Effect of management strategies on the performance of ruminant livestock production systems and the safety of plant and animal products in the city of Sikasso, Mali

The regional population growth in West Africa, and especially its urban centers, will bring about new and critical challenges for urban development policy, especially in terms of ensuring food security and providing employment for the growing population. (Peri-) urban livestock and vegetable production systems, which can contribute significantly to these endeavours, are limited by various constraints, amongst them limited access to expensive production factors and their (in)efficient use. To achieve sustainable production systems with low consumer health risks, that can meet the urban increased demand, this doctoral thesis determined nutrient use efficiencies in representative (peri-) urban livestock production systems in three West African cities, and investigated potential health risks for consumers ensuing from there. The field study, which was conducted during July 2007 to December 2009, undertook a comparative analysis of (peri-) urban livestock production strategies across 210 livestock keeping households (HH) in the three West African cities of Kano/Nigeria (84 HH), Bobo Dioulasso/Burkina Faso (63 HH) and Sikasso/Mali (63 HH). These livestock enterprises were belonging to the following three farm types: commercial gardening plus field crops and livestock (cGCL; 88 HH), commercial livestock plus subsistence field cropping (cLsC; 109 HH) and commercial gardening plus semi-commercial livestock (cGscL; 13 HH) which had been classified in a preceding study; they represented the diversity of (peri-) urban livestock production systems in West Africa. In the study on the efficiency of ruminant livestock production, lactating cowsand sheep herd units were differentiated based on whether feed supplements were offered to the animals at the homestead (Go: grazing only; Gsf: mainly grazing plus some supplement feeding). Inflows and outflows of nutrients were quantified in these herds during 18 months, and the effects of seasonal variations in nutrient availability on animals’ productivity and reproductive performance was determined in Sikasso. To assess the safety of animal products and vegetables, contamination sources of irrigated lettuce and milk with microbiological contaminants, and of tomato and cabbage with pesticide residues in (peri-) urban agriculture systems of Bobo Dioulasso and Sikasso were characterized at three occasions in 2009. Samples of irrigation water, organic fertilizer and ix lettuce were collected in 6 gardens, and samples of cabbage and tomato in 12 gardens; raw and curdled milk were sampled in 6 dairy herds. Information on health risks for consumers of such foodstuffs was obtained from 11 health centers in Sikasso. In (peri-) urban livestock production systems, sheep and goats dominated (P<0.001) in Kano compared to Bobo Dioulasso and Sikasso, while cattle and poultry were more frequent (P<0.001) in Bobo Dioulasso and Sikasso than in Kano. Across cities, ruminant feeding relied on grazing and homestead supplementation with fresh grasses, crop residues, cereal brans and cotton seed cake; cereal grains and brans were the major ingredients of poultry feeds. There was little association of gardens and livestock; likewise field cropping and livestock were rarely integrated. No relation existed between the education of the HH head and the adoption of improved management practices (P>0.05), but the proportion of HH heads with a long-term experience in (peri-) urban agriculture was higher in Kano and in Bobo Dioulasso than in Sikasso (P<0.001). Cattle and sheep fetched highest market prices in Kano; unit prices for goats and chicken were highest in Sikasso. Animal inflow, outflow and dairy herd growth rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the Gsf than in the Go cattle herds. Maize bran and cottonseed expeller were the main feeds offered to Gsf cows as dry-season supplement, while Gsf sheep received maize bran, fresh grasses and cowpea pods. The short periodic transhumance of Go dairy cows help them maintaining their live weight, whereas Gsf cows lost weight during the dry season despite supplement feeding at a rate of 1506 g dry matter per cow and day, resulting in low productivity and reproductive performance. The daily live weight gains of calves and lambs, respectively, were low and not significantly different between the Go and the Gsf system. However, the average live weight gains of lambs were significantly higher in the dry season (P<0.05) than in the rainy season because of the high pressure of gastrointestinal parasites and of Trypanosoma sp. In consequence, 47% of the sheep leaving the Go and Gsf herds died due to diseases during the study period. Thermo-tolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli contamination levels of irrigation water significantly exceeded WHO recommendations for the unrestricted irrigation of vegetables consumed raw. Microbial contamination levels of lettuce at the farm gate and the market place in Bobo Dioulasso and at the farm gate in Sikasso were higher than at the market place in Sikasso (P<0.05). Pesticide residues were detected in only one cabbage and one tomato sample and were below the maximum residue limit for consumption. Counts of thermo-tolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli were higher in curdled than in raw milk (P<0.05). From 2006 to x 2009, cases of diarrhea/vomiting and typhoid fever had increased by 11% and 48%, respectively, in Sikasso. For ensuring economically successful and ecologically viable (peri-) urban livestock husbandry and food safety of (peri-) urban foodstuffs of animal and plant origin, the dissemination and adoption of improved feeding practices, livestock healthcare and dung management are key. In addition, measures fostering the safety of animal products and vegetables including the appropriate use of wastewater in (peri-) urban agriculture, restriction to approve vegetable pesticides and the respect of their latency periods, and passing and enforcement of safety laws is required. Finally, the incorporation of environmentally sound (peri-) urban agriculture in urban planning by policy makers, public and private extension agencies and the urban farmers themselves is of utmost importance. To enable an efficient (peri-) urban livestock production in the future, research should concentrate on cost-effective feeding systems that allow meeting the animals’ requirement for production and reproduction. Thereby focus should be laid on the use of crop-residues and leguminous forages. The improvement of the milk production potential through crossbreeding of local cattle breeds with exotic breeds known for their high milk yield might be an accompanying option, but it needs careful supervision to prevent the loss of the local trypanotolerant purebreds.

