High Transportation Costs Research Articles

ANALISIS PENINGKATAN MIGRASI PADA MASYARAKAT DUSUN KADUNDUNG DESA PENGKENDEKAN KECAMATAN SABBANG KABUPATEN LUWU UTARA

Research objectives to find out 1). Factors increasing migration In the Kadundung Hamlet Community, Pengkendekan Village, Sabbang District, North Luwu Regency, 2). Knowing the consequences increased migration in the Kadundung Hamlet Community, Pengkendekan Village, Sabbang District, North Luwu Regency. Type of research used n is descriptive qualitative. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews and documentation. Data analysis carried out is preparing data, reflecting on data, coding data, sharing coding results, interpreting and interpreting data.The research results show 1). There are three factors for increased migration namely: first, the driving factor which consists of a lack of jobs in origin, non-strategic location, natural disasters. Second, factor The bottlenecks consist of the long distance to the destination area and the high transportation costs expensive. Third, the pull factor consists of the expectation of more economic life well, geographical conditions in a strategic destination area and invitations from friends or brother. 2). There are two impacts of increased migration: first, impact positive is the reduction of unemployment in the village and can increase welfare of families in the village with remittances from relatives work in the city. Second, the negative impact is the lack of workers and villages become undeveloped

Financing care for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases (SSSDs) in Liberia: challenges and opportunities

IntroductionNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are an important global health challenge, however, little is known about how to effectively finance NTD related services. Integrated management in particular, is put forward as an efficient and effective treatment modality. This is a background study to a broader health economic evaluation, seeking to document the costs of integrated case management of NTDs versus standard care in Liberia. In the current study, we document barriers and facilitators to NTD care from a health financing perspective.MethodsWe carried out key informant interviews with 86 health professionals and 16 national health system policymakers. 46 participants were active in counties implementing integrated case management and 40 participants were active in counties implementing standard care. We also interviewed 16 patients and community members. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using the thematic framework approach.FindingsWe found that decentralization for NTD financing is not yet achieved – financing and reporting for NTDs is still centralized and largely donor-driven as a vertical programme; government involvement in NTD financing is still minimal, focused mainly on staffing, but non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or international agencies are supporting supply and procurement of medications. Donor support and involvement in NTDs are largely coordinated around the integrated case management. Quantification for goods and budget estimations are specific challenges, given the high donor dependence, particularly for NTD related costs and the government’s limited financial role at present. These challenges contribute to stockouts of medications and supplies at clinic level, while delays in payments of salaries from the government compromise staff attendance and retention. For patients, the main challenges are high transportation costs, with inflated charges due to fear and stigma amongst motorbike taxi riders, and out-of-pocket payments for medication during stockouts and food/toiletries (for in-patients).ConclusionOur findings contribute to the limited work on financing of SSSD services in West African settings and provide insight on challenges and opportunities for financing and large costs in accessing care by households, which is also being exacerbated by stigma.

Why people die of active tuberculosis in the era of effective chemotherapy in Southern Ethiopia: A qualitative study

