1) Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, 2) Adapting and building resilience to climate change, 3) Climate change mitigation and contributes to Biodiversity Conservation and management. CSA approach has potential to improves food security and farmers’ income. CSA has a vast number of opportunities that include availability of crop genetic diversity, availability of interested CSA researchers, gene banks for genome resources for CSA crop enhancement; enhanced technology for CSA practices that can be accessed by farmers and vibrant research organizations and donor agencies interested in promoting CSA approaches. CSA challenges were identified to include: limited technical and financial capacity and negative attitude from smallholder farmers. It was concluded that CSA approach is a better option for the present and centuries to come farmers across the globe for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015-20130, UN Agenda 2063 and national development plants of most African countries including Uganda and Ethiopia. The review recommended that capacity building for farmers and researchers need to be done and governments and donor agencies should provide soft CSA loans to farmers to supporting CSA practices and technologies in all developing countries and the approach should be adopted by all the farmers and be promoted by all stakeholders at all levels in both the present and future centuries.
Abstract: Climate change and agriculture are interlinked and affect each other globally. The global population continues to rise while food and nutritional insecurity remain main global challenges facing humanity. Traditional agriculture methods need transformation to climate smart agriculture (CSA) approaches that have potential to improve food production a...
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Pollution Status of Incomati River Estuary Based on Meiofauna Analyses (Free-living Nematodes) in Maputo, Mozambique
Soko Mthobisi Innocent,
Gyedu-Ababio Thomas
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, October 2019
Pages:
63-76
Received:
23 September 2019
Accepted:
16 October 2019
Published:
23 October 2019
Abstract: The Incomati Estuary, is located at Latitudes 25.430 S and 25.530 S and Longitudes 32.410 E and 32.44° E and discharges in the northern part of Maputo Bay. Four sites E1 (Oligohaline Zone), E2 (Euhaline Zone), E3 (Mesohaline zone), and E4 (Polyhaline Zone) were selected following the salinity gradient of the Incomati River Estuary. Sediments samples were collected in these sites for both the analyses of meiofauna communities especially free-living nematodes and environmental variables such as Heavy Metal, Chlorophyll-a, Nitrates and Total phosphorus. Multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyses the data, and nematodes were identified into genus level. Higher concentration of Heavy Metals such as Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc, and Aluminium were found at site E2. Nematodes such as Terschellingia and Theristus were found to be suitable indicators in identifying pollution. The Maturity Index further indicated that sites E2 followed by E1 were the polluted sites in the estuary. Further studies confirming the findings of this study must be done in the Incomati River Estuary, and other studies must be done in the African Coast in order to understand free-living nematodes and close the gap in our monitoring strategies.
Abstract: The Incomati Estuary, is located at Latitudes 25.430 S and 25.530 S and Longitudes 32.410 E and 32.44° E and discharges in the northern part of Maputo Bay. Four sites E1 (Oligohaline Zone), E2 (Euhaline Zone), E3 (Mesohaline zone), and E4 (Polyhaline Zone) were selected following the salinity gradient of the Incomati River Estuary. Sediments sample...
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Quality Assessment of Surface Waters and Sediments of Anya-Ogologo River
Okoroafor Isaiah,
Charles Obunwo,
Ndokiari Boisa,
Owhonda Ihunwo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, October 2019
Pages:
77-85
Received:
26 May 2019
Accepted:
21 October 2019
Published:
25 October 2019
Abstract: This study evaluated physical and chemical properties and calculated the Water Quality Index of the Anya Ogologo River in Rivers State, Nigeria. Four stations along the river were identified for this study based on accessibility and activities taking place on the river bank. Water and sediment sample collection were conducted once a week every month spanning a period of four months (February – May). In-situ measurements of surface water were taken for the following parameters: pH, salinity, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Surface water was collected from each station to the laboratory and analysed for phosphate, nitrate sulphate, biochemical oxygen demand, and metals (lead, cadmium, manganese and copper). The parameters studied showed variations across stations. Sediment samples indicated the presence of manganese and copper metals. The WQI values observed were as follows; station 1: 55.07%, station 2: 43.58%, station 3: 56.29% and station 4: 67.10%. This indicates that generally the river is unsuitable for drinking, swimming, irrigation particularly.
Abstract: This study evaluated physical and chemical properties and calculated the Water Quality Index of the Anya Ogologo River in Rivers State, Nigeria. Four stations along the river were identified for this study based on accessibility and activities taking place on the river bank. Water and sediment sample collection were conducted once a week every mont...
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