Forces behind the Use of Herbs during Pregnancy by Zimbabwean Women: A Case of Gweru District

Purpose: The use of herbal remedies is gradually increasing worldwide and Zimbabwe is not left behind. This study therefore sought to explore the forces behind the use of herbs during pregnancy by Zimbabwean women. Materials and methods: A qualitative approach was chosen using the case study design to evaluate the forces. The study was carried out at three maternity hospitals in Gweru. Thirty (30) women who used herbs during pregnancy were purposefully samples and interviewed using a structured interview schedule. The date was analyzed thematically. Results: It was noted that culture and belief system, previous experience as well as significant people in the woman’s life were the forces behind the use of herbs in pregnancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that these forces promoted the indiscriminate use of herbs which are passed from mother to daughter without considering the safety of the herbs to the mother and baby. Therefore, more research is needed to analyze the safety of these herbs to ensure that the mother and baby are safe.

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.

Obesity: A Potential Pandemic for the 21st Century among the Youths in Zimbabwe

Background: Obesity is now reported as an epidemic in many developed countries, and it is an emerging public health concern in developing, transitional, and newly developed countries. The incidence of obesity increases during adolescence and persists into adulthood and becomes irreversible. In addition to biological causes like inheritance, cultural factors (such as dietary knowledge, attitudes and behaviours), socio-demographic factors may also play a central role in the etiology of obesity. The aim of the study was to describe young adults’ knowledge and perceptions about obesity, with a focus on comprehensibility and meaningfulness of obesity in their daily lives and its health implications. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used with 96 participants aged 18 - 35 years. The respondents’ body mass indices (BMI) were calculated from self-reported weights and heights. Descriptive analytical, statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results: The youths had good knowledge about obesity, its causes and associated complications. Generally, negative attitudes toward obesity were reported. Some perceived obesity as the ideal body image among today’s youths while others perceived obesity as something that was beyond their control. Identified knowledge gaps were in the area of obesity and nutrition knowledge, food preferences and implications to health. Knowledge deficit about obesity might lead to poor health-related behaviours with its associated complications. Conclusion: There is a need to intensify community-focused health education as a preventive strategy to empower the youths to take charge of their health and change their perceptions about obesity.

Exploring Constraints and Opportunities for Sorghum Production in Dry Regions of Zimbabwe

The objective of the study was to explore the constraints and opportunities for small-holder sorghum farmers in dry regions.Two hundred and fifty farmers were sampled by using the simple random and snowball sampling to provide the information that answered the research questions.Questionnaire and interviews were used as the research instruments.Out of 250 participants,80%were males and 20%were females showing that more males were selected for the research.Data was coded and processed using excel.Descriptive statistics were used to describe results.Of all the participants,4%were in the age range of 25-30 years,10%in the age range of 31-35 years,14%in the age range of 36-40 years,16%in the age range of 41-45 years and 56%in the age range of 46 years and above.Out of all the participants,20%attained primary education while 68%had attained secondary education.Only 12%had tertiary education.Results indicated availability of resources(60%)such as certified seed,fertilizers,herbicides and draught power as the major constraint in the production of sorghum.Lack of technical knowhow(20%)of sorghum production,poor farming methods(9.6%)such as mono-cropping,Striga weed(12%),outbreak of fall armyworm(14.4%)and marketing of produce(8%)were also amongst the major constraints indicated by most participants.66%of the 250 participants showed that they produce sorghum due to its drought tolerant nature.Beer brewing was just slightly above half(52%)whilst making mealie meal was slightly below half(48%).Lack of knowledge,resources and poor markets hindered sorghum production in dry regions.Farmers were using retained seeds which are populated and affected by diseases and this contributed to low yields.Opportunities such as reducing poverty,food insecurity and income generation drives some farmers to venture into sorghum production.

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.

Evaluating Two Varieties of Sweet Pepper Using Different Nutrient Sources to Increase Productivity

This experiment aims to increase sweet pepper production sustainably by using manures and a combination of manure and fertilizer. Manures are well known to improve soil health and maintain crop production for a relatively long period. This study was conducted under a tunnel house at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Guyana. Plots were arranged according to strip plot design with two treatments (Aristotle and Sunsation), four rates (R1: 0 g/plant), (R2: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha), (R3: 10 t poultry manure/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha and (R4: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t poultry manure/ha) and replicated thrice. These nutrients were applied in a split application at four weeks before planting, and four, eight, and twelve-week intervals after planting. The varieties did not differ from one another for the vegetative parameters tested. Plants treated with Rate 2 achieved significantly better growth parameters such as plant height, plant spread, and number of branches than the other rates. Sunsation obtained a significantly higher yield of 21.4 t/ha at the 5% level as compared to Aristotle (19.9 t/ha). The various rates recorded significant differences in yield. Rate 2 obtained a significantly higher yield of 32.8 t/ha followed by Rate 4 with 24.9 t/ha, then Rate 3 (17.0 t/ha). The lowest yield of 7.8 t/ha was attained by Rate 1. The interaction of varieties and rates showed statistically significant differences in yield. The interaction of Sunsation and Aristotle with Rate 2 achieved a superior yield of 34.8 t/ha and 30.7 t/ha respectively than other rates. Rate 4 also obtained significant interaction with Sunsation and Aristotle to achieve a yield of 25.7 t/ha and 24.1 t/ha respectively than Rate 3. Rate 3 interacted significantly with Sunsation and Aristotle and obtained a yield of 16.5 t/ha and 17.5 t/ha compared to Rate 1. Rate 1 achieved the least interaction for both varieties tested. Rates differed significantly for fruit shelf-life at room temperature. Fruits obtained from Rate 3 recorded a significantly longer fruit shelf-life of 14.7 days for 50% decay when stored at room temperature (30.3˚C) than other rates. The lowest fruit shelf-life of 7.7 days was obtained from Rate 1. This study indicated that the Sunsation variety is better to cultivate because of superior improvement in growth and yield attributes. The application of Rate 2 can considerably increase yield and when combined with Sunsation variety superior yield and yield attributes can be obtained.