BackgroundHigh TB mortality is increasingly understood as an indicator of different problems in the health system and community. Limited awareness of TB in the community, restricted accessibility and/or quality of health services can hamper survival. Exploration and analysis of death among TB patients can lead to a clearer and specific understanding of why the deaths happened and where interventions are likely to make a difference in a specific context. ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess why people die of active tuberculosis in the era of effective chemotherapy. MethodsThe study was conducted from October to December 2020 in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance System (AM-HDSS) by applying phenomenological study design. A total of 27 family members of people who had died of TB, 9 health extension workers (HEW) and 8 health care professionals working in TB clinics were participated in open in-depth interview. A total of 130 individuals participated in 16 focus group discussion which composed of patient survived from TB, religious leader, health development army (HAD) and HEWs. Adequacy of information (saturation) was considered as an adequate sample size to create the intended qualitative product. All the interviews and FGD were tape recorded and recordings were transcribed immediately. ATLAS TI 9 software was used to analyse and process qualitative data. From data set codes were created then by identifying pattern among them themes were created. Then, generated themes were compared and some of them were split, combined, discarded and new ones created after returning to data set. Finally, themes were defined and a concise and easily understandable name was given for each theme. ResultLuck of sufficient knowledge about TB was considered to be a reason for cause of death. Most of the time, TB patients underestimate and ignore when the symptoms first emerge and will not relate it with any diseases. The low level of community awareness about the cause, transmission, treatment and prevention highly contributed to increased transmission rate and death due to TB. The study identified misconceptions in the community; they prefer traditional medicine to the scientific way. First, they try different herbal medicine to get relief from their illness. At the end, if the disease is getting worse, they visit health facilities. Participants mentioned high transportation cost, poor health seeking behaviours, inadequate food consumption and lack of TB awareness as reasons for low treatment adherence. The health facilities were inaccessible for the community. Most of them indicated that health facilities were too far to reach. In some health institution, right amount and combination of medication were not delivery on time and Diagnostic facilities for TB were reported to be inadequate. ConclusionPoor treatment adherence, lack of TB awareness, stigma, inadequate food consumption, poor health care seeking behaviour and inaccessibility of health facility were identified as major reasons for death. To prevent death of TB patients all sectors such as education, health, and agriculture should work to address health education, infrastructures, nutritional supplementation needs of TB patients, caregivers and the community as a whole.

Assessing climate change-related losses and damages and adaptation constraints to address them: Evidence from flood-prone riverine communities in Southern Nigeria

Rising evidence over the years reveal that reduction in greenhouse gases emission and adaptation to climate change effects have been unable to resolve the issue of climate change impacts, resulting to losses and damages. This has been attributed to natural, technical and economic constraints. In Nigeria, extreme climate events such as precipitation extremes and floods have been increasingly observed resulting in losses and damages in flood-prone communities. This study was aimed at assessing climate change-related losses and damages due to floods among farm households in riverine areas of Southern Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was utilized in selecting 240 households within eight riverine communities in Southern Nigeria. A mixed method research approach was used in eliciting responses from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The market cost approach was used to value the losses and damages due to climate change. The respondents identified flooding as the major climate change hazard in the study location. The major effects of flooding on the livelihood of the respondents were loss of crops (98.6%), rise in food prices (92.8%) and poor health (75.6%). In response to increased climatic threats, farmers adopted various adaptation measures such as altering inputs such as varieties/species, income diversification and chemical fertilizer and pesticide use. The estimated average monetary value of losses and damages in community infrastructure, employment, personal properties, crops and livestock were $28,409.09, $3095.23, $1583.52, $824.60 and $224.16, respectively. Perceived barriers to the respondents’ taking adaptation actions in response to climate change-related losses and damages are inadequate government support, poor income of the respondents, high cost of transportation to purchase inputs for climate change adaptation and inadequate knowledge/information on climate change adaptation measures. We recommend that early warning mechanisms and alternative livelihood strategies should be promoted in vulnerable areas in order to reduce losses and damages due to climate change.

