Scientific Program

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Scientific Program Day 1
Scientific Program Day 2

Day :

  • Agriculture Biotechnology | Sustainable Agriculture | Agriculture Economics | Food Analysis, Safety and Health | Food Biochemistry
Location: Conference Hall
Speaker

Chair

Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin

Universiti Selangor-Bestari Jaya Campus, Malaysia

Session Introduction

Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin

Universiti Selangor-Bestari Jaya Campus, Malaysia

Title: Some soil extraction experiments on the enhancement of targeted algae growth in preparation for future development of outdoor mass culture system for microalgae

Time : 11:30-12:00

Speaker
Biography:

 Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin has obtained his PhD from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England in 1997 in the field of Ecology. He is currently the Head of the Laboratory for Bio-Optical Observations at the Faculty of Engineering & Life Sciences, Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), Malaysia. He is currently one of the leaders in the SATREPS research collaboration works carried out between a number of universities and institutions in Malaysia and Japan on the aspect of developing eco-friendly and highly productive aquaculture practices in Malaysia.

 

Abstract:

Some studies have shown that algal growth has been enhanced with the addition of soil extract. However, little is known why algal growth is enhanced when soil extract is added and which extraction methods are effective in enhancing algae growth. But by successfully developing the technique which will enable the growth of targeted algae to be enhanced through the addition of a particular soil extract, such knowledge is invaluable for the development of outdoor mass culture of microalgae for various useful uses. In these experimental works, soil collected from Raja Musa Forest Reserve in Malaysia was used to produce soil extracts using different extraction methods. The concentrations of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), Total Dissolved Nitrogen (TDN) and Total Dissolved Phosphorus (TDP) in the soil extracts were then compared. These different extraction methods include varying the temperature and the duration of exposing the soil to a particular temperature in the extraction process. The soil extracts were then used as additives, added in different proportions to existing Conway media and tested on the growth of Nannochloropsis oculata, Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlorella vulgaris by subjecting to constant light intensity of 2000 lux with photoperiod of 12L:12D at a constant temperature of 25 oC. This experiment showed that the elemental ratios were different at various processes suggesting that the recovery of DOC, TDN and TDP was depended upon the amount of heat provided during soil extraction process. N. oculata and C. sorokiniana had shown maximum growth on the 9th day when treated with the soil extract but C. vulgaris did not show any enhancement. These experimental results are vital in the future development of a closed photo-bioreactor for outdoor mass culture production of microalgae for aquaculture industry sustainability.
 

Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba

Rivers State University, Nigeria

Title: Smallholder fresh fish marketing enterprise: A veritable livelihood strategy for economic empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Speaker
Biography:

Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba was appointed as the State President/Chairman as well as a National Delegate/Representative of a Corpers’ Association, Gombe State Chapter and National Headquarters, Jos, Plateau State, respectively. Presently, he is a University Professor and Researcher in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics/Extension, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
 

Abstract:

Fish is a very important agricultural product in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), due to its prime position in the economy of the nations it comprises. SSA is undergoing significant teeming challenges due to a number of environmental and socioeconomic disruptions and pressures from population growth, degradation of aquatic resources and environment, climate change, among others. Much emphasis have been laid on efficient fresh fish marketing as key to reducing malnutrition by making fish available to people living under subsistence level at affordable prices. However, the general purpose of the paper established that smallholder fresh fish marketing is a veritable livelihood strategy for economic empowerment in selected SSA. Specifically, the paper described the socio-demographic features of the smallholder fish dealers in the study area; determined the structure of the markets; determined the factors that drive vertical differentiation of their marketing channels; identified the various methods used in fish processing, storage and transportation; described the constraints encountered by the smallholder fishers; and finally, assessed the level of gender participation in smallholder fish marketing.  Studies reviewed in the paper employed purposive, multistage random sampling technique, among other in collecting data from numerous respondents. Findings from majority of the studies indicated that the average age of the fish marketers fell between 35 and 50 years. Results further showed that majority of the fish producers and retailers had some form of formal education. More so, the average household size of the majority of respondents was 5 members with between 15 and 18 years’ experience in fish marketing. Results further indicated that the markets were under weak oligopoly at concentration ratio of 47% an implication that some powerful dealers are trying to control the fish markets. In addition, this means that the activities of the largest four fish marketers affected the price and demand for fish in the market. Further results showed that fish marketing was profitable with channel 2 having the highest net margin with high marketing efficiency. The results indicated that these differences in marketing efficiency among the channels were significant at 1% confidence interval. Furthermore, the study found that smoke-drying were the predominant processing method at very significant frequency levels for the various group of marketers. Moreover, results showed that the challenges facing fish marketing at an average of 2.74 on a 5-Point Likert rating scale included lack of capital, seasonality of fish business, and lack of government assistance, produce deterioration, lack of storage facilities, among others were the fish marketing challenges. Marital status, household size, value of fish and membership of cooperative unions were the factors that significantly impacted the vertical differentiation of fish marketing at 5% confidence level.  Inadequate financing, high transportation cost and lack of market stall were major constraining factors to efficient fish marketing. Hence, the paper concludes that fresh fish marketing in SSA is profitable and efficient, and as a matter of fact, veritable economic pillar upon which many farming households are supported. The paper recommended that governments of the SSA should provide support for expansion of the businesses of smallholder fish marketers, provide proper road networks so as to reduce transportation hurdles and subsidization of market costs for the marketers, construction of standard shops for smallholder fish marketers in order to shield them from the harsh weather and climatic conditions.

