School of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Quantification of economic effect of seasonal fluctuations in milk yield among smallholder dairy farmers in seven (7) major milk bulking centers of southern Zambia

2022-07-14T07:18:18Z

Quantification of economic effect of seasonal fluctuations in milk yield among smallholder dairy farmers in seven (7) major milk bulking centers of southern Zambia Chisowa, Donald M; Mpofu, Irvin DT; Syampaku, Edward M; Daura, Moses T A survey study was carried out with the specific objective of comparing the seasonal milk yield fluctuations and its economic effect among small holder dairy farmers in the Southern Province of Zambia. Secondary data were obtained from seven (7) small holder dairy bulking centers (Monze, Magoye, Silwiili, Batoka, Kalomo, Zimba and Kanchomba) which were purposively selected. The results of the study indicated that small holder dairy farmers produce a total of 228,077.23litres of milk during the rainy season and 149,497.96 litres of milk during the dry season giving average monthly milk yields of 38,012.87litres and 24,916.33litres respectively. Results of the study indicated that the average monthly milk yields (121 ltrs ±25.2 and 244 ltrs ± 25.2 for dry and wet seasons respectively) differed significantly (p<0.05) among the seven (7) milk bulking centers in Southern Zambia.

Determinants and inequalities in access to improved water sources and sanitation among the Zambian households

2021-10-15T07:20:10Z

Determinants and inequalities in access to improved water sources and sanitation among the Zambian households Mulenga, James N.; Bwalya, Bupe B.; Chishimba, Kunda Kaliba Improved water sources and sanitation are crucial for human survival. The study focused on examining the inequalities and determinants of access to water and sanitation between rural and urban households. This study analysed the household data sets from the 2013-14 Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS) with a total sample size of 15,920 households. To determine the percentage distribution, inequalities and determinants of access to improved water and sanitation, the study used univariate analysis, the Erreygers concentration index (E) and the logistic regression, respectively. Sixty five percent (64.5%) of the households had access to improved water source compared to 35.5% who did not while only a quarter (25.4%) of the households had access to improved sanitation compared about three quarters (74.6%) without access. The results also show that access to improved water and sanitation is concentrated among the wealthier households and increases with increasing wealth quintile in both rural and urban areas. Further, study showed that wealth index, gender of household head, region and type of place of residence were all positively associated with access to improved sanitation. Wealth index and sex of household head were found to be positively related with access to improved water. To enhance access to improved water and sanitation among the poor households it is imperative that government and other stakeholders intervene by providing the amenities or by subsidising the provision

Role of community based nutrition education in combating stunting among under-five children in Livingstone

2020-09-08T11:49:47Z

Role of community based nutrition education in combating stunting among under-five children in Livingstone Catherine, Muhau Recent figures on Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) indicate that 45% of Zambian children are stunted. Maternal exposure to nutrition and health information are essential elements that may influence the nutritional status of under-five children. However, very few studies have placed emphasis on community based nutrition education. The aim of this study was to contribute to the pool of knowledge with regard to the nutritional status of the under-five children in Zambia with special reference to Livingstone district. Specifically, the study wanted to determine the role of community based nutrition education on the nutrition status of under-five children. The study used a mixed research design which was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect qualitative data. The heights and weights (quantitative data) of the children in all the communities were also taken. A random sample of 350 caregivers was chosen from four communities of Livingstone – two of which were receiving community based nutrition education and the other two were not. Those that were receiving the nutrition education were Mahatma Gandhi and Libuyu (three years and one year respectively), while those that were not receiving were Dalice and Linda. The results showed that apart from Libuyu where children’s heights were lower (P = 0.026), the heights of children in other communities were similar. The study established that community based nutrition education on its own was not useful in fulfilling the role of combating stunting among under-five children. This is because it was limited by economic factors and other factors. In view of this, it is recommended that community based nutrition education be expanded to include supporting factors to effectively deal with the problem of under-five child stunting. It is further recommended that government in collaboration with other stakeholders should provide low interest loans payable over a long period of time to enable parents from chronically food insecure households engage in entrepreneurship ventures. Finally, further research is recommended to do a comparative study of nutritional status of under-five children being under the care of their parents and those under the care of maids.

Chemical elements in rape (Brassica Napus L.) a case study of selected small scale farms in Kabwe district,Central province, Zambia

2020-09-08T11:49:47Z

Chemical elements in rape (Brassica Napus L.) a case study of selected small scale farms in Kabwe district,Central province, Zambia Chakabveyo, Philippa Varaidza A case study was carried out to investigate the concentration levels of chemical elements in different varieties of rape (Brassica napus L.) which were grown in five farms in Chowampanga, Kabwe district in Zambia. The purpose of the study was to monitor the levels of chemicals in locally grown vegetables in order to assist in achieving public health objectives of food safety and nutrition. The main objectives was to investigate the composition and concentration levels of chemical elements present in rape samples. In the farming season January to May 2018, 25 rape leaves were collected for plant tissue testing using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results of the analysis showed the presence of 11chemical elements namely Nitrogen, Chlorine, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Aluminium, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Silicon, Tellurium and Rubidium in most rape leaves. The concentration levels of chemical elements in the rape leaves were significantly different and characterised by higher levels of macro than micro nutrients and non-essential chemical elements, some which exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The rape leaves sampled from all the selected farms were therefore considered to be safe, valuable and important contributors to the diets of the people in Kabwe especially among the marginal income populations.