Alkali insoluble glucan extracted from Acremonium diospyri is a more potent immunostimulant in the Indian White Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus than alkali soluble glucan

E¡ect of an extraction method on the structure of glucan and its immunostimulatory response in Fenneropenaeus indicus was investigated. Here we extracted alkali insoluble glucan (AIG) and alkali soluble glucan (ASG) from a ¢lamentous fungi Acremonium diospyri following alkali^acid hydrolysis and the sodium hypochlorite oxidation and dimethyl sulphoxide extraction method respectively. Structural analysis showed that 85% of glucan in AIG was a (1 !3)-b-D-glucan and it increased the prophenoloxidase and reactive oxygen intermediate activity when administered to F. indicus. On the other hand, ASG, which contained 93% (1 !3)-a-glucan, did not induce signi¢cant immune response in shrimp. Here we report that the di¡erence in immunostimulatory potential between AIG and ASG is due to the di¡erence in the percentage of (1 !3)-b-D-glucans present in each preparation, which varies with the method of extraction employed. Also our observations suggest that glucan can be used as a potential immunostimulant to shrimp, provided it contains (1 !3)-b-D-glucan as the major fraction.

Lymphoid organ cell culture system from Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) as a platform for white spot syndrome virus and shrimp immune-related gene expression

Shrimp cell lines are yet to be reported and this restricts the prospects of investigating the associated viral pathogens, especially white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In this context, development of primary cell cultures from lymphoid organs was standardized. Poly-l-lysine-coated culture vessels enhanced growth of lymphoid cells, while the application of vertebrate growth factors did not, except insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Susceptibility of the lymphoid cells to WSSV was confirmed by immunofluoresence assay using monoclonal antibody against the 28 kDa envelope protein of WSSV. Expression of viral and immunerelated genes in WSSV-infected lymphoid cultures could be demonstrated by RT-PCR. This emphasizes the utility of lymphoid primary cell culture as a platform for research in virus–cell interaction, virus morphogenesis, up and downregulation of shrimp immune-related genes, and also for the discovery of novel drugs to combat WSSV in shrimp culture

Establishment of Shrimp Cell Lines: Perception and Orientation

Development of continuous shrimp cell lines for effective investigation on shrimp viruses remains elusive with an arduous history of over 25 years. Despite presenting challenges to researchers in developing a cell line, the billion dollar aquaculture industry is under viral threat. Advances in molecular biology and various gene transfer technologies for immortalization of cells have resulted in the development of hundreds of cell lines from insects and mammals, but yet not a single cell line has been developed from shrimp and other marine invertebrates. Though improved growth and longevity of shrimp cells in vitro could be achieved by using modified growth media this did not make any leap to spontaneous transformation; probably due to the fact that shrimp cells inhibited neoplastic transformations. Oncogenic induction and immortalization are considered as the possible ways, and an exclusive medium for shrimp cell culture and an appropriate mode of transformation are crucial. In this review status of shrimp cell line development and its future orientation are discussed

Anti–white spot syndrome virus activity of Ceriops tagal aqueous extract in giant tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the most contagious pathogen of cultured shrimp, causes mass mortality, leading to huge economic loss to the shrimp industry. The lack of effective therapeutic or prophylactic measures has aggravated the situation, necessitating the development of antiviral agents. With this objective, the antiviral activity in the aqueous extract of a mangrove plant Ceriops tagal in Penaeus monodon was evaluated. The Ceriops tagal aqueous extract (CTAE) was non-toxic to shrimps at 50 mg/ml when injected intramuscularly at a dosage of 10 lL/animal (0.5 mg/animal) and showed a protective effect against WSSV at 30 mg/ml when mixed with WSSV suspension at a 1:1 ratio. When the extract was administered along with the diet and the animals were challenged orally, there was a dose-dependent increase in survival, culminating in 100 % survival at a concentration of 500 mg/kg body weight/day. Neither hypertrophied nuclei nor the viral envelope protein VP28 could be demonstrated in surviving shrimps using histology and indirect immunofluorescence histochemistry (IIFH), respectively. To elucidate the mode of action, the temporal expression of WSSV genes and shrimp immune genes, including antimicrobial peptides, was attempted. None of the viral genes were found to be expressed in shrimps that were fed with the extract and challenged or in those that were administered CTAE-exposed WSSV. The overall results suggest that the aqueous extract from C. tagal can protect P. monodon from white spot syndrome virus infection.

