Nearby Market Research Articles

Porcine stomach surgical simulation model for cesarean section and cervical laceration suturing

BackgroundJunior OB/GYN residents lack opportunities for fundamental surgical skills training of cesarean section, and most OB/GYN residents lack the experience of cervical laceration suturing due to its low incidence.MethodsA porcine stomach simulation model was designed for obstetrics surgical training. The surface of the stomach simulated the uterus, and the pylorus and cardia simulated the cervical canal.ExperienceMaterials are available from the nearby market. The total cost of the model is￥41. This model can be used in the training in uterus incision and repair of cesarean section and training in cervical laceration suturing.ConclusionThe porcine stomach simulation model is pragmatic and realistic. They can be applied in the OB/GYN skill courses to introduce the fundamental obstetrics process to medical students and residents.

The ripple effect: analyzing the contagion of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market

Purpose This study aims to test the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market. Thus, the purpose of this research is to distinguish the contagion effect from the simple interdependence between these markets. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the contagion hypothesis between Tunisia and Egypt during the Arab Spring, using a DCC-MGARCH model to capture time-varying contagion effects and dynamic linkages in stock markets. Therefore, to identify the contagion effect from the simple interdependence, the authors apply the pure contagion test developed by Forbes and Rigobon (2002). Findings The findings indicate a contagion effect, as the EGX 30 index exhibited similar changes, positive or negative, as the Tunindex index during the period of the Tunisian revolution. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates the presence of an interdependence between the Tunisian revolution and the Egyptian market, emphasizing the interconnections between these two economies. Practical implications The findings provide investors with a better understanding of financial market dynamics in times of major political unrest, notably on the Tunisian and Egyptian markets. By understanding the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market, investors can further explore the complexities of these markets in times of financial crises, which can help mitigate losses and identify strategic investment opportunities. Originality/value This study makes two significant contributions to the field. First, it addresses the scarcity of research specifically focused on the contagion effect during the Arab Spring, aiming to fill this gap by testing the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on a nearby market. Second, it extends the contagion test of Forbes and Rigobon (2002), which associates “pure” contagion with a significantly higher correlation between markets during a crisis.

Marketing Behaviour of Young Chrysanthemum Growers in Salem District of Tamil Nadu, India

Aims: Cultivation of flower crops increases the income of the farmer through diversification of farm and improve their livelihood. The present study aims to analyse the marketing behavior of farm youth and constraints experienced by them in chrysanthemum cultivation.
 Study Design: Ex-post facto research design was employed in the study.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Salem district of Tamil Nadu during 2021.
 Methodology: Salem district of Tamil Nadu was purposively selected as it has highest area under chrysanthemum cultivation. To achieve the objectives of the study, the data was gathered from the 120 young chrysanthemum growers from twelve villages of Salem district. The young chrysanthemum growers were randomly selected and the data has been gathered through personal interview method. The collected data has been tabulated and analyzed with suitable statistical tools like percentage analysis, cumulative frequency and mean score were employed.
 Results: The findings revealed that chrysanthemum growers sell flowers as soon as it’s harvested (80%) through marketing channel – B (Farmer – Commission agent - Market). They fix price based on demand for the produce (50%) and sell in the nearby market within 5 km (43.33%) based on the market information obtained from relatives and friends (56.67%) with the help of truck (39.17%). While marketing farmer’s spent less on transport (55%) and got paid immediately after sale (60%) with cash (100%). Thus, it was found that nearly three-fourth of the young chrysanthemum growers had medium level of marketing behaviour (86.67%) and high commission charges (Mean score of 2.76) was the severe problematic constraint and problem of irrigation (Mean score of 1.80) was the least problematic constraint experienced by them.
 Conclusion: Most of the farmers cultivate flower crops due to its high value and ensure reasonable price for the farmers. Since farmers are facing difficulties to continue agriculture because of reduced income and difficulties in marketing, they should be engaged in floriculture sector to increase their income. The untapped potential of the floriculture sector draw youth towards agriculture and ensures providing remunerative price to the small and marginal farmers involved in flower cultivation. Apart from providing income security to farmers, cultivation of flower crops ensures improves the livelihood of farmers by increasing their income.

