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Societal Impact Statement Over the last 50 years, the practice of ‘intercropping’ (planting a mixture of several crops on the same field) has drawn growing attention in crop science. Given its high yields but low requirement for fertiliser or pesticides, it offers considerable advantages over conventional ‘industrial’ agriculture. Nevertheless, although research on intercropping has been conducted since the late 19th century, that work became largely invisible after 1945 as the rapid rise of industrial agriculture erased alternative approaches from view. Since the 1970s, however, intercropping and other alternatives have reappeared on the research agenda as the damaging impacts of industrial agriculture have become evident. Summary Intercropping has long been of interest in agro‐ecology. Indeed, as the first generation of (English‐speaking) agro‐ecologists saw it, research on intercropping began in the 1970s and 1980s just as the field was beginning to emerge. Although the evidence confirms a rapid increase in such work from the 1970s, however, what nearly all agro‐ecologists then overlooked was the existence of two older traditions of work dating from the late 19th century. The aim of this paper is to explain why early agro‐ecologists were unaware of previous work. The history of research on intercropping in both the English‐ and German‐speaking worlds was traced using the journal literature as well as textbooks of agronomy. What this survey revealed is that in Europe and North America, agronomists had been working on intercropping since the 1890s, and during the interwar period and into the 1950s, the practice attracted considerable attention from colonial agronomists. Although this early work was in the public domain during the 1970s, however, few agro‐ecologists noticed it. There are various reasons why the first generation of agro‐ecologists might have known about but chose to ignore earlier work on intercropping. But more likely is that most members of that generation were simply unaware of the older work. For the forgotten history of intercropping, research appears to be just one aspect of a more general phenomenon during the 20th century in which a wide variety of ‘alternative’ cultivation practices were marginalised after 1945, only to re‐emerge from the 1970s as the social and environmental consequences of industrial agriculture came under attack.

Abstract Background Scavenging indigenous village chickens play a vital role in sub-Saharan Africa, sustaining the livelihood of millions of farmers. These chickens are exposed to vastly different environments and feeds compared to commercial chickens. In this study, we analysed the caecal microbiota of 243 Ethiopian village chickens living in different altitude-dependent agro-ecologies. Results Differences in bacterial diversity were significantly correlated with differences in specific climate factors, topsoil characteristics, and supplemental diets provided by farmers. Microbiota clustered into three enterotypes, with one particularly enriched at high altitudes. We assembled 9977 taxonomically and functionally diverse metagenome-assembled genomes. The vast majority of these were not found in a dataset of previously published chicken microbes or in the Genome Taxonomy Database. Conclusions The wide functional and taxonomic diversity of these microbes highlights their importance in the local adaptation of indigenous poultry, and the significant impacts of environmental factors on the microbiota argue for further discoveries in other agro-ecologies. Video Abstract

Abstract The occurrence of trematodes among ruminants and their snail vectors is a major concern across various agro-ecological regions of Ethiopia. Trematodes pose significant threats to animals, causing considerable economic losses and impacting public health. In this study, we have investigated 784 ruminant fecal samples, and 520 abattoir samples, alongside the collection and identification of snail vectors from various agro-ecological regions. Fecal examinations revealed Fasciola, Paramphistomum and Schistosoma species infected 20.5% (95% CI: 17.6, 23.8), 11.7% (95% CI: 9.6, 14.2), and 6.3% (95% CI: 4.1, 9.1) of the animals, respectively. The overall prevalence of trematodes among ruminants was 28.8% (95% CI: 25.7, 32.1%), with 6.0% (95% CI: 4.3, 7.7) showing mixed infections. Fasciola was more prevalent in Asela (26%) compared to Batu (19%) and Hawassa (11.5%), while a higher proportion of animals in Batu were infected with Paramphistomum. Schistosoma eggs were detected only in Batu (12.5%), but not in other areas. Sheep and cattle exhibited higher infection rates with Fasciola, Paramphistoma, and Schistosoma compared to goats. Significant associations were observed between trematode infections and risk factors including agro-ecology, animal species, body condition score, and deworming practices. About 20.8% and 22.7% of the slaughtered animals harbored Fasciola and Paramphistomum flukes, respectively, with a higher prevalence in Asela and Hawassa abattoirs compared to Batu abattoir. Additionally, a total of 278 snails were collected from the study areas and identified as lymnae natalensis, lymnae trancatula, Biomphalaria pffiferi, Biomphlaria sudanica, and Bulinus globosus. In conclusion, the study highlights the widespread occurrence of trematode infections, emphasizing the need for feasible control measures to mitigate their economic and public health impacts.

This study was conducted to identify the selection criteria and husbandry practices of chicken producers in different agro-ecological zones of Northwest Ethiopia as input for designing a breeding program. The study employed a purposive selection of districts and peasant associations with high indigenous chicken potential. The study areas were stratified based on the major agro-ecologies (highland, midland, and lowland). A total of 360 households were included in the study, and data on chicken breeding practices, selection criteria, and reproductive performance were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. In all agro-ecologies, egg production was prioritized by chicken owners when choosing female chickens. For male chickens, plumage color (index = 0.27), appearance (index = 0.24), and growth rate (index = 0.23) were the main selection factors. Farmers kept chickens primarily to generate cash through the sale of eggs and live animals (male chickens). There was a significant difference (p

Climate change poses significant challenges for smallholder farmers worldwide, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, requiring effective coping strategies for resilience. This study examines farmers’ exposure to climatic shocks and their adoption of coping strategies. Findings from a survey of 646 farm households and qualitative discussions revealed farmers’ high vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Smallholder farmers rely on ex-ante coping strategies, including early planting (48.5%), income diversification (41.3%), increasing savings (42 %), water management (39.2%), and sowing drought-resistant varieties (37%). Similarly, they resort to ex-post coping techniques, such as reducing expenses (46.1%), utilizing savings (41.6%), changes in consumption patterns (39.5%), seeking assistance from relatives (23.5%), borrowing (17.6%), selling assets (11.9%), and migration for employment (8.7%). Farmers also encounter constraints such as limited access to weather information, inadequate extension services, weak institutional support, insufficient skills, high poverty levels, and limited access to innovations. Factors like land size, climate training, self-efficacy, cost-effectiveness perception, and hazard consequence perception positively influence farmers’ adoption of proactive strategies against climate change, while being male, older, less educated, owning a farm, limited access to extension services, and market constraints hinder anticipatory measures. Additionally, household head being male, education level, farm experience, land ownership, and access to climate information positively impact the implementation of ex-post strategies, whereas age, agroecology, infrequent extension worker visits, and limited road access have negative effects. Enhancing access to climate information, institutional support, and design policy with an understanding of these multifaceted contexts could substantially improve smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate change.

