CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES FOR CHIEFS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN GHANA: THE CASE OF THE ROYAL ACADAMY

Chiefs and local government authorities are instrumental in community development. However, the branding of chieftaincy by the post-colonial government as anachronistic and undemocratic and the removal of chieffs from local government structures to curtail their powers affected their chances to be abreast with the dynamics of modern development concepts and approaches. Though currently the chieftaincy institution boasts of educated elites, some are not conversant with laws and policies on local government. Language barrier is a challenge in some cases for collaboration between the two actors as some Assembly officials speak languages that are different from the local languages of communities in which they work. Additionally, local government authorities have been criticised for their low capacity level and their contributions to development is questioned. The study adopted qualitative approaches to examine capacity development approaches within chieftaincy and local government systems. Nineteen participants including chiefs, members of District Assemblies, key informants and local government officials were sampled through purposive and convienent sampling techniques. The study unearthed that majority of the participants were unaware about the Royal Acadamy, a capacity development facility for chiefs. Challenges affecting capacity development included lack of funds, change in government, traditional practices and customs, and elitism in chieftaincy. The paper concludes that capacity development can facilitate community development, and minimise conflict between chiefs and local government authorities. The paper recommends that the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs take steps to operationalise the commencement of activities of the Royal Acadamy.

Risk analysis of landslide as a basis of mitigation plan: a case study of Mangunan Village, Bantul, Indonesia

When rainy season comes, in Mangunan Village, landslide occurs frequently. Mangunan is one of the villages in Bantul District that possesses high intensity of landslide events. Located in a contoured hilly area on the eastern region of Bantul District is one of the reasons. This study aims to analyze the risk of landslide in Mangunan by detailing the risk map, which constitutes a general risk map, and to identify the number of households that are currently residing in each risk-zone area. In this study, we applied a descriptive method that combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches in order to generate a good depiction of settlements in each risk-zone area. The data of this study can be classified into two categories, primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from field activities such as interviews and field documentation. Meanwhile, secondary data were obtained from archives, notes, or reports from related agencies. The results of this study are: 1) the number of settlements that are located in high- and medium-vulnerability areas are 143 and 12, respectively; 2) Mangunan Village possesses high hazard level, medium to high vulnerability level, and high-capacity level which means the village has medium to high risk level; 3) Recommendations of infrastructure development for landslide mitigation.

Extensive and Improved Traditional Poultry Farming in Togo: A Comparative Analysis of Socioeconomic Characteristics of Farmers

Since 2014, the Agricultural Sector Support Program (PASA) has been assisting smallholder farmers in Togo with the adoption of Improved Traditional Poultry Farming Technique (ITPFT) in rural areas in order to create wealth and reduce poverty. This paper focuses on comparing the socioeconomic characteristics of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of government subsidies (PASA). Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 400 farmers. The sample included 86 farmers who were program beneficiaries and 314 farmers who were not. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results of analysis indicated that there is a significant difference in socioeconomic variables such as self-financing capacity, level of education, membership in cooperative societies, household size, farm size, and annual sale of poultry between program beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries prior to program implementation. Descriptive statistics show that five years after the program's implementation, annual poultry sales per farmer ranged from 0 to 1700 birds for beneficiaries and from 9 to 200 birds for non-beneficiaries. The turnover per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 42409 and from US$ 33 to US $ 996 for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. The profit per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 25446 for beneficiaries and from US $ 26 to US $ 797 for non-beneficiaries. The magnitude of the standard deviations of the potential outcome variables among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries suggests that adoption rates of ITPFT may vary from one farmer to another. As a result, compared to non-beneficiaries, beneficiaries experienced a greater increase in potential outcomes five years after the program's implementation. Failure to comply with improved production technique on certain farms, despite receiving subsidies, is a factor that could negatively impact the effective, efficient, and optimal achievement of the program’s expected results. Further research will concentrate on determining the added value of this program through the use of appropriate and thorough econometric adoption and impact assessment methods.

Factors affecting the capacity of farming rice farmers in managing rice field in the District Tangerang

Farmers' capacity to manage rice paddy farming is closely related to individuals' behaviour in managing the farm. Farmer capacity building program has been widely and often conducted relevant government innovation lowland rice farm and delivered to farmers. Still, the farmers cannot give a proper response to lowland rice farm management innovation, especially in terms of strengthening farmers' capacity. This study aims to: (1) determine the level of farmer capacity in managing rice paddy farmers and (2) to analyze the factors related to the capacity level of rice paddy farmers. The research was conducted in the northern part of Tangerang Regency (Pantura), the centre for rice production in the Tangerang Regency. The research was conducted from July to November 2020. Data was collected through FGD interviews and observations of 150 farmers. The data analysis used descriptive test and multiple regression. The results showed that the farmer capacity in managing lowland rice farming in Tangerang district was classified as moderate, both in resource utilization, problem identification, farming planning, and adaptability. The main factor determining the level of farmer capacity in managing rice paddy farmers is formal education and nonformal education.

