Appraisal of the Sesame Production Opportunities and Constraints, and Farmer-Preferred Varieties and Traits, in Eastern and Southwestern Ethiopia

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop with well-developed value chains. It is Ethiopia’s most valuable export commodity after coffee (Coffea arabica L.), contributing to socioeconomic development. The productivity of the crop is low and stagnant in Ethiopia and other major sesame growing regions in sub-Saharan Africa (<0.6 t/ha) due to a multitude of production constraints. The objective of this study was to document sesame production opportunities and constraints, as well as farmer- and market-preferred varieties and traits, in eastern and southwestern Ethiopia as a guide for large-scale production and breeding. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was conducted in two selected sesame growing regions and four districts in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 160 and 46 sesame farmers through semistructured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Sesame is grown by all respondent farmers in the study areas for food and as a source of cash. Most respondent farmers (56%) reported cultivating sesame using seeds of unknown varieties often sourced from the informal seed sector. About 83% of the respondents reported lack of access to improved seeds as the most important production constraint, followed by low yield gains from cultivating the existing varieties (reported by 73.8% of respondents), diseases (69.4%), and low market price (68.8%). Other production constraints included insect pests (59.4%), lack of market information (55%), and high cost of seed (50%). The above constraints were attributed to the absence of a dedicated breeding programme, lack of a formal seed sector, poor extension services, and underdeveloped pre- and postharvest infrastructures. The most important market-preferred traits of sesame included true-to-type seed (reported by 36.3% of respondents), white seed colour (28.8%), and high seed oil content (23.8%). The vital farmer-preferred attributes included reasonable market price (reported by 11.3% of respondents), resistance to crop diseases (10.9%), drought tolerance (10.3%), resistance to crop insect pests (9.2%), higher seed yield (8.9%), higher thousand-seed weight (7.2%), higher oil content (6.3%), white seed colour (6.1%), early maturity (6.1%), and good oil qualities such as aroma and taste (5.7%). Therefore, there is a need for a dedicated sesame genetic improvement programme by integrating the above key production constraints and market- and farmer-preferred traits to develop and deploy new generation varieties to enhance the production, productivity, and adoption of sesame cultivars in Ethiopia.

Changing Dynamics of Cropping Pattern and Constraints Perceived by the Vegetable Growers in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has various agro-climatic conditions suitable for producing a wide range of vegetable crops around the year. Sixty vegetable growers were selected from the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh using a three-stage random sampling method. In the past 30 years, there was a massive reduction in cereals, pulses and oilseeds; it would be due to the introduction of vegetable crops. On average, the total area put under vegetable crops was 0.2974 and 0.3158 hectares during the summer and winter seasons, respectively, on the overall farm situation. The incidence of insect pests & diseases was the significant constraint related to production. Getting a loan from the bank was time-consuming, and lack of extension facilities were the most critical financial and institutional constraints, respectively. Training should be provided to the farmers to be aware of the latest technologies of KVKs and SAUs to overcome production constraints. For financial and institutional constraints, training camps should be held to provide knowledge about new schemes of state and centre government.

Characterization of rice farming systems, production constraints and determinants of adoption of improved varieties by smallholder farmers of the Republic of Benin

The Republic of Benin has the potential to reduce its heavy dependence on rice imports to meet the needs of its population. For that, the identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary. This study therefore characterized the Beninese rice farming systems and identified the production constraints in the country's different rice-growing areas, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. An hierarchical cluster analysis were used to classify the surveyed farm households into rice farming systems based on household socio-demographic characteristics, farm resources, farming practices and access to agricultural extension services. The cluster analysis revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1), subsistence rice farming (cluster 2), integrated rice–livestock farming system (cluster 3), and intensive rice farming system (cluster 4). The integrated rice–livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded, with the lack of agricultural machinery and credits as the most important. The land ownership, risk aversion, production of off-season rice, and contact of farmers with non-governmental organizations positively influenced the adoption of improved rice varieties. Our results suggest that initiatives to boost rice production in Republic of Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies. We recommend training of rice farmers on modern production techniques. To increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners’ farmers practising off-season rice production, and having in addition to agricultural income, other income from various activities.

Outbreaks of the Fall Armyworm (Spodeptera frugiperda), and Maize Production Constraints in Zambia with Special Emphasis on Coping Strategies

The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest of maize, as well as other important cereals and vegetables, threatening food systems and biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the outbreaks of the FAW, farmers’ perceived production constraints, and coping strategies in maize production in Zambia. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was conducted in two FAW-affected maize production districts in Zambia in 2017 and 2018. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, preference ranking, and focused group discussions. Crop losses due to FAW, the high cost of fertilizers, and a limited availability of arable land were the major production constraints across the districts. There were significant differences (X2 = 12.415; p = 0.002) in the severity of FAW infestation between the two districts in 2017. Notable FAW coping strategies used by the respondent farmers included cultural and landscape management practices, chemical pesticides, and crushing of FAW larvae. There was a disparity between male and female respondents who perceived social, agronomic management, and crop protection-related factors that influenced the choice of a maize variety. Information presented here will serve as a basis for FAW-resistant cultivar development and deployment of the integrated pest management methods for Zambia.

