The cultivation of vegetables serves as a vital pillar in horticulture, offering an alternative avenue towards achieving economic sustainability. Unfortunately, farmers often lack adequate knowledge on optimizing resource utilization, which subsequently results in low productivity. Furthermore, there has been insufficient research conducted on the comparative profitability and efficient use of resources for pea cultivation. So, the present study was conducted to examine the profitability and resource use efficiency of conventional and organic pea production in Northwestern Himalayan state. Using the technique of purposive sampling, the districts and villages were selected based on the highest area. By using simple random sampling, a sample of 100 farmers was selected, out of which 50 were organic growers and 50 were inorganic growers, who were further categorized as marginal and small. The cost incurred was higher for the cultivation of inorganic vegetable crops, whereas returns and output-input ratio was higher in organic cultivation. The cultivation of peas revealed that the majority of inputs were being underutilized, and there was a need for proper reallocation of the resources, which would result in enhanced production. Further, major problems in the cultivation of vegetable crops were a high wage rate, a lack of organic certification, a shortage of skilled labour and a lack of technical knowledge.
Mangifera indica L. (Mango, Anacardiaceae) is a popular tropical evergreen tree known for its nutritional and medicinal values. It is native to India and Southeast Asia and is known as the “king of fruits” in India and the Philippines. It is considered important in Ayurveda and other systems of medicine. Mango fruit is unique in its taste, colour, aroma, and nutritional qualities. Mangoes are a rich source of polyphenols (Mangiferin, Gallotannins, Quercetin, Isoquercetin, Ellagic acid, Glucogallin, Kaempferol, Catechins, Tannins, and the unique Xanthonoid), phenolic acids (Hydroxybenzoic acids- Gallic, Vanillic, Syringic, Protocatechuic, and p-Hydroxybenzoic acids, Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives-p-Coumaric, Chlorogenic, Ferulic, and Caffeic acids), flavonoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and Lutein), Vitamin A, Vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin-C, Vitamin-E, Carbohydrates, Amino acids, Organic acids, micronutrients (Potassium, Copper), fats (Omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), dietary fibre and certain volatile compounds. About 25 different types of carotenoids have been isolated from the fruit pulp, which contributes to the colour of the fruit. Phytochemical and nutrient content may vary depending on the cultivar. Mangoes possess potential medicinal properties such as antioxidant, gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, and many more. Mango fruit is an abundant source of all essential nutrients and phytochemicals; it could be ultilized as a nutritional supplement in the prevention and cure of several diseases. A comprehensive report on the nutritional and medicinal properties of fruit is presented below.
Purpose: The level of the environment is gradually declining, especially with regard to the serious problem of solid waste. Solid waste segregation-at-source is seen as the most essential approach to helping the natural environment minimize the amount of waste generated before being transferred to waste disposal sites and landfills in many rapidly growing towns and cities in developing countries. However, a number of previous environmental-based research have focused only on the general scope of recycling, sustainable development, and the purchase intention for sustainable food products. This situation has led to useful and relevant information on the research scope of households’ intention to segregate solid waste at source, which remains largely unanswered. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to provide a literature review to develop a novel theoretical framework in understanding the determinants of households’ intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source. Theoretical framework: The study provides a detailed explanation of the application of the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Fietkau-Kessel Model, the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, and the Value-Basis Theory to predict the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, environmental concerns, and environmental knowledge of households on intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source. Design/methodology/approach: This research is descriptive in nature. Findings: A better understanding of the potential mediator and moderator is needed to contribute to the body of knowledge on the causal relationship between the studied variables. In conclusion, the researchers discuss how the framework can be used to address future research implications as more evidence emerges. Research, practical and social implications: The current study is expected to broaden previous research in order to improve general understanding of attitudes and subjective norms towards the specific research scope of solid waste segregation-at-source.
Low integrity is a challenge for any organization. However, most organizations emphasize integrity without explaining what is required of an individual with high integrity. Exhibiting high integrity is necessary for academics; yet, the level of academic integrity remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the integrity level of academicians in a Malaysian public university. This paper shares the findings on the level of integrity of academics based on a questionnaire completed by 213 academicians. Data were collected by survey questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. An overall mean score of 9.45 from a possible 10.0 indicated a high level of integrity among academics. The self-evaluation results by academics also demonstrated that they have attained integrity at a high level for their generic task, teaching and learning, research and publications and service for community with a mean score between 9.36 and 9.49. The value with the highest mean score was for “service to community”, whereas the lowest was for “research and publication”. These findings show that the university has successfully instilled values of integrity among academicians. Nevertheless, the university must continue to enhance academic integrity by exploring religiosity. Using Google Scholar, a literature search identified an Islam-based academic integrity model to explain the quantitative findings. Finally, a mixed method approach and involving all universities in Malaysia are recommended to further the findings of this study.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and poses a severe public health problem. Nigeria has the highest number of global cases. Geospatial technology has been widely used to study the risks and factors associated with malaria hazards. The present study is conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study is to map out areas that are at high risk of the prevalence of malaria by considering a good number of factors as criteria that determine the spread of malaria within Ibadan using open-source and Landsat remote sensing data and further analysis in GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation (MCE). This study considered factors like climate, environmental, socio-economic, and proximity to health centers as criteria for mapping malaria risk. The MCE used a weighted overlay of the factors to produce an element at-risk map, a malaria hazard map, and a vulnerability map. These maps were overlaid to produce the final malaria risk map, which showed that 72% of Ibadan has a risk of malaria prevalence. Identification and delineation of risk areas in Ibadan would help policymakers and decision-makers mitigate the hazards and improve the health status of the state.
The PPP scholarly work has effectively explored the material values attached to PPPs such as efficiency of services, value for money and productivity, but little attention has been paid to procedural public values. This paper aims to address this gap by exploring how Enfidha Airport in Tunisia failed to achieve both financial and procedural values that were expected from delivering the airport via the PPP route, and what coping strategies the public and private sectors deployed to ameliorate any resultant value conflicts. Based on the analysis of Enfidha Airport, it is argued that PPP projects are likely to fail to deliver financial and procedural values when the broader institutional context is not supportive of PPP arrangements, and when political and security risks are not adequately counted for during the bidding process.
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