Truncated VP28 as oral vaccine candidate against WSSV infection in shrimp: An uptake and processing study in the midgut of Penaeus monodon

Several oral vaccination studies have been undertaken to evoke a better protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), amajor shrimp pathogen. Formalin-inactivated virus andWSSV envelope protein VP28 were suggested as candidate vaccine components, but their uptake mechanism upon oral delivery was not elucidated. In this study the fate of these components and of live WSSV, orally intubated to black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was investigated by immunohistochemistry, employing antibodies specific for VP28 and haemocytes. The midgut has been identified as the most prominent site of WSSV uptake and processing. The truncated recombinant VP28 (rec-VP28), formalin-inactivated virus (IVP) and live WSSV follow an identical uptake route suggested as receptor-mediated endocytosis that starts with adherence of luminal antigens at the apical layers of gut epithelium. Processing of internalized antigens is performed in endo-lysosomal compartments leading to formation of supra-nuclear vacuoles. However, the majority of WSSV-antigens escape these compartments and are transported to the inter-cellular space via transcytosis. Accumulation of the transcytosed antigens in the connective tissue initiates aggregation and degranulation of haemocytes. Finally the antigens exiting the midgut seem to reach the haemolymph. The nearly identical uptake pattern of the different WSSV-antigens suggests that receptors on the apical membrane of shrimp enterocytes recognize rec-VP28 efficiently. Hence the truncated VP28 can be considered suitable for oral vaccination, when the digestion in the foregut can be bypassed

Reducing Vibrio load in Artemia nauplii usingantimicrobial photodynamic therapy: a promising strategy to reduce antibiotic application in shrimp larviculture

We propose antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an alternative strategy to reduce the use of antibiotics in shrimp larviculture systems. The growth of a multiple antibiotic resistant Vibrio harveyi strain was effectively controlled by treating the cells with Rose Bengal and photosensitizing for 30 min using a halogen lamp. This resulted in the death of > 50% of the cells within the first 10 min of exposure and the 50% reduction in the cell wall integrity after 30 min could be attributed to the destruction of outer membrane protein of V. harveyi by reactive oxygen intermediates produced during the photosensitization. Further, mesocosm experiments with V. harveyi and Artemia nauplii demonstrated that in 30 min, the aPDT could kill 78.9% and 91.2% of heterotrophic bacterial and Vibrio population respectively. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that aPDT with its rapid action and as yet unreported resistance development possibilities could be a propitious strategy to reduce the use of antibiotics in shrimp larviculture systems and thereby, avoid their hazardous effects on human health and the ecosystem at large.

Isolation and characterization of broad spectrum bacteriophages lytic to Vibrio harveyi from shrimp farms of Kerala, India

Of 33 phages isolated from various shrimp farms in Kerala, India, six were segregated to have broad spectrum lytic efficiency towards 87 isolates of Vibrio harveyi with cross-infecting potential to a few other important aquaculture pathogens. They were further tested on beneficial aquaculture micro-organisms such as probiotics and nitrifying bacterial consortia and proved to be noninfective. Morphological characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular characterization by RAPD and SDS-PAGE proved them distinct and positioned under Caudovirales belonging to Myoviridae and Siphoviridae

Multiple Antibiotic Resistances of Vibrio Isolates from Coastal and Brackish Water Areas

An experiment was designed to assess the occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistances in Vibrio sp from different (brackish and marine) environments. Water samples from nine marine landing sites and two coastal inland aquaculture farms were screened for the Vibrio spp and assessed their resistance to twenty-two different antibiotics, which are commonly encountered in the aquatic ecosystem. Tissue samples (shrimp, mussel and sepia) were tested from the sampling site with highest antibiotic resistance. Of the total 119 Vibrio isolates, 16. 8% were susceptible to all antibiotics. Of the resistant (83.19%) Vibrio strains, 30.3% were resistant against three antibiotics, 55.5% were resistant against 4-10 antibiotics, 14.14% were resistant against more than 10 antibiotics and 54% have shown multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR). Antibiotic resistance index was higher in Coastal 3, 6, Aqua farm 2 in isolates from water samples and all the tissues tested. Interestingly, incidence of antibiotic resistance in isolates from water samples was comparatively lower in aquaculture farms than that observed in coastal areas. Highest incidence of antibiotic resistance was evident against Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Carbencillin and Cefuroxime followed by Rifampicin and Streptomycin and lowest against Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Chlortetracycline, Furazolidone, Nalidixic acid, Gentamycin Sulphafurazole, Trimethoprirn, Neomycin and Amikacin irrespective of the sampling sites. Results from various tissue samples collected from the sites of highest antibiotic resistance indicated that antibiotic resistance Vibrio spp collected from fish and tissue samples were higher than that of water samples. Overall results indicated that persistent use of antibiotics against diseases in human beings and other life forms may pollute the aquatic system and their impact on developing antibiotic resistant Vibrio sp may be a serious threat in addition to the use of antibiotics in aquaculture farms.