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of climatic conditions within a region is paramount for informed rural planning and decision-making processes, particularly in light of the prevailing challenges posed by climate change and variability. This study undertook an assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall trends across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs) within Wolaita, utilizing data collected from ten strategically positioned rain gauge stations. The detection of trends and their magnitudes was facilitated through the application of the Mann–Kendall (MKs) test in conjunction with Sen's slope estimator. Spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall were further analyzed utilizing ArcGIS10.8 environment and XLSTAT with R programming tools. The outcomes derived from ordinary kriging analyses unveiled notable disparities in the coefficient of variability (CV) for mean annual rainfall across distinct AEZs. Specifically, observations indicated that lowland regions exhibit relatively warmer climates and lower precipitation levels compared to their highland counterparts. Within the lowland AEZs, the majority of stations showcased statistically non-significant positive trends (p > 0.05) in annual rainfall, whereas approximately two-thirds of midland AEZ stations depicted statistically non-significant negative trends. Conversely, over half of the stations situated within highland AEZs displayed statistically non-significant positive trends in annual rainfall. During the rainy season, highland AEZs experienced higher precipitation levels, while the south-central midland areas received a moderate amount of rainfall. In contrast, the northeast and southeast lowland AEZs consistently received diminished rainfall across all seasons compared to other regions. This study underscores the necessity for the climate resilient development and implementation of spatiotemporally informed interventions through implementing region-specific adaptation strategies, such as water conservation measures and crop diversification, to mitigate the potential impact of changing rainfall patterns on agricultural productivity in Wolaita.

This study aimed to evaluate the methods used to fatten beef cattle in the Tembaro area of southern Ethiopia. Woyena Dega (Sub-humid), Dega (Humid), and Kola (Arid) agro-ecological zones were included in this study. Accordingly, six kebeles (two from each agro-ecology) were purposively selected. Moreover, 155 respondents were chosen at random from fatteners who had at least two fattening cattle for interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and rank indexing were used to analyze the data. The majority of household heads involved in activities related to cattle fattening were male (89 %), and the remaining (11 %) were female. The average livestock holding was 5.4, 4.5, and 9.5 tropical livestock units (TLU) for Woyena Dega, Dega, and Kola agro-ecologies, respectively. The purpose of cattle fattening was primarily for drought power and food security. The fattening experience of the households was between 5 and 20 years in all agro-ecologies. As most (49.7 %) respondents reported, old oxen were the most commonly used class of cattle being fattened. The cattle selection criteria were body conformation (34.2 %) and color (20 %). The duration of fattening was 3–6 months and the preferred season for fattening was summer (45.2 %), followed by religious festivals (34.8 %). Green grass was ranked first, followed by crop residue. The sale of some livestock can be used to purchase land and reinvest in other business ventures. High market demand, the existence of livestock, and the availability of high-quality meat have all been cited as outstanding potential that could be used to boost the effectiveness of the livestock fattening operation in the research region. It should be essential to provide farmers with proper training and extension services on improved cattle fattening technology, management techniques, and market information in order to increase their income and that of the agricultural communities that depend on cyclically accessible feed supplies.

The current study emphasizes fungi as an important tool against heavy metals and how isolated fungal species can be used to create a successful strategy for the bioremediation of chromium and arsenic-contaminated sites/soils. Globally, heavy metal pollution is a serious issue. In the current investigation, contaminated sites were chosen, and samples could be taken from various localities of Hisar (29.1492° N, 75.7217° E) and Panipat (29.3909° N, 76.9635° E), India. A total of 19 fungal isolates were obtained from the collected samples through the enrichment culture technique using PDA media supplemented with Cr as chromic chloride hexahydrate (50 mg/L) and As as sodium arsenate (10 mg/L) and the potential of fungal isolates to be used for the removal of heavy metals was examined. The isolates were screened for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) exhibiting tolerance capabilities, and the four best isolates C1, C3, A2, and A6 with the highest MICs (>5000 mg/L), were chosen for further investigations. To use the chosen isolates in the remediation of heavy metals (Cr and As), the culture conditions were optimized. The fungal isolates C1 and C3 estimated the highest removal of 58.60% and 57.00% at 50 mg/L chromium concentration, while the isolates A6 and A2 recorded the highest removal efficiency of 80% and 56% at 10 mg/L arsenic concentration under optimal conditions. Finally, the chosen fungal isolates C1 and A6 were molecularly identified as Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus ustus, respectively.

Properly mapping the spatial variability of the practiced crop calendars is useful for precise planning of agricultural activities. A seasonal calendar based on the livelihood zone (LHZ) map is widely employed as a crop calendar in Ethiopia. However, using the LHZ-based crop calendar for agricultural purposes may cause problems of doubtful accuracy, since non-ecological parameters are included in the LHZ map. This research was conducted in the central and southeastern parts of Ethiopia to compare the hypertemporal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and LHZ-based stratification methods in explaining the spatial variability of the farmers’ actual crop calendar. A NDVI strata generated from SPOT-VGT and PROBA-V NDVI data of 16 years and the 2008 LHZ map of Ethiopia were processed to select sampling sites that represented three NDVI strata and four LHZs in common. Interview data were collected randomly from individual farmers on ploughing, planting and expected harvesting dates of teff (Eragrostis tef), wheat and barley (fields), and were analysed using non-parametric tests. The results revealed that the NDVI strata had greater spatial quality and precision than the LHZs in terms of uniqueness and internal homogeneity of the spatial units, indicating its suitability as a preferable alternative crop calendar.

The nitrogen applied (N-input) to cropping systems supports a high yield but generates major environmental pollution in the form of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and losses to land and water (N-surplus). This paper examines the scope to meet both GHG emission targets and zero N-surplus in high-intensity, mainly cereal, cropping in a region of the Atlantic zone in Europe. A regional survey provides background to crops grown at an experimental farm platform over a run of 5 years. For three main cereal crops under standard management (mean N-input 154 kg ha−1), N-surplus remained well above zero (single year maximum 55% of N-input, five-year mean 27%), but was reduced to near zero by crop diversification (three cereals, one oilseed and one grain legume) and converted to a net nitrogen gain (+39 kg ha−1, 25 crop-years) by implementing low nitrification management in all fields. Up-scaling N-input to the agricultural region indicated the government GHG emissions target of 70% of the 1990 mean could only be met with a combination of low nitrification management and raising the proportion of grain legumes from the current 1–2% to at least 10% at the expense of high-input cereals. Major strategic change in the agri-food system of the region is therefore needed to meet GHG emissions targets.

