Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative tec...Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative technology and translating scientific knowledge into action for smallholder farmers is a crucial step in addressing this challenge. Here, we present a novel approach for technology innovation and dissemination to achieve sustainable intensification in the fields of smallholder farmers. The Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is a hub in a rural area that links knowledge with practices to promote technology innovation and exchange. In this study, the framework and functions of STB are introduced, and the key implications for sustainable intensification across millions of smallholder farmers are explicitly stated:(i) develop innovative technology based on stated demands of farmers;(ii) disseminate technology by innovative social service models though combined top-down approaches with bottom-up measures to enable smallholders in rural areas. This paper provides a perspective on transformation of small-scale agriculture toward sustainable intensification in China and useful knowledge applicable to other developing countries.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of H9 N2 avian influenza among backyard birds in Iran between October and November 2015. Methods: In this study, a total of 15 500 blood samples and 2 884 ...Objective: To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of H9 N2 avian influenza among backyard birds in Iran between October and November 2015. Methods: In this study, a total of 15 500 blood samples and 2 884 cloacal swab samples of backyard birds were collected in villages of Iran between October and November 2015. Then, serum samples were examined with the hemagluttination inhibition test and cloacal swab samples were pooled together and examined by RT-PCR. The samples that had serological titer ≥ 4(log2) and villages that had at least one seropositive sample were considered positive.Results: Out of 559 villages, 526(94.10%) were seropositive for the infection. Among 15 500 serum samples, 7 468(48.18%) samples were seropositive for the infection. The seroprevalence according to species was 54.02% among chickens, 17.59 % among ducks, 18.73% among turkeys, 84.21% among pigeons and 12.15% among ostriches, partridges and pheasants. Based on molecular test, 3.04% villages were positive. The seroprevalence in hot and humid area was less than that in cold and humid area(P<0.05).Conclusions: H9 N2 avian influenza has high seroprevalence among backyard birds of Iran. Therefore, preventive measures such as biosecurity Practices and monitoring should be applied to reduce the prevalence.展开更多
To investigate serologically the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in backyard chickens from Mandlhakazi district, Southern Mozambique.MethodsA total of 439 sera samples from unvaccinated and apparently healthy ...To investigate serologically the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in backyard chickens from Mandlhakazi district, Southern Mozambique.MethodsA total of 439 sera samples from unvaccinated and apparently healthy backyard chickens from 4 villages (Chidenguele, Macuacua, Chizavane, and Nwadjahane) were tested for the presence of AIV antibodies through commercial enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) kit used according to manufacturer instructions.ResultsAnti-AIV antibodies were detected in all villages surveyed. The overall seroprevalence obtained was 32.6% (95% CI 28.2%-37.0%). The highest prevalence of 51.3% (95% CI 42.3%-60.2%) was recorded in Macuacua village, while the lowest prevalence of 13.0% (95% CI 6.2%-19.9%) was found in Chizavane village. The results of logistic regression analyses suggested that chicken being located in Chizavane and Macuacua villages were more unlikely for getting the virus exposure (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggested that AIV is widespread within backyard chickens in the studied villages. Further research is needed to identify the circulating virus genotypes and determine the potential role of backyard chickens in the zoonotic transmission of AIV in Mozambique.展开更多
West African Dwarf (WAD) goats represent one of the predominant small ruminant breeds raised by resource-limited households in southern Nigeria as well as in the humid west and central Africa. This breed of goats is r...West African Dwarf (WAD) goats represent one of the predominant small ruminant breeds raised by resource-limited households in southern Nigeria as well as in the humid west and central Africa. This breed of goats is renowned for its adaptation to hot and humid environments, high fertility and prolificacy under backyard systems where they are raised almost with zero investment. On account of its contributions to household income and food security in southern Nigeria, there is the need for a detailed phenotypic and genetic characterization as well as the design of breeding strategies for its conservation through sustainable utilization. A critical challenge, however, is that there are no national breeding policies in most of the countries where WAD goats are raised. The objectives of this paper are: to review literature reports on trait-level information and estimates of genetic parameters for some economic characters of WAD goats;and to discuss a communal breeding scheme for its conservation through sustainable utilization. The presentation shows that WAD goats represent a highly diverse population, with particular reference to qualitative and performance-related traits, reflecting the role of traditional institutions in the maintenance of animal diversity in local populations. A genetic improvement programme involving dispersed open nucleus breeding scheme was discussed. The scheme involves backyard WAD goat units in villages as base population and dispersed communally managed schemes that maintain a population of bucks only, as nucleus units. Critical issues such as the definition of breeding goals by farmers, as well as communal project ownership, are emphasized. The ultimate goal of the breeding programme is to create opportunities for community-based management of WAD goat genetic resources for the benefit of backyard goat farmers in the region.展开更多
