Modern Farming Methods Research Articles

DOES FARMERS' EDUCATION AFFECT THE PROFITABILITY OF SHRIMP FARMING? EVIDENCE FROM THE COASTAL REGION OF BANGLADESH

This study explores the impact of farmers' level of education on the profitability of shrimp farming. The authors have collected data from a sample of 200 shrimp farmers in three districts in the southwest region of Bangladesh, namely Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, using a proportionate random sampling technique. The shrimp farmers' education and productivity status are investigated through descriptive statistics. The authors estimated a Cobb-Douglas Production Function (CDPF) to examine the effect of farmers' level of education on the profitability of shrimp farming. Using a Tobit regression model, this study tried to investigate the association between the educational attainment of farmers and their degree of knowledge in farm management. The study finds that the average level of shrimp production in southwestern Bangladesh is 425 kg per hectare, resulting from the absence of modern farming methods and a deficiency in adequate farming knowledge. The activity budget equation illustrates that farmers with higher education levels exhibit greater profitability compared to their less educated counterparts. The analysis of efficiency factors of production (EFP) indicates that farmers with higher education levels exhibit greater efficiency than their counterparts with lower education levels. The break-even point (BEP) analysis reveals that the average production volume, price, and the gher size in the study area outstrip the BEP threshold, suggesting that shrimp farming in this region is economically feasible. The analysis of field-level data reveals a strong association between farmers' level of education and their profitability, suggesting that higher levels of education among farmers have a substantial positive impact on their financial gains. It is evident from the study findings that knowledge of farm management plays a significant role in shrimp productivity. Therefore, the degree of farm management knowledge is affected by the education of the farmers. Consequently, this research suggests augmenting the accessibility of contemporary technology-driven farming methods and effectively utilizing information via a training initiative targeting shrimp farmers. Additionally, this study recommends offering incentives or credit opportunities to newly participating educated farmers.

Refocusing on Gender Roles in Agriculture and their Impact on Household Food Security: An in-depth Analysis of Chosen Wards within Kisarawe District, Tanzania

The research conducted in selected wards of Kisarawe, Tanzania, aimed to examine the interplay between gender dynamics, agricultural endeavors, and household food security. The study objectives encompassed identifying gender-based roles in ensuring food security, evaluating the contribution of agricultural activities to food security, and elucidating the intricate relationship between gender, agricultural practices, and household food security. Employing a descriptive correlational design, data was gathered from a randomly chosen sample of 308 respondents. Data collection involved the use of researcher-designed questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, which included frequency counts and means, as well as Pearson linear correlation coefficients. The research findings underscored a significant relationship between gender roles, agricultural activities, and household food security. Consequently, it was deduced that the primary factors contributing to food insecurity in Kisarawe, Tanzania, encompassed unequal ownership of productive assets, the burden of women's domestic responsibilities, limited decision-making opportunities for women, an absence of labor division, suboptimal technology utilization, limited access to capital, a lack of crop diversification, and inadequate information about modern farming methods. Based on these findings and conclusions, the study suggests several recommendations. These include advocating for equitable resource ownership, promoting gender-balanced decision-making processes, fostering an equitable division of labor, providing access to ample information, encouraging crop diversification, and advancing technological capabilities in the pursuit of enhanced food security in Kisarawe, Tanzania. Keywords: Gender, Agricultural Activities, Household and Food Security

IoT Technology and Digital Upskilling Framework for Farmers in the Northern Rural Area of Thailand