Bukelwa Grwambi

Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South Africa

Title: Sustainability of income growth of smallholder producers in high value chains: Insights from strategic partnerships in South Africa
Speaker
Biography:

Bukelwa Grwambi holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. She currently works for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture as a Senior Agricultural Economist and Researcher. Her scope of work also includes serving as mentor to young researchers attached to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. She has presented her research work in several conferences. Her research interests include smallholder market access, land reform, food safety compliance and value chains.
 

Abstract:

While functional upgrading continues to be regarded as a potential strategy by which smallholder producers integrated in high value chains can sustain income growth, recent value chain literature observes that in most cases, chain leaders in global value chains characterized by a quasi-hierarchical system of governance generally control such high value-added functions as product design, marketing and branding which could leave smallholder producers trapped in narrowly-confined value chain activities with low returns. This empirical paper investigates whether smallholder producers integrated in the deciduous fruit value chain have developed the capabilities necessary to sustain income growth in high value chains. Results show that global buyers such as supermarkets define the product and exporters which serve as strategic partners in smallholder farms design the product following specifications. The strategic partners also handle all market related activities on smallholder farms. To reduce the probability of poor performance associated with the intrinsic characteristics of deciduous fruit, strategic partners, in addition to other specific investments assign mentors to manage production on smallholder farms. The mentors also serve as liaison agents between smallholder producers and strategic partners. Because product design and marketing functions are performed by strategic partners with whom smallholder producers have no direct relationships, smallholder producers could not be involved in such functions and thus could not learn. As a result, smallholder producers still depended on their strategic partners for product design and marketing hence they could not sustain their income growth in high value chains. These findings have implications for sustainable livelihoods.
 

Nolitha L Skenjana

Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa

Title: The mishandling of pesticidal plants by small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape Province and its possible impact on food safety and security
Speaker
Biography:

Nolitha L Skenjana is currently pursuing her PhD in Botany with the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. She is working for the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and is based at the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute. She is a recipient of two prestigious awards for diligence and professionalism from the Eastern Cape Premier. She was a Visiting Scientist at the Julius Kuhn Institute and Goetingen University in Germany. She has published three papers and has presented in national and international conferences.
 

Abstract:

Humans have used pesticidal plants since before the time of ancient Romans, a practice that has continued to the present time in many rural communities worldwide. In Africa, many pesticidal plants are found without difficulty. They grow in the wild, open areas, at homesteads and within farm boundaries. In this case, there is almost no cost of growing the plants. Africans in general are reported to believe that knowledge on indigenous plant pest control is their heritage and as a result, there is a general assumption that pesticidal plants are not toxic to humans, animals and the environment. A study conducted in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, using the convenient and stratified purposive sampling techniques revealed that smallscale farmers do not follow acceptable good agricultural practices when dealing with pesticidal plants. There were generally no protocols developed for formulations and combinations, as a result plants were mixed with various other ingredients such as synthetic chemical insecticides, disinfectants and manures. In addition, there were no standardized methodologies for preparation, application and no withholding periods. Farmers also had a tendency of neglecting the recommended safety gear that should be worn when pesticides are being handled and applied because they believed that pesticidal plants were safe to handle. The equipment used for mixing, soaking, boiling and storing plant extracts was also being used for storing food and water for human and animal consumption. Farmers’ practices and handling of pesticidal plants are concerning, since even if the plant itself is not toxic; the combination with other substances may be toxic. The frequent use of kitchen containers and animal troughs for preparing and storing extracts may result in residue contaminating the food and water kept for humans and animals. There needs to be an intentional and concerted effort by government and all stakeholders involved to educate and spread awareness on acceptable good agricultural practices for food safety and security purposes in the small scale-farming sector.
 

