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ABSTRACTCurrently, the management of many highly mobile and very destructive insect pests such as fall armyworm is still carried out for the most part, on a field-by-field basis. Chemical pesticides remain the most predominant pest control option, despite their direct effects on human health, the environment, and biodiversity. Integrated Pest Management which involves the use of a combination of techniques has been promoted for the long-term prevention of pests, but they too, are usually applied by producers independently of others. Uncoordinated and reactive field-by-field pest management addresses only a small fraction of a local pest population, allowing for fast re-invasion of managed farms. Area-wide pest management, where coordinated pest management tactics are used over a broad landscape, has been suggested as a key strategy for the sustainable management of invasive and mobile pests. Using narrative review methodology, we give a description and synthesis of available literature on area-wide pest management on smallholder farms around the world. We specifically examine the successes, facilitators, and barriers to effective implementation of the approach. We discuss these cases considering changing institutional and socio-economic factors and assess prospects for sustainable area-wide management of fall armyworm in Africa.

Abstract Background Antibiotics hold the promise of mitigating the spread of livestock diseases while enhancing productivity. However, there is global concerns surrounding the improper handling and administration of antibiotics, which has led to an alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Kenya is currently listed as an AMR hotspot. This study assesses farmers’ knowledge and practices on antibiotics in livestock production, knowledge on AMR as well as factors influencing farmers’ knowledge of antibiotic safety and resistance, and antibiotics use. Methods A across-sectional, quantitative survey was employed with 319 farming households in five counties in Kenya. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify explanatory factors. Results About 80% of households use antibiotics in their livestock, and 58% administer the antibiotics themselves. The vast majority of farmers buy antibiotics without a prescription. Antibiotics are used for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes, the latter mainly in form of growth promoters and feed enhancers in poultry. The withdrawal periods reported by farmers are shorter than the officially recommended periods. Although the majority of farmers reported risky antibiotic practices, most (76%) were well aware of bacterial AMR. Nineteen of 21 knowledge statements on AMR and safe use of antibiotics were answered correctly by 55–89% of respondents, indicating considerable farmer knowledge on different aspects of antibiotics risk, while certain knowledge gaps remain. Number of livestock owned was the factor most positively influencing farmers’ knowledge on AMR and safe use. Conclusion Kenya has made notable progress towards creating knowledge and awareness of farming communities on the risks and requirements associated with antibiotic use in livestock. Nonetheless, farmers’ antibiotics practices continue to constitute considerable risk of further AMR development. This shows that knowledge is not enough to ensure fundamental behavioral change. There needs to be an enabling environment driven by (1) effective policy interventions and enforcement to ensure compliance with set guidelines for antibiotic use; (2) research on and deployment of alternatives, such as probiotics, vaccinations and disease prevention measures, (3) continued public awareness raising and education using multiple channels to reach farmers and, (4) strengthened cross-sector, multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the multi-dimensional complexities of AMR.

Agriculture is vital for economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda and Zambia, the sector drives economic output, particularly the horticulture sector, which has emerged as a significant contributor to export revenue and employment for resource-poor rural communities. As agri-food value chains become globally connected, there are increasing concerns about food safety and both the social and environmental sustainability benefits of production, which has underscored the need for producers to comply with certain regulatory standards. This paper uses a value chain analysis approach to assess the factors influencing compliance among smallholder fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) producers in Zambia and Rwanda, and identify practices essential for achieving widespread compliance, to enhance the competitiveness of the sector. The data were gathered from 340 FFV farmers and key informants using structured questionnaires. The results reveal that the value chains for target FFVs are still traditional, predominantly targeting local markets. These markets pose low barriers to entry for smallholders, and often with few safety and quality requirements. As such, there remains a paucity of understanding of market needs and regarding quality and safety standards amongst smallholders, which, coupled with low-input, low-technology farming methods, and inadequate pre- and post-harvest handling, limit the market potential. To bridge these gaps, this study recommends organising farmers into legally recognised entities, to enable access to compliance information, reduce transaction costs, and provide access to high-quality niche markets through public–private partnerships. Countries also need to develop industry codes of practice and quality management systems and support farmers to adhere to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of the challenges and capacity gaps in smallholder access to digital extension and advisory services (EAS) was made by surveying 197 female and 239 male farmers in Kenya and Uganda. Non-digital extension approaches remain dominant but at least 78% of farmers accessed EAS from electronic sources dominated by radio. This is attributed to the fact that ownership of radios was more widespread than of other digital devices. Challenges that particularly limit the use of digital services included low digital literacy and prohibitive cost of internet and mobile devices. Female and elderly farmers were more likely to report these challenges than their counterparts. Logistic regression model results show that ownership of digital devices, participation in post-production activities, and access to extension were enablers of digital EAS use. Farmers mentioned gaps in obtaining information on crop pest/disease diagnosis and management, fertilizer application, pesticide safety and quality seed. Given the diversity in smallholder technological capabilities and information needs, the recommendations made include integration of digital communication within multimode advisory services that use different but linked communication channels, continued farmer digital innovation capacity enhancement, and participatory design approaches that deliver relevant and actionable information for inclusive scaling of extension activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a conceptual framework for quantifying fixed transactions costs facing semisubsistence households. Using household survey data from a sample of 324 Kenyan maize farmers, we jointly estimate household supply and demand schedules and transactions costs. Econometric results indicate that on average the ad valorem tax equivalent of fixed transactions costs for households in our sample is 15%. Additional analysis indicates that economic isolation is positively associated with the size of transactions costs. To the best of our knowledge, ours are the first empirical estimates of the magnitude of fixed transactions costs for agricultural households in developing countries. JEL classification: O1 Keywords: Transactions costs; Semisubsistence households; Market participation