This study evaluated the use of urine for soilless cultivation (as Peeponics) of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius vegetables. This is a laboratory-based experiment involving optimization of amount of urine a...This study evaluated the use of urine for soilless cultivation (as Peeponics) of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius vegetables. This is a laboratory-based experiment involving optimization of amount of urine and dilution required for optimal growth of the test plants. Based on laboratory results, the experiments were scaled up. About 50 L of raw urine was collected from a male postgraduate student’s hall of residence, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Water from Awba Dam, a natural lake within University of Ibadan, was used as the control. Viable seeds of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius were collected from Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, and germinated in a nursery for 10 days before transplanting. The raw urine was diluted with varying amount of water in the ratio 1:1 through 1:50. Nutrients in urine media (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and biomass indicators of plant growth (height, weight, number of leaves and leaf area) were determined using standard procedures. Urine dilution ratios below 1:25 did not support the experimental plants growth within a week. Plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), number of leaves (sheets) and leaf area (cm2) of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius cultivated on Urine Dilution Ratio (UDR) 1:35 and 1:45 were higher at the end of week 3 compared to other dilutions and control. Percentage reduction of nutrients (NPK) in the media of Amaranthus viridis cultivated on UDR 1:45 was several folds higher (N = 59.9%, P = 100%, K = 55.3%) compared to that of UDR 1:35 (N = 38.5%, P = 49.1%, K = 37.6%). In the control water, the nutrients were totally removed during the experimental period. Growth of Corchorus olitorius cultivated on both UDR 1:35 and 1:45, was significantly higher at the end of week 6. A significant negative correlation was observed between Corchorus olitorius plant height and Phosphorus (r = -0.0418;p < 0.05) removal in the media. The study concluded that the use of diluted human urine for soilless cultivation of vegetables, if encouraged, could promote food security and environmental sustainability at household level in communities.展开更多
The CFO （Chicken Farmers of Ontario） has taken important steps to increase biosecurity practices within backyard poultry flocks in order to thwart infectious diseases. The present study originally intended to descri...The CFO （Chicken Farmers of Ontario） has taken important steps to increase biosecurity practices within backyard poultry flocks in order to thwart infectious diseases. The present study originally intended to describe biosecurity practices within this milieu, so as to determine their nearest neighbor and density, as well as the average distance between backyard and commercial broiler flocks. To that effect, paper questionnaire and survey interviews were used （May-July, 2011）, while backyard and commercial broiler chicken flocks were geocoded. The response rates collected from the study produced these findings regarding： growers＇ health practices toward flocks, hygienic precautions relative to the production area, regularity of bird inspection and cleaning after each folk, protocol used to dispose of dead birds, mixing （or lack thereof） of flocks with other livestock, as well as the average distance between small flocks and commercial farms. The study concludes that education material should focus on improving the growers＇ understanding of issues examined in the study, focusing on areas of weakness in respect to biosecurity practices.展开更多
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB150405)
文摘Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative technology and translating scientific knowledge into action for smallholder farmers is a crucial step in addressing this challenge. Here, we present a novel approach for technology innovation and dissemination to achieve sustainable intensification in the fields of smallholder farmers. The Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is a hub in a rural area that links knowledge with practices to promote technology innovation and exchange. In this study, the framework and functions of STB are introduced, and the key implications for sustainable intensification across millions of smallholder farmers are explicitly stated:(i) develop innovative technology based on stated demands of farmers;(ii) disseminate technology by innovative social service models though combined top-down approaches with bottom-up measures to enable smallholders in rural areas. This paper provides a perspective on transformation of small-scale agriculture toward sustainable intensification in China and useful knowledge applicable to other developing countries.
基金the Directorate of Health and Management of Poultry Disease of the Iranian Veterinary Organization for their support
文摘Objective: To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of H9 N2 avian influenza among backyard birds in Iran between October and November 2015. Methods: In this study, a total of 15 500 blood samples and 2 884 cloacal swab samples of backyard birds were collected in villages of Iran between October and November 2015. Then, serum samples were examined with the hemagluttination inhibition test and cloacal swab samples were pooled together and examined by RT-PCR. The samples that had serological titer ≥ 4(log2) and villages that had at least one seropositive sample were considered positive.Results: Out of 559 villages, 526(94.10%) were seropositive for the infection. Among 15 500 serum samples, 7 468(48.18%) samples were seropositive for the infection. The seroprevalence according to species was 54.02% among chickens, 17.59 % among ducks, 18.73% among turkeys, 84.21% among pigeons and 12.15% among ostriches, partridges and pheasants. Based on molecular test, 3.04% villages were positive. The seroprevalence in hot and humid area was less than that in cold and humid area(P<0.05).Conclusions: H9 N2 avian influenza has high seroprevalence among backyard birds of Iran. Therefore, preventive measures such as biosecurity Practices and monitoring should be applied to reduce the prevalence.