One-third of Thailand’s workers are in agriculture, but the country’s agricultural GDP is still less than 10% of its total GDP. Most Thai farmers are smallholders with limited land and low incomes. To improve the agricultural GDP and the economic situation of smallholder farmers, the Thai Government has been trying for decades to encourage and support smallholder farmers to adopt modern farming methods and smart farming equipment, including digital technologies. However, the improvement is still sluggish due to a lack of an effective approach to delivering essential digital knowledge and skills, as well as investment support for smart farming equipment. These have hindered smallholder farmers’ digital farming skill progress. To address this issue, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest has funded a project to develop the Digital Farmer Development Framework. This framework provides essential digital knowledge, training, coaching, and fundamental resources to upgrade smallholder digital-farming literacy to become digital farmers using problem- or project-based learning approaches and collaborative blended learning theories. Bloom’s taxonomy is used as a guideline for evaluating the framework’s effectiveness. Implementation of the Digital Farmer Development Framework has shown that farmers can significantly improve their digital farming literacy and are capable of using digital technology to improve farm management and productivity. Based on Bloom classification guidelines, 100% of the farms in the project can apply digital skills and utilize fundamental smart farming equipment as well as able to evaluate and analyze data from IoT devices. Moreover, 66% can create their own smart-system solution from fundamental smart farming tools for their farm. The project has also created a digital farmer community that shares knowledge and resources with others.

Plant Protection Practises and Their Impact on Environment

The world population is increasing by 81 million every year and people need more agricultural production to avoid hunger. Despite modern farming methods, where advanced technologies and new production systems such as soilless agriculture are applied, production seems far from meeting the nutritional needs of people today or in the future. Although phytopathogens, insects and weeds, which cause significant yield and quality losses in agricultural products, are struggled today, it is estimated that the total loss of crops is 36.5% in the world every year due to these pests. Plant protection practices (cultural measures, physical control, legal measures, biological control, chemical control, alternative control) are carried out against pests in order to prevent product yield and quality losses in agriculture. Among these applications, chemical control is the most effective control method against pests, the results of which can be seen in a short time. However, especially in conventional agriculture, irregular and intensive pesticide applications made to protect yield and quality with economic concerns cause environmental pollution and deterioration in soil, water resources and troposphere ecosystems. In this review, the effects of plant protection practices on non-target organisms in different ecosystems are presented.

Nanofertilizers: Types, Delivery and Advantages in Agricultural Sustainability

In an alarming tale of agricultural excess, the relentless overuse of chemical fertilizers in modern farming methods have wreaked havoc on the once-fertile soil, mercilessly depleting its vital nutrients while inflicting irreparable harm on the delicate balance of the surrounding ecosystem. The excessive use of such fertilizers leaves residue on agricultural products, pollutes the environment, upsets agrarian ecosystems, and lowers soil quality. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the nutrient content, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is lost from the soil (50–70%) before being utilized. Nanofertilizers, on the other hand, use nanoparticles to control the release of nutrients, making them more efficient and cost-effective than traditional fertilizers. Nanofertilizers comprise one or more plant nutrients within nanoparticles where at least 50% of the particles are smaller than 100 nanometers. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and quantum dots are some examples of the types of nanomaterials used in the production of nanofertilizers. Nanofertilizers are a new generation of fertilizers that utilize advanced nanotechnology to provide an efficient and sustainable method of fertilizing crops. They are designed to deliver plant nutrients in a controlled manner, ensuring that the nutrients are gradually released over an extended period, thus providing a steady supply of essential elements to the plants. The controlled-release system is more efficient than traditional fertilizers, as it reduces the need for frequent application and the amount of fertilizer. These nanomaterials have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, making them ideal for holding and releasing nutrients. Naturally occurring nanoparticles are found in various sources, including volcanic ash, ocean, and biological matter such as viruses and dust. However, regarding large-scale production, relying solely on naturally occurring nanoparticles may not be sufficient or practical. In agriculture, nanotechnology has been primarily used to increase crop production while minimizing losses and activating plant defense mechanisms against pests, insects, and other environmental challenges. Furthermore, nanofertilizers can reduce runoff and nutrient leaching into the environment, improving environmental sustainability. They can also improve fertilizer use efficiency, leading to higher crop yields and reducing the overall cost of fertilizer application. Nanofertilizers are especially beneficial in areas where traditional fertilizers are inefficient or ineffective. Nanofertilizers can provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to fertilize crops while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer application. They are the product of promising new technology that can help to meet the increasing demand for food and improve agricultural sustainability. Currently, nanofertilizers face limitations, including higher costs of production and potential environmental and safety concerns due to the use of nanomaterials, while further research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects on soil health, crop growth, and the environment.