African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) hold potential to address food security and nutrition in Africa. Their production and consumption remain constrained by lack of quality seed. Efforts to promote commercial seed production lack information about the effective demand of AIV seed. This study estimated derived demand for input seed in central Uganda using trans-log production model. Own-price and cross-price elasticities for production inputs were estimated using marginal approach. Seed demand analysis showed that farmers would utilise seed from market sources of approximately 32 tons per year, against current formal supply of 4.4 tons. Estimated price elasticities showed that purchased seed was less sensitive to its own price, implying less significant effect of price change on the quantity of seed demanded over time. Seed production exhibited higher gross margins and returns to labour day compared to vegetable production, suggesting prospects of profitability and sustainability of farmer-seed enterprises as an alternative source of quality seed for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers need access to certified seed stocks for efficient production of traditional African vegetable seed. However, access to quality certified seed is constrained by several factors. Primary data from four selected regions of Tanzania was analyzed to examine the causal linkages among traditional African vegetable farmers' decisions to participate in farmer-led seed enterprises and their access to quality certified seeds. The effect of farmers' access to certified traditional African vegetable seed on revenue generated from their seed sales in the study locale was assessed. This study concludes that farmers' revenue from traditional vegetable seed sales is positively and significantly influenced by access to certified seed. Indeed, access to certified seed can be increased, if farmers participate in farmer-led seed enterprises, and if they have more frequent contact with village extensionists. Relevant policy actions and recommendations for improving farmer-led seed enterprises are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A youthful sub-Saharan Africa presents fertile grounds to nurture a new breed of inspirational and resilient leadership that coukl transform the continent fo r decades to come. Population statistics indicate that 44% of sub-Saharan Africa's population is less than 15 years old. The timing is ripe to infuse transformational leadership skills targeting the youth to build sustainable peace. The most potent force of change in Africa today is her youthful, progressive, and courageous population. A renewed sense of patriotism, nationalism, and a brighter A frica abound with hope and prosperity is in the hands of the youth. The United States President Barack Obama recently said, "... You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. But these things can only be done if all of you take responsibility for your future" (Remarks by President Obama to the Ghanaian Parliament, July 11, 2009). This chapter incorporates the principles and power of appreciative inquiry, moral imagination, and moral leadership to offer the African Youth inspiration for fresh leadership. The overall outcome will be a discourse toward an African Youth Theory of Inspirational Servant Leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White grubs are largely unsolved problems in vegetable and tuber production in East Africa. Novel Rwandan as well as international entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) were screened in nine laboratory bioassays and two small-scale field trials in 2014 and 2015. Soil-based laboratory bioassays revealed that all EPNs were able to infect Anomala graueri larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae), although a relatively high number of infective juveniles were needed. Rwandan EPNs were as infectious as their corresponding international strains. At 100 infective juveniles per larva, the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strains (Rwanda14-N-C4a and international H06) as well as the international Steinernema carpocapsae All caused 18 to 22% grub mortality within 7 days compared to the control. At 1000 infective juveniles, both H. bacteriophora strains as well as the Rwandan S. carpocapsae RW14-G-R3a-2 killed 34 up to 58%. The Rwandan Steinernema RW14-M-C2a-3 least performed in the bioassays (2 to 6%). In two Irish potato fields, the into-soil-applied 1 x 109 infective juvenile Steinernema RW14-M-C2b-1 per hectare reduced 29 ± 33% and 96 ± 3% of grubs within 30 and 60 days, respectively. About 1 up to 2.5 x 109 infective juvenile Steinernema longicaudum X7 per hectare reduced 77 up to 85% of grubs until day 30, respectively, and 82 up to 95% until day 60. Avermectin + Chlorpyrifos tuber coatings reduced 39% of grubs, and Fipronil + Chlorpyrifos reduced 27%, whereas handpicking did not help much. In conclusion, at least Steinernema RW14-M-C2b-1 and S. longicaudum X7 are promising for managing white grubs in tuber production, this is at a rate of at least 1.5 x 109 EPNs per hectare, but H. bacteriophora RW14-N-C4a needs further field research. Findings will support the biocontrol product development in Rwanda, including registration if any would be needed for native macrobial biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]