This African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD) Volume 8 Issue 3 presents six papers that highlight some of the research undertaken in Africa to improve agri-food system performance. The papers cover aspects of enhancing nutrition quality of common food crops, the case of cowpea in Uganda, use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for analysing chemical content of crop varieties and indeed nutrient content of food stuff, and use of disease resistant crop varieties, the case of cassava in Kenya. One paper examines performance of different plantation sawmill technologies in Uganda, another examines options for enhancing Fisheries sustainability, a case in Malawi.  These studies were conducted in diverse regions of Africa, and therefore present broad insights into some of the development issues and approaches for improving agri-food system performance.  The last paper in the Issue presents a case study from Pakistan on organising self-help groups as a tool for women empowerment. The insights are relevant to the ongoing efforts in Africa to strengthen and empower women groups in development undertakings but also for promoting inclusivity and equality as strongly called for by the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. Therefore, this Issue of AFJRD present papers to inform and catalyse dialogue and needed action to strengthen agri-food systems in Africa and beyond, while ensuring inclusivity in the undertakings.  Accordingly, AFJRD invites papers on related and other studies, as part of effort to generate dialogue and foster actions to spur rural development in Africa and beyond.

 

Published: 2024-09-24

Evaluation of Grains of Cowpea Magic Population Lines For Protein And Iron Concentration

Nadege Lenna, Emmanuel Mbeyagala, Emmanuel Amponsah Adjei, Angele Ibanda, Arfang Badji, Richard Edema, Ephraim Nuwamanya

198-207

Resistance of Popular Grown Kenyan Cassava Cultivars to Cassava Bacterial Blight

Joe Habert Okoth, James Wanjohi Muthomi, Agnes Wakesho Mwang’ombe

208-217

Performance of different plantation sawmill technologies in Uganda

John Ngobi, Robert Kyeyune Kambugu, Paul Mugabi, Banana Abwoli Yabezi

218-228