scholarly journals The case for the rope-pump in Africa: A comparative performance analysis

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Harvey ◽  
T. Drouin
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Technology Choice ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rope Pump

The conventional handpump is the most popular technology choice for improved potable water supplies in rural sub-Saharan Africa. To date, however, it has failed to deliver satisfactory levels of sustainability, largely due to inadequate maintenance capacity. An alternative option to standardised imported handpumps is the locally manufactured rope-pump, which is considerably cheaper and easier to maintain but has been rejected in the past due to fears of impaired water quality. This paper presents the key aspects of a study in northern Ghana which compared the performance of rope-pumps with that of conventional handpumps, to determine whether or not the rope-pump provides a viable alternative for community water supplies across the sub-continent. User interviews, sanitary surveys, water quality analyses and technical performance measurements were used to develop a comparative performance analysis for the two pump types. The findings of the study indicated that the rope-pump out-performed the conventional handpump on the majority of counts and that, contrary to widespread perceptions, there was no significant difference between pump types with respect to the impact on microbiological water quality. Consequently, the rope-pump provides a significant technological opportunity to improve water supply sustainability in Africa.

scholarly journals Managed Aquifer Recharge at a Farm Level: Evaluating the Performance of Direct Well Recharge Structures

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prahlad Soni ◽  
Yogita Dashora ◽  
Basant Maheshwari ◽  
Peter Dillon ◽  
Pradeep Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dug Wells ◽  
And Control ◽  
Dug Well ◽  
Recharge Structures

A field study evaluated the performance of direct well recharge structures (DWRS) in order to harvest and filter farm runoff and its discharge into open dug wells to augment groundwater recharge. This was undertaken between 2016 and 2018 using a total of 11 wells in the Dharta watershed, situated in a semi-arid hardrock region of Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. The depth to water level in each DWRS well was monitored weekly for 1 to 3 years before and after the DWRS was established, and water samples were taken for water quality analysis (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, fluoride, and Escherichia coli) before and during the monsoon period. For each DWRS well, two control wells in close proximity were also monitored and sampled. Five of the DWRS established in 2018 also had flow meters installed in order to measure discharge from the filter to the well. The volume of water recharged through DWRS into individual wells during the 2018 monsoon ranged from 2 to 176 m3 per well. Although the mean rise in water levels over the monsoon was higher in DWRS wells than in nearby control wells, the difference was not significant. Values of pH, EC, TDS, and F decreased in DWRS and control wells as each monsoon progressed, whereas the turbidity of wells with DWRS increased slightly. There was no significant difference between DWRS and control wells for pH, EC/TDS, turbidity, or fluoride. The presence of E. coli in DWRS wells was higher than in control wells, however, E. coli exceeded drinking water guidelines in all sampled wells. On the basis of this study, it is recommended that rural runoff should not be admitted to wells that are used for, or close to, wells used for drinking water supplies, even though salinity and fluoride concentrations may be reduced. For this study, none of the 11 DWRS wells produced sufficient additional recharge to potentially increase dry season irrigation supplies to justify expenditure on DWRS. This even applies to the DWRS well adjacent to a small ephemeral stream that had a significantly larger catchment area than those drawing on farmers’ fields alone. An important and unexpected finding of this study was that no sampled open dug well met drinking water standards. This has led to a shift in local priorities to implement well-head water quality protection measures for wells used for drinking water supplies. It is recommended that parapet walls be built around the perimeter of such dug wells, as well as having covers be installed.

scholarly journals Variability in the chemistry of private drinking water supplies and the impact of domestic treatment systems on water quality

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1313-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Ander ◽  
M. J. Watts ◽  
P. L. Smedley ◽  
E. M. Hamilton ◽  
R. Close ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Firm Growth and Technical Efficiency in Ethiopia: The Role of Firm Size and Finance

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Habtamu Tesfaye Edjigu
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

<p>The performance of manufacturing firms can play a crucial rule in spurring economic growth and international competency. However, it has received little attention in developing countries particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using firm level data from 2000 to 2008 survey, this paper empirically investigates the key determinants of growth and technical efficiency of Ethiopian manufacturing establishments focusing on the impact of size and finance. The empirical result using dynamic panel data estimation suggest that small and young firms grow more rapidly. Leverage ratio and cash flow are also main determinants of firm growth. However, they have heterogeneous effect. While, the availability of internal finance significantly affect the growth of smaller firms, leverage (borrowing) represent a binding constraint for growth of large firms. Firm’s asset, labour quality, ownership and legal status are also binding constraints for growth of firm in Ethiopia. Moreover, a stochastic frontier analysis of the production function shows that there is significant difference in efficiency scores across firms. The result shows that efficiency score increases with firm size and cash flow but decrease with borrowing.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Impact of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on Growth, Yield and Nodulation on Two Accessions of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1435-1439
Author(s):  
B.P. Mshelmbula ◽  
E. Ogale ◽  
S. Bello ◽  
H.A. Kana ◽  
M.Y. Sulayman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Gibberelic Acid ◽  
The Impact

