Report on a visit to Tanzania to initiate urban demand/needs assessment study for non-grain starch staple food crops in Dar es Salaam

The objective of this visit was to initiate the needs assessment case study examining the marketing system for non-grain starch staple food crops linking the rural producer to the Dar es Salaam urban market. Preliminary visits were made to city markets and an identified production area for cassava. Training was provided to members of the survey team covering information requirements, potential sources of information and methods of data collection. These field visits also provided the basis for the formulation of survey guidelines which were left with the project field manager. The survey is to be conducted by members of the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) and Marketing Development Bureau (MDB) over the three month period July to September 1994. The primary objective of the survey is to characterise the marketing system identifying major constraints and possible technical intervention needs with a view to technology transfer activities in the non-grain starch staple post-harvest system. The survey also represents a logical extension of the transfer of needs assessment methodologies component of the project, with national participants conducting the survey

International markets for African agricultural exports: agricultural policy reform and agricultural exports (NRI Marketing Series 10)

This report represents the output from the first stage of a study on African agricultural export potential which addressed the following issues: (a) a review of export options; (b) identification of emerging profitable opportunities for the private sector; (c) proposals for supporting export diversification, including options for donor funding. The report provides an overview of principal export market components, potential trends and hence, key issues to be addressed. It is based on a literature and statistical review, and on visits to the major institutions concerned with international trade issues. Visits were also made to organizations directly involved in trade, particularly those with experience in handling produce of African origin, and to NGOs with a proven track record in trade promotion

Structure of deformed silicon and implications for low cost solar cells

The microstructure and minority carrier lifetime of silicon were investigated in uniaxially compressed silicon samples. The objective of the investigation was to determine if it is feasible to produce silicon solar cells from sheet formed by high temperature rolling. The initial structure of the silicon samples ranged from single crystal to fine-grained polycrystals. The samples had been deformed at strain rates of 0.1 to 8.5/sec and temperatures of 1270-1380 C with subsequent annealing at 1270-1380 C. The results suggest that high temperature rolling of silicon to produce sheet for cells of high efficiency is not practical

Assessment of the needs and opportunities in post-harvest systems of non-grain starch staple food crops

This manual provides information on methods which can be used for assessing needs and opportunities related primarily to non-grain starch staple (NGSS) post-harvest systems. Between 1993 and 1995, case studies were carried out in Tanzania and Ghana to validate these methods. The results and experience derived from the studies were used as a basis for national and regional training workshops organized by the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) in collaboration with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) in March 1994, and the Post-Harvest Development Unit (PHDU) of the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture in February 1995. The preparation of this document forms part of the ODA-funded project entitled 'Transfer of needs assessment methodologies and post-harvest technologies for non-grain starch staple food crops in sub-Saharan Africa'. The information provided in the manual focuses on the rationale and principles of using a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach to needs assessment, describes tools and techniques for rapid, cost-effective information gathering, and examines the methodological issues associated with the planning and implementation of a PRA survey. Owing to the strong market orientation of NGSS crops in many parts of Africa, Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) techniques are also introduced. In addition to the case studies carried out in Tanzania and Ghana, the manual draws on a number of references. These will be indicated sparingly because of the nature of the manual. However, the following were used extensively: Gilling and Cropley (1993) in the section on practical issues, Holtzman et al. (1993) in the section on Rapid Market Appraisal, and Theis and Grady (1991) in the section on tools and techniques. Other references were used to a lesser extent. Appendix 1 provides a list of references and selected reading which may be useful when carrying out NGSS needs assessment surveys. The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for researchers, scientists, extension officers and other practitioners working on NGSS food crops, particularly post-harvest aspects. Although it may also be used for other rural development projects, the emphasis is on how to assess the post-harvest needs of NGSS food crop systems. The first section provides some background information on informal survey methodologies such as Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), PRA and RMA. The practical aspects of planning and conducting a needs assessment survey are then examined before discussing the use of specific tools and techniques. The main part of the manual concludes with a discussion of the possible dangers and shortcomings of informal data collection. The Appendices also include checklists for NGSS needs assessment surveys and an overview of key informants who can be used in RMAs

The use of needs assessment methodologies to focus technical interventions in root and tuber crop post-harvest systems: a case study to improve the marketing and post-harvest handling of cassava entering Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The accurate targeting of research and technology transfer strategies within root and tuber crops post-harvest systems is essential to ensure that developmental funds within national programmes are used to maximum advantage. Needs assessment studies have important roles to play in initially defining problem areas. Such procedures must be cost effective and generate genuine information quickly and efficiently. This paper describes the use of an urban demand/needs assessment strategy to define the problems evident in the marketing of fresh cassava roots in Oar es Salaam, Tanzania. By examining secondary data and collecting primary information from key participants in the marketing chain, the principal constraints and sources of cassava wastage within the system were identified as were opportunities for possible technical interventions. As a result of these assessments, a more detailed case study was undertaken to quantify the losses of cassava within the system and, thereafter, an adaptive technology transfer programme was initiated to test, adapt and later disseminate elements of the low cost ambient storage technology derived from protocols developed by the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) and the Natural Resources Institute (NRI). Observations made suggest that the adoption of the ambient storage techniques will help reduce financial losses (both physical and financial) to the benefit of producers, marketing agents and consumers

Tradition and Prudence in Locke's Exceptions to Toleration

Why did Locke exclude Catholics and atheists from toleration? Not, I contend, because he was trapped by his context, but because his prudential approach and practica ljudgments led him to traditiona ltexts. I make this argumentfirst by outlining the connections among prudential exceptionality, practical judgments, and traditional texts. I then describe important continuities betweenc onventional English understandings of the relationship between state and religion and Locke's writings on toleration, discuss Locke's conception of rights, and illustrate his use of prudential exceptions and distinctions. I conclude by arguing that Locke's problems are relevant to assessingc ontemporary liberal discussions of tolerationa nd the separation of state and religion that lean heavily on practical justification

Boron Steels

A small amount of boron (0'0005 per cent minimum ) is successfully used in the United States as a replacement of appreciable quantities of nickel, chromium and moly-bdenum in structural low-alloy steels. The standard AISI grades are designed to replace conventional alloy steels of equivalent hardenability. The boron steels are norma- lly manufactured by the basic open-hearth process, although the basic electric furnace process is also used . Special equipment is not required in their manufacture and fabrication , but certain precautions are essential in making the boron addition and fini- shing the heats. The production of boron steels attained a maximum of about 0.7 million tons in 1952 and thereaft -er decreased to about 0.5 and 0.25 million tons in 1953 and 1954 respectively. Examples are given to show the general influence of boron on hardenability and mechanical properties of selected steels. A review is made of the literature on the mechanism of boron in increasing hardenability and a summary is presented of known facts on the behaciour of boron in iron and steel

Motivational Interviewing Training: Improving Subject Matter Expert and Instructional Designer Relationships through Consultation

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Hannah E. Digges Elliott on April 14, 2021