Development of Indigenous Alkaline Phosphatase Kit for the Detection of Milk Quality

Milk is a profoundly nutritious food that provides the favorable environment and nutrition for the growth development of large number of microorganisms. Microbiological quality assurance techniques could be usually utilized as a speedy strategy to survey the microbiological nature of crude and pasteurized milk. Objective: To develop indigenous rapid kit for determination and differentiation of milk quality, microbial presence, pasteurized and unpasteurized milk. Methods: Some 14-milk raw and pasteurized milk samples were collected from different geographical areas of Lahore and different brands of pasteurized milk. The colorimetric indigenous alkaline phosphatase milk quality detection kit was prepared for 200 reactions was developed. Alkaline phosphatase kit was tested at different temperature and volume of milk. Results: Results showed that a wide range of milk that bought from local stores and nearby market with exorbitant cost milk types shown no difference in milk quality in terms of presence of microbes. Moreover, different effect of pasteurized milk was observed after affirm test the variety stayed blue and not changed. Conclusions: This indigenous kit is test is quick monetary strategy that can be utilized for identification of milk quality on the basis of microbial presence, therefore, pasteurized or unpasteurized milk can be tested in field as well.

Isolation and enumeration of bacteria from common green vegetables available in nearby market at Ayodhya

. The present investigation was a part of the project work to identify the microbes present in the edible vegetables procured from the local markets at and around Ayodhya and Faizabad. Fresh vegetables were collected and brought to the laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, Dr Rammanohar Lohia Awadh University, Ayodhya. Standard procedures were adopted to isolate, identify and study the microflora obtained. A list of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is made on the basis of the findings of the present study. Keywords: Gram-positive, Gram-negative, Microbes, Ayodhya

Study on Economics of Pineapple Cultivation in Manipur, India

"The present study was conducted in Manipur which has the highest area and production of pineapple among the North Eastern Hill Region of India. Two hilly districts of Manipur namely Senapati and Churachandpur were selected based on highest area under pineapple. It was found that the pineapple cultivation is economically feasible. It is evident that the cost C3 of pineapple for 4-year period is ` 315620.60 per hectare with a total return of ` 571459.64 per hectare and the overall net return is ` 255839.04 per hectare. The investment in cultivation of pineapple in hilly districts of Manipur is profitable as further indicated by the benefit cost ratio which is 1.71. Therefore, pineapple cultivation could be an important source of livelihood and income of the farmers. It was found that farmers in Manipur faced many problems in the marketing of pineapple. These are lack of proper transportation which ranked first followed by unavailability of nearby market, unavailability of storage facility, low price of the product and lack of processing unit. It is suggested that the early fruit bearing and stress tolerant varieties may be recommended to make pineapple orchard more profitable as there is no return in 1st year of its establishment. Similarly, organic certification of this crop may be initiated either by the government or private agencies as organic cultivation is followed by default in this state which may attract the exporters and consumers and thereby investment in marketing may be enhanced."

Temitomyces heimii– A Nutritious and Medicinally Important Wild Edible Mushroom of Similipal Forests, Odisha Boosting Tribal Health and Economy

Mushrooms are consumed worldwide because of their nutritional, medicinal values as well as pleasant taste and flavour. Wild edible mushrooms are source of livelihood for poor and landless people which they consume and sell the surplus mushrooms in the nearby market. Many people are not aware about the edibility of wild mushrooms which are generally confined to the tribal areas. However, tribals are aware of the edible mushrooms due to their age-old traditional uses and fond of hunting mushrooms during rainy season. The present paper deals with availability, collection, consumption pattern of wild edible mushrooms by tribals communities, along with preservation and economical contribution of Termitomyces heimii, a popular wild edible mushrooms profusely growing during rainy season of the Similipal, state of Odisha, India.
 Similipal has a greater diversity of mushrooms throughout the length and breadth due to its varying soil and climate conditions. T. heimii collected the tribal people from near forest area in 4-5 different times in huge quantities during July to October. It partly consumed and rest of the mushroom are sold in the market at a price of Rupees 300/- to 400/-. Termitomyces were more frequently available in Sal (Shorea robusta) forests. Many traders visit forest fringe villages and collect this mushroom from local collector’s and sell it in the marker with profit. Due to its taste, the mushroom has got very high demand in this locality that, it is sold within 5-6 hours after reaching to market. It is assessed that mushrooms worth 14 lakhs are sold in Baripada alone a nearly town of Similipal. The valuation T. heimii alone made by the authors during the field assessment showed that, the entire of Similipal is contributing economically nearly 1.2 crore value of mushrooms as contribution towards livelihood of tribal people. In interior areas tribal people preserve the mushrooms after drying it and consume later during after the season is end. During the study, a survey was conducted in villages adjoining to the forests and local markets to assess the quantities of mushrooms collected from forest and the value of selling valve on the market. Exercise was conducted to know the traditional preservation practice of this mushroom by tribals. From the present investigation, it is concluded that T. heimii is an important wild edible mushroom from Similipal which provides, nutrition and economic boost to the tribals in Similipal region. This promising species can be explored for its domestication in view of its preferred food value as well as a livelihood support of the rural poor people.