Environmental problems of industrial and organic poultry farming

Poultry farming, using modern intensive farming methods, is one of the most efficient livestock industries that ensures food security for a large part of the world’s population. In the context of industrial poultry farming, the largest share of global production (up to 98 % of meat and 92 % of eggs) is accounted for by broiler chickens (to a lesser extent, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc.), as well as by food eggs obtained from modern egg crosses of chickens. The global poultry production is estimated at 137.8 million tons and 86.3 million metric tons of eggs in 2021, with steady growth every year. Taking into account the wishes of consumers, European countries are increasingly switching to the production of organic poultry products, believing that this way they can best meet consumer requirements based on three main dimensions of quality assessment: 1) the safety of poultry housing; 2) the safety of organic products for human health; 3) the safety of organic production for the environment. Improvement of poultry housing conditions is aimed at using extensive production systems, such as organic systems, free-range systems with lower stocking densities. Such systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the European Union, and are aimed at improving farming conditions and poultry welfare, reducing environmental impact and increasing the sustainability of the industry. However, both intensive farming methods in industrial and organic poultry production lead to significant impacts on human health and the environment. Wastes such as poultry manure and used litter are associated with ammonia, nitrogen oxide and methane emissions that contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions and pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. Poultry waste can contain pesticide residues, pathogens, pharmaceuticals (antibiotics), hormones, metals, macronutrients (in the wrong proportions) and other pollutants that can lead to air, soil and water pollution, as well as the formation of multidrug-resistant strains. The analysis shows that industrial poultry farming can be more controlled than organic farming in terms of environmental safety. Key words: industrial and organic poultry farming, environmental conditions, environmental safety, air, soil, water pollution, pollutants.

ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS OF THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR OF PAKISTAN TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

Agriculture is an important part of Pakistan's economy. It makes up a large part of the country's GDP, generates employment, ensures food security, and helps many people make a living. About 38.5% of the people who work in rural areas rely on this sector. There are a lot of problems in the industry, such as a lack of water, a growing population, traditional farming methods, a shift in labor from the country to urban areas, and an uneven distribution of canal water systems. The government needs to take the lead in figuring out and fixing the serious problems in the farming sector, such as giving farmers more help, bringing in new technologies and policies, and building more dams. Pakistan's economy depends extensively on the country's farm industry. The biggest problems are the lack of water, the lack of modern farming methods, the difficulty in getting credit, and the lack of infrastructure. To deal with these problems, the paper suggests increasing access to credit through micro-finance, developing modern farming methods, giving farmers access to markets, and improving irrigation and other infrastructure; by putting these ideas into action, Pakistan's agriculture industry can become more productive, and help the country's economy grow.

Performance of Two Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes Under Modern and Conventional Farming Methods in Three Locations in Iraq

The conservation of natural resources like soil and water and reduces chemical pollution in the environment is the desired goal of the directions of improving the performance of important crops for meeting the global food demand. However,System of Rice Intensification (SRI), is a rice cropping system that is consistent with Conservation Agricultural (CA) and Sustainable Agriculture (SA). The current study was aimed to investigate the effects of SRI method on grain yield and its components in two rice varieties compared with conventional practice in farmers' fields (CFM) in different environmental conditions in Iraq. The study was conducted in the fields during the rice season 2019 in three provinces in the south of Iraq (Najaf, Diwaniya and Muthanna). Anber33 and Jasmine rice varieties were grown in each location and the traits were conducted at sites having 2 donum of land (5,000 m2).The trial was performed as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) having three blocks. The results showed superior significant of SRI method compared to CFM method in traits (plant height and panicle length, number per panicle, and percentage of unfilled grains). Furthermore, SRI method gave higher grain yield as a percentage with both varieties in each province (25.6% in Muthanna, 24.5% in Najaf, and 13.2% in Diwaniya province) compared to CFM. However, grain yield in Jasmine variety was higher than on Anber33 approximately 50% in three locations in this study. Overall, our results suggest that SRI method is the most convenient method in Iraq conditions due to the increased grain yield in rice compared to the CFM method.