Two new clam shrimp species (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Kerala, India

Two new clam shrimp species belonging to the genera Eulimnadia Packard, 1874 and Leptestheria Sars 1898 from Kerala, India are described. Spinicaudatan clam shrimp are among the least studied groups in India, with only 30 species reported. Eulimnadia azisi sp. nov. was collected from rain fed, temporary, rocky depressions at Vettilapara, in Western Ghats, Kerala. No males were observed and the population may be hermaphroditic. Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. was collected from the paddy fields at Parapukara, Kerala. Altogether two species of Leptestheria and nine species of Eulimnadia have been reported from India, and this is the first report of the genus Leptestheria from Kerala.

Deep-sea shrimp fishery off Kerala coast with emphasis on biology and population characteristics of Plesionika quasigrandis Chace, 1985

The present study is the first attempt to understand population characteristics of the deep-sea pandalid shrimp, P. quasigrandis and to assess the status of these resources off Kerala coast.Total mortality coefficient (Z) of P. quasigrandis estimated by various methods.Natural mortality coefficient (M) calculated was 0.65 and 1.02 by Pauly‟sempirical formula and Srinaths‟s formula respectively The deep-sea shrimp P. quasigrandis exploited from the present fishing ground and their monetary return has started showing a declining trend. By observing the current yield and economic return, there is no further scope for increasing the catch from the present fishing ground. The study indicated that majority of the deep-sea shrimp trawlers, especially targeted for pandalid shrimps still concentrated off Kollam area (Quilon Bank). Even though researchers had located several potential deep-sea fishing grounds based on exploratory surveys in Indian EEZ , fishermen are unaware of these fishing grounds located and hence sharing the information about new potential deep-sea fishing grounds could avert the possible stock decline due to the intensive targeted deep-sea shrimp fishery in the Quilon Bank. Hence, the present study recommended that part of the effort from existing fishing grounds may be shifted to newly located deep-sea fishing grounds which will help in a sustainableexploitation of deep-sea resources off Kerala coast.

Local food security and principle of organic farming (from farm to fork) in context of food culture in Indonesia: Minangkabau's case study

