China remains Africa’s largest financier of infrastructure, and the Belt and Road Forum held in May 2017 estimated pledge of funds of about US$40 billion. Reportedly, projects worth much more than the pledged funds are in the planning or have been underway, making the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” the biggest development initiative in history. China and Africa need each other in development, and the Asian giant continues to make inroads into Africa, home to minerals, oil, and other resources that help feed China’s phenomenal economic growth. This article intends to discuss the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR)” under the BRI and its socioeconomic and cultural impact on China-Africa relations, with an emphasis on China’s relationship with Kenya, a founding member of the East Africa community (EAC) that has enjoyed lasting friendship with China. It is concluded that despite the generally positive impact of Chinese economic presence in Africa over the past decades, both China and African countries have much to do to consolidate their mutually beneficial relationship and to achieve the MSR’s target of common prosperity in the long run.

To cite this paper: Kamran, M., Z.A. Cheema, M. Farooq and A.U. Hassan, 2016. Influence of foliage applied allelopathic water extracts on the grain yield, quality and economic returns of hybrid maize. AbstractAllelochemicals at low concentrations can promote the crop growth and productivity. In this study, allelopathic extracts of sorghum, maize, rice and moringa each at 3% were applied alone and in various combinations at 30 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) of maize crop. No spray and water spray were included as controls for comparison. Application of allelopathic extracts significantly improved plant height, number of grains and grain rows per cob, number of grains per row, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, protein, starch, oil and leaf chlorophyll contents of maize as compared to control during both the years of study. Maximum increase in grains per cob, grain rows per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain number and grain yield (35%) was noted by combined application of sorghum and moringa water extracts. Economic analysis revealed that combination of sorghum and moringa extracts was the most economical followed by combination of maize and moringa extracts and moringa extract alone. In conclusion, sorghum and moringa extract combination at 3% may be foliage applied for harvesting better maize yield of good quality with comparatively higher economic returns.

The present study was designed to explore the effects of Youth Bulge in Pakistan

This study was designed to examine the determinants of international migration which were inspired/compelled the people of lower wages countries to higher wages countries in order to improve their socio-economic status at origin.

China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) initiative has been billed as its most ambitious project ever in trying to shape and influence behaviour in the international system in line with her growing stature. At the same time, growing Sino-Africa relations have been the subject of scholarly debate with supporters taking an optimistic view, also presented by China itself, of this relationship being a win-win partnership. Critics led by the United States argue China is just using Africa to extract resources for its use, an allegation it refutes. The authors therefore sought to look at Sino-African relations but focussing on the implementation of OBOR in the African continent. Being the centrepiece of China’s foreign policy since 2013, a study on OBOR in Africa will give an understanding and hopefully answer some questions surrounding these relations. The lack of official bilateral agreements between China and some African countries has been examined, together with the possibility of expansion of the OBOR initiative to cover more African states.

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of sprayer type, airflow rate, and nozzle output on deposition of active ingredient and mechanical harvesting of `Valencia' orange (Citrus sinensis). Fruit detachment force (FDF) and percentage of fruit removal (PFR) by trunk shaker were used as mechanical harvesting parameters. A PowerBlast sprayer discharging radially and a Titan sprayer discharging over the entire canopy were used. The spray mixture contained an abscission chemical (CMN-pyrazole), a surfactant (Kinetic) and a fluorescent tracer (Pyranine-10G). Deposition was determined at three different heights outside and inside of the canopy. With the PowerBlast, higher airflow and lower nozzle output reduced deposition of the active ingredient. The mean FDF of sprayed treatments was less than that of the non-sprayed control but the difference among the four spray treatments was not significant. The lower airflow rate with lower nozzle output had higher PFR than that of the control. With the Titan sprayer, the mean deposition at lower airflow was similar to or higher than the higher airflow. At higher airflow, the lower nozzle output gave higher mean deposition. The Titan sprayer treatments resulted in less FDF than the control. At both airflow rates, the FDF was less at lower nozzle output than at higher nozzle output. The PFR of these treatments were not different from that of control.

It is mandated in the Constitution of Pakistan to enhance adult literacy and quality education at primary level through provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 5-16 years. The year 2015 was the deadline for the participants of Dakar declaration [Education for All (EFA) commitment] including Pakistan but they fail to do so. Education related statistics coupled with Pakistan's progress regarding education targets set in Vision 2030 and Pakistan's lagging behind in achieving EFA targets and its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for education call for an analysis of the education system of Pakistan and to look into the issues and problems it is facing so that workable solutions could be recommended. This study finds that Pakistan school system in seems as lowest in the globe. Many reasons involve in this state of affairs i.e., the quality of learning and competency level of both students and teachers in Pakistan is among the poorest in the region. One of the reasons is educational qualification is not enough to become a primary school teacher. Another is inadequate training certification program for teachers. Because teacher is key part of learning progression in education sector which faces many problems owing to which they cannot play their roles efficiently in the education process. Same the problems faced by female primary school teachers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) -Pakistan Administered Kashmir‖. Methodology of the study followed the procedure of descriptive research, in which existing status of female teachers in AJK was thoroughly analyzed. The problems of female school teachers were identified using the tools such as a questionnaire and an interview schedule. Conclusion of this study presents that most of teachers affected due to their appointments, transfers, place of posting and individual promotions, rapid rate of bribery, political affiliations and interference relatively high than the merit. In many cases female teachers appointed in far flung areas where transportation is very pitiable. In addition that female teachers are overburdened with extra classes due to lack of teaching staff in primary schools, especially on one side female teachers face huge shortage of teaching and learning resources in schools and on the other hand there are smaller amount proficient development opportunities for all teachers especially for female teachers. These few mentioned factors have very much affected the procedure of schooling and education quality. The study recommends this problem could be resolved by considering some basic measures e.g. system of accountability, schooling environment and education assets, providing ongoing talented advancement opportunities and incentives, making transparent appointments system and on merit promotions procedure, provide enough teaching and non-teaching staff to female primary schools and control political interference and involvement.

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