English

Farming methods are closely linked to the livelihood outcomes of women. The techniques of farming and the manner in which they are applied affects realization of livelihood outcomes. Even though rural women aim at attaining positive outcomes, their efforts are jeopardized by poor farming practices. This situation is exacerbated by gender disparities in knowledge and skills, inadequate access to productive resources and power relations. The current study aims to understand what kinds of farming methods women use and their contribution to livelihood outcomes. Using qualitative interview and survey as an auxiliary method, it was discovered that women predominantly use traditional farming techniques such as intercropping, crop rotation, cover cropping and integrated animal-crop farming. The major hindrances to the gainful use of these methods are knowledge gaps and resource disparities. Most women still grapple with low incomes, starvation, diet deficiencies, inability to access medical care and clothing. They are also vulnerable to climate shocks and stresses. The study concludes that the farming methods have inadequately enhanced income, food security, wellbeing and resilience to shocks and stresses. It recommends that agricultural extension services such as training programmes should consciously target equipping women with knowledge and skills on how to use the traditional and modern methods of farming and support them to access productive resources. Key words: Farming methods, livelihood outcomes, women, Eastern Uganda.

Internet of Things Based Smart Agricultural System for Farmers

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the present and future of every industry, shaping everyone's life by speeding up everything. It's a set of standalone devices that power a self-configuring network. The latest developments in Smart Farming with the help of IoT are slowly but steadily spinning the features of traditional agriculture procedures by not only making it an option, but also by lowering the cost for farmers and decreasing the time it takes to harvest. The aim is to offer a technology that can send messages to farmers through various programmers. Farmers will benefit from the results because they will be able to collect data from the field in real time (temperature, humidity, soil moisture, UV index, and IR) and use it to start doing smart farming by growing crop yields and conserving water. The study presented in this paper makes use of the ESP32 Node MCU, DHT11, and Soil Moisture Sensor, GSM Module, and live data feed can be monitored on Things of Speak an IoT platform. This will have allowed farmers to control their plants in accordance with modern farming methods. [1]

Impact of the E4L Project on Food Security and Livelihoods Among Beneficiaries in Savelugu Municipality of Northern Region, Ghana

Agricultural production is the main activity in the northern sector of Ghana and is practiced mainly on seasonal and subsistence level. Most farmers in Northern Ghana are therefore food insecure owing to post-harvest, the seasonal of nature of agriculture, coupled with inadequate modern agricultural technologies. Adoption of modern agricultural technologies and cultural practices such as irrigation, fertilizer application, use of resistant varieties, good planting and harvesting times, among others might be the panacea to increased agricultural production and improved food security and livelihoods among farmers in northern Ghana. The study therefore sought to assess the impact of the Empowerment for Life (E4L) programme intervention on food security and livelihood among beneficiary women and farmer groups in Savelugu/Nanton Municipal of Northern region of Ghana. Out of several project interventions that are implemented in the Northern region, the purposive sampling technique was used to select the Empowerment for Life (E4L) programme for the study. Out of the five operational districts of the Empowerment for Life (E4L) programme, the Savelugu/Nanton municipal was selected through simple random sampling. The simple random sampling technique was again used to select ten beneficiary groups, out of a total of seventeen beneficiary groups in the Savelugu/Nanton municipal, for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 45 beneficiary farmers, 40 beneficiary women and 5 members of E4L staff. In all, 100 respondents were selected for the study. The study revealed that majority of the beneficiary farmers have had improved food security through the adoption of improved agronomic practices and improved linkage between farmers and other actors in agricultural value chain. The study further established that the livelihoods of beneficiary farmers have been improved through improved capacity building, information sharing and improved access to productive resources such as land, labour and farm inputs. The study also revealed that in times of difficulties, majority of the farmers relied on their savings and/or sale of property as the mitigation measure or coping strategy. It is recommended that capacity building of farmers on agronomic practices and improved modern methods of farming should be intensified to further sharping the skills of farmers for increased productivity and hence, improved food security and livelihoods.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF PURI DISTRICT OF ODISHA

