Termite mound soils are reportedly utilized as an alternative to NPK fertilizers by cashconstrained smallholder farmers in some parts of Southern Africa. However, there is limitedknowledge regarding their mineral nutritional value. The intention of this work was therefore toinvestigate the macro and micronutrient composition of different sections of the termite mounds;top, base and neighboring areas. The study approach involved physical and chemical analysis of 36sites across Pemba and Choma districts in Southern Zambia through collection of soil samples intriplicate at 0–20 cm depth, using a soil auger. Findings revealed that the soil pH had elevatedlevels in the base segments of the termite mounds compared with the top and the neighbouringsoils. However, elevated N, P and K levels were recorded in the top sections with significantdifferences (P < 0.05) in clay and silt composition observed. Additionally, metallic micronutrients,Cu and Zn were also found to be elevated in termite mounds in contrast to surrounding soils. Weconcluded that top termite mound soil should be considered as part of an integrated nutrientmanagement strategy by financially challenged smallholder farmers cultivating in light texturedsoils of southern Africa.

Introduction: Carbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis. In the present study, high-altitude dry temperate land use systems (LUS) at three altitudinal ranges "A 1, 1900-2170 m. a.s.l., A 2, 2170-2440 m.a.s.l., and A 3, 2440-2710 m.a.s.l." were selected based on lapse rates in Kinnur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study was aimed at estimating the difference in biomass and carbon stocks in different land use systems and recommendation of the suitable environment-friendly land use for the region. Six land use systems viz.; agriculture, horticulture, agrihorticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, silvipasture, and barren land common at all the three altitudes were selected for experimental setup. Results: Maximum mean aboveground biomass (84.65 t ha

In this study, we surveyed two districts of Zambia—Choma and Pemba. The aim of this study was to obtain the perspective of farmers on anthill soil utilization practices for key information that could contribute towards the development of an anthill soil based research agenda. The study employed both a qualitative and quantitative method approach to gather data from the respondents, which included farmers and key informants. Qualitative data was analyzed using the triangulation method and Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), Nvivo version 10, while data generated from quantitative interviews with a smart phone Application (Open Data Kit) were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results revealed that the key hurdles to the utilization of anthill soil lay in agro-climatic, biophysical, technological, land and institutional constraints. Broadly, farmers reported poor rainfall patterns (95%), decreasing soil fertility (70%), limited farm products (69%), finance (66%), limited access to research and extension services (55%) and security of land tenure (48%) as major constraints. We therefore advocate for strengthenedinstitutional linkages between research and extension for information dissemination, which would aid in decision-making used to promote integrated soil fertility management for improved agriculture production and productivity of rural households.

Soil fertility management has been described by many scholars as fundamental and a major hindrance to food production amongst smallholder farmers in the developing world. To counteract this challenge, some farmers have been reported to use anthill soil as analternative fertilizer to improve soil fertility for supporting crop growth. Against this background, a study was undertaken with the aim of ascertaining the effect of anthill soil application alone, cattle manure, and/or their combination with commercially available NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield parameters of three maize varieties under field conditions involving conventional (CONV) and conservation agriculture (CA) tillage systems. Results revealed that anthill soil alone (5000 kg/ha) or in combination with either manure (10,000 kg/ha) or half rate of commercially available fertilizer (NPKS: 10% N, 20% P2O5, 10% K2O, 6% S at 100 kg/ha) competed favourably in terms of response to growth parameters. Furthermore, pH and P levels changed significantly (p < 0.05) at harvest. We conclude that resource-constrained smallholder farmers in less developed countries utilizing anthill soil for fertility improvement purposes should judiciously apply it in CA planting basin structures compared with conventional methods, which appeared to be less effective and leads to sub-optimal yields.

Abstract-The impact of climate change in Tanzania

Community Radio Stations (CRS) play an important role in information dissemination at local and context-specific levels. This study aimed to analyze the point data distribution of the CRS and their role in promoting climate change adaptation measures in agriculture in times of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The study’s methodological approach included the geospatial mapping of point data of CRS in Arc GIS 10.3, surveys and interviews with thirty-nine (39) experts. In addition, the interview data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for frequency and descriptive analysis and excel for graphical outputs. The study found 19 operational CRS in 13 districts, and their radii completely cover the Southern Province of Zambia. Out of the time allocated to agricultural programs, an average of 47% is on climate change adaptation measures in local languages. However, the CRS have limited access to experts to provide information and program sponsorship. This study has established that CRS have the potential to disseminate climate change adaptation measures. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the CRS noticed an increase in the demand for agricultural programs during the COVID-19 era, with the rapid growth of CRS. The study recommends stakeholders’ collaboration to provide appropriate information to enhance the agricultural climate programmes on CRS and address the challenges of limited access to experts and associated costs.

Abstract-

Community Radio Stations (CRS) play an important role in information dissemination at local and context specific levels. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of the CRS and their role in promoting sustainable in agriculture in times of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The study's methodological approach included geospatial mapping of CRS in Arc GIS 10.3, surveys and interviews with key informants (n=39). In addition, the data was analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for frequency and descriptive analysis and excel for graphical outputs. The study finds 19 CRS in 13 districts and their radii completely cover the Southern Province of Zambia. Out of the time allocated to agricultural programs, an average of 47% is on climate change adaptation measures in local languages. However, the CRS have limited access to experts to provide information and programs sponsorship. This study has established that CRS have potential in disseminating climate change adaptation measures. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the CRS noticed an increase in demand for agricultural programs during the COVID-19 era, with the rapid growth of CRS. The study recommends stakeholders collaboration to provide appropriate information to enhance the climate agricultural programmes on CRS and address challenges of limited access to experts and associated costs.