Evaluating the Potential Contribution of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to Smallholder Farmers in Semi-arid and Arid Regions: A case of Chivi, Zimbabwe

Food insecurity in most dry regions in Zimbabwe has taught many people a lesson of using non timber forest products(NTFPs)to reduce food insecurity and improve livelihoods as well as poverty alleviation.The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential contribution of non-timber forest products to smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions.The research was carried out as a survey and data was collected using interviews,questionnaires and focus group discussion.Data was analysed for descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 25.Results indicated that 64%were females and 36%were males with the majority of participants being married(57.6%)with only 8.8%being widowed.Results show that all respondents(100%)indicated that they obtain fruits from the forests as a major source of food during winter and rain season.Vegetables(84.2%),thatching grass(80.8%)and edible worms(62.5%)were also major non-timber forest products obtained from the forests by participants.All participants(100%)indicated that income generation,firewood and source of heat for brick moulding were major benefits they obtain from forest with vegetables(74.2%),brooms(91.7%)and improved nutrition(85.0%)being regarded as other important benefits enjoyed by local people from forests.Afforestation and reforestation were regarded as major sustainable forest management practices by all(100%)participants with agroforestry being indicated by only 12.5%since people had no knowledge about it.NTFPs has capacity of improving food security,human livelihoods and alleviate poverty.People are encouraged to harvest NTFPs sustainably to allow future use.Use of agroforestry can be a best way for managing forests sustainably,improve food security,crop yield,poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation.

Rediscovering Pride in Agricultural Heritage through Cultivation of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) as Climate Acquiescent Vegetables, Immune and Health in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe

African Indigenous Vegetables are asserted to cope with climate variability besides their great potential as both food and medicine in Zimbabwe.They can be easily grown in drought prone areas with low rainfall as they are resistant to adverse environmental factors.Inimitable opportunities are offered through cultivation of AIVs to diversify farming systems so as to ensure food security and are cheap alternatives as compared to their expensive exotic counterparts.Alternative approaches to reduce escalating numbers of current Covid-19 patients and death is to introduce nutrient intervention through rediscovering of pride in agriculture through cultivation and commercialisation of AIVs in Zimbabwe.AIVs have great potential to improve immune response by supplementing dietary requirements(micronutrients)of an individual and can have a positive impact on COVID-19 outcome as they play a significant role in the immune system.AIVs have antifungal,acaricidal,antiviral,anticancer and act as immune stimulants.There is need for persuasive research based information,suitable national legislation and information campaigns on cultivation and consumption of AIVs in Zimbabwe.

Maize Cannot Be Grown in Xiengkhouang Province?

During a 2005 visit with National Agricultural and Forestry Institute (NAFRI) Director, Dr. Kouang Doungsila issued a challenge to these authors to determine if it was true that crops could not be grown in the extensive uplands of Xiengkhouang Province, Laos PDR. In response, a two-phase series of experiments was proposed and implemented. The Phase I experiment was to bring soil from the Xiengkhouang province uplands to a NAFRI greenhouse near Vientiane to assess possible nutrient requirements using a nutrient omission experiment. Simultaneously, soils were collected and analyzed from seven recognized agricultural regions of Laos. The initial Vientiane greenhouse experiment indicated that maize did grow, but there were multiple issues of extreme soil acidity and clear deficiencies of phosphorus and other nutrients. Phase II of the study included field studies on the site of soil selected for the greenhouse study. Field experiments were carried out for two years at the site with yields of maize exceeding 5500 kg⋅ha−1 in the first year and exceeding 6250 kg⋅ha−1 in a subsequent year. Intense symptoms of nutrient zinc (Zn) deficiency were observed, however. In 2008 another experiment was designed and carried out that included a Zn variable. The results from that experiment confirmed that maize yields nearing 6000 kg⋅ha−1 were indeed possible. Substantial amounts of lime were needed to correct the strong soil acidity, and a series of other nutrients including N, P, K, and Zn were also required. Ongoing issues are where to obtain the extensive amounts of limestone needed as well as an evaluation of the residual effect of the limestone The finely ground, very reactive burnt lime residual effect was, as expected, short-lived. The results clearly demonstrated that, indeed, it was possible for maize to be produced in the extensive uplands of Xiengkhouang province, in answer to Director Khouang’s challenging question.