The basic idea behind improving local food security consists of two paths; first, accessibility (price, stock) and second, availability (quantity and biodiversity); both are perquisites to the provision of nutrients and a continuous food supply with locally available resources. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate if indigenous knowledge still plays an important role in traditional farming in the Minangkabau`s culture, thus supporting local food security. If the indigenous knowledge still plays a role in food culture in the Minangkabau`s culture which is linked to the matrilineal role and leads to a sound nutrition. Further, it should be tested if marantau influences traditional farming and food culture in Minangkabau`s, and if the local government plays a role in changing of traditional farming systems and food culture. Furthermore this thesis wants to prove if education and gender are playing a role in changing traditional farming system and food culture, and if the mass media affects traditional farming systems and food culture for the Minangkabau. The study was completed at four locations in West Sumatera; Nagari Ulakan (NU) (coastal area), Nagari Aia Batumbuak (NAB) (hilly area), Nagari Padang Laweh Malalo (NPLM) (lake area), Nagari Pandai Sikek (NPS) (hilly area). The rainfall ranged from 1400- 4800 mm annually with fertile soils. Data was collected by using PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) to investigate indigenous knowledge (IK) and its interactions, which is also combining with in depth-interview, life history, a survey using semi-structured-questionnaire, pictures, mapping, and expert interview. The data was collected from June - September 2009 and June 2010. The materials are; map of area, list of names, questionnaires, voices recorder, note book, and digital camera. The sampling method was snowball sampling which resulted in the qualitative and quantitative data taken. For qualitative data, ethnography and life history was used. For quantitative, a statistical survey with a semi-structured questionnaire was used. 50 respondents per each site participated voluntarily. Data was analyzed by performing MAXQDA 10, and F4 audio analysis software (created and developed by Philip-University Marburg). The data is clustered based on causality. The results show that; the role of IK on TFS (traditional farming system) shown on NPLM which has higher food crop biodiversity in comparison to the other three places even though it has relatively similar temperature and rainfall. This high food crop biodiversity is due to the awareness of local people who realized that they lived in unfavourable climate and topography; therefore they are more prepared for any changes that may occur. Carbohydrate intake is 100 % through rice even though they are growing different staple crops. Whereas most of the people said in the interviews that not eating rice is like not really eating for them. In addition to that, mothers still play an important role in kitchen activities. But when the agriculture income is low, mothers have to decide whether to change the meals or to feel insecure about their food supply. Marantau yields positive impact through the remittances it provides to invest on the farm. On the other hand, it results in fewer workers for agriculture, and therefore a negative impact on the transfer of IK. The investigation showed that the local government has a PTS (Padi Tanam Sabatang) programme which still does not guarantee that the farmers are getting sufficient revenue from their land. The low agricultural income leads to situation of potential food insecurity. It is evident that education is equal among men and women, but in some cases women tend to leave school earlier because of arranged marriages or the distances of school from their homes. Men predominantly work in agriculture and fishing, while women work in the kitchen. In NAB, even though women work on farmland they earn less then men. Weaving (NPS) and kitchen activity is recognized as women’s work, which also supports the household income. Mass media is not yielding any changes in TFS and food culture in these days. The traditional farming system has changed because of intensive agricultural extension which has introduced new methods of agriculture for the last three decades (since the 1980’s). There is no evidence that they want to change any of their food habits because of the mass media despite the lapau activity which allows them to get more food choices, instead preparing traditional meal at home. The recommendations of this thesis are: 1) The empowerment of farmers. It is regarding the self sufficient supply of manure, cooperative seed, and sustainable farm management. Farmers should know – where are they in their state of knowledge – so they can use their local wisdom and still collaborate with new sources of knowledge. Farmers should learn the prognosis of supply and demand next prior to harvest. There is a need for farm management guidelines; that can be adopted from both their local wisdom and modern knowledge. 2) Increase of non-agricultural income Increasing the non-agricultural income is strongly recommended. The remittances can be invested on non-agricultural jobs. 3) The empowerment of the mother. The mother plays an important role in farm to fork activities; the mother can be an initiator and promoter of cultivating spices in the backyard. Improvement of nutritional knowledge through information and informal public education can be done through arisan ibu-ibu and lapau activity. The challenges to apply these recommendations are: 1) The gap between institutions and organizations of local governments. There is more than one institution involved in food security policy. 2) Training and facilities for field extension agriculture (FEA) is needed because the rapid change of interaction between local government and farmer’s dependent on this agency.

Evaluation of the agricultural vocational training programmes conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) in Indian Punjab

Krishin Vigyan Kendras-KVKs (Farm Science Centres) have been established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 569 districts. The trust areas of KVKs are refinement and demonstration of technologies, and training of farmers and extension functionaries. Imparting vocational trainings in agriculture and allied fields for the rural youth is one of its mandates. The study was undertaken to do a formative and summative (outcome and impact) evaluation of the beekeeping and mushroom growing vocational training programmes in the Indian state of Punjab. One-group pre and post evaluation design was employed for conducting a formative and outcome evaluation. The knowledge tests were administered to 35 beekeeping and 25 mushroom cultivation trainees, before and after the training programmes organized in 2004. The trainees significantly gained in knowledge. A separate sample of 640 trainees, trained prior to 2004, was selected for finding the adoption status. Out of 640, a sample of 200 was selected by proportionate sampling technique out of three categories, namely: non-adopters, discontinued-adopters and continued-adopters for evaluating the long-term impact of these training programmes. Ex-post-facto one-shot case study design was applied for this impact analysis. The vocational training programmes have resulted in continued-adoption of beekeeping and mushroom cultivation enterprises by 20% and 51% trained farmers, respectively. Age and trainee occupation had significant influence on the adoption decision of beekeeping vocation, whereas education and family income significantly affected the adoption decision of mushroom cultivation. The continued adopters of beekeeping and mushroom growing had increased their family income by 49% and 24%, respectively. These training programmes are augmenting the dwindling farm income of the farmers in Indian Punjab.