A low‐cost storage for horticulture commodities for enhancing farmer's income: An overview on evaporative cooling

AbstractIndia is one of the leading countries in the production of horticultural produces. Still, the lack of scientific knowledge, infrastructure, and nonexistence of proper storage facilities forces the farmers to sell their produce in the nearby market immediately after harvest. Although refrigeration and cold storage facilities are developing now to store the horticultural produce, they are not only energy‐intensive but also require huge investment. The majority of farmers cannot afford these facilities even on a rental basis for their harvest. The metabolism of fresh horticultural commodities continues even after the harvest and the rate of deterioration rises because their maturation, senescence, and unfavorable atmospheric factors predominate, especially in tropical countries. A low‐cost, energy‐efficient, environmentally benign and made from the locally available material evaporative cooling chamber (ECC) may resolve some of these issues of on‐farm storage. It is an efficient and cost‐effective way to reduce the temperature and increase relative humidity inside the chamber. A lot of evaporative cooling structures were developed, but still, this simple technology did not make a dent in the production catchment rural areas. In this article, an attempt is made to review the basic principle, methods, factors that influence storage conditions of perishables, design consideration of different evaporative cooling systems, major limitations, challenges, and constraints of its low adoption. The recent developments for modifications and improvement in existing ECCs using the latest technological interventions with the help of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things and their cost analysis are also highlighted.Practical ApplicationsAdoption of a low‐cost and environmentally friendly evaporative cooling system for on‐farm storage made from locally available materials will reduce postharvest losses and improve the economic status of farmers.

Farmer Crop Auction

The goal of the farmer Crop Auction System is to assist farmers by presenting them with a variety of agricultural information. Farm management systems assist farmers in providing the finest farming methods. It allows farmers to sell their produce via the internet. Subsequently, they will approach a bigger market and will be less dependent on the nearby market. Wholesalers and retailers will be able to grow their operations as a result of this. Farmers have been facing issues while selling their food Crops in market Through this application farmers has to set their own price to their products and allow buyers for auction. Farmers can set the bid amount based on quality ,life time and current market price of the product. This provides an interface for both farmers and buyers to communicate each other.

Value chain analysis of potato in Farta District of South Gondar Zone, Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia

Potatoes are the world's most important root and tuber crop. It is grown in over 125 countries and consumed by over a billion people daily. Millions of people in impoverished countries rely on potatoes product to their survival. Today, developing countries are the world's major producers and distributors of potatoes and potato products. Potato can be effective produce for allowing smallholder families to achieve their food security. Ethiopia has probably the maximum prospective country for potato production. However, in Ethiopia, various factors influence potato production and commercialization. It is the main tuber crop produced in Farta District. Potato production and value chain status are not studied well. Hence the main aim of this study was to evaluate the value chains of potatoes in the Farta district, Ethiopia. 123 sample potato farmers were chosen using a two-stage random sampling technique in four kebeles. Descriptive, inferential, value chain approach and econometrics analysis were employed. In addition, Heckman's two-stage selection econometrics model was employed to analyze the determinants of potato market participation and sales quantity. Producers, traders, chain supports, chain enablers, and final consumers were the main value chain actors for potato in the study area. Wholesalers control the potato value chain due to their finances advantage. Probit model estimation result provides that: distance to the nearby market, family size, oxen owned by farmers, market information, land size allocated for potato production, and quantity of inorganic fertilizer were the significant variables affecting the decision to market participation positively except family size. The OLS estimation result provides that: the education level of the farmers, farming experience, the number of extension contact, the land size allocated for potatoes, and the quantity of inorganic fertilizer is the significant variables influencing the amount of potato market supply positively. The main constraints for potato production and commercialization in study area were: Shortage of improved seed, lack of capacity building training to the post-harvest management approach, price fluctuation, shortage of market information, absence of policy framework in price-setting strategy was produced and marketing constraints of potatoes. Therefore, the study suggests that; increasing access to farm inputs, introducing new and improved crop varieties, establishing suitable post-harvest management facilities. In addition, follow up misconduct practice for price-setting strategies, strengthening market information service, facilitating conditions that can promote the smallholder farmers for participating in the market and minimize those constraints which impede the complete value chain in potato production and development.