Comparison of maize stover and wheat straw slurry flow in vertical pipes

The scale-up of biorefineries to compete with fossil fuel production is limited by the high overland transportation cost of lignocellulosic biomass. Pipeline hydro-transport of agricultural or forest residue biomass to biorefineries could be a cost-effective and sustainable solution to this problem. The upward flow of chopped maize stover (also known as corn stover) aqueous slurries through a vertical pipe section of a 29 m long, 50 mm diameter in a closed pipeline loop was studied. The frictional pressure drops of maize stover slurries were measured at several particle sizes (from <3.2–19.2 mm), slurry solid concentrations (5–40% [mass]), and slurry velocities (0.5–4.3 m s −1 ). The results were analysed and compared with wheat straw. For specific concentrations and flow rates, particle size, shape, and flexibility are the factors that most reduced drag, which was highest (by 32%) for the largest particle size of maize stover. For velocities ≥2.5 m s −1 , maize stover suspensions (other than the 3.2 mm particle size) were more effective in reducing drag than wheat straw, whereas at lower velocities (≤2.0 m s −1 ), wheat straw had more influence (other than the 19.2 mm). The results for critical concentrations for maximum drag reduction, onset velocity, threshold concentration for minimum onset velocity, and their variations with respect to particle size, particle type, and slurry concentrations provide new insights that require further investigation in larger diameter pipes. The results here will be beneficial for the design and operation of long-distance pipeline hydro-transport of biomass. • Hydro-transport of ground maize stover was examined in a vertical pipe section. • Frictional behaviour of two feedstocks was compared at various flow conditions. • Particle size, shape, and fibre flexibility were dominant in drag reduction (DR). • Onset velocity of DR lowest for largest particle size of maize stover. • Critical concentration for the maximum DR of maize stover lower than wheat straw.

Instant catapult steam explosion: An efficient preprocessing step for the robust and cost-effective chemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass

The biorefinery based on lignocellulosic biomass requires an efficient preprocessing step to address problems regarding with the high cost of biomass transportation and the low cost-effectiveness of subsequent chemical pretreatment . In this study, the instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE) was investigated as an alternative preprocessing method to treat corn stalk feedstocks , and compared with conventional milling preprocessing. Besides reducing the particle size, ICSE can modify the microstructure and improve enzymatic degradability of the corn stalks as well. These preprocessed feedstocks were further pretreated by moderate chemical pretreatment methods, including dilute acid, dilute alkali, acid and alkali, organosolv, and ionic liquid. The ICSE-treated feedstocks showed 3-fold to 7-fold increase in enzymatic saccharification when compared with milled and untreated feedstocks. Meanwhile, its energy consumption only accounted for 5%–20% of the milling process, thereby resulting in an 80%–85% of energy savings. Therefore, the ICSE-based preprocessing can potentially be integrated with the supply chain of lignocellulosic biomass and enhance the economic efficiency of biorefinery. • Instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE) as a preprocess is superior to milling for the downward chemical pretreatment. • ICSE, modifying lignocellulose's structure and composition, prompts the chemical pretreatment and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. • The energy consumption of ICSE is significantly lower than the traditional milling process. • ICSE facility can be adopted by the regional biomass preprocessing center to improve the cost-effectiveness of biorefinery.

The Entrepreneurship Potential of Rural Areas: Soap Production as a Side Business for Tanzanian Rice Farmers

Purpose: This study examines soap production’s entrepreneurship potential and profitability as a supplementary business for rural rice farmers in Tanzania to promote their economic independence.&#x0D; Design/ Methodology/ Approach: We randomly sampled and interviewed about ten small-scale soap manufacturers in urban Tanzania gathered from 2019-2021 to develop a soap production business strategy for rural farmers at a similar scale. Considering the Voronoi theory, we calculated the distance from the rural areas to urban centres to determine the transportation costs, which particularly burden rural farmers. Soap production costs and profitability were determined based on transportation costs and raw material prices.&#x0D; Findings: Rural farmers would incur high transportation costs, given the high average distance to the nearest urban centre (sometimes &gt; 100 km). Nevertheless, producing their rice bran oil, valuable raw material for soap production, would give them a competitive advantage over urban producers.&#x0D; Research Limitation: The study’s proposed strategy can be applied to similar contexts to reduce the urban-rural entrepreneurship divide.&#x0D; Practical Implication: Soaps made using rice bran oil help farmers reuse agricultural waste. Their active ingredients also increase their marketability as high-end cosmetic products, providing farmers with additional income.&#x0D; Social Implication: Commercializing agricultural residues such as rice bran increases farmers’ revenues and reduces CO2 emissions by preventing the residues’ incineration; this creates a virtuous cycle in society.&#x0D; Originality/ Value: This study presents a more realistic business strategy for rural Tanzanian farmers, as, unlike previous studies, it considers not only direct costs but also transportation costs.