Dairy farms typology and management of animal genetic resources in the peri-urban zone of Bamako (Mali)

Facing growth in demand, dairy production in peri-urban areas of developing countries is changing rapidly. To characterise this development around Bamako (Mali), this study establishes a typology of dairy production systems with a special focus on animal genetic resources. The survey included 52 dairy cattle farms from six peri-urban sites. It was conducted in 2011 through two visits, in the dry and harvest seasons. The median cattle number per farm was 17 (range 5-118) and 42% of farmers owned cropland (8.3 +/- 7.3 ha, minimum 1 ha, maximum 25 ha). Feeding strategy was a crucial variable in farm characterisation, accounting for about 85% of total expenses. The use of artificial insemination and a regular veterinary follow-up were other important parameters. According to breeders’ answers, thirty genetic profiles were identified, from local purebreds to different levels of crossbreds. Purebred animals raised were Fulani Zebu (45.8%), Maure Zebu (9.2%), Holstein (3.0%), Azawak Zebu (1.3%), Mere Zebu (0.5%) and Kuri taurine (0.1%). Holstein crossbred represented 30.5% of the total number of animals (19.0% Fulani-Holstein, 11.2% Maure-Holstein and 0.3% Kuri-Holstein). Montbéliarde, Normande and Limousin crossbreds were also found (6.6%, 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively). A multivariate analysis helped disaggregate the diversity of management practices. The high diversity of situations shows the need for consideration of typological characteristics for an appropriate intervention. Although strongly anchored on local breeds, the peri-urban dairy systems included a diversity of exotic cattle, showing an uncoordinated quest of breeders for innovation. Without a public intervention, this dynamic will result in an irremediable erosion of indigenous animal genetic resources.

Una iniciativa del fòrum per un altre Mali i de la xarxa d'artistes i intelúlectuals africans per l'ètica i l'estètica : la caravana de la dignitat contra els reixats de filferro espinós de la injustícia i de la indiferència. 'Una iniciativa del foro para otro Mali y de la red de artistas e intelectuales africanos para la ética y la estética : la caravana de la dignidad contra las verjas de alambre espinoso de la injusticia y de la indiferencia'.

Se trata del principio de las ponencias que conformaron la mesa redonda '¿Qué educación, para qué sociedad?'. En ellas se describe la problemática de la inmigración clandestina, la paradoja de Malí, el dolor de las mujeres y la marcha de la dignidad.

Intervenció per a la promoció de la esportivitat en el futbol cadet a Mallorca. ' Intervención para la promoción de la deportividad en el futbol cadete en Mallorca' .

Analizar el estado actual de actitudes, comportamientos y valores de los jóvenes jugadores de fútbol en Mallorca. Diseñar un protocolo de intervención para mejorar la deportividad. Intervenir sobre un grupo experimental para promocionar la deportividad. Comprobar la idoneidad de la intervención. Medir las actitudes, comportamientos y valores post intervención. Implementar un protocolo para la formación de técnicos deportivos. . 245 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y los 16 años, en un muestreo estratificado aleatorio de diferentes equipos de fútbol de primera división regional categoría cadete. 74 partidos de fútbol grabados a vídeo correspondientes a las jornadas 5, 6, 7 y 2, 13, 14 de la categoría anteriormente citada. . Diseño de la intervención. Variables: comportamientos (comportamientos favorables al fair play, comportamientos contrarios al fair play y faltas de contacto), actitudes (frente a la victoria, frente al juego duro, frente a la diversión), valores (logro, diversión, victoria,...). . SVQ, Sport Value Questionnaire, (Lee y Cols, 2000); formado por 23 ítems que analiza 18 valores. EAF, Escala de Actitudes de Fairplay (Boixadós, 1998), formado por 22 ítems que analiza tres factores, actitud victoria, actitud juego duro, actitud diversión. IOFF, Instrumento de Observación de Fairplay en Fútbol (Boixadós, 1996), consta de 19 categorías para medir tres bloques conductuales, comportamientos favorables al fair play, comportamientos contrarios al fair play y faltas de contacto. . Intervención: modelaje participante. Toma de datos: pase de cuestionarios y filmación de partidos de fútbol. Análisis de datos: actitudes y valores (comparación de medias con 'T de Student'), comportamientos (comparación de medias con 'U de Mann-whithney' y 'F de Snedecor'. . Comportamientos: intervención eficaz en comportamientos; 29 por ciento más de conductas positivas, 3 por ciento menos de conductas negativas y 26 por ciento de faltas de contacto. No se observan diferencias en función del nivel de clasificación y lugar de procedencia. Actitudes: intervención no eficaz en actitudes. Valores muy altos en inicio en actitudes prosociales. Valores: intervención eficaz en valores. Estructura de valores similar a otras poblaciones. . El nivel de deportividad de los futbolistas cadetes de Mallorca es similar a otras poblaciones (Cataluña y Gran Bretaña). La intervención ha resultado muy satisfactoria en comportamientos. No se consiguen cambios en las actitudes. La estructura de valores coincide con otras poblaciones catalanas y británicas. Los valores puntuados como más importantes son diversión logro y autorealización. El valor puntuado como menos importante es ganar. La promoción de la deportividad, fair play y valores sociales positivos a través del deporte no se consigue por si solo, sino que necesita de una intervención específica con ese objetivo. El deporte en edad escolar es un contexto abierto y que depende de la intencionalidad de la acción. La intervención diseñada en esta tesis se muestra especialmente idónea para la promoción de comportamientos relacionados con la deportividad y la reducción de la violencia en el deporte.

