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Kugedera Andrew Tapiwa

Enhancing Maize Productivity with Infield Rainwater Harvesting Techniques and Cattle Manure in Semi-Arid Areas Of Zimbabwe

Jun 12, 2024 |

Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera, Ponesai Mutero, Letticia Kudzai Kokerai

ABSTRACT. Soil fertility and moisture management can be sustainable ways to improve crop production in low rainfall areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of infield rainwater harvesting and cattle manure on maize yield, rainwater use efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and the value–cost ratio. The experiment used a split plot design with three in situ rainwater harvesting (IRWH) techniques (planting pits, infiltration pits, and conventional tillage (as a control)) as the main treatment factor and cattle manure as the sub-plot factor at four levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 t ha−1). The interactive effects of IRWH, cattle manure, and season were significant among all parameters measured (p<0.05). The highest maize grain yield (3990 kg ha−1) was obtained from the planting pits with 10 t ha−1 cattle manure in the 2022/23 cropping season. Maize stover yield increased with an increase in cattle manure, with the highest yield of 6450 t ha−1 at 10 t ha−1 cattle manure. Rainwater use efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) increased by an average of 2.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 from 0 to 2.5 t ha−1. Agronomic use efficiency significantly decreased with the increasing application rate of cattle manure (p<0.05). The interaction of planting pits and 2.5 t ha−1 cattle manure had the highest cost ratio of 6.66 in the 2022/23 season. The interaction between planting pits and 10 t ha−1 cattle manure resulted in higher maize yields and rainwater use efficiency. However, it is recommended that smallholder farmers use planting pits and 2.5 t ha−1 cattle manure to obtain higher yield increments and high profits in high-risk climates. Keywords: agronomic efficiency; infiltration pits; maize production; planting pits; value–cost ratio.

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Utilisation and Contribution of Forest Resources to Improve Food Security in Dry Regions of Africa

Feb 2, 2024 |

Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera, Letticia Kudzai Kokerai, Nyasha Sakadzo, Emmerson Chivhenge, Taona Museva

ABSTRACT. The unsustainable harvest of forest resources in dry regions of Africa has contributed to forest degradation and increased the prices of forest resources in local markets. Many people in dry regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have been harvesting forest resources to supplement food sources due to poor crop production as a result of erratic rainfall. This review seeks to explore the utilisation and contribution of forest resources to improving food security in the dry regions of Africa. Forest resources are highly utilised by poor resource farmers in rural areas as a means of poverty alleviation, income generation and to improve human livelihoods. Resources such as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute to human nutrition, income generation, food sources and to improve living standards. NTFPs, such as honey, waxes and medicines, have been reported to contribute income in countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, creating more opportunities for rural people to improve their living standards and reduce food insecurity. These resources contribute to hidden hunger though the utilisation of fruit, vegetables, honey, wild meat and edible worms, especially to the children under five years of age. Climate change has also created variability in the availability of forest resources in dry regions, and this has altered their contribution to human livelihoods and food security.

Keywords: edible worms; human nutrition; indigenous fruits; medicine; non-timber forest products.

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The Contributions of Wildlife to People’s Livelihoods and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Dec 20, 2023 |

Jesse Zvikonyaukwa, Kudakwashe Musengi, Clarice P. Mudzengi, Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera

ABSTRACT. Wildlife has the potential to support people’s livelihoods and economic development in many African countries. The objective of the review was to evaluate the potential contribution of wildlife to people’s livelihoods and economic development in Africa. Several databases were searched to identify articles that have explored the contributions of wildlife to people’s livelihoods and economic development. The results indicate that wildlife contributes both consumptive and non-consumptive resources towards people’s livelihoods, with bush meat being the greatest consumptive contribution and employment the greatest non-consumptive contribution. Revenue collected from tourists, trophy hunting, and game viewing have been used for infrastructure and rural development. However, wildlife has declined in many African countries due to land redistribution, drought, habitat fragmentation, human population growth, and illegal hunting. Setting up law enforcement agents and creating community-based wildlife management could restore the benefits of wildlife.

Keywords: bush meat; edible fruits; game viewing; trophy hunting; wildlife resources.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)