TAC Panel on Banana and Plantain Research: Report

Report of the TAC Panel on Banana and Plantain Research, part of the process of considering CGIAR support for research on bananas and plantains. It was one of seven such panels created as part of the TAC assessment of non associated centers for support from the CGIAR. The panel found that it had sufficient information. It considered five options, and recommended giving a global mandate to IITA with INIBAP continuing within an IITA framework.Agenda document, TAC 51 and TAC 52

Farmers’ Adoption of Rotational Woodlot Technology in Kigorobya Sub-County of Hoima District, Western Uganda

researchThis paper evaluates, using logistic and multiple regression analyses, the socio-economic factors that influence farmers’ decisions to adopt rotational woodlot technology in the farming systems of Uganda, based on a household survey carried out between May and December 2004, involving 120 farmers in Kigorobya sub-county, Hoima district. The analyses demonstrate that farmers make decisions about woodlot technology based on the household and field characteristics. The factors that significantly in-fluenced the decision to adopt rotational woodlot technology included: gender, tree tenure security, seed supply, contact with extension and research agencies, soil erosion index, size of landholding, fuelwood scarcity, and main source of family income. To promote greater adoption of rotational woodlot technology, particular attention should be placed on the use of appropriate socioeconomic characterization, to better target technologies to areas with greater adoption potential

Sterilization and extraction of palm oil from screw pressed palm fruit fiber using supercritical carbon dioxide

The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was successfully used in the complete sterilization as well as simultaneous extraction of oil from screw pressed palm fruit fiber. The studies were conducted at different temperatures (40, 50, 70 °C) and pressures (13.7, 20.7 MPa) for 60 min of extraction period. The bacteria, gram negative (Bacillus), present in the sample was completely killed at 20.7 MPa and 50 °C. Palmitic and oleic acid were found to be the major fatty acids in extracted oil. More saturated fatty acid were extracted at 50 °C and lower operating pressure (13.7 MPa). The unsaturated components, such as linoleic and oleic acids were extracted at higher pressures of 27.6 and 34.5 MPa, respectively. The fatty acids composition of the extracted oil analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) includes caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, margaric, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic and gadoleic acids

Cockrell Banana Co. Invoices

Materials documenting the Robert Atkinson rolling store: invoices from Cockrell Banana Co. to Robert Atkinson.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-atkinson-papers/1051/thumbnail.jp

Potential for community- based forest resource management in Uganda: The case of non-gazetted forests of Hoima and Masindi Districts, western Uganda

Uganda’s forest resources are important for the country’s growth and development. Though there is in place a mechanism for controlled use of gazetted forests, lack of an organised management institution has left common pool non-gazetted communal forest resources at the helm of uncontrolled use. The study covered the districts of Hoima and Masindi where non-gazetted communal forest resources are abundant. The overall objective of this study was to identify a tenure system that can lead to sustainable use of communal forest and tree resources by the local people and seek people’s attitudes towards increased involvement in the management of natural resources in their localities. The respondents in both Masindi and Hoima overwhelmingly rejected the idea of leasing the forests. Loss of access rights to the resource was cited as a major reason for rejecting this form of tenure. The communities preferred to own the resource in common, thus advocating for a common property tenure. It was therefore recommended that non-gazetted forest resources be left to the local user groups to manage through a locally composed and constituted community association with assistance from the Forest Department

Differences in basic density and strength properties of Milicia excelsa, Maesopsis eminii, Cynometra alexandri and Celtis gomphophylla from Budongo forest, Uganda

Strength properties of four species comprising two that were less desirable (Cynometra alexandri and Celtis gomphophylla) and two desirable species (Maesopsis eminii and Milicia excelsa) from Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda were studied. Three trees of each species were sampled in the diameter size classes: 60-69 cm, 70-79 cm and 80-89 cm, respectively. The preparation of samples and determination of basic density and strength properties followed the standard procedures of wood strength testing. The less desirable species had higher strength properties than the desirable species. The mean basic density for C. alexandri and C. gomphophylla categorised as less desirable were: 738 and 519 kg/m3 compared to the preferred M. eminii and M. excelsa (BD: 359 and 463 kg/m3). High values of basic density and strength properties of wood for species considered less desirable for timber shows that utilisation of these species should be promoted to save tile desirable species

An investigation into the risk behaviour regarding HIV transmission among youth in Bulawayo

The study sought to explore and describe the risk behaviour regarding HIV transmission among youth in Bulawayo, their knowledge of HIV transmission and the sources of information on HIV transmission accessible to them. A quantitative, descriptive exploratory design was used and 238 youth from three secondary schools in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe were the respondents. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to facilitate and acquire insight into the risk behaviour among the youth. The inferences drawn from the study were that youth have inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission and therefore do not fully understand their risk of infection. Youth also find shyness and fear of rejection serious barriers to communicating openly about sexuality, sexual and HIV/AIDS issues. The findings of the study have implications for programmes to limit HIV transmission among youth and should assist policymakers and educators in developing and implementing such programmes in order to improve the health of youth in Zimbabwe.M.A. (Health Studies)Health Studie