Securitización en el desierto: Una respuesta al terrorismo en Malí y en Níger, 2009 - 2013.

Este es un estudio sobre las dinámicas de seguridad en Malí durante el periodo de 2009 a 2013. La investigación busca explicar de qué manera se ha dado un proceso de securitización de los grupos insurgentes frente a la amenaza generada por la proliferación de grupos armados no estatales en el territorio comprendido entre Malí y Níger. Se toma a Níger con el ánimo de ver la existencia de un subcomplejo regional de seguridad entre este país y Malí. De esta manera se afirma que el aumento de las actividades insurgentes y terroristas en la zona compuesta por Malí y Níger se da por la proliferación de actores armados no estatales, entre los cuales se encuentran los grupos seculares e insurgentes Tuareg, las agrupaciones islamistas fundamentalistas y los grupos que se componen entre rebeldes Tuareg, criminales e islamistas, éstos actores han afectado la percepción que tiene Malí sobre su seguridad.

Primary school : a parent's guide.

Se describe el proceso de elegir una escuela con la comprensión del plan nacional de estudios hasta los once años. Se da una orientación sobre los diferentes tipos de clases disponibles y explica muchas de las siglas utilizadas en el sistema educativo. También informa sobre los tipos de actividades que pueden hacerse con el niño para ayudarle en sus tareas escolares, y dónde acudir para obtener ayuda si el niño tiene dificultades en un tema en particular.

Special educational needs : a parent's guide.

Esta guía proporciona una somera visión de la diversidad de las necesidades educativas especiales más comunes. Contiene información y asesoramiento para que profesores y padres puedan tener las estrategias necesarias para utilizar con los niños en la vida cotidiana, cómo manejar en la escuela y en el hogar comportamientos difíciles, qué hacer o adónde ir para obtener más información y para obtener la mejor educación del niño según sus necesidades especiales.

Mitjans de comunicaci?? i educaci?? intercultural en contextos pluriling??es : aproposit de Mali

Resumen basado en el de la publicaci??n

Rapport d'evaluation de la Banque Culturelle de Fombori (Mali)

I. INTRODUCTION PAGE II. BUTS ET OBJECTIFS DE L’EVALUATION PAGE III. METHODOLOGIE DE L’EVALUATION PAGE IV. PRÉSENTATION DE LA BANQUE CULTURELLE DE FOMBORI PAGE IV.1. Naissance de la banque culturelle IV.2. Objectifs de la banque culturelle IV.3. Résultats attendus IV.4. Fonctionnement de la banque culturelle IV.5. Gestion de la banque culturelle IV.6. Description du problème abordé et des groupes cibles IV.7. Description des activités de la banque culturelle IV.8. Relations avec les services techniques et les autres partenaires V. RESULTATS DE L’EVALUATION PAGE V.1. Atteinte des objectifs V.2. Pertinence du concept mis en avant V.3. Qualité de la mise en oeuvre V.4. Qualité des partenariats établis V.5. Impact du projet VI. CONCLUSION ET RECOMMANDATIONS PAGE VI.1. Problèmes et contraintes VI.2. Recommandations VII. ANNEXES PAGE - Termes de référence pour l’évaluation du projet - Liste des personnes rencontrées - Programme de la mission

Audiologic services: a parent's view

This paper discusses a study to determine desirable characteristics of audiologists who provide services to a pediatric population.

Examination of parent support groups for newly diagnosed hearing-impaired children, birth - 5 years

This paper examines support groups for parents of newly-diagnosed hearing-impaired children and presents an outline for an effective parent support group.

Should homework be required? parent attitudes at Central Institute for the Deaf

This paper discusses a study on parental attitudes towards homework for hearing impaired children.

A longitudinal demographic study of a parent-infant program for hearing-impaired children

This paper is a longitudinal study of the CID Parent-Infant Program, 1966-1976.