Market equilibrium in interregional trade models under monopolistic competition

We study a homogeneous model of interregional trade under monopolistic competition of producers with additively separable utility and linear production costs. The mass of firms (“the length of the product line”) is determined endogenously, from conditions of free entry. We obtain the local comparative statics of the market equilibrium with respect to transport costs of “iceberg types”. Particular attention is paid to situations of free trade and autarky. We establish the following counter-intuitive result: under high transport costs, trade liberalization can decrease public welfare.

Public Transportation Services in Oman: A Study of Public Perceptions

Public transportation services are vital for civic life. Recently, many countries in the Middle East have turned their attention towards developing and improving their public transport systems, as problems such as traffic congestions in cities, low mobility, high individual costs of transport, and a rural-urban divide in services have arisen. This study is a public needs assessment and opinion survey of an area in one such Middle Eastern country, the Al-Batinah region of Oman. The study finds public transport services in Oman are minimal and do not match demand, and there is an excessive reliance on private cars. Marketing of public transport services is constrained by certain environmental issues, particularly the socio-cultural and physical environments. The study is innovative from both an approach and implementation perspective and will help policy makers in Oman think about long-term strategies towards establishing viable public transport solutions.

Disaster-Induced Resettlements: the Resilience Of Flood-Affected Households In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Floods are increasingly affecting cities around the world. As a result, displacement and resettlement of floodaffected households have become the norm in many parts of the world. While resettlement may be necessary to address flood vulnerabilities, including protecting the lives of those affected, empirical studies on the post-resettlement well-being of the resettled population are scarce. This paper presents empirical findings on the livelihood situation of flood-resettled households in Dar es Salaam. The results are based on key informant and household interviews and focus group discussions with resettled households. The findings show that the resettlement area’s location in the peri-urban of the city resulted in various challenges, including inaccessibility to basic facilities and high transportation costs, with households spending an average of TZS 2,000 (~US$1) to reach a public transportation facility, i.e., a bus stand. Resettled households also have lower income levels ranging from less than TZS 50,000 (12%) to between TZS 50,000 and TZS 500, 000 (75%). While weak social ties, a lack of trust among household members, and the social stress of loss of privacy were typical challenges among resettled households, vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, were exposed to increased vulnerability. The observed post-resettlement livelihood situation is influenced by the pre-resettlement conditions of the households, characterized by large household sizes ranging from 5 to 6 members (55%) to more than seven members (35%), low education levels (77%), and informal employment, largely petty trading (56%). The paper suggests that when resettling flood-affected households, the context-specific characteristics of the affected population, such as demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and their needs, be considered to improve post-resettlement livelihood sustainability.

Socio-personal Profile of APMC Women Involved in Post-harvest Activities of Dry Chilli and their Constraints – A Comparative Study

A comparative study to know the socio-personal profi le, constraints and health problems of APMC women involved in post-harvest activities of dry chilli was undertaken during 2019-2020 in Byadgi APMC of Karnataka and Guntur APMC of Andhra Pradesh with a sample of 120 women labourers. The results showed that, 63.33 per cent of Byadgi AMPC and 70.00 per cent of Guntur APMC respondents belonged to middle aged (36- 50) category. More than half (53.33 %) of Byadgi APMC and 63.33 per cent of Guntur APMC women labourers were illiterates. Most of Byadgi APMC (70.00%) and Guntur APMC (86.67%) women labourers belonged to small family size. The family income was medium for 73.33 per cent of Byadgi APMC and 60.00 per cent for Guntur APMC women labourers. More than half (53.33%) of Byadgi APMC and (26.67%) of Guntur APMC respondents belonged to backward castes. Remaining belonged to SC/ST and forward castes. They had low extension, organizational and mass media participation. Social participation was medium. The women labourers faced many constraints while performing post-harvest activities at APMC as APMC is far away to reach by 93.33 per cent of Byadgi APMC and 90.00 per cent Guntur APMC women labourers. Similarly 93.33 per cent of Byadgi APMC and 76.66 per cent of Guntur APMC respondents said less wages as a constraint. More than 70.00 per cent told high cost of transportation to reach APMC as a constraint. More than 70.00 percent of respondents said joint pain, whole body ache, hand pain and back ache followed by 65.00 percent told eye burning were the health problems faced by them while performing post-harvest activities of dry chilli in the APMCs.