The main objective of the research is to analyze the possibility of introducing the agro-ecological concept through appropriate agro-ecological measures in agricultural policy of Bosnia and Hercegovina. For this purpose, theoretical and empirical studies have been conducted. Theoretical research included analysis of the strategic and regulatory framework in the European Union and Bosnia and Hercegovina and analysis of the development of the concept of agro ecology. Empirical research has included surveying holders of agricultural holdings of subjects according to the Eco Stack project methodology. The survey results confirm that farmers are generally not familiar with the concept of agro ecology, but do apply some of the agro-environmental measures. On the basis of the research results, steps have been proposed to introduce a new model of support for the application of the agro-environmental concept and measures in the framework of agricultural policy of Bosnia and Hercegovina.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The yellow passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa, belonging to the Passifloraceae family, is a climbing plant that has long branches with a grooved stem. It is cultivated in different regions of Brazil. The fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of juices, among products, and is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The yellow passion fruit plant has self-incompatible reproductive structures, so the flowers need pollinators to carry the pollen from one flower to another for fertilization, generating fruits. The crop thus depends on effective pollinators, without which growers must resort to artificial pollination. Among the effective pollinators are large and robust bee species belonging to the genera Xylocopa, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and Bombus. This study sought to identify the species of native bees visiting yellow passion fruit plants growing in an area of 20m2 located in an urban area (Conduru, district of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of Espírito Santo). The surrounding areas contain residences with few spaces for home and/or public gardens, and also by a small strip of adjacent pasture. Observations were carried out in October 2021, when the passion fruit plants were in bloom. Strategic points were set within the area where two observers simultaneously identified and counted the visiting bees. The observations were carried out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., three times a week, totaling a sampling effort of 36 hours. Five species of bees were identified, distributed in four tribes and one family: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841, for Xylocopini, Apidae; Epicharis flava Friese, 1900, for Centridini, Apidae; Bombus morio (Swederus, 1787), for Bombini, Apidae; and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793), for Meliponini, Apidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, with eight individuals, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with five individuals, Bombus morio and Trigona spinipes with three individuals each, and Epicharis flava, with two individuals. The bees with the highest frequency of visits to the flowers were Xylocopa frontalis, with 55% of all visits, followed by Xylocopa grisescens, with 25%, Bombus morio, with 10%, and Epicharis flava and Trigona spinipes, with 5% each. The richness and abundance of bees in the studied area was low, which is probably related to the absence of nearby green areas, since the crop area us mainly surrounded by residences. The presence of bumblebees in passion fruit crops depends on some factors, mainly the availability of resources close to the cultivation environments, since these bees have some ecological requirements, such as the presence of dry trunks and branches to build their nests. For native bees in general, and for effective pollinators of passion fruit, it is essential to offer food resources (nectar, pollen, oils and resins) provided by the adjacent flora (forested environments, spontaneous plants, gardens, among others) found nearby cultivation areas, as they are supplementary resources in the periods when the crops are not in bloom, thus contributing to maintain the bee community in the areas of interest. Therefore, preserving green areas, as well as enriching the surroundings of cultivation areas with plants that offer resources, can provide benefits to bees and contribute to crop pollination.

The relevance of the problem under study is that the concept of the development of the "blue economy" represents the most modern development of ecopolises based on the ingenuity of ecosystems and the provision of numerous products and services on which human life and humanity depend. The aim of the article is to create conditions for the development of a "blue economy" as the basis of an ecologically sustainable ecopolis, in which a new culture of agro-ecology is revived as a new type of agricultural product. This study identifies the problems of today's agricultural production model, which generates a lot of waste and leads to genetic manipulation. The "blue economy" as a new direction of production cultivates the effective development of waste potential, demonstrating the evolutionary path of nature, which restores its balance and evolves from scarcity to abundance. The main approach of the study is the systemic method, which makes it possible to show the development of the "blue economy" as a system consisting of interconnected components that function as a whole, as well as methods for modelling the processes of a regenerative economy, of which the "blue economy" is a variety. People live in a complex system of the natural environment, in which they face the problems of environmental pollution, the overcoming of which leads to the need for new types of circular economy, of which the blue economy is a variant. The article analyses the conditions for the emergence of a "blue economy" based on the ingenuity of ecosystems to continue to provide humanity with the best products on which the quality of sustainable human life and the capacity of society to renew itself depend. Today's agricultural production is a model that produces a lot of waste, which can be used to process weeds, to make animal feed and to develop "coffee chemistry" by growing mushrooms on coffee biomass. The "blue economy" as a new direction of agricultural production can be a response to the innovative development of the food industry – from food to the production of animal feed and ingredients for cosmetics – which represents the formation of new values of the "blue economy" as a sustainable provision of new products. The combination of sustainable agriculture, new agricultural production and human health requires innovation and the development of the blue economy as a new culture of agroecology – environmentally friendly products and food.

This study was carried out in the Gena Bossa district to evaluate the quality of indigenous chicken eggs in different agro-ecology and education levels of chicken producers. A total of 108 fresh eggs were collected from randomly selected 36 households for the determination of egg quality parameters and three eggs from each household, 36 eggs from each Agro-ecology, and 27 eggs from each education level of farmers collected. Eggs collected from highland agro-ecologies had the highest egg weight (43.94 ± 0.42g), shell thickness (0.54 ± 0.01mm), albumen weight (23.31 ± 0.40g), and shell weight (5.25 ± 0.73g). Lowl and eggs had the highest yolk color score (8.65 ± 0.14). Eggs collected from primary second cycle educated farmers had the highest egg weight (44.41 ± 0.48g), albumen height (5.17 ± 0.17mm), Haugh unit score (75.34 ± 1.41%), yolk height (15.58 ± 0.33), albumen weight (23.65 ± 0.46g), and shell weight (5.33 ± 0.08g). Except for shell thickness (0.54 ± 0.11mm) all egg quality parameters were lowest for eggs collected from illiterate farmers. Egg weight was most appropriate in primary first cycle and primary second cycle interactions with respective highland and midland agro-ecologies. However, shell strength was most appropriate in the interactions of highland agro-ecology with illiterate education level. The combinations of primary second cycle with highland agro-ecology was most appropriate than other interactions for albumen weight. Depending on this conclusion, it will be better to investigate further studies on factors affecting internal and external qualities of the eggs in the study area.