Access to Institutional Credit by Farmers in Eastern India

The supply of institutional credit plays an important role in promoting agricultural growth and also saving the farmers from the clutches of private moneylenders who charge exorbitantly high rates of interest and force them to live in perpetual debt trap. There has been a phenomenal increase in the flow of institutional credit to agriculture in the recent years but this has been quite uneven between regions. As of 2018–2019, the Southern Region had the highest share (43.0 %) in the institutional credit followed by Northern Region (21.0 %), Central Region (13.6 %), Western Region (12.0 %), Eastern Region (9.0 %) and North Eastern Region (0.9 %) respectively. Despite so much talk about the need for green revolution in Eastern India, the institutional credit to agriculture in almost all the Eastern and North Eastern states has been very poor. Based on various standard criteria such as credit–deposit ratio, credit absorption capacity, level of agricultural diversification and untapped potentials for higher agricultural growth and poverty reduction, farmers in the eastern states deserve a better deal in terms of access to institutional credit. Besides, the article explodes the myth of low credit absorption of farmers in Eastern India.

Acute Ecotoxicological Effects of Bauxite Residue Addition on Mortality and Motion-frequency of Dendrobaena veneta and Enchytraeus albidus (Annelida) in Three Types of Soils

The bauxite residue is produced in high amount all over the world. This industrial waste is a possible soil-ameliorant material. Although the material has been producing in high amount, it is not frequent to reuse it. We investigated its ecotoxicological effects on two annelid species: Dendrobaena veneta and Enchytraeus albidus. Two forms of bauxite residue (BR: S – untreated; G – dried, filter pressed and gypsum neutralized) and three natural soils (NH: Nagyhörcsök, NY: Nyírlugos, OB: Őrbottyán) were examined. To determine the safe concentration in short term, the acute mortality and sublethal behavior tests (peristaltic motion-frequency) were performed. The bauxite residue addition (< 5/10 %) raised the pH and water holding capacity level of soils. Both types of the bauxite residue increased the motion-frequency of the worms. The untreated type had an acute mortality effect (> 25 %). Both species refused the higher concentration soils (≥ 10 %) of both types of bauxite residue. Slight bauxite residue addition may improve the life circumstances of annelids in acidic sandy soils because of the pH level and water holding capacity potential rise.

Factors Affecting the Capacity of Green Gang Managers in the Utilization of Yards for Green Open Space in Jakarta

This study aims to identify the Green Gang Manager capacity level and analyze the factors that affect the Green Gang Manager capacity in Jakarta. The technique of research includes a survey approach for 340 respondents in DKI Jakarta Province from 2,236 Green Gang Managers. Research in the five administrative towns of central Jakarta, East Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta and North Jakarta has been undertaken between December 2019 and February 2020. Techniques for data collecting through open interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Inferential data analysis. Data analysis. PLS and Logical model analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the capacity of Green Gang Managers in DKI Jakarta Province was in the medium category. This indicates that the Green Alley Manager's capacity level is quite understanding regarding utilizing Green Open Space. Green Gang Managers' ability is influenced significantly and effectively by individual properties, support of stakeholders and Green Gang managers' involvement. Non-formal training and motivation are personal attributes that affect Green Gang Manager skills. The role of the government, the part of the community, the role of the media and the role of extension workers are all stakes that influence the capacity of the Green Gang manager. Planning, implementation, using outcomes and evaluation are the level of participation that influences the capacity of Green Gang managers.

Assessment of chemically and enzymatically modified chitosan with eugenol as a coating for viscose functionalization for potential medical use

The present work deals with the preparation of chemically and enzymatically eugenol-modified chitosan and its application as a green coating on viscose for the potential production of medical textiles. The elemental composition of chemically and enzymatically eugenol-modified chitosan was determined by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Moreover, potentiometric titration was used to estimate the number of accessible amino groups. The chitosan–eugenol formulation possesses a high antioxidant capacity level, as shown by the high content of phenolic compounds analyzed by the following methods: (a) Folin–Ciocalteu; (b) reduction of Fe3+ ions; and (c) α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•). Viscose coated with chitosan–eugenol formulations was evaluated by ATR FT-IR spectroscopy and Acid Orange VII spectrophotometric methods, the results of which demonstrated the successful deposition of these formulations on the fibers. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of the functional coating on the viscose. Finally, antimicrobial testing was performed to determine inhibition of selected pathogenic micro-organisms using the ASTM E 2149-01 standard. The antioxidant activity of the functionalized viscose was investigated spectrophotometrically by the DPPH• method. It was found that the coatings of eugenol-modified chitosan impart antimicrobial activity to the viscose against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi, and cause inhibition of free radicals by introducing an antioxidant character. The chemical and enzymatic modification of chitosan offers many opportunities for the incorporation of many natural active ingredients into the chitosan system, which provides a good basis for further work related to the functionalization of chitosan for sanitary and medical use.

Identification of environmental conditions based on the carrying capacity and holding capacity analysis (case study: Kecamatan Barat, Magetan)

A rapid increase in population and unsustainable land use changes that are not following its capability are likely to lead to severe urban problems. An analysis of the carrying capacity and holding capacity of the environment is needed to determine whether lands can sustain the increasing population. The present research aims to identify the environmental conditions of the Kecamatan Barat based on the carrying capacity and holding capacity of land, water, and demography. Further, an overlay analysis is used to understand the overall carrying capacity level of the sub-district. Qualitative descriptive analysis is used to elaborate the study results. Two villages have deficits in the carrying capacity and capacity of land in West District in 2020, including Purwodadi and Tebon. Six villages are experiencing a water deficit in 2020, including Purwodadi, Karangsono, Bogorejo, Tebon, Manjung, and Mangge. All villages in Kecamatan Barat are still able to accommodate the projected population increase until 2042. The overlay of land, water, and demographic carrying capacity and water holding capacity shows 8, 4, and 2 villages with very high, high, and low overall carrying capacity values.