Diagnostique de production de l’oignon dans la partie Septentrionale du Cameroun

Oignon (Allium cepa L.) est une culture maraîchère présentant un atout économique important pour les paysans Camerounais. Cette étude visait à faire un diagnostic de production de l’oignon dans la partie Septentrionale du Cameroun afin de développer des stratégies d’amélioration durable de cette filière. Une enquête a été menée pour déterminer le profil des acteurs de la filière oignon, les variétés cultivées, les techniques culturales ainsi que les contraintes de production. Les enquêtes s’étaient déroulées en 2017 auprès des acteurs de la filière oignon. L’échantillonnage était constitué de 60 personnes dans chacune des trois régions du Grand Nord Cameroun, soit un échantillonnage global de 180 personnes. Les résultats montrent que la plupart des acteurs sont des producteurs et sont 1,47 fois plus nombreux que les commerçants. 04 variétés d’oignon sont cultivées : Goudami, Chagari, Belami et violet de Galmi. La variété Goudami avait un rendement en bulbe élevé (10 à 35 t/ha), une durée de conservation des bulbes plus importante et est la plus cultivée. La quasi-totalité (69%) des producteurs utilise les engrais chimiques pour améliorer le rendement de cette culture. Ces informations serviront de base de données dans le programme de perfectionnement de la filière oignon au Cameroun. English title: Diagnosis of onion production in the Northern Part of Cameroon Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a market garden crop that is a major economic asset for Cameroonian farmers. This study aimed at diagnosing onion production in the Northern part of Cameroon in order to develop strategies for onion sustainable improvement. A survey was conducted to determine the actors profile relative to onion sector, varieties grown, crop techniques as well as production constraints. The surveys were conducted in 2017 among actors of onion sector. The sample consisted of 60 people in each of the three regions of Far North Cameroon, for an overall sample of 180 people. The results shown that most of the actors are producers, they are 1.47 folds greater than traders. Four onion varieties are grown in the Northern part of Cameroon: Goudami, Chagari, Belami and Galmi violet. The Goudami variety presents high bulb yield (10 to 35 t/ha) and longer bulb shelf life, and is the most widely cultivated. Almost all (69%) of the producers use chemical fertilizers to improve onion growth. This information will be used as a database to improve the performance of onion sector in Cameroon.

Effect of nursery substrate on the growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. seedlings

The high pressures on Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. severely affect its natural stands in West Africa. The measures taken to reverse this trend are still inefficient due to plantlets production constraints. This study aims to understand the importance of growing substrates on seedlings growth in nursery. Composite soil samples were collected at 20 cm depth from 4 seed trees in 5 different sites in Togo (West Africa). Two batches were made for each site, one of which was sterilized by autoclave and the other has received no treatment. Three growing parameters (length of stem, number of buds and number of leaves) of the plantlets obtained from sterilized seeds were measured during 20 weeks in the nursery. Results show for each site a significantly better growing rate of seedlings on unsterilized substrates, compared to sterilized substrates. At the end of the experiment, plantlets were 8.75 ± 2.32 cm mean height on sterilized substrates when they reach 19.20 ± 5.00 cm on unsterilized substrates. The mean number of buds and leaves per plantlet varies from 2.23 ± 1.71 buds and 3.00 ± 1.86 leaves to 10.73 ± 3.28 buds and 11.09 ± 2.48 leaves at the same date, respectively on sterilized and unsterilized substrates. The low growing rate on sterilized substrates should be linked to the low capacity of plantlets in mobilizing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen without microorganisms. Negative impacts of sterilization were highlighted on seedlings by necrosis of buds and leaves from the 7th week of growth, demonstrating a positive effect of soil microorganisms on the proper development of the seedlings.

Television Democratization and the Political Awareness of Voters in Indonesia

This study explores how the democratization of media in Indonesia enhanced the role of television stations in raising voters’ political awareness about the 2014 legislative election. For this qualitative study, we interviewed two media experts and the chief editors of six television stations. We find that there are three general factors negatively affect TV’s role as a free public sphere, namely, production constraints, owners` political interests, and commercial aspects of the television industry. Concentration of ownership and commercialization have increased television’s orientation toward profit, minimizing its educative role, and minimizing its neutrality. However, television still increased voters’ awareness regarding the election technicalities but failed to reflect the visions of the competing candidates. The establishment of innovative community television could be an alternative for commercial TV in Indonesia. However, the performance of community TVs in Indonesia is hindered by the restricted access to frequency spectrum and low financial capabilities.

Major Sorghum Production Constraints and Coping Mechanisms: The Case of Anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum)

This paper attempts to review the major sorghum production constraints, the progress and perspective on sorghum anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) resistance breeding. The importance of anthracnose in sorghum production and breeding for resistance status and progress were also primly discovered. Sorghum is an ancient environment resilient crop and believed to be a future crop due to its important merits like tolerant to stresses, wide adaptability and low input requirement. Insects and disease are major biotic impediments to realizing the yield potential of the crop. Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum is the most important disease that severely affecting the crop in all sorghum producing regions of the world. Research results revealed that anthracnose resulted in 30-50% or greater yield losses. Several management strategies such as, cultural, chemical and using resistance varieties have been developed. Employing host-plant resistance is the most economical and environmentally friendly approach which can successfully control the disease. Breeding assisted with molecular markers plays a great role in resistance breeding programme as it makes easy to screen large number of genotypes at once. Recent advancement of molecular breeding and bio-informatics tools are playing a significant role in efficiencies and precisions of resistance breeding. QTLs or genomic area for resistance were identified using traditional molecular markers and recent research results revealed discoveries of specific gene and locus using high throughput markers like SNPs using GWAS approach. The discovery of genes/QTL associated with the resistance trait, using the high through put molecular markers like SNPs, facilitates the easiest way for gene pyramiding from different individual genotypes to a single variety, introgression into adapted elite cultivar through marker assisted and editing genes for elite landraces to develop durable resistance varieties. Transgenic approach is now a day becoming a powerful tool to utilize novel alien genes for crop improvement including anthracnose resistance breeding in sorghum.