AbstractMaize production and its yield gap of 4.3 t/ha remains a problem in Ghana in the face of increasing weather variability which further threatens yield on farmer fields. Exploring the Drought Tolerant Maize awareness and adoption rates, its determinants and potential adoption is necessary for the adoption of climate smart farming technologies. The Partial Population Exposure Model was applied to the cross-sectional data for the estimation of the rates and determinants. Awareness was determined by gender, maize farm size, number of maize farms, FBO membership and access to extension service, whereas adoption was determined by gender, maize farm size, education, farming experience, FBO membership, household size and access to extension services. Awareness rate was 69% and 86%, adoption rate was 22% and 76% and potential adoption rate was 31% and 76% in Guinea Savanna and Forest-Savanna Transition Zones, respectively. Population selection-biased estimated were statistically insignificant, indicating that the difference observed were due to lack of information on Drought Tolerant Maize. Improved agricultural technologies development and dissemination should be gender responsive, and Research and Extension services should educate farmers on the best production practices in relation to drought through periodic trainings.

The paper examines how forest decentralization affects forest management and sustainable livelihoods in East Africa. For this review, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were chosen as case study nations, and study sites implementing decentralization. We used Google Scholar to find about 280 pieces of peer-reviewed scientific literature. Further, we used the Foucault's approach and the Policy analytical approach (PAA) to distill our review. Finally, we applied assessment indicators: forest conditions, species composition, forest cover, income level, food security status, wealth equality, and equity. Our review of the forest decentralization reforms process based on empowerment and accountability yields the following results: (1) intended to increase efficiency and ecological services are not being implemented properly, (2) forest policy reforms resulted in a net loss of forest area in East Africa, (3) forest status of some forests is stable, and the current decentralization reforms, with the exception of the Duru-Haitemba community-based forest management (Tanzania), do not address the sustainability of the forests. Understandings of the current institutional frameworks and power configurations are insufficient to devolve resources and rights to lower levels of government. This necessitates the development of new viable forest governance systems capable of deviating significantly from established modes of government. Our review suggests that decentralization forest governance and sustainable agricultural resources utilization rely on multilevel institutional architecture, actors’ collaboration at all levels and with regional integration, complement each other to form successful systems within forest landscapes.

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), the easternmost province of Atlantic Canada, has a food security issue caused by shortage of agri-foods produced in the province. This is due to short supply of suitable agricultural land, short growing seasons, a limited range of agricultural produce (industrial or mono cropping) farmed on existing farms and few facilities for secondary processing. The food security issue has been exacerbated in the last decades by climate change (extreme temperatures, heavy rains and more frequent droughts) which has impacted the province's agricultural industry. This research investigates the impact of climate change on crops and food security in the NL province and identifies the measures taken by the provincial farmers to reduce the GHG emissions and aims to assess whether agro-ecological practices could be expanded in the NL province. It is based on quantitative and qualitative data, collected through surveying a sample of NL crop farmers and through a literature review of peer-reviewed articles, published government reports and documents and news articles. The research results show that any attempt to solve the multi-faceted problems of the NL agri-foods sector impacted by climate change should involve policies supporting an agro-ecological approach to farming in the province. Generalizing agro-ecological farming practices on highly integrated and diversified farms (small, medium and large) is one sustainable alternative that can potentially eliminate the negative consequences of modern industrial farming, make the farming sector more resilient to global climate change and enhance food security in the province. The research results show that there are incipient agro-ecological practices in the province, that farmers are aware of climate change and the need to adopt more environmentally friendly farming practices. New policy frameworks and work plans are needed to speed up the transition from the current unsustainable farming practices to a more resilient agro-ecological-food system.

The Tigray region is an ancient entry route for the domestic chickens into Africa. The oldest African chicken bones were found in this region at Mezber, a pre-Aksumite rural farming settlement. They were dated to around 800–400 BCE. Since then, the farming communities of the region have integrated chicken into their livelihoods. The region is also recognised for its high chicken-to-human population ratio and diverse and complex geography, ranging from 500 to 4,000 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.). More than 15 agro-ecological zones have been described. Following exotic chicken introductions, the proportion of indigenous chicken is now 70% only in the region. It calls for the characterisation of indigenous Tigrayan chicken ecotypes and their habitats. This study reports an Ecological Niche Modelling using MaxEnt to characterise the habitats of 16 indigenous village chicken populations of Tigray. A total of 34 ecological and landscape variables: climatic (22), soil (eight), vegetation, and land cover (four), were included. We applied Principal Component Analysis correlation, and MaxentVariableSelection procedures to select the most contributing and uncorrelated variables. The selected variables were three climatic (bio5 = maximum temperature of the warmest month, bio8 = mean temperature of the wettest quarter, bio13 = precipitation of the wettest month), three vegetation and land cover (grassland, forest land, and cultivated land proportional areas), and one soil (clay content). Following our analysis, we identified four main chicken agro-ecologies defining four candidates indigenous Tigrayan chicken ecotypes. The study provides baseline information for phenotypic and genetic characterisation as well as conservation interventions of indigenous Tigrayan chickens.

Abstract 1. Across Europe, farmland bird populations have continued to decline since the 1970s owing to the intensification of farming practices. Studies of such declines have tended to focus specifically on either the impacts of habitats (nesting and foraging), nest predators or prey availability on bird demographics. The study presented here provides new insights into the relative effects of each of these factors on yellowhammer nest survival. The yellowhammer was selected for this study as it is a UK Red‐Listed bird species whose population is in decline across much of Europe. 2. We use a long‐term dataset of 147 nests, monitored between 1995 and 2007, to provide an insight into how yellowhammer nest survival is influenced by nesting habitat (nest concealment and nest height), foraging habitats (habitat coverage within 100 m of nests), the removal of nest predators (magpie Pica abundance as an inverse measure of avian predator removal through gamekeeping) and food availability (measured with a D‐vac invertebrate suction sampler). 3. Our results indicated that yellowhammer hatching success was negatively related to the coverage of spring agri‐environment scheme habitats, a group which represents invertebrate‐rich agri‐environment habitats, but hatching success increased with nest height. Fledging success was positively related to the coverage of the seed‐rich habitat wild bird seed mixture. The farm‐level abundance of yellowhammer chick‐food invertebrates declined over the study period. 4. Our results highlight the importance of simultaneously considering multiple agents that shape avian breeding success, that is their ability to produce offspring, to inform conservation management. Our key finding for land managers relates to the positive relationship between the proportion of seed rich foraging habitat within the yellowhammer's average foraging range and yellowhammer fledging success, which shows that a habitat intended primarily to provide winter food resources is also important to breeding birds. Chick food abundance in this habitat was, however, similar to broadleaf and cereal crops. We recommend that this habitat should be provided near to potential yellowhammer nesting sites and adjacent to invertebrate‐rich agri‐environment scheme habitats such as beetle banks and conservation headlands to further boost invertebrate resources for a declining farmland bird.