Ermittlung geeigneter Methoden zur Differenzierung und Qualitätsbeurteilung unterschiedlicher Milchqualitäten aus verschiedenen on-farm-Experimenten

Zusammenfassung: Ziel der Arbeit war ein Methodenvergleich zur Beurteilung der Milchqualität unterschiedlicher Herkünfte. Am Beispiel von Milchproben aus unterschiedlicher Fütterung sowie an Milchproben von enthornten bzw. horntragenden Kühen wurde geprüft, welche der angewendeten Methoden geeignet ist, die Vergleichsproben zu unterscheiden (Differenzierungsfähigkeit der Methoden) und inwieweit eine Qualitätsbeurteilung möglich ist (hinsichtlich Milchleistung, Fett-, Eiweiß-, Lactose- (=F,E,L), Harnstoff-gehalt und Zellzahl (=SCC), Säuerungseigenschaften (=SE), Fettsäuremuster (=FS-Muster), Protein- und Metabolit-Zusammensetzung (=Pr&M), Fluoreszenz-Anregungs-Spektroskopie-Eigenschaften (=FAS) und Steigbild-Merkmalen). Zusätzlich wurde vorab die Steigbildmethode (=SB-M) für das Produkt Rohmilch standardisiert und charakterisiert, um die Reproduzierbarkei der Ergebnisse sicherzustellen. Die Untersuchungen zur SB-M zeigten, dass es Faktoren gibt, die einen deutlichen Einfluß auf die Bildmerkmals-Ausprägung aufweisen. Dazu gehören laborseitig die Klimabedingungen in der Kammer, die Verdünnungsstufe der Probe, die Standzeiten der Vorverdünnung (Reaktionen mit der Luft, Alterung usw.), und tagesspezifisch auftretende Effekte, deren Ursache unbekannt ist. Probenseitig sind sehr starke tierindividuelle Effekte auf die Bildmerkmals-Ausprägung festzustellen, die unabhängig von Fütterung, Alter, Laktationsstadium und Genetik auftreten, aber auch Fütterungsbedingungen der Kühe lassen sich in der Bildmerkmals-Ausprägung wiederfinden. Die Art der Bildauswertung und die dabei berücksichtigten Bildmerkmale ist von großer Bedeutung für das Ergebnis. Die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit untersuchten 46 Probenpaare (aus den Fütterungsvergleichen (=FV) und zur Thematik der Hörner) konnten in 91% der Fälle korrekt gruppiert werden. Die Unterschiede konnten benannt werden. Drei FV wurden auf drei biologisch-dynamischen Höfen unter Praxis-Bedingungen durchgeführt (on-farm-Experimente). Es wurden jeweils zwei vergleichbare Gruppen à mindestens 11 Kühen gebildet, die im Cross-Over-Design gefüttert wurden, mit Probennahme am 14. und 21. Tag je Periode. Es wurden folgende FV untersucht: A: Wiesenheu vs. Kleegrasheu (=KG-Heu), B: Futterrüben (=FuR) vs. Weizen (Ergänzung zu Luzernegrasheu ad lib.), C: Grassilage vs. Grasheu. Bei Versuch A sind die Futtereffekte am deutlichsten, Gruppeneffekte sind gering. Die Milch der Wiesenheu-Variante hat weniger CLA’s und n3- FS und mehr mittellangkettige FS (MCT-FS), das Pr&M-Muster weist auf „Gewebereifung und Ausdifferenzierung“ vs. bei KG-Heu „Nährstoff-fülle, Wachstum und Substanz-Einlagerung und die SB zeigen fein ausdifferenzierte Bildmerkmale. Bei Versuch B sind die Futtereffekte ähnlich groß wie die Gruppeneffekte. Bei vergleichbarer Milchleistung weist die Milch der FuR-Variante höhere F- und E-Gehalte auf, sie säuert schneller und mehr, das FS-Muster weist auf eine „intensive“ Fütterung mit vermehrt MCT- FS, und die Pr&M-Untersuchungen charakterisieren sie mit „Eisentransport und Fetttröpfchenbildung“ vs. bei Weizen „mehr Abwehr-, Regulations- und Transportfunktion“ /. „mehr Lipidsynthese“. Die SB charakterisieren mit „große, kräftige Formen, verwaschen“ vs. „kleine, ausdifferenzierte Bildmerkmal“ für FuR vs. Weizen. Die FAS charakterisiert sie mit „Saftfutter-typisch“ vs. „Samentypisch“. Versuch C weist die geringsten Futtereffekt auf, und deutliche Gruppen- und Zeiteffekte. Milchleistung und F,E,L-Gehalte zeigen keinen Futtereffekt. Die Milch der Heu-Variante säuert schneller, und sie weist mehr SCT und MCT- FS auf. Pr&M-Untersuchungen wurden nicht durchgeführt. Die SB charakterisieren bei Heumilch mit „fein, zart, durchgestaltet, hell“, bei Silagemilch mit „kräftig, wäßrig-verwaschen, dunkler“. Die FAS kann keine konsistenten Unterschiede ermitteln. Der Horn-Einfluß auf die Milchprobe wurde an 34 Probenpaaren untersucht. Von 11 Höfen wurden je zwei möglichst vergleichbare Gruppen zusammengestellt, die sich nur im Faktor „Horn“ unterscheiden, und im wöchentlichen Abstand drei mal beprobt. F,E,L, SCC und SE der Proben sowie die FAS-Messungen weisen keine konsistenten signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Horn-Varianten auf. Pr&M weisen bei den untersuchten Proben (von zwei Höfen) auf Horneffekte hin: bei Eh eine Erhöhung von Immun-Abwehr-Funktionen, sowie einer Abnahme phosphorylierter C3- und C6-Metabolite und Beta-Lactoglobulin. Mit den SB ließen sich für die gewählten Merkmale (S-Größe und g.B.-Intensität) keine Horneffekte feststellen. FS, Pr&M-Muster sowie Harnstoffgehalt und SB (und z.T. Milchleistung) zeigten je FV ähnliche Effekt-Intensitäten für Futter-, Gruppen- und Zeiteffekte, und konnten die Cross-Over-Effekte gut wiedergeben. F- und E-Gehalte konnten neben tierindividuellen Effekten nur in FV B auch Futtereffekte aufzeigen. In FV C zeigten die SE der Proben den deutlichsten Futtereffekt, die anderen Methoden zeigten hier vorrangig Gruppen-Effekte, gefolgt von Futter- und Zeiteffekten. Die FAS zeigte den SB vergleichbare Ergebnisse, jedoch weniger sensibel reagierend. Die Interpretation von Qualitätsaspekten war bei konsistent differenzierbaren Proben (FV A, B, C) am fundiertesten mit Hilfe der FS möglich, da über die Synthese von FS und beeinflussende Faktoren schon vielfältige Erkenntnisse vorliegen. Das Pr&M-Muster war nach einer weiteren Methodenentwicklung bei der Deutung von Stoffwechselprozessen sehr hilfreich. Die FAS konnte z.T. eine zu der Fütterungsvariante passende Charakterisierung liefern. Für die SB-M fehlt es noch an Referenzmaterial, um Angaben zu Qualitätsaspekten zu machen, wenngleich Probenunterschiede aufgezeigt und Proben-Eigenschaften charakterisiert werden konnten.