Prediction of spark ignition engine performance with bioethanol-gasoline mixes using a multilayer perception model

ABSTRACT: The current study examines the impact of bioethanol blends on spark-ignited engine performance using multilayer perception modeling. Waste pomegranate fruits (WPF) from a nearby fruit market are used to make bioethanol. After 72 hours, the fruit juice mixture yielded 1.1 ± 0.3 mLgm−1 ethanol. Each of four ethanol mixes was tested at different speeds to determine the engine's indicated and braking power, volumetric, thermal, and mechanical efficiency. The addition of ethanol increased volumetric efficiency by up to 25% and indicated power by up to 20%. In contrast, ethanol proportions showed thermal efficiency variations. In order to forecast performance parameters, a multilayer perception model with feed forward back propogation is used. 25% of the test data was used to validate the MLP model. The accuracy of designed network was checked by root mean square error, mean squared error and Mean Absolute Percentage Error and higher values of regression coefficient. The constructed MLP model predicted values that were highly accurate and with acceptable error. The results proved that the MLP model can be effectively implemented for predicting engine performance and hopeful prospects for waste pomegranate ethanol at commercial level.

PROSPEK PENGEMBANGAN INTEGRASI LIMBAH PERTANIAN DAN PEMELIHARAAN MAGGOT BLACK SOLDIER FLY SEBAGAI PAKAN AYAM KAMPUNG DI DESA BULUSARI BANYUWANGI

This study aims to analyze development prospects and calculate the benefits of integrating agricultural waste and maintaining Black Soldier Fly maggot as free range chicken feed in Bulusari Village. Primary data was carried out by interview and descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, Secondary data were collected from journal references and government agencies. The results showed the potential for household household organic waste, chicken manure and cow dung, were 3,000 kg, 359.3 kg, and 10,315 kg respectively. Other sources of waste can be obtained From nearby market, which is about 5-10 km from Bulusari Village . The advantage of raising free-range chickens by processing agricultural waste and maintaining BSF maggots can save 68.5% on feed purchases. Another advantage of maintaining maggot is by selling prepupa at a price range of Rp. 75,000 - Rp. 80,000 per kilogram. This research can be concluded that the development of integrated agricultural waste through maggot maintenance can increase community income and produce zero waste . Keywords : BSF Maggots, Free-range chicken feed, Integration, Waste agricultural

“Testing of High-Performance Concrete using Recycled Aggregates”

Abstract: Tons of waste is produced in the world on every day basis which sometimes gets really hard to manage and. The waste from demolished structures is one of them. Recycling waste consume energy and produces pollution that can lead to many adverse effects on the environment and human life. The disposal of waste is also very dangerous for the environment. Using waste materials like waste aggregates, broken bricks, stones and other material in concrete can help in eliminating the waste and save the environment getting polluted. It is also very much economical and encourages green concrete industry. The literature study consists of testing of high-performance concrete using waste aggregates by replacing 100 % natural aggregates. Also, silica fume and plasticizer are used as admixture to obtain more effective results. The tests were carried out on 3, 7 and 21 days of curing. The results were tallied using graphs between comparison of compressive strength and tensile strength of natural and recycled aggregates. The cement and natural aggregates and sand was obtained from a local store in a nearby market. The recycled aggregates were obtained from a nearby demolished building. The quantities were taken in a proper proportion according to IS codes to avoid any defects while constructing the cubes and while curing and performing various tests. Keywords: Recycled Aggregates, Natural Aggregates,Concrete Strength, High Performance Concrete, Properties of Concrete, Cost Effective

Estrategia de los productores del sur de Yucatán para insertarse en la economía de mercado

El propósito de este artículo es destacar el caso de los productores de una comunidad del sur de Yucatán, que siguen una estrategia basada en la obtención de ingresos dentro de su unidad de producción, que generalmente, los arraiga a su comunidad. El objetivo es caracterizar la agricultura familiar de la comunidad de Yáaxhom, Yucatán, y analizar el comportamiento de los productores, a través del ingreso monetario, para resolver su problema económico cotidiano. Para la caracterización de la comunidad se siguió el método general para el estudio multilateral de la agricultura, mientras que para la obtención de los ingresos monetarios netos se adecuó la teoría económica convencional de ingresos y costos a las unidades de producción que no se comportan como empresas, y se obtuvo una muestra estadística de la comunidad. Los resultados sugieren que la integración de un mercado cercano, disponibilidad de recursos naturales, organización de los productores, apoyos gubernamentales y desarrollo de policultivos, han hecho que los productores no tengan interés en abandonar sus unidades de producción. El origen del ingreso dentro de la unidad de producción es diversificado y fluye durante prácticamente todo el año. La promoción por parte de las autoridades de estrategias similares en otras regiones puede inhibir la emigración campo-ciudad.