The alignment of the environmental, economic and social sustainability of farms is necessary for enhancing the provision of public goods in farming. This study combines the use of three tools for the assessment of farm sustainability. It provides first insights into the sustainability performance of farms at different stages of agro-ecological transitions in 15 case studies covering a range of different farming systems across Europe. Each case study reflects a different transition towards agro-ecological farming. The tools applied were COMPAS (an economic farm assessment tool); Cool Farm Tool (a greenhouse gas inventory, water footprint and biodiversity assessment tool); and the SMART Farm Tool (a multidimensional sustainability assessment tool). First results of the use of combined sustainability assessments deepen the understanding of different farming systems. Sustainability performance varies greatly between farms, but overall, agro-ecological farms tend to enhance biodiversity and water quality. For soil quality, no clear patterns could be identified. The same applies to economic performance at different stages of the agro-ecological transition. Quality of life was generally rated medium to high on all investigated farms. The combined sustainability assessment enabled the identification of areas for further policy development. Aligning the tools required harmonising definitions, simplification and assumptions with regard to the input data of the tools.

Two varieties, the Swarana Suraksha and Swarana Gaurav of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), developed at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna; were evaluated against check variety Vikrant, for its suitability under different agro-ecological conditions of Eastern region of India. Performance evaluations were done at multilocation in eastern Indo Gangetic plains of Bihar; semiarid saline condition of Uttar Pradesh and in the acidic condition of hills and plateau region of Jharkhand. The multiplication testing was conducted during 2013-14 to 2015-16. Significantly higher yields of 3.03 t/ha and 4.32 t/ha were recorded with Swarana Suraksha while 2.31 t/ha and 4.91 t/ha for Swarana Gaurav under rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively. Location wise significantly maximum seed yield of 3.61 t/ha was recorded at IARI, Pusa and the corresponding minimum of 2.33 t/ha was recorded at ICAR Ranchi centre. Individually, under irrigated condition, Swarana Gaurav produced significantly higher yield of 5.57 t/ha at IARI, Pusa. Swarana Suraksha was found suitable for both, rainfed and irrigated conditions; whereas Swarana Gaurav was suitable for irrigated condition. These two varieties are already been notified by the Cenral Varietal Release Committee for its cultivation in Bihar; but both the varieties could be recommended for its cultivation in Eastern states. Currently, both the developed varieties are under multiplication at ICAR Research complex for Eastern Region, Patna, right from 2015-16 onwards to introduce in seed chain by 2020-21.

Agro-ecology is now considered as an alternative model to the industrial agricultural model. Faced with the limitations of conventional production models, agro-ecology is emerging today as a possible response to the challenges of the 21st century: food security, circularity, respect for the environment, and development of employment. More generally, the adoption of circular principles aims to decouple environmental pressure from agricultural productivism. Agro-ecology is a relevant research topic because it aims to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural production, to empower local farmers, to protect the environment and to fight against climate change. This article focuses on the French Oasis projects, as part of the “Hummingbird movement” initiated by Pierre Rabhi, and which represent a successful agro-ecological experience, in economic, social and environmental terms. Different data were collected by compiling information available on the website of 76 Oasis projects across France: people living in the community; lodging possibilities; availability of a school; and direct relationship with local farmers. Then, a social factorial correspondence analysis and an environmental factorial correspondence analysis were realized to evaluate the impacts of environmental Oasis projects. The results show that profitable organizations seem to conduct more social and environmental activities in an agro-ecology context, and they put in place more actions than those who have no profitable aims.

Soil degradation due to erosion, which emanates from improper land management, has been one of major challenges affecting agricultural production and food security. To control soil erosion, soil and water conservation (SWC) measures including soil and stone bunds have been developed and adopted. However, little is known on the impacts of SWC techniques in Africa. Objective of this study was to assess soil erosion and analyze effect of physical SWC measures on cropland productivity. Data were collected using focus group discussion, key informant interview and survey of 169 farm households (122 adopters and 47 non-adopters of physical SWC). Farmers were responded on soil erosion (rill and gully) and its impacts, long existed indigenous erosion mitigation measures as well as effects of introduced physical SWC techniques such as soil and stone bunds. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze data. Based on visible erosion features such as rills and gullies, about 92% of respondents indicated that soil erosion is a major problem on cultivated land, where 64% of the farmers abandoned part of their plot due to exhausted soil fertility and gully development. About 97% of the farmers perceived that soil erosion reduces crop production. Traditional drainage ditch, grass strip and contour furrow are common indigenous SWC measures. More than 86% of the respondents believe that the introduced physical SWC measures (e.g., bunds) reduce erosion and improve crop production. Family size, participation in technical training, access to extension service, the perceived land tenure security, slope of the plot, and perceived severity of erosion had significant (p

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) exhibits plasticity and are morphologically different under different conditions. Due to these differences, the weed might respond differently to weed management. Here, we examined the morphological characteristics of purple nutsedge from southern Ghana relative to those reported from other countries and further assessed differences in ecotypes from four agro-ecological zones in Ghana. A total of 46 purple nutsedge samples: 40 samples from 40 communities across the study area and three each from two research stations were used for the study. The plants were multiplied, planted into pots and laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Qualitative and quantitative assessments were carried out on both underground and aboveground morphological traits of the weed samples. The qualitative traits of the samples generally conformed to those reported in other countries and did not vary significantly between the agro-ecological zones (P > 0.05). The quantitative (growth) parameters showed significant differences among agro-ecological zones (P < 0.05) and were generally smaller than those reported in other countries, suggesting morphological adaptation of the weed in Ghana. Samples from the transitional zone were significantly smaller and this could facilitate easier management of the weed in that area. The principal component analysis gave four latent factors, which mainly pointed to photosynthetic structures and growth characteristics as the major components determining variations in the collection. Cluster analysis gave four clusters (at 0.7 similarity index), which were related neither to their geographic origin nor to the agro-ecological zones.