Puri district is rich in natural resources. The agro-climatic condition and topography are also favourable for exploitation of natural resources. However, the fragmented holding and insufficient irrigational facilities are the main obstacles for agricultural development. Modern methods of farming, adoption of large scale farm mechanism could not pick up to the desired extent due to the fragmentation of land holdings. Agriculture is the predominant sector but has remained stagnant. On the other hand, there is dearth of industries in the district. Though there is the existence of some small scale and cottage industries in the district, these industries are traditional in nature. They are not equipped with advanced technology. Due to lack of mines and mineral ores, no heavy or large scale industry can be established till date. The district famous for its piligrimage has not earned any industrial or commercial importance. The Sun temple of Konark, famous Jagannath temple and Sea beach of Puri are the main tourist attraction places. Thus tourism is an expanding and vibrant sector. But it is not sufficient to absorb the growing population. To absorb the growing population and for improving the standard of living , large number of employment opportunities has to be created with Government encouragement and Mission Shakti Programme initiatives. The analysis of the socio-economic backdrop of the district presents a gloomy scenario. The district is characterized by low income, mass poverty, higher magnitude of unemployment, low human and social development. The district still primarily depends upon agriculture for livelihood and employment. It is industrially backward with nominal industrial units, poor absorption of labour force, and low level of investment and output. Thus, the district needs a significant change in the direction and content through diversification of the structure of its economy. KEY WORDS: Puri district, Population, Agriculture, Employment, industry,

Understanding the Perceptions of Secondary School Youth toward Agricultural Careers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria

Youth are critical participants in the modernization of African agriculture but often their perception of farming is negative. A baseline survey of 1264 students from eight secondary schools in Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria was conducted to assess their attitudes toward career pathways to agriculture and agribusiness. KoboToolBox was used to collect data online before compilation and inspection for errors in Microsoft Excel and exportation into STATA for analysis. Findings were presented as summary statistics, frequencies and multiple linear regression. A large majority (86%) of the students attended agricultural courses and 54% identified agriculture as having a place in their future, but often not as their highest career ambition. Livestock, field cropping, small animal production, and horticulture were the most viable enterprises for the youngsters. Nearly half (46%) that were averse to agriculture as a career path based their decision upon excessive labor requirements (30%), difficulties in securing land (25%), and low returns to effort (20%). Disparities from a country, area and gender perspective were recorded. Perceptions and career plans among the sexes differed; with females having less experience with machinery, and were more drawn to horticulture and agro-processing. Despite unfavorable attitudes toward agriculture, the study established that youth from these countries recognize that opportunity exists from adopting modern farming methods and commercial agricultural enterprises. The results of this study suggest several avenues for future Start Them Early Program activities intended to strengthen career pathways toward agriculture in African secondary schools. Keywords: Africa, agricultural education, career pathways, Start Them Early Program, youth

Climate Change Impacts on Agricultural Sectors in the

Myanmar is an agricultural based country and 70% of total population is relied on Agricultural sector. On the other hand, Agricultural sector is affected by climate changes especially in the Costal and Delta Regions of Myanmar. Besides, Myanmar is currently transforming towards the democratic nations and the government is supporting to upgrade Agricultural Sector not only for local farmer but also throughout the country. There can be found that the lack of education, training and seminar, technological knowledge, modern technologies, inadequate modern farming methods and insufficient infrastructure respectively. If Government can provide effectively agricultural techniques, modern technologies and climate change policies on the challenges and difficulties, it will surely become a developed country within a short period.

