Pothohar region of the Punjab, Pakistan is rain-fed with undulating topography. Soils of the area are predominantly loose with low water retention capacity and are vulnerable to erosion. Erratic and high intensity rainfall causes land erosion in the area producing gullies and gorges. Therefore, agriculture in the area faces twin menace of soil erosion and moisture stress. On-farm water control structures are among the important measures to control soil erosion and conserve moisture to enhance agriculture productivity. Present study was designed to evaluate the impact of these structures on soil moisture conservation and physio-chemical characteristics of soil in wheat growing fields. Wheat was sown in the fields, with and without structures during 2009 to 2013. It has been found that construction cost of such structures is about one-fourth that of conventionally used structures in the area whereas reduction in soil erosion has been observed up to 10% with 21% soil moisture conservation as compared to control. Soil fertility level improved significantly as a result of reduced run off and nutrient loss. A substantial improvement in wheat yield up to 15% due to increased fertility and moisture content was also recorded. These structures facilitated a safe disposal of surplus rain water which minimized the gully development, improved the soil structure, checked fertility loss and improved soil moisture retention.

A corn dryer prototype was manufactured for Mexican small-scale farmers in order to avoid them paying fines for corn with a high-moisture content when selling their corn on to stores. The dryer comprised two large boxes perforated by round holes and containing stainless steel trays subjected to a hot air temperature of 45°C within the batch. The accumulated grain in both boxes was 200 mm and the airflow rate were 0.56 m3 s-1. The corn ears layer was of 80 mm of depth in each of the boxes. The airflow rate was 0.34 m3 s-1. Within eight hours, we sampled corn grain in nine points of each box and found that the mean corn grain moisture content was reduced from 30.36% to 10.47% for box 1 whereas for box 2 it was reduced until 14.72%. The fuel consumption for drying was 0.55 kg h-1 of kerosene. In Box1, the exponential regression model for corn grain moisture content had an R² of 0.9143 whereas Box 2 exponential regression model had an R² was of 0.6642. In Box 1, the exponential regression model for corn ear moisture content had an R² of 0.9616 whereas Box 2 had an R² was of 0.9400. Both models for corn cob moisture content had an R² of 0.9639. Two-layer corn dryers can be used to harness gas or fuel energy to speed up drying for storage.

The objective of the study was to compare selected physical and chemical composition of shea butter processed from nut sourced from inorganic and organic fields. The treatments were O (shea butter processed from nut picked from organic fields) and N (shea butter processed from nuts picked from inorganic fields). These treatments were arranged in a Complete Randomized Design and were replicated four times in the laboratory for studies of free fatty acids (FFA), pH, peroxide value, insoluble impurities, unsaponifiable matter, and moisture content. The study revealed that organic shea butter had lower free fatty acids (FFA), lower moisture content, lower pH, less unsaponifiable matter, less insoluble impurities and lower peroxide value as compared to inorganic shea butter shea butter. The lower FFA value of organic shea butter indicates that it can be used for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry and for direct consumption. Hence higher chances that organic shea butter and attract premium prices in both local and international markets. The study also revealed that there was a positive relationship between; unsaponifiable matter and moisture content. Insoluble impurities had a very strong correlation with unsaponifiable matter and moisture content. A very strong positive correlation was observed between peroxide value and unsaponifiable matter, moisture content, and insoluble impurities. For good quality butter, nuts should be sourced from organic fields.