This study was conducted to evaluate the Physicochemical properties of honey produced in Doyogena and Kachabira districts, of Kembata Tambaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. For the laboratory evaluation a total of eighteen (18) honey samples were collected. Of the total of 18 honey samples, 12 (6 from highland and 6 from midland) were purposively taken directly from the beekeepers from frame beehives and 6 honey samples were randomly taken from six retailor shops. The main parameters analyzed were color, moisture, electrical conductivity, ash, reducing sugar, fructose to glucose ratio, glucose to water ratio, fructose, glucose, fructose plus glucose, sucrose, Hydroxyl methyl furfural, power of hydrogen and free acidity. These parameters were evaluated in the Holetta bee research center laboratory and results were analyzed by Statistical analysis system software. The result of laboratory work indicated that the mean value of moisture, electrical conductivity, ash, reducing sugar, fructose to glucose ratio, glucose to water ratio, fructose, glucose, fructose plus glucose, sucrose, Hydroxyl methyl furfural, power of hydrogen and free acidity was, 18.83 ± 0.69 g/100g, 0.58 ± 0.03 mS/cm, 0.25 ± 0.02 g/100g, 68.55 ± 0.56 g/100g, 1.05 ± 0.03, 1.78 ± 0.08, 34.22 ± 0.55 g/100g, 32.61 ± 0.70 g/100g, 66.83 ± 0.44 g/100g, 2.54 ± 0.40 g/100g, 3.42 ± 1.95 mg/kg, 4.03 ± 0.21 and 13.39 ± 1.43 meq/kg respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between districts in terms of moisture and power of hydrogen. Significant difference (P < 0.01) was declared between agro-ecologies in terms of the moisture, glucose to water ratio and free acidity. Moreover, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was seen between agro-ecologies concerning electrical conductivity and ash. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between the honeys of the retailer shop and farm gate sources concerning moisture content, electrical conductivity, ash, reducing sugar, glucose to water ratio, sucrose, Hydroxyl methyl furfural and free acidity. The result of the study indicated that all the physicochemical parameters of honey evaluated lie within the range of national and international standards. Because of the good quality of honey of the study area, it is advised to exploit the potential for export market with better intervention.

For professionals who work with and for others and whose activities and situations evolve and are not yet stabilized, one of the challenges is that of reconstructing, with their beneficiaries, the purpose of their activities and of reconfiguring their work situations. This is the case for agricultural advisors who are in the position of accompanying farmers in a change of practices in order to cope with environmental problems. A system was designed to support exchanges between advisors so that they can collectively rethink the efficacy of their action, and dare to act differently. We conducted a participatory observation within this system. We studied the way in which, individually and collectively, the participants grasp the two “milieus” designed by the facilitators in relation to an emblematic advisory situation for crop production: the field tour. Our illustrations and analyses show the different ways that the advisors grasp the developmental potential of these designed situations in order to change their own activity in real work situations. We discuss the professional development that this creates. Finally, we highlight possible avenues for improving the facilitation work to better cope with the diversity of the participants and of their workplace.

Predicting breed-specific environmental suitability has been problematic in livestock production. Native breeds have low productivity but are thought to be more robust to perform under local conditions than exotic breeds. Attempts to introduce genetically improved exotic breeds are generally unsuccessful, mainly due to the antagonistic environmental conditions. Knowledge of the environmental conditions that are shaping the breed would be needed to determine its suitability to different locations. Here, we present a methodology to predict the suitability of breeds for different agro-ecological zones using Geographic Information Systems tools and predictive habitat distribution models. This methodology was tested on the current distribution of two introduced chicken breeds in Ethiopia: the Koekoek, originally from South Africa, and the Fayoumi, originally from Egypt. Cross-validation results show this methodology to be effective in predicting breed suitability for specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, the model predicts suitable areas of the country where the breeds could be introduced. The specific climatic parameters that explained the potential distribution of each of the breeds were similar to the environment from which the breeds originated. This novel methodology finds application in livestock programs, allowing for a more informed decision when designing breeding programs and introduction programs, and increases our understanding of the role of the environment in livestock productivity.

Smallholder farmers in the northwestern Ethiopian Highlands are highly engaged in small-scale forest management. Participation in this activity can provide a key source of income for the farmers as well as wider benefits to the environment. To gain a better understanding of how spatial and socio-ecological factors determine farmers’ engagements in small-scale forest management, we conducted a comparative study in three Districts of northwestern Ethiopia. We used a mixed method approach including both quantitative (n = 375) and qualitative (n = 45) surveys to understand farmers’ motivations and decisions in three Districts of northwestern Ethiopia. We found that there were a number of factors motivating farmers’ decisions to participate, including land degradation and decline in crop productivity (in Fagta Lekoma District); adverse impact of adjacent woodlots (in North Mecha District); and increasing demand of wood products (in Guna Begemidir District). Further analysis on the extent of farmer engagement revealed that their decision to increase or decrease the share of land allocated to woodlots is heavily dependent on the comparative socio-economic benefits of woodlots and distance to markets. Other key (District-specific) determinant factors included wealth status, soil fertility status, gender, adult equivalent value, total land holding size, and annual crop production risk perception. Our findings suggest that to increase the uptake of woodlots, we would need to adopt a demand-driven forestry extension approach, which considers the heterogeneity of farmers and farm characteristics. Further research is required to quantify the optimal level of land allocation for small-scale forest management.

Agricultural landscapes offer unique habitats for many species. Because agriculture is a major land use worldwide, changes in farming practices can have major repercussions for biodiversity. Particularly in Western Europe, ongoing intensification and scale enlargement but also land abandonment and poor agricultural practices leading to land degradation form a major threat to agrobiodiversity. Agro-ecological farming practices are suggested as an alternative way of farming in order to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Yet knowledge about what factors explain farmers’ adoption of agro-ecological farming practices is fragmented and incomplete. In this paper, we offer a holistic framework that specifies these factors and how they are interconnected. The framework is illustrated and refined by means of a case study analysis of almond farming in Andalusia. The chosen case represents a specific localized farming practice that currently negatively impacts biodiversity but for which agro-ecology forms an attractive alternative regarding biodiversity. The case study demonstrates that our framework offers a useful tool to systematically identify the different factors that affect agro-ecological farming adoption, interlinkages between factors and particularly the more structural barriers to agro-ecology.

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious invasive pest of maize that has been established in Kenya since 2016. Little is known about its co-occurrence with resident stemborers, relative infestation and damage and how agronomic factors influence its infestation and damage in maize cropping systems across different agro-ecological zones. This study assessed FAW co-occurrence with resident stemborers, relative infestation and damage across three agro-ecological zones, and the effects of different agronomic practices on its infestation and damage in maize cropping systems in Kenya. A total of 180 maize farms were surveyed across three different agro-ecological zones. FAW infestation and damage was highest in lowlands compared to mid-altitude and high-altitude lands. Its population (eggs and larvae) dominated that of resident stemborers in maize fields. Maize grown under mixed cropping systems, with rainfed production and weeded frequently had low infestation and damage compared to those grown under monoculture, with irrigation and no weeding, respectively. Young vegetative maize plants were more infested and damaged compared to mature plants. Different maize varieties were found to have different infestation and damage levels with Pioneer having the least damage. These results demonstrate that agronomic practices play a role in influencing FAW infestation and damage in maize cropping systems. Further, the population of FAW is dominating that of stemborers in maize cropping systems in Kenya, four years after its invasion. Thus, agronomic practices need to be considered while designing sustainable agro-ecological-based management solutions for resource-constrained smallholder farmers.