Assessment of Knowledge Co-production in Adaptation to Rainfall Variability in Kitui South Sub-county, Kenya

Aims: This study tried to investigate the extent of knowledge co-production between indigenous farmers and agricultural extension in dry lands.
 Study Design: The study adopted survey research design where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Kitui South sub-County in the semi-arid Southeastern Kenya. Data was collected between June 2019 and August 2019.
 Methodology: An enumerator-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 311 household heads. Purposive and proportional sampling techniques were used to select households which participated in the study. Data was analyzed with the aid of SPSS Version 20. Percentages and proportions were used to establish instances of knowledge co-production between indigenous and modern scientific methods of farming.
 Results: The study established that all households used both indigenous and scientific methods of farming except in irrigation and crop harvesting methods. The highest co-production was between use of locally preserved seeds and use of modern seasonal climate forecast (71.4%), use of traditional seasonal climate forecasts and use of modern seasonal climate (64.6%) as well as use of traditional crop storage and use modern seasonal climate forecast (59.2%). Seasonal climate forecasting was the leading corresponding method of knowledge co-production in the study area.
 Conclusion: The study concludes that use of both indigenous and modern methods of farming can improve adaptation to rainfall variability. The study recommends access to adequate water to promote knowledge co-production on irrigation which was lacking yet very critical in dealing with rainfall variability in the study area.

Influence of Value Addition to Agricultural Produce and Result Based Monitoring and Evaluation to Households Food Security in Murang’a County, Kenya

Climate change is real and has created weather patterns that are not only complicated for metrological interpretation but also pose harm to agriculture and food production activities across the globe. The Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Systems helps in promoting good governance in research projects, strengthening accountability of household food resources utilization; facilitating transparency throughout project measurement; promoting understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation process amongst all stakeholders and enable effective utilization of value addition to food management throughout the food pipeline from produce to consumption activities and processes. Since agriculture is the backbone of food production in Kenya, food security is seriously threatened and as indicated in the recent cases of famine in Baringo and Turkana and parts of Central Kenya, it is clear that if not intercepted the situation may develop to a level that is unmanageable and thwart the existence of human beings. The stakeholders need several interventions’ to successfully intervene in elevating the food situation, such as : a) Identify and map areas affected by famine in the region, b) Identify and adapt short term and drought resistant food crops, c) Introduce water fed modern irrigation farming methods to supplement on the rain reliance rain farming which is coupled unpredictable rainfall shortage in the region, d) To adopt greenhouse farming methods for weather sensitive crops e) Carry out intensive value addition to food produce in order to reduce post-harvest food loses throughout the food process. The result shows significant a positive significant effect moderating influence in model three (R= 0.836a, R2=0.699, F=577.639, P-value<0.05) which is strong and significant, suggesting a moderating effect in value addition on model three after an interaction term is introduced. The target group for the project are small scale farmers in the semi-arid areas of Murang’a County and the main activities will be the application of modern farming methods. 

Role of Agricultural Journalism on the Adoption of Agricultural Innovation among Farmers in Etche Local Government Area Rivers State

The study examined the role of Agricultural Journalism on the adoption of agricultural innovation among farmers in Etche local Government Area Rivers State. The population of the study comprised all registered small scale farmers and extension workers in Etche Local Government area. The sample size of the study was 105 small scale farmers and 32 extension workers selected using simple random sampling techniques. The instrument used was a self-structured questionnaire title “Role of Agricultural Journalism on the Adoption of Agricultural Innovation among small scale farmers. The validation of the instrument was done by two experts and the reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. However, the reliability index obtained was 0.86, which is acceptable for instrument consistency. Mean and the standard deviation were used to analyze the responses on each item. Items ≥ 2.50 were accepted, otherwise were rejected. Z-test statistical tool was employed to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study established that creating awareness on modern farming methods, providing information on the effectiveness of crop varieties, establishing the procedure of input combination, communicating the impacts and accomplishment of the innovation, disseminating agricultural research findings to farmers are roles of agricultural journalism on the adoption of agricultural innovation among farmers in Etche. The study recommends that agricultural research institutes should also utilize agricultural journalism to educate farmers on their new development. Agricultural journals should contain detailed information about the use of innovation.