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the most ancient crops known to man and is grown across various climatic zones, most commonly in the dry savanna regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this work was therefore to investigate the impact of Gibberelic acid on the growth and yield of cowpea. Field experiments was conducted during the 2019 rainy season at the Botanical Garden of Federal University of Lafia. The cowpea accessions were submerged into various concentrations of GA3 (90mg/L, 120mg/L, and 150mg/L). The results showed varying response of the accessions in varying GA3 concentrations. Both Accessions (TVU-1 and TVU-4) recorded no significant difference across all treatments in the number of flowers. In TVU-1 accession, the least concentration, 90mg/L recorded the highest number of flowers (0.22) at 12(WAP); while in TVU-4, the seeds exposed to the highest concentration recorded the highest number of flowers. Similar result was observed in the number of pods of both accessions (TVU-1 and TVU-4) were there was no significant difference (P≤0.5) recorded. There was increase in the number of root nodules with increased in the growth hormone concentrations as treatment 150mg/L showed the highest number of root nodules in both accessions; even though no significant difference was recorded. It is therefore recommended that different accessions at different concentrations of gibberelic acid be tired to see their responses.

scholarly journals Some aspects of histology of liver and intestine of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings fed raw and processed Mucuna pruriens diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-62
Author(s):  
D. G. Kakwi ◽  
S. Awolumate ◽  
B. S. Audu ◽  
D. O. Oshinbajo ◽  
F. A. Oyedapo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Water Quality Parameters ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Nutritional Factors ◽  
Qualité De L’Eau ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Mucuna contains anti-nutritional factors, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory factors and L- dopa, a potentially neurotoxic agent. These anti-nutrients are endogenous toxic substances that are part of the normal feedstuff and affect its nutritional quality. The concentrations of these anti-nutritional factors can be reduced or completely eliminated if the seeds are properly processed. The impact of anti-nutritional factors and other toxic compounds in mucuna on fish have not been documented. Investigations on the dietary effects of raw and processed Mucuna pruriens seed diets on the histopatology of the liver and intestine of C. carpio fingerlings were carried out. The raw and the processed mucuna seed meals in two replacement levels of 20% and 50% as substitution of soybean meal in treatment diets were labelled Raw, MCD1 (20%) and MCD2 (50%), respectively, while a reference diet with no mucuna served as the control diet (CD). The diets were fed to C. carpio fingerlings (average weight, 15.40g) for 56 days. Water quality in the culture of C. carpio was was measured using standard procedure. Histopathological changes in the liver and intestine sections of fish were observed consistently and variable in the treatment groups. Water quality parameters were measured for the period of evaluation. Significant difference was not observed for all the water quality parameters measured. The water temperature varied between 22.90°C to 22.96oC similar to the room temperature. The pH ranged between 7.02 and 7.07 while dissolved oxygen ranged from 6.24 to 6.34 ppm. The liver of the fish fed raw mucuna diets showed vacoulation and severe necrosis of hepatocytes in the liver parenchyma and periportal areas. The histological analysis of the intestine of C. carpio fingerlings fed raw Mucuna diet also showed severe atrophy in the musculature of the intestinal villi of the fish which was mild in the fish fed MCD1 and control diets. The MCD1 was considered the most appropriate for dietary inclusion of Mucuna pruriens seeds in the feeding of C. carpio fingerlings.     Mucuna contient des facteurs antinutrit nutritionnels, des anticoagulants, des facteurs anti- inflammatoires et de la L-dopa, un agent potentiellement neurotoxique. Ces antinutriments sont des substances toxiques endogènes qui font partie de l'aliment normal et affectent sa qualité nutritionnelle. Les concentrations de ces facteurs anti-nutritionnels peuvent être réduites ou complètement éliminées si les graines sont correctement traitées. L'impact des facteurs anti-nutritionnels et d'autres composés toxiques dans la mucuna sur les poissons n'a pas été documenté. Des études sur les effets diététiques des régimes crus et transformés de graine de Pruriens de Mucuna sur l'histopatologie du foie et de l'intestin des a ongles de C. carpio ont été effectuées. Les repas crus et transformés de graine de mucuna dans deux niveaux de remplacement de 20% et 50% comme remplacement de la farine de soja dans les régimes de traitement ont été étiquetés crus, MCD1 (20%) et MCD2 (50%), respectivement, tandis qu'un régime de référence sans mucuna a servi de régime de contrôle (CD). Les régimes ont été donnés aux acolings C. carpio (poids moyen, 15.40 g) pendant 56 jours. La qualité de l'eau dans la culture de C. carpiowas a été mesurée à l'aide d'une procédure standard. Des changements histopathologiques dans les sections hépatiques et intestinales des poissons ont été observés uniformément et variables dans les groupes de traitement. Des paramètres de qualité de l'eau ont été mesurés pour la période d'évaluation. Aucune différence significative n'a été observée pour tous les paramètres de qualité de l'eau mesurés. La température de l'eau variait entre 22.90 °C et 22.96 °C, semblable à la température ambiante. Le pH se situe entre 7.02 et 7.07 tandis que l'oxygène dissous varie de 6.24 à 6.34 ppm. Le foie des poissons alimentés régimes crus de mucuna a montré la vacoulation et la nécrose grave des hépatocytes dans le parenchyme de foie et les secteurs periportal. L'analyse histologique de l'intestin des ails de C. carpio alimentés au régime cru de Mucuna a également montré l'atrophie grave dans la musculature des villosités intestinales du poisson qui était douce dans les poissons alimentés MCD1 et les régimes de contrôle. Le MCD1 a été considéré comme le plus approprié pour l'inclusion diététique des graines pruriens de Mucuna dans l'alimentation des acolings de C. carpio.