AI SHOPPING SOLUTION - The Smartest All-in-One Shopping Solution

In today’s world, purchasing and shopping at supermarkets and malls are becoming part and parcel of urban life. We notice the huge rush in the markets and malls on holiday as well as in the weekends. The problem occurs at the customer end to find their likely products and to pay the bills standing at long queue; both of these are time consuming and tiring. In this paper, we discuss about an all new complete AI (Artificial Intelligence) SHOPPING SOLUTION which will make our marketing experience completely smart and hassle free. Especially during and after the COVID-19 situation, social distancing and human health will become the foremost priority of the modern civilization. This is the ideal situation to make use of this all new technology in which the customer can purchase his/her needful products at one’s fingertips by visiting the nearby market or getting the things delivered comfortably to his/her place by self-sanitizing drones. This entire shopping system will be controlled by our own indigenous developed mobile app or website.

Solar Greenhouse as an Energy Alternative Solution for Growing Vegetable in High Altitude Region: A Case of Baragaon, Mustang

In cold and dry high desert climate such as in Mustang, Manang or Dolpa growing green vegetables is a challenging task despite solar radiation throughout the whole year. Harsh and snowy winter, turbulent wind, limited availability of arable lands and water impedes plant growth. Solar greenhouse (SGH) is a renewable energy-based alternative for growing vegetables in these zones round the year in surplus quantity. At present, a large quantity of vegetables is purchased from nearby market towns (Pokhara and Beni) at double the price. Promotion of greenhouse vegetable farming has not only potential to relieve local people from such financial burden but can even create new business opportunities. As vegetables produced at these altitudes use only organic manure, their quality is desirable for a market where demand for organic products is constantly increasing.
 From a literature study of SGH cases in Ladakh, Humla and Khumbu region it was found that varieties of vegetables could be grown even during winter when temperatures drop to -25°C. For instance, owners of specially designed SGHs in Ladakh ate eight times the volume of vegetables they had eaten prior to acquiring these SGHs and have seen their incomes rise by 30%.
 The following article presents a study on SGH possibilities for vegetable farming in the Baragaon rural municipality of Mustang district, applying methods such as observations, informal interviews and stakeholder inclusion. Currently, there exists only rudimentary samples of plastic greenhouses in most villages, where only green leafy vegetables grow during winter. During summer, vegetable growth is conducted in open fields rather than inside the greenhouses. This is mainly due to their overheating caused by lack of ventilation. In Chhengor, one of the villages in Baragaon, organic farming is already taking a promising leap towards organic vegetable business. After discussion with farmers and other stakeholders appropriate design of SGH seems a good solution for durability of SGH structure and to ensure that varieties of vegetables grow in surplus quantity round the year. The article presents possibilities for SGH design and discuses factors for SGH establishment such as affordability, monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, it pinpoints infrastructural support such as agriculture policy at local level, for example in forms of subsidies and training of farmers to grant successful implementation of SGH approaches for high altitude settlements.

Women along the Catumbela River, 1797: land ownership, agricultural production, labour and trade

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the multifaceted roles of women along the Catumbela River Basin, the “breadbasket” of Benguela, during a particular moment of its long agricultural history. It draws, first and foremost, upon an as yet unexploited census carried out along this river in 1797, which followed a short period of particularly high numbers of slaves being exported into the Atlantic world through Benguela. My contribution focuses on women in agricultural production, both as owners of rural estates and as free, freed or enslaved labourers, as well as in distributing agricultural produce via trade to the nearby urban market of Benguela, with its slightly less than 3200 permanent consumers. By capturing the various roles of women along the Catumbela River during a particular year, this paper highlights female agency within the context of a male-dominated world, expands our understanding of the development of agricultural properties, and adds to an ever-growing historiography that seeks to debunk simplistic and often anachronistic views of women in the African past.