An analysis of household farm investment decisions under varying land tenure arrangements in Ghana

Land tenure insecurity is widely perceived as a disincentive for long-term land improvement investment hence the objective of this paper is to evaluate how tenure (in)security associated with different land use arrangements in Ghana influenced households’ plot level investment decisions and choices. The paper uses data from the Farmer-Based Organisations (FBO) survey. The FBO survey collected information from 2,928 households across three ecological zones of Ghana using multistaged cluster sampling. Probit and Tobit models tested the effects of land tenancy and ownership arrangements on households’ investment behaviour while controlling other factors. It was found that marginal farm size was inversely related to tenure insecurity while tenure insecurity correlate positively with value of farm land and not farm size. Individual ownership and documentation of land significantly reduced the probability of households losing uncultivated lands. Individual land ownership increased both the probability of investing and level of investments made in land improvement and irrigation probably due to increasing importance households place on land ownership. Two possible explanations for this finding are: First, that land markets and land relations have changed significantly over the last two decades with increasing money transaction and fixed agreements propelled by population growth and increasing value of land. Secondly, inclusion of irrigation investment as a long term investment in land raises the value of household investment and the time period required to reap the returns on the investments. Households take land ownership and duration of tenancy into consideration if the resource implications of land investments are relatively huge and the time dimension for harvesting returns to investments is relatively long.

On the farm.

Presenta algunas de las diferentes máquinas utilizadas en las explotaciones agrícolas, incluidos los arados, tractores, máquinas de ordeño, para abonado con estiércol o purinas, esquilado, para plantar semillas, cosechadoras, o para cortar y hacer las balas de pasto, y cosechadoras. Un glosario ilustrado proporciona una primera herramienta de referencia para las máquinas que aparecen en la publicación. Para niños hasta siete años.