Modern Farming Methods and Its Importance

Modern Farming Methods and Its Importance

Grass blindness

Societal Impact StatementLolium temulentum (darnel) is an almost‐forgotten species that combines the characteristics of a weed, a pasture grass, a cereal, a medicinal herb, a hallucinogen, a religious symbol, and a literary trope. The way in which darnel has disappeared from common experience and memory, particularly in the developed world, has lessons to teach about how passive and active influences can conspire to render people blind to the cultural significance of historically important plants. Summary Grasses, even those that feed the world, are easily overlooked. Lolium temulentum (darnel) is a grass species with a long history of human association; but, particularly in those countries with highly mechanised agriculture, it has physically and culturally faded from common experience. Archaeobotanical studies of Neolithic and early agricultural sites consistently find L. temulentum grains alongside remains of cereals. L. temulentum seeds are sources of potent psychotoxins, the products of endophytic fungi, and continued to enter the diet until modern farming methods and food hygiene regulations rendered the species effectively extinct in technologically advanced countries. L. temulentum, alone or in combination with other bioactive sources, was widely used in traditional medicines, often in ritualistic or religious contexts. Its status as a poisonous mimic weed of cereals made darnel a resonant literary trope for malignant subversion with which people would have been completely familiar in the pre‐industrial era. The biblical parable about separating the wheat from the tares (tares was, possibly deliberately, an ambiguous alternative name for darnel) exerted profound religious and political force in the same period, and the Graeco‐Roman belief that stress was able to transform wheat or barley into darnel persisted and justified some fundamental customs and laws of Judaeo‐Christian culture. In the modern era, the not uncommon family or given name “Darnel,” or some variant thereof, faintly reflects the rich history of L. temulentum; though it is likely that most possessors of such names will have long been rendered blind to the plant connection.

Assessment of Selected Nutrients and Toxic Chemicals in Ethiopian Khat

Heavy metal pollution is among the leading health concerns all over the world because of their long-term cumulative effects. khat (Catha edulisforsk), a plant used as a stimulant is grown in certain areas of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula this day it is a known cash crop in Ethiopia. Due to increased demand and value, many farmers have not only begun growing it but have also adopted modern farming methods which include application of fertilizers, pesticides, compost manure, and irrigation. Yet some of these agricultural practices such as application of fertilizers and pesticides are known to increase the concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in the soil. Some of these heavy metals such as Pband Cd are toxic even at low concentrations while Zn, Cu, Fe and Cr though essential in the body, are toxic at high levels This call for monitoring to make sure that the levels of heavy metals in khat do not exceed the threshold limits recommended by WHO due to their adverse health effects to man. This study therefore assesses selected chemical nutrients and toxic metal in khat that is available in Ethiopia. khat samples were collected from16 sits of the three main khat growing regions namely Oromiya, South Nation and Nationality and Amhara regional state Known weights of oven dried khat samples were digested using nitric andPerchloric acids. The digests were analyzed for selected heavy metals using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The following concentration ranges in dry weight (μg/g) were obtained in khat: Zn (25.15-73.95), Cu (0.10-41.80), Cr (ND-39.50), Cd(ND-0.90) and Pb (0.50-13.00). Cd was only detected in khat samples from Oromiyaare more susceptible to adverse effects of Pb than adults. The results suggested that there was significant different (p 0.05) in the levels of heavy metals between khat from various regions. Levels of studied heavy metals in khat were below the maximum limits recommended by WHO except for Pb and Cr Therefore children should be discouraged from chewing khat since they are more susceptible to adverse effects of Pb than adults.