In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and correlated with physical grain quality parameters for 3 rice development hubs (Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam) in Cameroon. Inter-annual variations in temperature and thermal amplitudes were the highest in Ndop followed by Mbam and the least in Lagdo. When the same rice variety was grown in the hubs and milled with a laboratory hand dehusker, the mean chalky score was highest in Ndop (18%) and least in Mbam (11%). In addition, Ndop recorded higher grain fissures and broken fractions compared to Mbam or Lagdo. Positive correlations were observed between thermal amplitudes, grain fissures and the proportion of broken fractions. However, rice milled using commercial mills located in the hubs recorded the highest broken fractions in Mbam (54% -63%), followed by Lagdo (43% -52%) and the least in Ndop (35% -38%). The type of mills in the hubs was responsible for these differences as Mbam had only Engelberg types mills that recorded higher broken fractions than in Ndop where only rubber roll mills were present (P < 0.05). Lagdo had a mixture of Engelberg and rubber roll mills and recorded intermediate broken fractions. Proper parboiling, recovery and processing of poorly filled and immature grains during parboiling and processing of low-grade and fine broken rice into product generally accepted by the local population were demonstrated as simple adaptation strategies to mitigate S. A. Ndindeng et al. 179the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on the physical quality of rice especially in sub-Saharan African countries.

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Reproductive complications such as embryonic death, abortion and infertility are some of the problems which cattle breeders face in the North West Region of Cameroon although most of them may not realize the extent of economic loss that can occur through these reproductive failures in their herds. This study was aimed at assessing farmers' perception of reproductive failures and their effects on cattle production in the North West Region of Cameroon. Primary data were collected using 216 structured questionnaires administered to household heads of cattle grazers, herdsmen and crop farmers in five Divisions (Boyo, Bui, Donga Mantung, Mezam and Momo) of the North West Region. Chi-square statistics were used to determine the differences in farmers' perceptions. There were three categories of respondents; crop farmers 30(14.0%), cattle grazers 150(70.1%) which constituted the majority of respondents and herdsmen 34(15.9%). Embryonic death was the commonest reproductive failure observed (25%) followed by abortion (22.1%) and infertility (7.4%). However, there was a significant difference in the level of perception of reproductive failures in cows by farmers in the five Divisions (χ χ χ χ 2 =81.5, df = 4 p ≤ 0.001). It was also observed that among the three categories of respondents [crop farmers (29), cattle grazers (145) and herdsmen (33)], the herdsmen (90.9%) n=30) were more aware of zoonotic transmission than the cattle grazers (30.3%, n=44) and crop farmers (72.4%, n=21), χ χ χ χ 2 = 49.3, df = 2, p ≤ 0.001. The level of perception of reproductive failures among cattle farmers was seen to be very low and certainly has a great impact on cattle production in the Region. More awareness campaigns on the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is needed to discourage the consumption of raw milk and the sale of dead animals in the communities.

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