Payments for Environmental Services under Emerging International Agreements: A Basis for Inclusion of Agricultural Soil Carbon Sinks.

This review places in context the role agricultural soils play in global carbon dynamics, and their potential interaction with climate change through soil carbon sequestration. The paper first examine the potential of soils as carbon sinks, agricultural practices and dynamics in soil organic carbon, emerging agreements on payments for environmental services (PES) that mitigate global warming through enhanced carbon sinks, exclusion of agricultural activities in PES under Kyoto Protocol, and the basis for inclusion of agricultural soil carbon sinks through sustainability based production systems. Soils are one of the planets largest sinks for carbon and hold potential for expanded carbon sequestration through changes in management. The global soil organic carbon (SOC) inventory is estimated to be 1200-1600 billion metric tonnes, which is equal to or slightly greater than amounts stored in terrestrial vegetation (500-700 billion metric tonnes) and the atmosphere (750 billion metric tonnes), combined. Agricultural soils, having been depleted of much of their native carbon stocks, and occupying an estimated 1.7 billion hectares, have a more significant potential SOC sink capacity. Global estimates of this sink capacity are in the order of 20-30 billion metric tonnes over the next 50-100 years. The total global agricultural soils SOC stocks are estimated at 167-170 billion metric tonnes. When soil is put into cultivation, associated biological and physical processes result in a release of SOC over time, often 50% or more, depending on soil conditions and agricultural practices. Consequently, there is potential to increase SOC in most cultivated soils. Many management practices have been demonstrated to increase SOC, including incorporation of crop residues, and increases in cropping intensity and fertilization. Past and on-going biophysical studies have been able to identify and demonstrate organic based soil fertility management practices, with modest applications of mineral fertilizers that would concurrently lead to improvement in SOC levels, nutrient loss amelioration and improved agricultural productivity. Management practices that could add 4 T C ha-1 yr-1 in the system have been demonstrated. Due to the potential impacts of climate change on the environment as a result of increasing concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide, the world community established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The responsibility of IPCC is to undertake an assessment of the science, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation options in relation to climate change and advise the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) in Marrakech, Morocco, limits were placed on the nature of activities that could be undertaken and the amount of carbon credits that could be generated through land use change and forestry activities to benefit from PES. These limits excluded all activities associated with management of natural forests and agricultural lands. This review argues that a demonstration of sustainability of carbon sinks in agricultural soils under empirically derived predictable management practices could serve as a basis for arguing the case for inclusion of carbon sinks in such systems in payments for environmental services under the Clean Development (CDM) of Kyoto Protocol.Environmental Economics and Policy,

The Impact Of Technology Trust On The Acceptance Of Mobile Banking Technology Within Nigeria

With advancement in the use of information technology seen as a key factor in economic development, developed countries are increasingly reviewing traditional systems, in various sectors such as education, health, transport and finance, and identifying how they may be improved or replaced with automated systems. In this study, the authors examine the role of technology trust in the acceptance of mobile banking in Nigeria as the country attempts to transition into a cashless economy. For Nigeria, like many other countries, its economic growth is linked, at least in part, to its improvement in information technology infrastructure, as well as establishing secure, convenient and reliable payments systems. Utilising the Technology Acceptance Model, this study investigates causal relationships between technology trust and other factors influencing user’s intention to adopt technology; focusing on the impact of seven factors contributing to technology trust. Data from 1725 respondents was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and the results showed that confidentiality, integrity, authentication, access control, best business practices and non-repudiation significantly influenced technology trust. Technology trust showed a direct significant influence on perceived ease of use and usefulness, a direct influence on intention to use as well as an indirect influence on intention to use through its impact on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Furthermore, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness showed significant influence on consumer’s intention to adopt the technology. With mobile banking being a key driver of Nigeria’s cashless economy goals, this study provides quantitative knowledge regarding technology trust and adoption behaviour in Nigeria as well as significant insight on areas where policy makers and mobile banking vendors can focus strategies engineered to improve trust in mobile banking and increase user adoption of their technology

FARM-LEVEL PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC SUPERMARKETS ON KENYA'S FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SUPPLY SYSTEM

The rise of supermarkets in Kenya has given rise to a new group of medium-sized farms managed by well-educated farmers. Focusing on kale, the essay shows that nearly all supermarket-channel farmers have the capacity to supply larger volumes year round and have transportation vehicles, an irrigation system, a packing shed, a cellular phone, and so on, pointing to the existence of a threshold capital vector which farmers must have in order to access supermarkets. Especially farm size and irrigation were found to be significant determinants of participation in the supermarket channel. Kale suppliers to supermarkets use more capital intensive production technologies, leading to average labor and land productivities which are 60-70% higher than in the traditional channel. Eighty percent of labor consists of hired workers, indicating that these farmers could be important in alleviating poverty for rural households with little or no land. While most traditional-channel kale farmers sell to brokers and get a price that lets them break-even at best, supermarket-channel farmers have a 40% gross profit margin. These margins and lower market risks in the supermarket channel have resulted in a strong growth dynamic of supermarket-channel farmers which have doubled the size of their operations over the last five years.Marketing,

Towards A Comprehensive Framework For Measuring Technology Trust: The Case Of Mobile Banking Adoption In Nigeria