Profitability analysis of rice production: a microeconomic perspective from northern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Zakaria ◽  
Shaibu Baanni Azumah ◽  
Gilbert Dagunga ◽  
Mark Appiah-Twumasi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to estimate the profitability of rice production for irrigated and rain-fed farmers; determine the factors that influence farmers' decision to participate in irrigation and the impact of irrigation on rice farmers' profitability in northern Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing cross-sectional data collected from 543 rice farmers in northern Ghana, the study employed both non-parametric (cost benefit analysis) and parametric (endogenous switching regression) approaches to analyse the data.FindingsThe empirical results reveal a significant difference between the profits of irrigated (GHS 2442.30) and rain-fed farmers (GHS 576.20), as well as the cost-benefit ratios between irrigators (2.53) and rain-fed farmers (1.37). Also, participation in irrigation was found to be influenced by relatively small farm size and off-farm income; while profitability was influenced by membership in a farmer-based organization, access to agricultural extension services and perception of decreasing rainfall intensity. Irrigation also had a positive significant net impact on profitability of rice production.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide justification for development partners and the government of Ghana through the “one-village-one-dam” policy, to invest in irrigation in northern Ghana in order to improve household welfare as well as build resilience for sustainable production systems.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to provide a robust analysis of the difference in profits of rain-fed and irrigated rice farmers while estimating the determinants of Ghanaian farmers' choice of either of the regimes within a bias-corrected framework.

A Comparative Performance Analysis of Sustainability Themed Indices in India: Markov Regime Switching Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 231971452110528
Author(s):  
Deepmala Jasuja ◽  
Jaya Mamta Prosad ◽  
Neeraj Nautiyal
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Regime Switching ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Markov Regime Switching ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sustainability Indices

Sustainability Indices serve as a benchmark for the companies screened for their superior performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) parameters. This article intends to compare the overall and regime-specific financial performance of socially responsible indices of the National Stock Exchange, Nifty100 ESG and Nifty100 ESG Enhanced with Nifty50 (representing the market) from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2020. Overall comparative performance analysis of these indices is conducted using risk-adjusted return measures and volatility has been captured through the TGARCH model. Further, time duration has been decomposed into regimes using Markov Regime Switching Model and the comparison of indices has been undertaken in both regimes. Our findings suggest that there is no significant difference between the return performance of sustainability indices and market benchmark index in single time duration and sustainability indices performing marginally better in both the regimes identified. This implies that socially responsible investments in India are providing reasonable returns to investors without comprising non-financial objectives. For corporates, it is a win–win situation to focus on ESG parameters to attract capital from investors and deliver better corporate financial performance and hence increasing the potential of growth of socially responsible investing in India.

The effect of catchment afforestation on public water supplies in Strathclyde Region, Scotland

1987 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Capital Expenditure ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Run Off ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTIntensive coniferous afforestation of many water supply catchments is taking place in Strathclyde Region. The current concern over the impact of this significant change in land use on the quantity and quality of water supplies is discussed. Some effects, such as high sediment run-off associated with ploughing and road development, may be of dramatic short-term effect, while others, such as reduction in quantitative yield, the development of eutrophication or acidification with aluminium leaching from soils, may take longer to materialise. Selective routine water quality monitoring work commenced in 1984 in a number of water supply catchments aimed at identifying forestry-related water quality trends. The initial results of this work are presented. Against the background of catchment land use changes, new European Community water supply standards were imposed in 1985 committing the Region to a substantial capital expenditure programme over a ten-year period in order to upgrade water treatment works. Any significant long-term changes in water quality associated with forestry activity will make this programme more costly to achieve. It is considered that the water supplies most susceptible to forestry related quantity or quality problems are the small supplies in areas of Argyll, Ayrshire and the Islands. It is suggested that the way forward is for improved advance consultation and planning on a site specific basis to protect public water supply interests.

Microbiological surveillance of private water supplies in England – The impact of environmental and climate factors on water quality

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 2159-2168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hopi Yip Richardson ◽  
Gordon Nichols ◽  
Chris Lane ◽  
Iain R. Lake ◽  
Paul R. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Climate Factors ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Microbiological Surveillance
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