The survey of the intestinal parasites of the swine in Nakhon Pathom Province was performed by egg, oocyst and cyst identification in 346 fecal samples. In suckling piglets, 4.08%, 6.12%, 6.12%, 34.69%, 18.37%, and 22.45% were infected with Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Strongylates, Strongyloides ransomi, Coccidia and Balantidium coli respectively. The relative incidence of these parasitic infection was higher in the fattening pigs. Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Strongylates, Strongyloides ransomi, Metastrongylus spp. Coccidia, Balantidium coli and Trichomonad were found in 31.15%, 35.52%, 32.24%, 31.15%, 0.55%, 35.52%, 37.70% and 0.55% respectively of the fattening pigs. The percentage of breeding pigs infected with Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Strongylates, intestinal flukes, Coccidia, Balantidium coli and Trichomonad was found to be 9.65%, 4.39%, 68.42% 12.28%, 38.60., 42.98% and 0.88% respectively. By parasitic identification, the examination of the gastrointestinal tracts in 82 piglets, 1-8 weeks of age, revealed 2.44%, 67.07%, 39.02%, 40.24%, and 2.44% of the piglets infected with Ascaris suum, Strongyloides ransomi, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp. and Globocephalus spp. respectively. The control of Strongyloides ransomi infection was studied in 15 litters with the total of 132 suckling piglets, 1-2 weeks old. Each litter was divided into nontreated control and treated groups; but only the latter was orally treated once with 100 mg/kg. body weight of Thiabendazole. Each piglet was weekly weighed until weaned. The average increase in growth rate found to be equal, 0.89 kg. per week in both groups.

Examination to determine ovarian and uterine changes by palpation per rectum has been accepted as the most practical method, commonly used in cattle and horses. However, there has been no report of study on the feasibility and practicability of using such method in the Thai swamp buffalo. This study was conducted on ten healthy non-pregnant post subesent Thai swamp buffaloes selected at random. Examination per rectum for ovarian determinations was performed on every animal daily for one hundred and twenty consecutive days. Variance analysis shows that the average means of the length, width and thickness of the left ovary are 1.57 cm., 1.21 cm. and 0.68 cm. respectively while those on the right ovary are 1.65 cm., 1.23 cm. and 0.67 cm. respectively. The length and thickness of the right ovary is very highly significant, greater than those on the left every (P very much 0.01). The width of the right ovary is greater than that of the left ovary which is highly significant (P 0.01). The average means of the length and width of follicles on the left ovary are 1.7 cm. and 0.91 cm. respectively while those on the right ovary are 1.25 cm. and 0.95 cm. respectively. The length of the follicle on the left ovary is greater than that of the right ovary which is highly significant (P 0.01). The width of the follicle is greater on the right than on the left ovary (P, 0.05). Determination of sizes of corpora lutea were signified by +, ++, +++. Graphical analysis reveals extensive changes with irregular patterns. The comparison of the findings to the results of hormonal measurements by radioimmunoassay appears to be corresponding. The results show that the method of examination per rectum is applicable and practical for determinations of changes and status of ovaries of the Thai swamp buffalo thus valuable for future work in buffalo reproduction.

The complexity of supply and demand and the nuances of trade and markets have grown exponentially as the world grows smaller. Fortunately, so have our tools to understand them and to harness the knowledge for pro-poor benefits.

Thirsty and hungry cities are posing significant challenges for the urban-rural interface ranging from food security to inter-sectoral water allocation. Not only is the supply of resources to urban centres a growing challenge in low-income countries, but even more is the urban return flow, as investments in waste management and sanitation, ie the ‘ultimate food waste’, are not able to keep pace with population growth. And where polluted water is used in irrigation to feed the cities, food safety is becoming a crucial component of food security. Most affected by resource competition and pollution are the urban and peri-urban farming systems which are often driven by the informal sector. Urban waste is not only a challenge but also offers opportunities. It is in this interface between agriculture and sanitation where the CGIAR operates through its research programme on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), addressing both the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation: by exploring novel perspectives and solutions to respond to changing population dynamics, resource demands, centralised water and nutrient flows, and ecosystem services under pressure.

Ethiopian agricultural markets face challenges despite extensive reforms, which have not yielded expected impacts in growth and poverty alleviation. A concerted focus on getting markets right is critical after reform. Market development is a long-term agenda, requiring a progressive and integrative perspective that addresses the 3 I's: Institutions, Infrastructure, and Incentives. There is an important role for the stage in all of these dimensions, in supporting and facilitating the functional of the private sector.

Making markets work requires an efficient and sustainable flow of information that many poor countries lack. Market Information System (MIS) have the potential to fill the gap by providing all the players in the market with the resources to overcome the greatest market obstacles such as high transaction costs, weak competition and even inform policy decisions. To achieve the potential of MIS, Ethiopia can learn from the other sub-Saharan countries that have experimented with and successfully implemented various MIS models.

Another important aspect of an effective market is the quality of the goods that are sold. Standards to ensure the quality of goods are thus significant determinants of the effectiveness and productivity of markets. For the purpose of promoting competitive markets as well as protecting consumers from dangerous and unsafe products that may be found in the markets, the state can take a leading role in setting and enforcing quality standards.

An agricultural commodity exchange is based on a free market system and facilitates trade between farmers and buyers in agricultural goods and provides daily prices of farm produce. It has the potential to transform the Ethiopian agricultural market as it has done in other Sub-Saharan African countries like Zimbabwe. The benefits for the agricultural sector include improved market access and communication, increased competition, and ultimately more efficient and cost-effective markets. Moreover, a successful commodity exchange also allows for all sectors to participate and can thus increase the economic productivity of the country.