This Issue, Volume 7 Issue 4 of the African Journal of Rural Development has nine papers. As in the previous issue (Vol 7 Issue 3), this particular Issue also focuses largely on issues related to Climate Change, (two papers), a clear indication of the impact climate change is having in Africa and of the ongoing efforts to mitigate its impact on the continent. The two papers cover aspects of climate variability trends (Osaliya et al.), and access to agrometeorological information (Atsiaya et al.). Two other papers discuss issue of land tenure and related management practices (Denga et al. and Ogwal et al.). Three other papers discuss feasibility of using fungi for biocontrol of bacterial wilt diseases (Kariuki et al.), properties of extruded cowpea-cassava composite flour (Kessely et al.) and lastly the crucial issue of effective extension delivery services to farmers- the case in Uganda of engaging soldiers in agricultural input distribution (Ochen et al.).  The remaining two papers discuss the impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on groundnut farmers in Burkina Faso and Mali (Sylla et al.) and harnessing ICTs for knowledge sharing, especially to strengthen extension delivery services (Tulinayo et al.)  These papers highlight some of the key development issues facing agricultural development in the continent, namely, climate change and its associated impacts, natural resource and environment degradation, land tenure, delivery of extension services to farmers, need for food formulations to cope up with changing dietary and eating habits and the recurrent problem of managing bacterial wilt diseases in crops such as bananas, vegetables and horticultural crops.  The papers cover diverse topics and profile some of the ongoing research for development initiatives to respond to some of the challenges.

Published: 2024-04-03

Systematic review of drivers of riverbank cultivation, human livelihoods and conservation in Southern Africa

Rudo Violet Denga, Thomas Marambanyika, Matamyo Simwanda, Royd Vinya, Mthuthukisi Ncube

445-466.

A survey of apicultural practices in Lira and Adjumani districts of Uganda: implications for beekeeping development

George Ayo Ogwal, Anne M. Akol, Hudson Onen, Moses Chemurot, Donald R. Kugonza

467-479.

Contribution of soldiers to inputs distribution under Operation Wealth Creation programme in Uganda

Morrish Ochen, Paul Kibwika, Florence Birungi Kyazze, Narisi Mubangizi

525-536.