Existing literature has led to a consensus among researchers that the presence of user trust in a specific innovation will result in user's increased willingness to adopt that technology. However, there exists a lack of consensus on the specific factors contributing to users trust in a specific technology innovation. This study addresses this lack of consensus by identifying and empirically evaluating a set of antecedents to Nigerians’ trust mobile banking technology; using an integrative model. Research was conducted using a questionnaire developed and distributed in Nigeria and out of 2256 returned questionnaires, 1725 were deemed to have been completed and hence usable. The data was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and the results showed that confidentiality, integrity, uthentication, access control, best business practices and non-repudiation significantly influenced technology trust with availability showing unsatisfactory values for consideration. From an academic standpoint, this empirical study provides a validated and consolidated research model can be adopted in future research in related fields of study as well as providing significant information to mobile banking vendors and application developers on the specific aspects of the technology which must be improved to encourage increased adoption of the technology in Nigeria

The survey of Lake Victoria's fishers

The findings are presented of a survey conducted regarding the fishers of Lake Victoria, which examined the relationships affecting supply flows of raw material on to the market, and also the characteristics of fishing activities and their effects on fish quality and distribution. Fish marketing plays a vital role in the lives of much of the lake basin's population, both in terms of employment and nutrition. The results of the survey comprise, in part, a base-line data set which will facilitate further research, analysis and management decision-making in relation to stakeholders of the lake's resources. Data collection, methods and research difficulties encountered are described and details given of a profile of a boat owner/renter and aslo of a profile of a crew member. The survey shows that Lake Victoria's fishery is one of very limited diversity. The fishers recount that they consistently target one or more of the 3 most common species within the lake (Nile perch, tilapia and dagaa) and very rarely consider any other species type. The largest proportion of fishers on the lake are Nile perch fishers; there is considerable demand for this species, and hence fishers have little incentive to either target alternative fish species, not to try and establish firm marketing outlets through the creation of arrangements with their principal buyers. In Kenyan waters, however, the number of Nile perch fishers is equaled by the number of dagaa fishers; this fish now commands a considerable portion of the market for fish from Lake Victoria through its availability as well as its relatively low prices. The tilapia fishery is in decline, and all 3 riparian states would not appear to be attracting investment almost certainly as a result of declining catches. For many of those working in Lake Victoria's fishery, the problems faced appear most often to be associated with the vagaries of an unstable market which may rise or fall depending on the state of the international market or the state of access roads to fish landings. (PDF contains 42 pages

SELECTED SCHOOL BASED FACTORS\u27 INFLUENCE ON VALUE ADDITION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RACHUONYO SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The study sought to determine value addition in secondary education of 2013 and 2014 cohorts in public secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-county and to examine selected school based factors\u27 influence on value addition in secondary education. Methodology: The study adopted a correlational design. Correlational research design was appropriate for this study since it enabled the researcher to collect independent and dependent variable data sets with a view to determine the relationship between them (Creswell, 2012). The population comprised 49 public secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, 49 Deputy Principals and 5132 students. The researcher used Yamane\u27s formula to compute a sample of 39 public secondary schools, from where 39 Deputy Principals and 4351 students were purposively sampled. Data were collected using document analysis guide and questionnaires and analysed using frequencies, means and regression analysis with the aid of SPSS V.25 software. Findings: Findings revealed value additions of -1.563125 for 2013 cohort. Regression analysis revealed that performance appraisal accounts for 17% change in value addition in secondary education of the 2013 cohort and that teachers\u27 professional development (β=0.325, p=0.040) has a weak significant positive relationship with value addition in secondary education of 2013 cohort. For the 2014 cohort, findings revealed value addition of -1.9363125. Regression analysis revealed that teachers\u27 performance appraisal account for 12% change in value addition in secondary education and that teachers\u27 performance appraisal (β=0.386, p=0.009) has a weak significant positive relationship with value addition in secondary education. Unique contribution to model and practice: The study contributes to literature by providing analysis of value addition in secondary education and teacher performance appraisal contribution to value addition in the context of Kenya

Reclaiming Our Power: Black Women Resisting Medicalized Birthing

This project explores Black women’s reclamation of power, autonomy, and consent outside of the medical system during and after pregnancy. Through the use of midwives and doulas, Black women throughout the United States have started to return to traditional methods of birthing as a result of the rising U.S. maternal mortality rate, and the increasing racial disparity in birth outcomes. Reclaiming power, autonomy, and consent, are important factors in dismantling the systemic and historic racism ingrained within the modern U.S. medical system. This project examines the historical medicalization of birth as an entryway point for this discussion. Starting with a discussion of U.S. slavery and moving into the present, this project investigates the history of gynecology and the rise and fall of midwifery in the United States. As part of my investigation, I conducted interviews with midwives and doulas in the Texas area about the new rise of midwifery. Ultimately, the main objectives of this project are: 1) Analyze the medicalization of birthing in the United States 2); Explore how midwives and doulas empower Black women through birth work and the midwifery model of care; and 3) Address the importance of patient power, autonomy, and consent within and outside of the medical system.Anthropolog

Impact of Internship Programme on the Performance of Public Health Care Institutions

The study seeks to obtain the impact of internship programme on the performance of public health care institutions Contextual factors are sought that influence the relationship impact and effect between internship programme and performance of public healthcare institutions The research design adopted is descriptive survey through both qualitative and quantitative data This study is conducted in Kakamega County western region of Kenya The population of the study is 2225 with a stratified randomly selected sample of 444 respondents Primary data is collected through questionnaires while secondary data is sourced from official hospital records journals text books and internet articles Data is analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics The study concludes that internship programme influences performance of public healthcare institution