List of Research Projects Supported by UNU-INRA:
1. Optimizing manure quality for food production on small farm holdings in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Dr. J.O. Fening, Soil Research Institute, CSIR, Kumasi, Ghana.
New manure composting technique in the offing:
UNU-INRA collaborators from the Soil Research Institute in Ghana are fine-tuning new manure composting techniques for food production on small farm holdings in the Upper-East region of Ghana. The research has involved a survey of manure management practices, laboratory analysis of different sources of manure to quantify their nutrient supplying capacity; incubation studies are also underway simultaneously to determine nutrient release with time. Different composting methods using different combinations organic materials and mineralization are being studied to determine nutrient release patterns. On-farm studies, involving carefully selected farmers, are also underway to determine the suitability of a variety of composts as soil amendments.
2. Rocks for crops: Development of multi-media learning materials on agro-minerals including rock phosphates for sustainable Agriculture. Prof. S. Simukanga, UNU/INRA Mineral Resources Unit, School of Mines, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
One significant output of a stakeholders' workshop on the use of agro-minerals held in 2006 in Zambia was the compilation of information on agro-minerals capable of improving soil productivity in sub-Saharan African. Thirty-nine professionals, including researchers, producers, distributors, extension workers and farmers participated in the workshop. Work is on-going in the preparation of training manuals and materials in different formats (web-based, booklets, posters, CD ROM, etc) in English and local languages to be used by extension workers to train farmers.
3. Molecular Characterization of Shea Nut Tree, 'karité, (Vitellaria paradoxa) in Côte d'Ivoire and analysis of physico-chemical characteristics of the butter. Prof. Abdou-rahmane Sangare, Laboratoire Central de Biotechnologie, CNRA, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
4. Nutritional properties & utilization of wild foods in Zimbabwe. Dr. (Mrs) Maud Muchuweti, Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is noted for its wide variety of food crops obtained in the wild. UNU-INRA is working with researchers from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Zimbabwe to examine the 'nutritional properties and utilization of selected wild foods in Zimbabwean environment. The research team has already identified and documented 70 wild food plant species. Laboratory analyses are in advanced stage to determine the nutritional values of the wild foods collected.
Publication:
M. Muchuweti, C. Mupure, A. Ndhlala, T. Murenje and M.A.N. Benhura (2007). Screening of Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Activity of Vigna ungiculata, Bidens pilosa and Cleome gynandra. American Journal of Food Technology 2 (3): 161-168.
5. Factors limiting the utilization of seaweeds in Namibia. Prof. O.D. Mwandemele, Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia.
There are about 15 species of seaweeds along the coast of Namibia. Taxonomic studies have shown that the three most abundant species are Laminaria, Gracilaria and Ulva. Due to the turbulent wave action along the coast of Namibia, the seaweeds are usually cast ashore to litter and sometimes pollute the beaches. Experiments are underway to determine the potential uses of these natural resources as substrate for the cultivation of mushrooms, as a soil conditioner, as a source of iodine and other chemical compounds and also as a source of feed for abalone.
6. Annual Lectures on Natural Resources Conservation & Management in Africa. Dr. J.J. Baidu-Forson, UNU-INRA, Accra, Ghana. (Under Review)
7. Strengthening Postgraduate Programmes in African Universities: Environmental Management and Policy Studie. Dr.Emmanuel Frempong, Department of Biological Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
Post-graduate Training:
- Thirteen students are currently enrolled in the UNU-INRA supported Environmental Management and Policy Studies Programme developed as a compliment to the pure science-based MSc. Degree in Biological Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana.
- A total of eight post-graduate students (3 PhD, 3 MPhiL and 2 MSc.) attached to the on-going research projects are at various stages in data collection and analysis, and preparation of theses on various topics.
8. Gender, land tenure systems and the adoption of intensification technologies among smallholder maize farmers in the agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Dr. A.S. Bamire, Dept of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Understanding the interrelationship between gender, land tenure systems and the adoption of agricultural intensification technologies.
In the face of growing population and decline in the availability of arable lands, agricultural intensification technologies that result in increments in land productivity remains one of the best-bet options for food security enhancement in West Africa. UNU-INRA is working with scientists from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria to gain deeper insights into the relationship between gender, land tenure systems and the adoption of agricultural intensification technologies in two contrasting agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Site and data collection have been completed. Data processing and analyses are in progress.
9. Gender and adding value to forest resources to improve food security, biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction in mixed crop-livestock systems of the Sahel. Dr. S.J. Zoundi, Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