This contribution presents an account of an artistic experiment and agroforestry plantations carried out by an association with the participation of students from an agricultural secondary school in Northern France. The article reports on an educational approach that departs from the usual frames of reference by instilling the importance of the role of trees and forests in a profession that sometimes loses sight of the tree’s role as a tool. By working on the aesthetic and symbolic aspects of trees, these pupils have adopted an old heritage, a long cultural affiliation of their profession to the forest. Thanks to the tree, they have been able to project themselves into another time frame departing from the notion of urgency to adopt that of introspection. It is necessary to search one’s heart and consider the contours of a profession which needs to question its practices, reinvent its relationship to the site and project itself into the future. The article seeks to recount this cultural taming of the tree by the agricultural world.

Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS), in addition to being a means of providing income, can be considered an alternative way of helping conserve biodiversity, both above and below ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of tree leaf litter and its nutrient content as well as the composition of fauna in the soil-litter layer in two Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS-1 and AFS-2), using as reference an area of secondary Forest (SF), in the Quilombola do Campinho da Independência community, Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. The collection of accumulated leaf litter and soil-litter fauna was carried out from four sample points in each area and at two different seasons of the year, the rainy and the dry season. The leaf litter stock and its nutrient content (Ca, Mg, P, K and N) were measured. The extraction of fauna was carried out according to Tüllgren’s method, modifying the Berlese funnel. The stock of accumulated leaf litter differed between the two areas only in the rainy season; the amounts were smaller in AFS-2. In general, the Agro-Forestry Systems were very similar to the secondary forest in terms of levels and/or stock of nutrients in the majority of cases, at least in one of the seasons studied. The composition of the soil fauna groups in the Agro-Forestry System (AFS-1 and AFS-2) had a high degree of similarity to that found in the forest, and these systems mainly favour the populations of groups like Collembola and Formicidae.

Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS), in addition to being a means of providing income, can be considered an alternative way of helping conserve biodiversity, both above and below ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of tree leaf litter and its nutrient content as well as the composition of fauna in the soil-litter layer in two Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS-1 and AFS-2), using as reference an area of secondary Forest (SF), in the Quilombola do Campinho da Independência community, Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. The collection of accumulated leaf litter and soil-litter fauna was carried out from four sample points in each area and at two different seasons of the year, the rainy and the dry season. The leaf litter stock and its nutrient content (Ca, Mg, P, K and N) were measured. The extraction of fauna was carried out according to Tüllgren’s method, modifying the Berlese funnel. The stock of accumulated leaf litter differed between the two areas only in the rainy season; the amounts were smaller in AFS-2. In general, the Agro-Forestry Systems were very similar to the secondary forest in terms of levels and/or stock of nutrients in the majority of cases, at least in one of the seasons studied. The composition of the soil fauna groups in the Agro-Forestry System (AFS-1 and AFS-2) had a high degree of similarity to that found in the forest, and these systems mainly favour the populations of groups like Collembola and Formicidae.

Abstract Background Animal trypanosomosis is one of the major disease problems affecting agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. The impact of the disease is believed to vary with season and agro-ecologies in line with fly vector distribution. A cross-sectional study on bovine trypanosomosis was conducted from November 2015 to June 2016, in seven selected villages of Gidami district, Oromia Regional State, western Ethiopia. A total of 930 blood samples were collected and subjected to parasitological and hematological analysis. Result The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was 14.1%. The seasonal prevalence shows 9.06% in early dry and 18.4% in early rainy seasons. Three trypanosome species, Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma brucei were identified in the examined animals. T. congolense followed by T. vivax were the predominant species (respectively 59.0 and 35.9% in early dry season and 62.0 and 22.8% in early rainy season). The prevalence of T. vivax remained similar in both early dry and early rainy seasons in both lowland and midland agroecologies whereas T. congolense was more dominant in the lowland area in both seasons compared to mid land study sites. The disease was more prevalent in lowland (23.9%) compared to midland (11.1%) during early rainy season (P

The Food Commons is an agro-ecological approach to local and regional food in which the health of employees, the community, and the commons are considered holistically. Food Commons Fresno is operationalizing the model with wholesale, food box, hub, commissary, and farming businesses managed through a linked for-benefit corporation and a community trust. Aside from typical start-up challenges, the key hurdles include the cultural and economic unfamiliarity with ecological models and relational operating systems.

IJPS Editor-in-Chief Riane Eisler interviews Wes Jackson, founder of the pioneering sustainable agriculture research and development organization, The Land Institute, with headquarters in Salina, Kansas. He is the author of New Roots for Agriculture, Altars of Unhewn Stone, Becoming Native to This Place, Consulting the Genius of the Place, and Nature as Measure. Jackson has received many honors for his groundbreaking work, including the Right Livelihood Award, election as a Pew Conservation Scholar and a MacArthur Fellow, and inclusion by Life magazine as one of the 100 important Americans of the 20th century and by the Smithsonian as one of “35 Who Made a Difference.”

Availability of feed resources, their utilization and balance between supply and demand in Burie Zuria district, north western Ethiopia, were assessedusing focus group discussion, individual interview, key informant interview and secondary data. Data was collected from February to April 2017 on 90, 30 and 30 households (HH)Hs selected from mid, high and low altitudes,respectively, using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data was analysed using FEAST version 2.21 and SPSS version 20.0. Mean land holding, livestock holding and family size were 1.8 ha, 9.03Tropical livestock unit (TLU) and 6.82 persons/HH, respectively. Crop residues, stubble grazing and natural pasture were major feed resources. Maize stover, finger millet and teff straws were the main crop residues produced in all agroecosystems (p

The traditional landraces of rice plant had a major role in building socio-economic status of rural poor. The present study deals with the diversity and ethnobotanic significance of indigenous landraces of rice in Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. Altogether, twenty-one indigenous landraces of rice were collected during the present study. Each class having important role to play, the major classes of rice include glutinous, common rice and aromatic rice. Other than being a staple food, rice and its products are still frequently used by rural folk in various festivals, religious and social ceremonies in the form of sweets, cakes, snacks and beverages. Bora-dhan was reported with the highest use value. Based on grain’s qualitative and quantitative traits, the obtained dendrogram contains four different clusters; while, the OTUs (Operational taxonomic unit) present in a cluster display morphological similarity. The dendrogram also illustrated diversified distribution of grains in this region. The study also reveals the profound relationship of people with the traditional landraces of rice. The ethnic farmers should be made aware to promote on-farm conservation of crop diversity, before it is lost under the debris of modernization.

