THE AFRICAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL

Motivational Factors as Correlates of Women’s Participation in Community Development Programmes in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State Nigeria

Onweazu Olufemi Okoji — 2023-12-21

Smallholder farmers are significantly considered being amongst the poorest that are most affected by climate change. Climate change is rated the greatest threat to smallholders’ food production in the 21^st century. Despite scientists agreeing that the world is getting warmer, it was important for this study to assess whether climate change is a reality that is known and experienced by smallholder farmers in Malawi. This paper assesses smallholder farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions (KAP) towards climate change in comparison with available meteorological data for 50 years. Descriptive research design with a mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative research methods was adopted. A sample of 183 respondents was randomly and purposefully selected to include both household heads and key informants. Data collection method included Survey Questionnaire, Key Informants Interviews, Focused Group Discussions as well as literature review. Meteorological data for 50 years was analysed to underpin farmers’ perceptions on climate change. The result shows that survey respondents’ knowledge of climate change is derived from their experiences, thoughts and ideas about how to cope with changing drought and rainfall seasons. Those results are in tandem with the conventional view based on scientific evidence that suggests changing climate in Malawi with profound impact on seasons.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Sexual Reproductive Health Communication between Parents and Adolescents in Tabora Region

Grace Benedict — 2023-12-21

The study assessed the factors influencing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) communication between adolescents and Parents in Tabora region. It adopted a mixed study design whereby both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used in the field. The general objective of the study is to provide an understanding on the factors influencing parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health behaviours in Tanzania. The specific objective of the study was to assess the factors influencing parent-adolescent communication on SRH in Nzega District. It also used in-depth interview, focused group discussion and observation to answer the research objective. The results indicated that, communication on SRH were gender sensitive with more communication between female adolescents and mothers leaving male adolescents with low levels of communication with both parents. This was the result of gender gap in children grooming which attach a big role to mothers than fathers. Apart from that religion was also found to be an important predictor of SRH communication between parents and adolescents. Moreover, parents’ attitude on the importance of SRH communication and their perceived ability to communicate SRH topics with adolescents also predicted the levels of communication concerning SRH because positive parents’ attitudes and perceptions were associated with high levels of SRH communication. The study recommends that SRH should be strengthened at community level to reduce early adolescent child birth and maternal mortality. Also, it concludes that SRH communication is essential for raising awareness on issues of reproductive health which govern future population growth. Therefore, it should be enhanced through promoting positive parents’ attitude and perception towards such communications.

Assessment of Quality of Water Resource from Great Ruaha River and Allied Water Sources Serving Domestic Purposes at Pawaga Division

Jackson C. Ngowi — 2023-12-21

This study intended to assess water quality from Ruaha River and allied water sources serving domestic purpose in Pawaga division. By using standard methods triplicate samples from sixteen (16) different sites were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters and bacteriological values. The conductivity of analysed samples ranged between 1 – 286 µS/cm which is lower than the TBS threshold 2,500 µS/cm. The TDS ranges between 107 – 2235.8 mg/L during the wet season and 49.0 – 2,616.3 mg/L during the dry season. The level of Na+ ranges between 0.2 – 104.4 mg/L during rainy season and 0.8 -119 mg/L during dry season. Nitrate levels ranges between 0.4 – 101.4 mg/L during rainy season and 0.3 – 107.9 mg/L during dry season. This may be contamination from fertilizers, municipal wastewaters, feedlots, septic systems in river water. Sulphate concentration ranges between 0.3 – 93.0 mg/L during rainy season and 3.7 – 98.9 during dry season. Sulphate can also be produced by bacterial or oxidizing action as in the oxidation of organo-sulphur compounds and the more common sinks are pyrite, gypsum, and sulphate reduction. The study concluded that, water supplied by Pawaga water supply must be treated to eliminate microbial, physical and chemical pollution prior to domestic water supplies. It recommended that Government should strengthen water intervention management and carry out intervention measures to improve water quality and reduce water pollution’s impact on human health. The control of water pollution can be done by increasing monitoring of wastewater disposal into rivers, carrying out an inventory and identifying water pollution sources.

