KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON PEST MANAGEMENT OF ETHNIC POTATO FARMERS IN SOUTHERN SHAN STATE, MYANMAR

Potato is cultivated as the main tuber crop which is essential for ethnic farmers’ household income in Southern Shan State, Myanmar. Most ethnic farmers use chemicals widely to enhance crop yield and reduce pests. Overuse and misuse of pesticides could lead to a series of health impacts and environmental issues. The main aim of the study is to explore farmers’ current practices and knowledge level on pesticides in potato production. The participants of 100 farmers were chosen from each village with a cluster and purposive sampling technique using structured questionnaires to collect the data from a village in Kalaw Township. The finding showed that 72% of farmers use only chemical pesticides due to more effective and received training from pesticide companies’ staff and whereas only 3% received information from governmental officials. Reasons to use alternative methods, types of alternative methods and where farmers learned alternative methods were significantly related to pest control methods. Farm experience in farmers was not associated with pest control methods. This study will help extension workers to provide appropriate training and improve farmers’ knowledge of pest control management for the highland crop

Impaired lymphocyte development and antibody class switching and increased malignancy in a murine model of DNA ligase IV syndrome

Hypomorphic mutations in DNA ligase IV (LIG4) cause a human syndrome of immunodeficiency, radiosensitivity, and growth retardation due to defective DNA repair by the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. Lig4-null mice are embryonic lethal, and better mouse models are needed to study human LigIV syndrome. We recently identified a viable mouse strain with a Y288C hypomorphic mutation in the Lig4 gene. Lig4Y288C mice exhibit a greater than 10-fold reduction of LigIV activity in vivo and recapitulate the immunodeficiency and growth retardation seen in human patients. Here, we have demonstrated that the Lig4Y288C mutation leads to multiple defects in lymphocyte development and function, including impaired V(D)J recombination, peripheral lymphocyte survival and proliferation, and B cell class switch recombination. We also highlight a high incidence of thymic tumors in the Lig4Y288C mice, suggesting that wild-type LigIV protects against malignant transformation. These findings provide explanations for the complex lymphoid phenotype of human LigIV syndrome.This work was funded by the Wellcome Trust and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Programme. A. Nijnik was supported by a Wellcome Trust Prize Studentship. P.A. Jeggo is supported by the Medical Research Council, the Association for International Cancer Research, an Integrated Project EU grant, DNA Repair (LSHG-CT-2005-512113), and the United Kingdom Department of Health

Can Organic Pork Help Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Thailand?

This paper examines how organic pork (OP) production, marketing and consumption in Thailand contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that affect food agri-food system sustainability. The paper discusses technical debates and academic literature sources about OP, socioeconomic and environmental impacts of organic agriculture (OA), food security and SDGs. It reflects on theoretical, practical, policy and empirical issues utilizing Thai case study data on willingness to pay (WTP) for OP to illustrate SDG linkages. The study raises broader questions, complications and contradictions about universal access to safe, healthy and affordable organic food. It suggests that WTP as a niche strategy supporting OP producers has responded to consumer demand and has potential for increased farmer incomes. But WTP for OP is an inadequate, problematic priority if it does not better address ecological, social and economic sustainability concerns, cross-cutting SDGs and national policies including inequities among richer and poorer consumers and farmers. It shows how OP may modestly contribute to SDG2 achievement or help realize other interlinked SDGs in Thailand but can also hinder some SDGs. We conclude that the OA movement and governments must better address difficult challenges affecting livestock systems sustainability, meat production, consumption, value chains and socioeconomic equity

Factors Determining the Farmers’ Decision for Adoption and Non-Adoption of Oil Palm Cultivation in Northeast Thailand

