Ethnobotanical profiling of the medicinal flora of Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan: Empirical reflections on multinomial logit specifications

Objective To report the indigenous people's uses of plants from a multidimensional perspective in a remote area where strong ethnobotanical cultural practices prevail. Methods An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the field during 2014–2016. Ethnobotanical data were gathered from 182 informants through oral interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. The distribution of plants was explored using both descriptive and graphical methods. Further, a Multinomial Logit Specification was applied to find out the probability of the occurrence of diverse utilization of plants in multipurpose domains. Results The study identified 202 plant species distributed among 71 families and 156 genera. Ethnobotanical data indicate that there are more medicinal (36.96%) uses of plants as compared to all other use categories. The output from the Multinomial Logit Specifications (MLS) model reveals that perennial and non-woody plants are exploited more for medicinal and food uses than annual and woody plants. In the context of ethnomedicinal uses, aerial plant parts particularly leaves are more extensively used for the preparation of herbal recipes as compared to underground parts. Conclusions The results of the study emphasize the need to create awareness among the local communities about the conservation status of plant species in order to maintain a sustainable resource of plant-derived materials into the future. The novel econometric approach employed in this study adds a new insightful methodology to the existing body of literature in the field of ethnobotany. We strongly recommend conservation measures, alongside phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the useful plant species identified in this study in order to ensure their sustainable and effective utilization.

Ethnobotanical profiling of the medicinal flora of Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan: Empirical reflections on multinomial logit specifications

OBJECTIVE@#To report the indigenous people's uses of plants from a multidimensional perspective in a remote area where strong ethnobotanical cultural practices prevail.@*METHODS@#An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the field during 2014-2016. Ethnobotanical data were gathered from 182 informants through oral interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. The distribution of plants was explored using both descriptive and graphical methods. Further, a Multinomial Logit Specification was applied to find out the probability of the occurrence of diverse utilization of plants in multipurpose domains.@*RESULTS@#The study identified 202 plant species distributed among 71 families and 156 genera. Ethnobotanical data indicate that there are more medicinal (36.96%) uses of plants as compared to all other use categories. The output from the Multinomial Logit Specifications (MLS) model reveals that perennial and non-woody plants are exploited more for medicinal and food uses than annual and woody plants. In the context of ethnomedicinal uses, aerial plant parts particularly leaves are more extensively used for the preparation of herbal recipes as compared to underground parts.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of the study emphasize the need to create awareness among the local communities about the conservation status of plant species in order to maintain a sustainable resource of plant-derived materials into the future. The novel econometric approach employed in this study adds a new insightful methodology to the existing body of literature in the field of ethnobotany. We strongly recommend conservation measures, alongside phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the useful plant species identified in this study in order to ensure their sustainable and effective utilization.

Farmer strategies to face labor shortages in Chilean agriculture / Estratégias dos agricultores para enfrentar a escassez de mão de obra no setor agrícola chileno

This study analyzes the strategies that farmers in the south of Chile use to face current labor shortages and identify the variables that determine each of these strategies. A multinomial logit model and odds ratios plots with predicted probabilities were applied to a sample of 384 farmers. Interviews and focus groups were applied to specific producers, professionals and public officials. The main results show that only 32.3% of farmers declared that labor shortage is a problem. Of this percentage 52% chose the strategy of paying better, 13.8% chose improve the workers' working conditions, 9.5% chose to mechanize, and 24.1% did not follow a strategy. The production of labor-intensive products (e.g., exportable fruit) determines the strategy of paying better; the farmer's educational level influences the strategy of improving the working conditions, and the farmer's age affects the strategy of mechanizing. However, the production of labor-intensive products exhibits the greater effect. The main disadvantage of the "pay better" strategy is that workers do not want to commit to their job.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as estratégias utilizadas pelos agricultores do sul do Chile para enfrentar a escassez de mão de obra e identificar as variáveis que determinam cada uma dessas estratégias. Foram aplicados um modelo de logística multinomial e razões de chance com probabilidades previstas a uma amostra de 384 agricultores, além de entrevistas e grupos focais para determinados produtores, profissionais e funcionários públicos. Os principais resultados mostram que 32,3% dos produtores afirmaram que a escassez de mão de obra é um problema. Desse percentual, 52% optaram pela estratégia de melhorar a remuneração, 13,8% escolheram melhorar as condições de trabalho dos trabalhadores, 9,5% escolheram usinar e 24,1% não seguem nenhuma estratégia. A produção de culturas que requer mão de obra intensiva (por exemplo, a fruta exportável) escolhe a estratégia de melhorar o salário; o nível de escolaridade dos agricultores influencia a estratégia para melhorar as condições de trabalho; e a idade dos agricultores determina a estratégia de usinagem. No entanto, a produção de culturas com mão de obra intensiva apresenta o maior efeito. A principal desvantagem da estratégia de "melhores salários" é que os trabalhadores não querem se comprometer com o seu trabalho.

Determinants of Choice of Indigenous Climate Related Strategies by Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana.

This study assessed the determinants of Choice of Indigenous Climate Related Strategies by Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana using primary data obtained through community focus group discussions and household survey, and subjected to the Multinomial Logit regression model. The empirical results reveal that presence of a market, informal credit from friends and relatives, location of farmer, farmer-to-farmer extension, noticing of a decrease in rainfall and noticing an increase in temperature influence the choice of indigenous climate related strategies. There is therefore the need to improve smallholder farmers’ access to market, agricultural extension services and their awareness of changes in rainfall and temperature.

Trabajos de Investigación Satisfacción con la alimentación en personas Mapuche en la Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile / Food satisfaction in Mapuche persons in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile

Si bien el estudio y medición de la satisfacción con la vida ha generado gran interés en los últimos 15 años, existen pocos trabajos que aborden la satisfacción con la alimentación. Con el objetivo de identificar variables que influyen en la satisfacción con la alimentación en personas Mapuche, se aplicó una encuesta a 400 sujetos pertenecientes a esta etnia en la Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile. El cuestionario incluyó las escalas SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), de estilos de vida y alimentación y aculturación mapuche. Se obtuvo que el 41,0% está extremadamente satisfecho, 40,5% satisfecho, 17,2% medianamente satisfecho y 1,2% insatisfecho con su alimentación. Para identificar variables que influyen en la satisfacción con la alimentación se planteó un modelo logit multinomial ordinal, el cual fue significativo (p.

Although the study and measurement of satisfaction with life has generated great interest in the last 15 years, there are few works which address satisfaction with food-related life. In order to identify variables which have an influence on satisfaction with foodrelated life among Mapuche persons, a survey was applied to 400 Mapuche subjects in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile. The scales evaluated in the questionnaire included: SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), lifestyles, food, and Mapuche acculturation. It was found that 41.0% were extremely satisfied, 40.5% satisfied, 17.2% somewhat satisfied and 1.2% dissatisfied with their food-related life. To identify variables which have an influence on satisfaction with food, an ordinal multinomial logit model was proposed, which was significant (p.