Finger millet (FM; Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is becoming increasingly vulnerable to various climate-induced stresses, because of which the genetic and genomic resources will be important for improving the crop in the 21 st century. Currently, sizable-untapped genetic resources exists that offer promise for FM improvement to biotic and abiotic stresses. Also, earlier reports elaborate on the potential FM genomic resources, such as molecular markers, genetic maps, and DNA sequence, but the data are scanty to support the efficient and accelerated delivery of the climate-smart FM varieties. This is partly attributable to the delayed availability of complete genome sequence (CGS) of FM. Following the latest developments in FM genomic research, based on the CGS, a diversity of genomic resources have been reported. The review, therefore, provided a detailed analysis on the FM genetic and genomic resourcesaided interventions that could contribute to the three pillars of Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) for addressing FM production challenges under changing climate. Exceptionally, it presented enriched information on additional useful sources of variation within FM genetic resources that have been screened for improving FM tolerance to various climate-induced stresses. Also, it presents the novel opportunities for CSA that could come as a result of the recent availability of CGS data for revolutionizing the development of cutting-edge-molecular breeding tools. Specifically, emphasis was placed on genome-wide-based technologies, such as genomic selection (GS), gene pyramiding, and gene expression with the second-generation genomic biotechnologies, such as TILLING and EcoTILLING that are wanting and have received little attention.
Climate change and agriculture are interlinked and affect each other globally. The global population continues to rise while food and nutritional insecurity remain main global challenges facing humanity. Traditional agriculture methods need transformation to climate smart agriculture (CSA) approaches that have potential to improve food production amidst climate change realities. The review aimed at evaluation of published literature on CSA, establishment of CSA linkages with national development plans for Uganda and Ethiopia, African Union Agenda 2063, UN Sustainable Development Goals and CSA contribution to biodiversity conservation across the globe. Additionally, the review aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges of CSA in the 21 st Century and recommend possible options for all stakeholders for improved income, environmental conservation, and food and nutritional security. Literature search from 2000-2019 was carried out using key words and key phrases in relevant journals and authentic websites. It was found out that CSA supports three pillars: 1) Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, 2) Adapting and building resilience to climate change, 3) Climate change mitigation and contributes to Biodiversity Conservation and management. CSA approach has potential to improves food security and farmers' income. CSA has a vast number of opportunities that include availability of crop genetic diversity, availability of interested CSA researchers, gene banks for genome resources for CSA crop enhancement; enhanced technology for CSA practices that can be accessed by farmers and vibrant research organizations and donor agencies interested in promoting CSA approaches. CSA challenges were identified to include: limited technical and financial capacity and negative attitude from smallholder farmers. It was concluded that CSA approach is a better option for the present and centuries to come farmers across the globe for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015-20130, UN Agenda 2063 and national development plants of most African countries including Uganda and Ethiopia. The review recommended that capacity building for farmers and researchers need to be done and governments and donor agencies should provide soft CSA loans to farmers to supporting CSA practices and technologies in all developing countries and the approach should be adopted by all the farmers and be promoted by all stakeholders at all levels in both the present and future centuries.
In recent years it has become clear that climate change is an inevitable process in many parts of the world and has a negative impact on agriculture and food systems particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries. Climate change involves variations in temperature and precipitation across the globe. The environmental changes associated with climate change have a significant impact on the food supply chains food environments and food systems in general. These changes affect food production, storage, processing, marketing, availability, promotion, affordability and quality along the food value chain. Consequently, climate change affects global food security and peoples' income especially, in developing countries where the predominance of rain-fed agriculture in much of these countries results in food systems that are highly sensitive to rainfall and temperature variability. The narrative review aimed at evaluation of published literature to understand the impact of climate change on food systems across the globe. Literature search from 2000-2019 was carried out using key words and key phrases in Google search Engine. Elsevier agriculture journals, JSTOR journals, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Nature and Climate Change journals. More than 120 relevant publications were retrieved of which 44 were scrutinized and used for this publication. The study found that increased rainfall and temperature affect food availability, utilization, crop yields, food markets, food prices, consumption patterns and food insurance. The review recommended that all stakeholders should adopt relevant policies about climate change mitigation and adaptation options along different food value chains. This will enable farmers to produce sufficient food required to feed the projected 9.8 billion people by 2050 thus contributing to sustainable development goal number two: -End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Purpose: Determining the utilisation of biodegradable solid waste in boosting crop productivity among farmers in Mbarara City. Methodology: Mixed methods were used with simple random sampling and purposive sampling to obtain 111 and 31 respondents respectively - altogether constituting 142 respondents. Data was collected from the respondents using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The study adopted both descriptive and correlational data analysis. Findings: The study identified some practices that were used in managing biodegradable solid waste for application in boosting crop productivity among farmers in Mbarara city. These were communal collection, door-to-door collection, and others like roadside dumping and dustbins. The application of biodegradable solid waste in boosting crop productivity among farmers of Mbarara city was found to be relatively low, notwithstanding the fact that for those who applied the biodegradable solid waste in farming, it increased crops yields. The study further identified compositing of biodegradable solid waste as the main innovative strategy for proper utilization of solid wastes towards crop productivity. This was because the strategy is environmentally friendly at the same time it enriches the soil with both soil and crop growth support nutrients. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: A strong cooperation between the community and the city council authorities should be cultivated for purposes of enhancing community participation in the management of biodegradable solid waste hence enhancing food crop production in the area. There is also need to explore the opportunities of reducing, reusing, recycling and rethinking and composting in waste management among urban communities to minimize waste and increase economic benefits. Successfully adoption of sustainable methods of waste management by the communities can be done by making awareness programmes simple and accessible to change the mind-set of urban residents to perceive waste as resources rather a problem.
The owl-faced monkeys (Cercopithecus hamlyni) are endemic to the Albertine Rift Region (ARR). They live in and feed on bamboo plantations as their primary habitat. Illegal bamboo harvesting threaten the owl-faced monkeys and associated biodiversity across the Nyungwe-Kibira trans-boundary ecosystem in the ARR. Spatial distribution of bamboo plantations, mechanisms for propagation and management in Rwanda and Burundi are poorly documented. The study aimed at mapping potential Cecopithecus hamlyni habitats, establishment of threats facing bamboo plantations, and training local communities in bamboo propagation and management techniques. The study used GIS data from IUCN red list and diva-gis websites, 300 household interviews and focus group discussions of key informants from Rwanda and Burundi. GIS 10, SPSS version 18 and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis. Results indicate that potential habitats for C. hamlyni include: Western DR Congo, South Eastern Rwanda and North Western Burundi. Results show that 67% of the households harvest bamboo trees for handcrafts and construction while 50% harvest bamboo trees for sale due to high poverty levels in their households. The study concluded that collaborative trans-boundary management of protected areas, capacity building for local communities, formation of cooperatives and enacting appropriate laws promotes biodiversity conservation in the region. Strengthening law enforcement and propagation of bamboo plantations on marginal land were recommended.
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