Kaganda David Businge

Farmers Trend Africa Ltd., Uganda

Title: Value addition to enhance sustainable agriculture in Uganda
Speaker
Biography:

David Businge Kaganda is currently the CEO and a Member of the Board of Directors of Farmers Trend Africa. He is responsible for running all facets of the business, managing corporate directions and strategy, facilitating company activity in consulting, sales, marketing and collaborations. He is passionate about agriculture and farming with a vision of closing the information gap in the agricultural and farming sector in Africa and inspiring youth and women to engage in agribusiness.
 

Abstract:

The principles of sustainable agriculture and rural development enunciated in the den Bosch Declaration (FAO 1996) constitute the foundation for achieving food security in Africa and indeed in the world in general. In developing countries like Uganda in particular, the major objective for creating the conditions for sustainable agriculture and rural development is to eradicate poverty and increase food production in a sustainable way and enhance food security. This is best accomplished through extension service initiatives, provision and utilization of economic incentives and development of markets for agricultural goods to avoid spoilage and waste with what is being produced and also appropriate and new technologies, thus ensuring stable supplies of nutritionally adequate food. In Uganda most of the agricultural projects fail to become sustainable because of limited availability of market for the agriculture products hence farmers get less pay for the work done and for the bigger projects, they are wholly or largely dependent on external technologies, no participation of local people and lack of orientation to local conditions and needs of the local communities. Food security on the other hand, is a situation in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active healthy life.
 

  • Sustainable Agriculture | Agriculture Biotechnology | Food Microbiology | Technology of Animal Foods | Aquaculture Science | Fisheries Science
Location: Conference Hall
Speaker

Chair

Wongiwe Theodora Mngwambe

Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, South Africa

Session Introduction

Wongiwe Theodora Mngwambe

Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, South Africa

Title: Partial nutrient balance in cropping systems: The case of Ganspan Settlement, Northern Cape Province
Speaker
Biography:

Wongiwe Theodora Mngwambe has completed Master’s degree from Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands. She is the Head of Department of Plant Production at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and a Lecturer of Crop Production courses. She is passionate about improving livelihoods of farmers through equipping them with skills and knowledge to create sustainable production systems. She believes in creating synergy within the various components of farms in order to create climate resilient farms.
 

Abstract:

Partial nutrient balances are calculated by estimating all nutrient inputs entering the farm by means of inorganic and organic fertilizers. Thereafter, outputs are calculated and these include crop yields harvested which will be sold to the market and exported crop residues when applicable. In agricultural production systems, the full nutrient balance serves as an important indicator of sustainability in production systems while partial nutrient balances serves as a mere indicator of management practices and provide insight into sustainability of the farm. Data required to determine partial nutrient balance was collected through semi structured interviews with the farmers in the community to gather data on cropping practices, agricultural inputs used and yields that have been harvested on the various crops planted as well as soil samples. Partial nutrient balances were calculated for major crops such as groundnuts, lucerne and wheat as well as two commonly planted vegetables cabbage and onion. Partial nutrient balances showed a negative balance for groundnuts and lucerne while wheat only had a negative balance for nitrogen and potassium. In addition, partial nutrient balances for vegetables indicated a negative balance only for potassium. When partial nutrient balances are negative, then we can be confident that the full nutrient balances are even more negative. Farmers that planted vegetables used more fertilizers in their lands compared to farmers that planted field crops. Therefore, nutrient depletion was exacerbated in field crops and these farmers contributed more to nutrient mining than a farmer producing vegetables.