Abstract: This study, which aims to determine the perceptions of the actors and the socio-economic uses of Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves, was conducted in the Central and Littoral regions of Cameroon, in fourteen markets distributed in four cities among which Douala, Edea, Boumnyebel and Yaounde. Data collection carried out from April to June 2021 from 102 merchants involving men and women was done through an ethnobotanical survey with individual and semi-structured interviews and direct observations in the field. Regarding the knowledge of the smallholders on the socio-economic uses, the result revealed that Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves are mainly used in food (UA = 99%) and medicinal (UM = 61.85%) sectors and its trade was proved to be a profitable activity according to 99% of respondents. An average gain of 211.1 FCFA per package of 57 leaves was reported, the purchase and sale prices being 147 FCFA and 246 FCFA respectively. The major difficulties encountered by the sector are the transport (48.23%) and the rotting of the leaves (27.06%). The actors involved in the sector are mostly single (48%) and married (34%), their education level being mainly secondary (47%) and primary (46%). Young women are the main providers (84.15%) and the Bassa community is the main source of supply for the product (55.31%). Megaphrynium macrostachyum appears then to be both of social and economic interest, because it is used as a medicinal plant and also as a traditional vegetable sold and consumed by several households. In order to improve the well-being of the populations who benefit from it, this species must be taken into account in programs for the conservation and sustainable development of NTFPs in Cameroon.Abstract: This study, which aims to determine the perceptions of the actors and the socio-economic uses of Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves, was conducted in the Central and Littoral regions of Cameroon, in fourteen markets distributed in four cities among which Douala, Edea, Boumnyebel and Yaounde. Data collection carried out from April to June 2021 from 1...Show More
Abstract: A lot of agricultural residues are generated each year in developing and developed countries. About 60-70% of the total Agricultural biomass is left in the fields annually in Uganda. Making Briquettes helps to turn waste into wealth, saves money and provides an alternative for firewood and charcoal. This study was developed to assess the adoption and market potential of carbonized briquette production among farmers in beef producing communities in Uganda. NARO introduced briquettes making in the beef producing communities of Isingiro, Mbarara and Masindi districts. After four months, an adoption study was conducted to determine how many farmers continued to produce, use and sell the briquettes. Approximately 58.2%, 50.6% and 66.7% farmers were found producing and using briquettes in Isingiro, Masindi and Mbarara districts respectively. Farmers mostly used cow dung (82%) as binders and charcoal dust (83%) as class B material. Over 93% farmers used briquettes to cook their food while 57.4% saved money on buying traditional fuels, and 49.5% mentioned that briquettes lasted longer while cooking respectively. Farmers in all the three districts produced 447.5 basins of briquettes which generated 6,712,500shs in revenue at a price of 15,000shs/basin of briquettes. Briquettes making can help the farmers in beef producing communities to earn income, while reducing agricultural waste, tree cutting and protecting the environment.Abstract: A lot of agricultural residues are generated each year in developing and developed countries. About 60-70% of the total Agricultural biomass is left in the fields annually in Uganda. Making Briquettes helps to turn waste into wealth, saves money and provides an alternative for firewood and charcoal. This study was developed to assess the adoption a...Show More