Challenges in Kinetic Parameter Determination for Wheat Straw Pyrolysis

Wheat straw is a renewable agricultural by-product that is currently underutilized in the production of bioenergy and bioproducts due to its high ash content, as well as high transport costs due to its low volumetric energy density. The thermogravimetric analysis of this material produces derivative curves with a single broad peak, making it difficult to identify the three conventional pseudo-components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), which is resolved using the second derivative to determine inflection points. Model-fitting methods and isoconversional methods were applied to determine the degradation kinetics of wheat straw at two different particle sizes, as well as that of a reference feedstock (beech wood), and the obtained values were used to divide the degradation curves to be compared to the experimental data. Seven different pyrolysis reaction networks from the literature were given a similar treatment to determine which provides the best estimation of the actual pyrolysis process for the case of the feedstocks under study. The impact of the potassium content in the feedstock was considered by comparing the original pathway with a modification dependent on the experimental potassium content and an estimated optimum value.

Prospects and Constraints of Onion Production and Marketing: A Case Study of District Tando Allahyar, Sindh-Pakistan

This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallholder farms and profitability of onion in the Tando Allahyar district of Sindh during the year 2018-19. The primary data were collected from 24 randomly chosen onion-producing farmers in village Ibrahim Shah using a pre-tested systematic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate percentages, frequency, and mean, while the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) method was used to determine onion growers' profitability. Results of the study revealed that the overall average total cost and gross revenue of onion production were (Rs. 115120/acre, Rs. 154875/acre) respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 1.52 for (variable costs) and 1.35 for (total cost), indicating that onion cultivation benefits farmers in the Tando Allahyar district. The most common and local onion variety grown was Nasarpuri, which was cultivated by 87 % of farmers, along with Hazari and Phulkara. However, the farmers were reluctant to use hybrid seeds due to their inability to withstand high temperatures. The main production constraints for onion growers were high input prices, particularly seed costs, and high labour charges for hoeing and weeding. Similarly, low product prices and high transportation costs were major marketing constraints. Due to a lack of technical expertise with current technology, such as a shortage of cold storage and skilled labor, the marketing of excess produce throughout the year was a significant problem for onion growers. It is therefore suggested that a comprehensive marketing capacity building and Global GAP will improve the quality, productivity and profitability of the farmers and open the channel of export for Pakistan.

Competitive and secure renewable hydrogen markets: Three strategic scenarios for the European Union

The European Union (EU) considers renewable hydrogen a key priority for achieving climate neutrality and therefore needs to develop competitive and secure renewable hydrogen supplies. International trade could play a major role in meeting EU hydrogen needs and will require the creation of highly integrated markets between member states. This article analyzes three strategic scenarios in which the EU prioritizes energy independence, cost optimization, or energy security using an optimization model of international hydrogen trade based on production potentials and cost curves in EU countries and potential trade partners. The results show that, while the EU could become hydrogen independent, imports from neighboring countries could minimize overall costs despite higher transportation costs. However, imports from neighboring countries may reproduce past energy dependence patterns. Our results show that to limit reliance on a single supplier without increasing overall costs, the EU could leverage long-distance imports.