Many tropical regions are promoting the cultivation of oil palm. In this regard, different national and international organizations promote oil palm cultivation in Thailand. However, socio-economic and institutional factors are very important to be considered in the adoption of its cultivation. This study aims first to determine the various socio-economic and institutional factors in adopting oil palm cultivation, and second, to explore the role of these stated factors in the extent of the adoption of oil palm. The data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in Seka of Bueng Kan province of Thailand. The double-hurdle model was used for the estimation of the farmers’ decision to adopt the new technology and the extent of adoption. Results show that the adoption and extent of adoption of oil palm cultivation were positively influenced by gender (male), oil palm training, and access to extension services, while the size of landholding per family member and age negatively influenced its adoption/extent. To increase the adoption rate of oil palm cultivation, young, educated farmers should be encouraged by providing training and credit and extension services should be made accessible.</jats:p

Entrepreneurial Orientation and SMEs Efficiency With Government Financial and Non-Financial Incentives as Moderators

Entrepreneurship drives economic growth in the modern knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Efficiency, combined with government financial and non-financial incentives, play a vital role in fostering the growth of SMEs. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of EO with government incentives as moderators on SMEs efficiency from the perspective of Pakistan. The primary data were collected from 412 top-level managers of SMEs across three cities. A structural equation modeling was used for analysis. Results showed that risk-taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness had a positive and significant impact on SMEs efficiency, and autonomy had a negative and significant impact. It was found that government financial incentives had a significant positive moderating impact on risk-taking, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness. Moreover, government non-financial incentives as a moderating variable positively and significantly influenced risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness. The positive and significant impact of government financial incentives on risk-taking, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness emphasizes the potential to amplify SMEs efficiency and growth through enhanced promotion of such incentives. Governments should deliberate on delivering more targeted financial support to encourage entrepreneurial activities. Complementary to this, government non-financial incentives positively and significantly influenced key entrepreneurial factors such as risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness. Consequently, augmenting SMEs efficiency and competitiveness can be achieved by implementing non-financial incentives such as mentorship programs, technological access, and market insights

Does the Nature of Floods Matter in the Risk Perception of Households? A Comparative Assessment among the Rural Households Prone to Flash and Riverine Floods in Pakistan

Floods have caused major losses and damages to people, infrastructure, and the environment. This study aims to assess the risk perception of households prone to riverine and flash floods and the perceived damages to infrastructure and livelihoods. Data were collected from 382 households through a questionnaire survey and analyzed using chi-squared and t-tests. Overall, risk perception was higher for riverine floods. Similarly, &lsquo;flood coping capacities&rsquo;, &lsquo;livelihood disruption&rsquo;, &lsquo;change in lifestyle/adjusting to floods&rsquo;, and &lsquo;change in the relationship&rsquo; were also high for riverine floods and statistically significant (p-value &lt; 0.05). The &lsquo;likelihood of future flood damages&rsquo; perception was higher for flash floods (mean values: 0.913 vs. 0.779), while the &lsquo;infrastructural damages&rsquo; showed the same results. The perceptions of &lsquo;livelihoods&rsquo; and perceived &lsquo;economic loss&rsquo; were greater for riverine floods (p-value &lt; 0.05). The perceptions of &lsquo;livestock damages&rsquo; and &lsquo;household damages&rsquo; were higher for flash floods

Does the Nature of Floods Matter in the Risk Perception of Households? A Comparative Assessment among the Rural Households Prone to Flash and Riverine Floods in Pakistan

Floods have caused major losses and damages to people, infrastructure, and the environment. This study aims to assess the risk perception of households prone to riverine and flash floods and the perceived damages to infrastructure and livelihoods. Data were collected from 382 households through a questionnaire survey and analyzed using chi-squared and t-tests. Overall, risk perception was higher for riverine floods. Similarly, ‘flood coping capacities’, ‘livelihood disruption’, ‘change in lifestyle/adjusting to floods’, and ‘change in the relationship’ were also high for riverine floods and statistically significant (p-value &lt; 0.05). The ‘likelihood of future flood damages’ perception was higher for flash floods (mean values: 0.913 vs. 0.779), while the ‘infrastructural damages’ showed the same results. The perceptions of ‘livelihoods’ and perceived ‘economic loss’ were greater for riverine floods (p-value &lt; 0.05). The perceptions of ‘livestock damages’ and ‘household damages’ were higher for flash floods.</jats:p