Farmland fragmentation and farmland consolidation are two sides of the same coin paradoxically viewed as farmland management tools. While there is a vast body of literature addressing the connections between farmland fragmentation and farmland consolidation on the one hand and agriculture production and crops diversification on the other hand, their relationship with variations in food security is still under-explored. This challenges policy makers about whether and how to devise policies in favor of fragmentation conservation or defragmentation. Therefore, drawing on the multiple secondary data and the deductive logical reasoning through an integrative concept-centric qualitative approach following the rationalist theory, this study critically reviews and analyses the existing body of literature to identify how farmland fragmentation versus defragmentation approaches relate to food security. The goal is to develop and derive an explicit model indicating when, where, how and why farmland fragmentation can be conserved or prevented and controlled for food security motives as a novel alternative comprehensive scientific knowledge generation, which could guide and inform the design of future research and policies about farmland fragmentation management. The findings show that both fragmentation and consolidation variously (positively and negatively) impact on food security at different (macro, meso and micro) levels. While farmland fragmentation is highly linked with food diversification (food quality), acceptability, accessibility, and sovereignty at the local (household and individual) levels, farmland consolidation is often associated with the quantity and availability of food production at the community, regional and national levels. Theoretically, the best management of farmland fragmentation for food security purposes can be achieved by minimizing the problems associated with physical and tenure aspects of farmland fragmentation along with the optimization of its potential benefits. In this regard, farmland consolidation, voluntary parcel exchange and on-field harvest sales, farmland realignment, and farmland use (crop) consolidation can be suitable for the control of physical fragmentation problems under various local conditions. Similarly, farmland banking and off-farm employment, restrictions about the minimum parcel sizes subdivision and absentee owners, joint ownership, cooperative farming, farmland use (crop) consolidation, agricultural land protection policies, and family planning measures can be suitable to prevent and minimize farmland tenure fragmentation problems. On the other hand, various agriculture intensification programs, agroecogical approaches, and land saving technologies can be the most suitable strategies to maximize the income from agriculture on fragmented plots under the circumstances of beneficial fragmentation. Moreover, in areas where both rational and defective fragmentation scenarios coexist, different specific strategies like localized and multicropping based land consolidation approaches in combination with or without agriculture intensification programs, can provide better and more balanced optimal solutions. These could simultaneously minimize the defective effects of fragmentation thereby optimizing or without jeopardizing its potential benefits with regard to food security under specific local conditions.

Since the 1970s, cotton has been a driving force in the transformation of agricultural production systems and a key element in local economies in the savannah areas of West and Central Africa (WCA). However, the sustainability of cotton-based production systems is often debated because of their effects on soils and the negative impacts of chemical pest control on the environment and human health. Through drastic reforms, the WCA cotton sector overcame the crises, showing its resilience. Today, research should be mobilized to help the sector tackle the major challenges: i) economic (price volatility, producers’ incomes), ii) social (inclusion of vulnerable groups, role of women and young people, etc.) and iii) environmental (impact of pesticides, soil degradation, etc.) and linked to climate change. The articles published in this issue present some results and perspectives of research work, which can help improving the sustainability of cotton systems in WCA, open paths towards an agro-ecological transition and address the new challenges.

This article presents some reflections about the socio-technical changes in agriculture understood as counter-movements to development strategies based on modernization. By examining the emblematic case of Ipê-Antônio Prado in the far south of Brazil, this study confirms that through the collaboration of various actors new productive practices, discourses, performances and multiple social processes emerge that reposition local forms of organization. The study identifies the emergence of an endogenous expression of ‘ecological agriculture’ that was initiated within the broader framework of alternative agriculture. However this shift has triggered heterogeneous courses of action in the region that have configured new processes of change for agricultural production.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an annual plant native to the Americas. Is a grain-producing species with a high oil content, which can be used as a source of biodiesel as well as fodder. The cassava is a liquid derived from the cassava flour production. This organic waste can be used in agriculture due to its high content of nutrients such as, K, N, P, Ca, Mg and S and also avoiding harm the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of sunflower using organic fertilization with cassava. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at Lagoa Seca, PB State, and were analyzed the total production (PS), dry mass of the inflorescence (FCA), dry mass of seeds and inflorescence (FSC) and total dry biomass (FT). The highest yield (934.52 kg ha-1) was obtained with no applied cassava. The dosage of 250 mL of cassava yielded maximum values for dry mass of the inflorescence (2,380 kg ha-1) and dry matter of the seeds and inflorescence (3,432 kg ha-1), promoting a increase of 32.03% and 132.55% respectively when compared to the control treatment. The higher value of total biomass was 28,017 kg ha-1 when applied 375 mL of manipueria. The cassava as a source of organic fertilizer favors the dry matter accumulation of sunflower without raising the grain yield.

Weed management is an important issue since weeds directly compete with crop plants for space, nutrients; serve as habitat for insect pests and diseases, and can create a significant annual reduction in crop productivity. This study focused on evaluating the contribution of the secondary metabolites of the fruit pulp of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. for its potential growth inhibitory effect. Crude extracts of C. guianensis fruit pulp were collected with different solvents and applied to test plants in petri dishes. The crude extracts of methanol and 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) showed potential growth inhibitions with the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 223 and 229 µg/mL in the bioassay experiment. In the greenhouse pot experiment, soil incorporated with oven-dried fruit pulp of C. guianensis was evaluated on cultivated plant species including Lactuca sativa L., Trifolium repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Phleum pratense L. The incorporation of dried fruit pulp of C. guianensis into soil reduced shoot and root lengths and the germination percentage of test plants. It was observed that the monocot plants were more affected than the dicot plants. The fruit pulp of C. guianensis was subjected to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify the active compounds. Indigo, identified as one of the candidate compounds of the C. guianensis, had high specific activity (i.e., strong inhibitory activity) in a phytotoxicity bioassay and could explain through the total activity concept the growth inhibitory effect of the C. guianensis on test plants. The results suggested that indigo has plant growth inhibitory effect, indicating the allelopathic potential of C. guianensis, which could be exploited in sustainable weed management.