Spring-linkage integrated mechanism design for jumping robots

Legged robots can negotiate unstructured environments and have applications in education, environmental inspection, space exploration, and cargo transportation. As a powerful form of legged robots, jumping robots have attractive features due to their high efficiency, mobility, traverse obstacles, and low cost of transport. Although spring is the core component of the energy system, little related work explores the value selection of spring stiffness and the effect of different spring placements for jumping robots. In this article, we present a systematic method to select the stiffness of spring based on static analysis, jumping linkage configuration and multi-objective optimization for jumping robots. Also, to predict the motion behavior of jumping robots, we provide a comprehensive dynamic model of the robotic jumping in different phases according to the Lagrange method and the principle of virtual work, which considers the motion constraints and configuration constraints simultaneously. The proposed method and dynamic model can validate by designing a spring-linkage-based jumping robot as a showcase. The experimental results show performance improvements in jumping height in terms of both different springs’ stiffness and arrangement, which is possible to appraise a maximal enhancement of 57.88%.

Rural Women Involvement in Oil Palm Value Chain in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study examined the involvement of rural women in oil palm value chain activities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected from two hundred and ten (210) respondents purposively selected from rural oil palm women farmers in Akwa Ibom State. Collected data was analyzed using frequencies, percentage and ranking method. The results showed that the respondents were in their prime age (youthful age/active age) 26-50 years of age. Majority of the respondents also had formal education (primary, secondary or tertiary). Furthermore, most of the respondents (63.8%) were married as that served as labor for the oil palm value chain activities. Also, most of the respondents had a household size of 1-5 persons. A greater percentage of the respondents equally had 11-20 years experiences in oil palm business. In assessing the oil palm value activities the respondents were involved in, the result revealed that the respondents were actively involved in the processing, marketing and storage of the oil palm business. They were less involved in the planting and harvesting of the palm fruits which was more cumbersome and manly. Among the constraints, lack of finance was identified as the topmost constraint to risk, high cost of labor, high cost of transportation, theft etc. The study recommended that government/stakeholders should ensure that the rural women have access to credit and technology to make the business more attractive to the young women.

Comparative Experiment of Abrasion-Corrosion-Sliding Wear Performance of Two Kinds of Low Alloy Wear-Resistant Steel.

There is a serious wear problem in the middle plate of scraper conveyors, which causes the problems of high transportation cost, low efficiency, and a lot of material waste. Therefore, it is necessary to study the wear performance of middle plate materials. A new high-titanium low alloy wear-resistant steel (ZM4-13) and a typical material (NM400) for middle plates are studied in this paper. The findings show that the mass loss of ZM4-13 and NM400 rises with the increase of coal gangue percentage. They do not increase monotonically with the change of pH value, and there is a critical value: the critical value of NM400 is between 6–8, and the critical value of ZM4-13 is between 7–9. When the pH value is less than the critical value, the mass loss decreases with the increase of pH value; when the pH value is greater than the critical value, the mass loss increases with the increase of pH value. Under the condition of high gangue and neutral solutions, ZM4-13 has better wear resistance. Its wear resistance can reach up to 1.09–2.10 times compared with NM400. The in-situ precipitated TiC particles are dispersed in ZM4-13. The high hardness of the TiC precipitation area in ZM4-13 hinders the plowing of hard particles and the plastic deformation of surface materials, so ZM4-13 is more wear-resistant than NM400, especially suitable for the harsh working conditions of coal mine production.