基金funded by Fundo Nacional de Investigacao,Mozambique and Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa(CCARDESA)with grant number CPRJ/INT/WB/CFP1/14/03
文摘To investigate serologically the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in backyard chickens from Mandlhakazi district, Southern Mozambique.MethodsA total of 439 sera samples from unvaccinated and apparently healthy backyard chickens from 4 villages (Chidenguele, Macuacua, Chizavane, and Nwadjahane) were tested for the presence of AIV antibodies through commercial enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) kit used according to manufacturer instructions.ResultsAnti-AIV antibodies were detected in all villages surveyed. The overall seroprevalence obtained was 32.6% (95% CI 28.2%-37.0%). The highest prevalence of 51.3% (95% CI 42.3%-60.2%) was recorded in Macuacua village, while the lowest prevalence of 13.0% (95% CI 6.2%-19.9%) was found in Chizavane village. The results of logistic regression analyses suggested that chicken being located in Chizavane and Macuacua villages were more unlikely for getting the virus exposure (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggested that AIV is widespread within backyard chickens in the studied villages. Further research is needed to identify the circulating virus genotypes and determine the potential role of backyard chickens in the zoonotic transmission of AIV in Mozambique.
文摘West African Dwarf (WAD) goats represent one of the predominant small ruminant breeds raised by resource-limited households in southern Nigeria as well as in the humid west and central Africa. This breed of goats is renowned for its adaptation to hot and humid environments, high fertility and prolificacy under backyard systems where they are raised almost with zero investment. On account of its contributions to household income and food security in southern Nigeria, there is the need for a detailed phenotypic and genetic characterization as well as the design of breeding strategies for its conservation through sustainable utilization. A critical challenge, however, is that there are no national breeding policies in most of the countries where WAD goats are raised. The objectives of this paper are: to review literature reports on trait-level information and estimates of genetic parameters for some economic characters of WAD goats;and to discuss a communal breeding scheme for its conservation through sustainable utilization. The presentation shows that WAD goats represent a highly diverse population, with particular reference to qualitative and performance-related traits, reflecting the role of traditional institutions in the maintenance of animal diversity in local populations. A genetic improvement programme involving dispersed open nucleus breeding scheme was discussed. The scheme involves backyard WAD goat units in villages as base population and dispersed communally managed schemes that maintain a population of bucks only, as nucleus units. Critical issues such as the definition of breeding goals by farmers, as well as communal project ownership, are emphasized. The ultimate goal of the breeding programme is to create opportunities for community-based management of WAD goat genetic resources for the benefit of backyard goat farmers in the region.
文摘This study evaluated the use of urine for soilless cultivation (as Peeponics) of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius vegetables. This is a laboratory-based experiment involving optimization of amount of urine and dilution required for optimal growth of the test plants. Based on laboratory results, the experiments were scaled up. About 50 L of raw urine was collected from a male postgraduate student’s hall of residence, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Water from Awba Dam, a natural lake within University of Ibadan, was used as the control. Viable seeds of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius were collected from Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, and germinated in a nursery for 10 days before transplanting. The raw urine was diluted with varying amount of water in the ratio 1:1 through 1:50. Nutrients in urine media (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and biomass indicators of plant growth (height, weight, number of leaves and leaf area) were determined using standard procedures. Urine dilution ratios below 1:25 did not support the experimental plants growth within a week. Plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), number of leaves (sheets) and leaf area (cm2) of Amaranthus viridis and Corchorus olitorius cultivated on Urine Dilution Ratio (UDR) 1:35 and 1:45 were higher at the end of week 3 compared to other dilutions and control. Percentage reduction of nutrients (NPK) in the media of Amaranthus viridis cultivated on UDR 1:45 was several folds higher (N = 59.9%, P = 100%, K = 55.3%) compared to that of UDR 1:35 (N = 38.5%, P = 49.1%, K = 37.6%). In the control water, the nutrients were totally removed during the experimental period. Growth of Corchorus olitorius cultivated on both UDR 1:35 and 1:45, was significantly higher at the end of week 6. A significant negative correlation was observed between Corchorus olitorius plant height and Phosphorus (r = -0.0418;p < 0.05) removal in the media. The study concluded that the use of diluted human urine for soilless cultivation of vegetables, if encouraged, could promote food security and environmental sustainability at household level in communities.
文摘The CFO （Chicken Farmers of Ontario） has taken important steps to increase biosecurity practices within backyard poultry flocks in order to thwart infectious diseases. The present study originally intended to describe biosecurity practices within this milieu, so as to determine their nearest neighbor and density, as well as the average distance between backyard and commercial broiler flocks. To that effect, paper questionnaire and survey interviews were used （May-July, 2011）, while backyard and commercial broiler chicken flocks were geocoded. The response rates collected from the study produced these findings regarding： growers＇ health practices toward flocks, hygienic precautions relative to the production area, regularity of bird inspection and cleaning after each folk, protocol used to dispose of dead birds, mixing （or lack thereof） of flocks with other livestock, as well as the average distance between small flocks and commercial farms. The study concludes that education material should focus on improving the growers＇ understanding of issues examined in the study, focusing on areas of weakness in respect to biosecurity practices.
