Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaged in the promotion of soil and water conservation practices in Northern Ghana, but adoption is believed to be low. This study thus examines the determinan...Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaged in the promotion of soil and water conservation practices in Northern Ghana, but adoption is believed to be low. This study thus examines the determinants of conservation practices adoption by farming households in the area. Data for the study were collected from 445 households located in 15 communities in Northern Ghana. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate probit models were used to analyse the decision to adopt six conservation practices in the area. Results show that the major determinants of adoption are plot and cropping characteristics such as location; and socio-economic and institutional variables such as number of contacts with extension officers, membership in farmer association and distance to major market. A policy implication of the study is the strengthening of extension service in the area to significantly boost conservation adootion.展开更多
Management of solid wastes has become a critical issue for almost all the major cities in Nigeria. Although the responsibility for solid waste management remains primarily with the local government councils, several o...Management of solid wastes has become a critical issue for almost all the major cities in Nigeria. Although the responsibility for solid waste management remains primarily with the local government councils, several other stakeholders are playing significant roles in the system. In Zaria, the scavengers, waste pickers and collectors eke out a living by collecting waste and selling recyclable materials out of the urban solid wastes. The paper utilized data collected using questionnaire survey, in-depth discussion guides and open-ended interviews to examine the socio-economic characteristics, the functions, aspects of involvement of children, the working conditions and problems of waste collectors and pickers in Zaria. The paper found that the sector is the only means of solid waste collection in several sections of the town and is a source of livelihood for the poor. The activities help in realizing the aim of modern waste management, that is to move up the solid waste management hierarchy by reducing reliance on disposal and increasing recycling. In spite of these important functions, informal waste collection and recycling are associated with problems of unsanitary conditions and health risks to the communities and the waste collectors. Recommendations have been made to integrate the informal sector into the formal waste management by incorporating the employment needs of the urban poor and enhancing the efficiency of government in addressing the main problems.展开更多
文摘Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaged in the promotion of soil and water conservation practices in Northern Ghana, but adoption is believed to be low. This study thus examines the determinants of conservation practices adoption by farming households in the area. Data for the study were collected from 445 households located in 15 communities in Northern Ghana. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate probit models were used to analyse the decision to adopt six conservation practices in the area. Results show that the major determinants of adoption are plot and cropping characteristics such as location; and socio-economic and institutional variables such as number of contacts with extension officers, membership in farmer association and distance to major market. A policy implication of the study is the strengthening of extension service in the area to significantly boost conservation adootion.
文摘Management of solid wastes has become a critical issue for almost all the major cities in Nigeria. Although the responsibility for solid waste management remains primarily with the local government councils, several other stakeholders are playing significant roles in the system. In Zaria, the scavengers, waste pickers and collectors eke out a living by collecting waste and selling recyclable materials out of the urban solid wastes. The paper utilized data collected using questionnaire survey, in-depth discussion guides and open-ended interviews to examine the socio-economic characteristics, the functions, aspects of involvement of children, the working conditions and problems of waste collectors and pickers in Zaria. The paper found that the sector is the only means of solid waste collection in several sections of the town and is a source of livelihood for the poor. The activities help in realizing the aim of modern waste management, that is to move up the solid waste management hierarchy by reducing reliance on disposal and increasing recycling. In spite of these important functions, informal waste collection and recycling are associated with problems of unsanitary conditions and health risks to the communities and the waste collectors. Recommendations have been made to integrate the informal sector into the formal waste management by incorporating the employment needs of the urban poor and enhancing the efficiency of government in addressing the main problems.