Review on the Effect of Handling, Slaughtering Process and Transport on Welfare of Animals and Meat Quality in Ethiopia

The current review was initiated to encourage the government of Ethiopia, stakeholders, and policymakers about the substantial effects of handling, slaughtering process, and transportation on welfare and meat quality of farm animals of animals. In Ethiopia, until this review was made, there is no comprehensive legislation, rules, or regulations articulated for farm animals’ welfare during rearing, transport, and slaughter. Hence, the welfare of animals was not taken into consideration and often constrained by high levels of poverty, cultural perceptions and beliefs, lack of training and knowledge of animal handling, inadequate transport, and slaughter facilities. The most common farm animal transport system was on the foot from a rural area to a nearby market and then by vehicle to the urban area. During transport, farm animals were exposed to several potential stressors like trip distance, design of vehicle, animal standing orientation, loading and unloading facilities, and temperature fluctuations that affect the welfare, quality, and shelf life of meat and meat products. Aversive ways of handling farm animals, including improper use of sticks, pushing, pulling, and beating them on their head and body frequently by handlers and slaughtering them without stunning, were common practices. This aversive way of handling also causes carcass damage such as bruising, hemorrhages, skin blemishes, blood splash, and broken bones. Therefore, from this review, it has been recommended that, in order to improve animal welfare and thereby meat quality that has been affected by improper handling, transport, and slaughter, the government of Ethiopia is strongly encouraged to endorse inclusive animal welfare jurisdictive acts that would protect animal sentience, define animal welfare in line with OIE standards, and prohibit animal brutality. Creating awareness for stakeholders, particularly for handlers about behavioral principles, proper handling of farm animals, basic concept and role of good animal welfare, and its significant impact on the quality of meat is also imperative.

Relationship of sanitation, water boiling, and mosquito nets to health biomarkers in a rural subsistence population.

Throughout human evolutionary history, parasites and pathogens were a major cause of mortality-modern urban life with public health infrastructure has changed disease exposure. We examine associations between boiling water, using latrines, mosquito net usage, and biomarkers among the Tsimane, a nonindustrial subsistence population with little public health infrastructure. We conducted cross sectional surveys on water, latrines, and bed nets among 507 heads of households (aged 18-92 years, median age 41 years). Regression models estimated associations between behaviors and health biomarkers (ie, white blood cell count [WBC], hemoglobin, eosinophil count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, wealth, schooling, and distance to the nearby market town. Latrine use is associated with 6.5% lower WBC count (β = -679.6, P = .031, SE = 314.1), 17.4% lower eosinophil counts (β = -244.7, P = .023, SE = 107.2), and reduced odds of eosinophilia (adjusted OR = 0.40, P < .019, 95% CI = 0.18-0.86). Boiling water and mosquito net use are not significantly associated with any biomarkers measured. In a subsistence population currently undergoing epidemiological transition, we find that latrine use was associated with several objective measures of health. This suggests that relatively low cost and low maintenance public health interventions may wish to focus on latrine use, as there is unmet need and potential health benefits for those who use latrines. Additionally, while the cost is higher, public health organizations aimed at improving sanitation may be able to use minimally invasive field-collected biomarkers as a diagnostic to objectively test the efficacy of interventions with greater specificity than anthropometric measurements.

Small-scale milkfish (Chanos chanos) farming in Kenya: An overview of the trends and dynamics of production

A number of donor-funded projects by NGOs, government departments and faith-based organizations have piloted milkfish farming along the coast of Kenya at different scales with the aim of addressing poverty and food security at the community level. This paper provides an overview of the history of milkfish farming, organisation of operations, funding, farmers trends, and production dynamics, using both secondary and primary data. Primary data were obtained from quantitative and qualitative assessments covering 26 community milkfish farming groups, while secondary data were obtained from the grey literature and donor-funded project reports. Additional primary data were obtained through 9 key informant interviews covering three coastal Counties, and focus group discussions (8-10 members) at all the community milkfish farms. The study established that milkfish farming could be traced back to the early 1980’s as a by-product of the prawn farming intervention by FAO, and later in other private farms that practised prawn farming. Community/village based small-scale milkfish farming was initiated about two decades ago using organised community groups (OCGs) as the entry point. The number of OCGs undertaking milkfish farming fluctuated with availability of donor funds and increased significantly between 2007 and 2015 with an increase in earthen pond farming area from 0.9ha to 6.8ha over this period. However, the scale of production remained low. Annual milkfish production increased from less than 50kg in 2005 to a maximum of 3.2 tons in 2015. Milkfish farming has not attained production levels that can address poverty and food security issues; a fact that was associated with the lack of reliable milkfish seed for stocking culture facilities. Harvests from existing farms are sold at the farm gate and in nearby market centres with a few communities venturing into opening fish shop outlets to sell their produce.