A B S T R A C TE-learning is likely to be an increasingly important element in teaching agriculture and related subjects at universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors involved in determining the readiness and intention to adopt e-learning by faculty members at member institutions of the African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE). The study was based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior (DTPB) to predict intentions on the use of elearning. DTPB draws on constructs influencing the attitude to use technology from two frequently investigated models in this area, that is, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). Valid responses were collected from 70 faculty members with a survey questionnaire. Validated scales from previous research were used to measure the variables of interest. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents have only limited access to ICT infrastructure and support services. However, they perceived e-learning to be very useful in general and to have the potential to enhance their teaching-related activities.

Dans la région de Tillabery au Sud-Ouest du Niger confrontée à des sècheresses récurrentes, les espèces agroforestières comme Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) jouent un rôle important dans la vie des communautés locales. Le présent article analyse les caractéristiques de Balanites aegyptiaca et son importance socioéconomique dans la région. L’étude se base sur des inventaires et des mesures dendrométriques menées dans les villages de Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio et Sansani Haoussa, et un total de 120 utilisateurs de Balanites aegyptiaca interviewés sur l’usage de l’espèce. Les résultats montrent que Balanites aegyptiaca occupe le premier rang des essences ligneuses avec un taux d’occupation de l’espace de 93%. Les diamètres varient de 24,25±0,7 à Tamou Kaina à30,60±1,9 à Sansane Haoussa. Les hauteurs varient de 5,30±0,1 à Mari et 6,16 ±1,6 à Tamou Kaina. Un indice de diversité de Shannon inférieur à 2,5 dans tous les sites indique une faible diversité. Les enquêtes montrent que toutes les parties de Balanites aegyptiaca sont utilisées dans l’alimentation humaine et animale, dans les autres activités domestiques, thérapeutiques et commerciales. Les fruits ont un d’usage plus important (80%) que les feuilles (60%), les racines (33%), le bois (53%), les écorces (46%), les fleurs (33%) et les branches (33%). Les actions anthropiques et les pâturages des animaux sont les principaux facteurs qui menacent la population de Balanites dans la zone. Malgré cela, Balanites aegyptiaca reste une espèce très utilisée par les communautés locales, et pourrait contribuer à renforcer leur résilience face à l’insécurité alimentaire et à d’autres chocs. Mots clés : Caractérisation, Balanites aegyptiaca, Perception, Dendrométrie, Carbone Niger.   English title: Characterization of the population of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del and the perception of its socioeconomic potential in the southwestern part of NigerIn the region of Tillabery, in the South-western part of Niger confronted with recurrent drought, agroforestry species like Balanites aegyptiaca play an important role in the lives of local communities. The study is based on inventories and dendrometric measurements of trees conducted in the villages of Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio and Sansani Haoussa, and on interviews of 120 users of Balanites aegyptiaca on their usage of the species. Results show that Balanites aegyptiaca ranks first in the sites of Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio and Sansane Haoussa with an occupation rate of 93%. The average diameters ranged from 24.25 cm (± 0.7) at Tamou Kaina to 30.60 cm (± 1.9) at Sansani Hausa. Average heights ranged from 5.30 m (± 0.1) at Mari to 6.16 m (± 1.6) at Tamou Kaina. The Shannon Diversity Index of less than 2.5 found in all four sites, indicate a low diversity. Surveys carried out revealed that all parts of Balanites aegyptiaca are used in human and animal food, and in other domestic, medical and commercial activities. Fruits have a greater usage value (80%) than leaves (60%), roots (33%), wood (53%), bark (46%), flowers (33%) and branches (33%). Anthropic actions and pastures of animals are the main factors threatening the settlement of the species in the area. B. aegyptiaca remains a popular species among local populations and could contribute in reinforcing their resilience to food insecurity and other shocks.Keywords: Characteristic, Balanites aegyptiaca, Dendrometry, Perception, Socioeconomic factors, Niger.

Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert date) is one of the pioneer agro-forestry species in the Sahel.The different parts of the tree are used in human and animal food, and the fruits are an important source of revenue for the rural population. This study aims at reducing the research data gapon in the entomofauna associated with B. aegyptiaca in countries like Niger. Tree and fruits samples were taken in the rural area of SansaneHaoussa in the South- western part of Niger to inventory insect species present and assess the level of damage. The germination potential of attacked fruits was also assessed. The plant is attacked by various insect pests belonging mainly to the orders of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera with a predominance of the first. However the most dangerous ones are the species which cause damage to the fruits, including Ephestiakuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidopèra Pyralidae) which perforates the fruits and damages the grains hindering the germination of seeds of B. aegyptiaca.

Evaporative coolers are technologies highly used as a source of thermal comfort in terms of fresh air provider in areas where weather conditions are harsh and people living standard goes from medium to low earnings. This technology being environmentally friendly still requires a certain minimum maintenance, mostly the change of pads. This paper presents the performance of a cost-effective cooling pad made from the fibers of hyphanene thebaica (wood wool) as an alternative pad to the commercial ones rendering this technology more accessible and affordable for all social classes. The experiment was done in an insulated duct whereby thermodynamic parameters of locally made pad such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity and velocity, were recorded, and effect of physical properties on performances were analyzed. Compared to the commercial pad, the proposed local pad presented the lowest minimum outlet dry bulb temperature (20.00oC), a saturation efficiency of 78.80% with the highest cooling capacity of 0.1867 kW, the highest heat transfer coefficient of 7.3497 kW/m2 oC, the best cost-to-efficiency ratio (CER) and coefficient of performance (COP). By studying and improving the pads thermophysical characteristics, performance could be improved opening ways towards industrial production of such pads for a sustainable development.

Suite a linsecurite grandissante dans la zone de Filingue (a environ 200km au nord-est de Niamey) abritant la station experimentale pastorale de Toukounouss avec ses laboratoires de recherche sur les productions pastorales, des investigations ont ete faites pour trouver au Niger dautres zones plus securisees ou existent des peuplements importants de ligneux fourragers et ou des recherches pourraient être entreprises. Cette etude sinscrit dans la perspective devaluer la diversite floristique dans les enclaves pastorales de la region de Niamey. Des recensements floristiques ont ete effectues suivant des transects dans les 9 enclaves pastorales de la region de Niamey pour faire letat des lieux des herbacees et des ligneux sur les parcours. Vingt-cinq (25) especes ligneuses reparties en 12 familles et 19 genres ont ete recensees dont 21,35% de ligneux fourragers. Les Combretaceae (64,10%) sont representees par les especes Guiera senegalensis, Combretum micranthum et Combretum glutinosum, suivis des Capparidaceae (16,72%), puis des Asclepiadaceae (12,72%). Les herbacees sont representes par 17 especes reparties en 9 familles et 15 genres les Gramineae representent 29,41% des genres (Aristida, Brachiaria, Pennisetum et Schoenefeldia). Les Asclepiadaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Malvaceae et Papilionaceae representent chacune 11,76% de la population et avec chacun 2 genres recenses.La faible presence de diversite floristique au niveau des enclaves pastorales a ete expliquee par le fait que ces zones font lobjet de lotissement urbain, de coupe abusive et selective pour des besoins de service et de fourrage en destination des villages limitrophes et de la ville de Niamey.