Investigating Local Community Perception About Climate Change in Gatsibo and Nyagatare Districts, in Rwanda

Théogène Habakubaho — 2023-12-21

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the perception of local community about climate change in drought prone areas of Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts in Rwanda. This paper perceived changes of climate and their effects, causes of climate change and perception of adaptation measures. Understanding community perception on climate change issues is critical in designing community-based adaptation actions and programs. Data were collected using questionnaire administered to 480 households selected in six sectors. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 28.0.1. to generate descriptive results. 89% of responds perceived a decrease in amount of rainfall while 70% perceive changes in reduction of length of rain season. Reported causes of climate change are dominated by environmental degradation (85.6%), deforestation (57.2%). Perceived effects of climate change on community livelihoods include decline of annual households’ income (88.3%), increased incidences of pests and diseases in crops (90.1%). The research results indicate that ongoing adaptation initiatives have failed to meet expected results. This is partly because local perception and knowledge are not considered. It is therefore, recommended to change the approach and adopt more community-based approach and considers local characteristics and local knowledge in designing adaptation actions. This will increase community resilience, ownership and address real community needs.

Impact of Ungulates on Vegetation Composition Around Waterholes in the Western Part of Etosha National Park, Namibia

Joseph Tashiya — 2023-12-21

Etosha National Park (ENP) is one of the largest conservation areas located in the semi-arid regions of Namibia. Artificial waterholes (boreholes) are the main sources of water for game in the park. Water availability has been largely viewed as a major factor driving ungulate’s impact on vegetation composition around waterholes. A nested-intensity sampling design was adopted to collect data from fifty-four (54) quadrats (25m x 25m) on six transects (two at each waterhole) measuring 1 800m from Renostervlei, Dolomietpunt and Olifantsrus waterholes. Results showed that there was no significant difference in species composition with increasing distance away from the waterholes. Herbivory, soil trampling, playing and fighting of ungulates among vegetation before and after drinking has impacted vegetation composition around waterholes. The impacts imposed on vegetation around waterholes by ungulates cannot be completely avoided but be reduced. To reduce the ungulate’s impacts on vegetation composition around waterholes, adaptive management measures such as controlled burning, closure of waterholes during rainy seasons, creation of new waterholes that will be evenly distributed within the park and destocking of ungulates is recommended to restore some of the plant species that may have been lost from within those localities.

Influence of Traditional Medicine as Initiative for Rural Tourism and Poverty Reduction Strategy Tanzania: A Case of Kisarawe District

Jossam Samwel Mungure — 2023-12-21

Despite recent scientific advancement and globalization, traditional medicines and complementary/alternative medicine are still primary sources of health care, livelihoods and income generation among local communities falling under Rural Tourism (RT). This study assessed the influence of traditional medicine initiative as a rural tourism strategy inter alia for poverty reduction in Kisarawe district in Tanzania. The main objective was to examine the local community perception on traditional medicine administered by traditional healers whether it has impact in promoting community health compared to modern medicines; but also, as eco-tourism strategy for poverty reduction; while sustaining environmental protection and conservation of various bio-diversities. The study employed mixed methods included structured questionnaires, key informants’ interviews, application of Likert scale range from 1 to 7 in data collection from a sample size of 100 respondents. Other methods entailed direct field observation and reviews of relevant literature. SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze multivariate analysis. Results showed willingness of community members to undergo training on improvement of knowledge on traditional medicines supported by tourism programmes, government policies and regulations for sustainable RT, poverty reduction, environmental protection and conservation. The study concluded that, community perception on traditional medicine positively moderates the relationship between rural tourism development and poverty reduction; however, there was limited co-ordination of tourism activities; and insufficient collaboration between the public and private sector. It recommended that; future research should network with traditional healers in order to know more indigenous medicinal plant species in order to formalize their application in public health while promoting eco-tourism for social economic development of local communities in Kisarawe district.

Determinants of Collaborative Negotiation Style on Agribusiness Performance of High Value Food Crop Products in Tanzania: Evidence from Middlemen in Arusha

Harrison Chonjo — 2023-12-21