Tropical wetlands are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and have immense socio-ecological value. However, tropical wetlands are considered exploitable resources and continue to be drained and converted to other “productive” uses. It is therefore urgent to identify and understand the interactions between various drivers of change triggering degradation of such wetlands. In the present study, we systematically reviewed and analyzed the existing literature on wetlands in two tropical countries namely India and Brazil with special reference to inland wetlands, and proposed a conceptual model illustrating the intricate linkages of such wetlands with different drivers of change. We also developed the Nature Futures’ Framework to depict the diverse values of inland wetlands contributing to human wellbeing in the two tropical countries. Findings revealed similar drivers of change triggering the degradation of Indian and Brazilian wetlands. These include changes in climate & land use, population growth, poor land governance due to weak policies, besides other anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, and overexploitation of wetland resources. Among these, land-use change such as agriculture intensification and infrastructure development were the major direct drivers; whereas, institutional and governance factors such as the absence of concrete policy measures were the major indirect drivers threatening the inland wetlands in India and Brazil. Results also revealed some contrasting drivers of change such as illegal human settlements, and land grabbing by the brick industry for Indian wetlands; while, gold mining and intensification of bovine systems for Brazilian wetlands. Our paper also provides an insight into the status of wetland conservation in India and Brazil. We recommend the promotion of community-based conservation practices while adopting sustainable livelihood strategies by the local people for the conservation and wise use of inland wetlands in India and Brazil. The arguments raised in the paper have the potential to assist the stakeholders and/or decision-makers towards implementing sustainable management strategies for inland wetlands in the two countries, and tropical wetlands in general.

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Yam is an important tuber crop in Nigeria. However, its availability is affected by rate of deterioration arising from poor postharvest handling. Hence, farmers use various techniques to minimize the loss. Therefore, this study examined the effect of the usage of various yam storage techniques on farm income in Kwara State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 180 respondents and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Tobit regression, weight index, and bivariate correlation. Data analysis reveals that yam barn storage technique was ranked first in terms of level of usage by the farmers with the highest average weight index (AWI=2.54) while, open sided shelve was the least (AWI=0.594). However, in terms of level of awareness, the heap on the floor technique was ranked first by the respondents. The Tobit regression analysis indicates that extension service and crop yield had a positive and significant effect on the usage of yam storage techniques, while access to credit had a negative significant effect. The bivariate correlation reveals that; there is a positive significance between usage intensity and farm income of the farmers. It is therefore recommended that extension agents should actively disseminate information on improved storage techniques to yam farmers in the study area as well as the need to use such techniques.

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Vertical integration might be relevant to improve the well-being of farmers particularly when thinking of how economic innovation ensures high utilization of resource and promote economic prosperity in Nigeria. However, the relationship of such proposition is yet to receive empirical attention in the fish hub. This study uncovers the effect of the vertical integration on the multi-dimensional well-being of fish producers in Lagos State fish hub. The study was examined using primary data collected from 103 integrated and 60 non-integrated respondents. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gross National Wellness (GNW) Index and Average Treatment Effect (ATE). The result of the GNW Index shows that both the integrated and non-integrated farmers ranked the indicators of multidimensional wellness in the same order. They were satisfied with their social relations (8.70); physical and health status (7.91); mental and emotional status (7.41); work and income status (5.87) as well as their economic and retirement status (5.68). However, they were dissatisfied with the political and government condition (4.73) as well as their living environment (3.77). The ATE result shows that the indicators such as the political and government intervention; mental and emotional; work and income were the components of multidimensional wellbeing that was improved by vertical integration decision of the farmers in the fish hub. However, social relations; physical and health; living environment wellbeing dimensions were not affected by the vertical integration decision of the respondents. It is therefore recommended that fish farmers should integrate themselves so as to enjoy government interventions, better income status and better emotional wellness all of which will improve their wellbeing.