A Comprehensive Review of Canadian Marine Oil Spill Response System through the Lens of Decanting Regulations and Practices

Marine oil spill response operations could generate a large volume of liquid oily wastes (e.g., emulsified oil, non-emulsified oil, and wastewater) that can be up to 30 to 40 times greater than the original volume of spilled oil. Oil decanting technologies are used globally for recovering spilled oil and handling liquid wastes. Canada follows the standards set out in the MARPOL 73/78 Annex 1 International regulations in most areas, with more strict discharge requirements in certain locations. For instance, inland waters discharge should not exceed 5 ppm, and in special areas, such as the Great Lakes, the discharge standard is under 0 ppm. In the event of an oil spill, decanted seawater should be barged to shore for disposal, which significantly constrains the response capacity and efficiency of oil recovery by skimmers due to limited temporary storage space in barges and the long time and high cost of transportation. This has become one of the greatest challenges the Canadian governments and oil spill response industries are facing in Canada. Moreover, when the spill response team decides that decanting is an appropriate way to handle the spilled oil, the approval process may take a long time, which negatively impacts the spill that has already occurred. Moreover, Canada uses a 10,000-tonne planning standard for oil spill preparedness, whereas the United States uses a worst-case scenario, and Europe uses a 60,000 m3 planning standard. The existing planning threshold in Canada can cause the country to be not fully prepared when it comes to responding to a very large oil spill if one should occur. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the current Canadian oil spill response system and framework, regulations, roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial governments, existing decanting capabilities, and capacities of Canadian oil spill responders. More importantly, this study identified the gaps in the current oil spill response system and regulatory and technological barriers to oil decanting. Marine oil decanting regulations and practices in the US and selected European countries have also been reviewed to support addressing the challenges and improving the Canadian experience. It is expected that this study would help the stakeholders and professionals to better understand the oil spill response system and oil decanting status quo in Canada and facilitate Canadian governments and industries to better address the challenges in oil spill regulations and practices.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GOAT AND SHEEP MARKETING IN WUDIL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

This study was conducted in Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State to comparatively analyze the marketing of goats and sheep in the area, with Wudil Livestock Market being purposively chosen for the study. A total of 85 marketers (50 goat and 35 sheep marketers) were proportionally and randomly selected for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and Gini Coefficient. Findings revealed that all the marketers were males with 84% goat marketers and 66% sheep marketers being married. Profitability analysis revealed that sheep marketing had a higher profit of N2,028.5 than goat marketing with N1,307.5 profit. Conversely, goat marketing had a higher marketing efficiency of 115.8% while sheep marketing had 111.5%. The study therefore, revealed that though both goat and sheep marketing are profitable and efficient in the study area, sheep marketing requires higher initial capital outlay of N16,900 than goat marketing with N7,650. Similarly, with Gini Coefficients of 0.72 and 0.64 for goat and sheep markets respectively, both markets exhibit perfect inequality with an indication of unequal distribution of market share among the marketers. Common constraints faced by the two sets of marketers include high cost of transportation, inadequate capital, poor market infrastructure, as well as multiple market charges. It is therefore, recommended that since the two ventures are profitable and efficient, youths should be encouraged to go into them by the government by empowering them with initial start-up capital and provide good infrastructure in the market.

Energy Performances Analysis of a Solar Electric Car in Togo

In sub-Saharan Africa the cost of transport is very expensive for the populations. As the car fleet is mainly made up of thermal cars, the high cost of transport is largely linked to the oil’s import. Faced with such a situation, it is important to find other means of transport in order to reduce the transport’s cost for the populations. One of the means of transport which seems to be an alternative solution is the solar electric car. But the difficulty for the solar electric car is its range. To improve car's range, it is necessary to analyze the performance of the car in driving conditions in order to understand the parameters that influence the range. Understanding and mastering these parameters will make it possible to make the best decisions to improve the car's range. In this article, we are interested in analyzing the energy performances of a solar electric car in Togo in order to understand the parameters that influence the car’s range. The simulation results show a considerable reduction in the car's range for high driving speeds, for excessive consumption of the auxiliary electrical circuits of the car, for driving the vehicle on a large slope, and when the car is transporting a large weight. The solar panel on the roof of the car is of great importance because it makes a significant contribution to the car’s range in sunny periods.