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      • Trusted Partner
        September 2023

        Managing Risk in Agriculture

        A Development Perspective

        by Ashok K. Mishra, Subal C. Kumbhakar, Gudbrand Lien

        The book addresses and documents farmers' risks in developing and emerging economies. It draws lessons from experimental economics on measuring risk preferences, attitudes, gender differences in managing risks, and risk management strategies in countries across Africa and Asia. It argues policy makers, especially in emerging economies, need a better understanding of farmers' attitudes toward risk and choices of risk management strategies when designing policies to support production agriculture. The book includes chapters on three themes: understanding risk attitudes and preferences; using experimental economics to measure risk, preferences, and risk management strategies; and understanding climate change, risk, and risk management. The book critically examines the currently held beliefs about risk preference, attitudes, and empirical estimation of risk management strategies, emphasizing developing and emerging economies (DEE). "The agricultural development space is an inherently risky one and this welcome collection belatedly helps to plug an important hole." Jock R. Anderson, Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of New England, Armidale, Australia "Over time, agricultural production practices have evolved, as have the markets and value chains for food and agricultural products. A constant consideration, however, and one that continues to define agriculture worldwide, is risk. The risks that impinge on agriculture come in all shapes and sizes. Of course, production risks are ubiquitous. But so are market risks. And the same is true for macroeconomic and financial risks and the risks associated with an evolving climate. This book will be a valuable, comprehensive resource for any applied economist desiring to understand the risk management principles relevant to modern food and agricultural systems." Matthew Holt, Prof. and head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.

      • Trusted Partner
        Medicine
        February 2019

        Agriculture for Improved Nutrition

        Seizing the Momentum

        by Shenggen Fan, Sivan Yosef, Rajul Pandya-Lorch

        Approximately 800 million people suffer from hunger, 2 billion from lack of micronutrients and more than 2 billion from excessive weight and obesity. There is renewed interest in reshaping agricultural and food systems at global, regional and national levels, so that poor and vulnerable people have access to nutritious sustenance. This book reviews research findings, results from on-the-ground programmes and interventions, and policy experiences from the past 5-10 years. It examines the direct and indirect effects of agriculture on nutrition, following the agricultural value chain to explore this complex relationship, from biodiversity and crop fortification, to programme evaluation, to the impact of agricultural policies on consumers' choices and actions. It explores the roles of various stakeholders along the chain including women and the private sector, and cross-cutting themes such as data and capacity building. Developing country experiences and the knowledge and action gaps that remain in truly integrating agriculture and nutrition aims and related practices are considered. Key features: -Considers the evidence base on the relationship between agriculture and nutrition. -Includes insights from internationally renowned researchers. -Presents data from real-world settings that is highly relevant to the challenges currently faced by developing countries. This book is ideal for policy-makers and students studying agriculture, international development and nutrition.

      • Trusted Partner
        Science & Mathematics
        August 2018

        Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Subtropical and Tropical Agriculture

        by Richard A Sikora, Danny Coyne, Johannes Hallmann, Patricia Timper, Antoine Affokpon, Shamsul Bhuyian, John Bridge, J Alfonso Cabrera, Buncha Chinnasri, Biodun Claudius-Cole, Cleopas Chinheya, Amer A S Dababat, Richard F Davis, Donald W Dickson, Larry Duncan, Santhosh J Eapen, Fahiem El-Borai, Howard Ferris, Rafael Galbieri, H S Gaur, Driekie Fourie, Robin Giblin-Davis, Nalini C Gnanapragasam, David J Hunt, Charles Johnson, Natsumi Kanzaki, Hannah Wangari Karuri, Rosa Manzanilla-Lopez, Beira Hailu Meressa, Keerthi Mohotti, Sara Sánchez Moreno, Björn Niere, Juan Emilio Palomares-Rius, Rakesh Pandy, Deliang Peng, Trinh Quang Phap, Patrick Queneherve, Prabashnie Ramouthar, Philip A Roberts, Sônia Maria de Lima Salgado, Ebrahim Shokoohi, Edward Sikora, Brent S Sipes, Sonia Steenkamp, Sergei Subboten, Luc Villain

        Covering all aspects of practical plant nematology in subtropical and tropical agriculture, the third edition of this definitive global reference work is fully revised and in full colour throughout. It covers the presence, distribution, symptomology and management of all economically important plant parasitic nematodes damaging the world's major food and cash crops. This includes: rice, cereals, solanum and sweet potatoes (and other root and tuber crops), food legumes, vegetables, peanut, citrus, fruit tree crops, coconut and other palms, coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugarcane, tobacco, pineapple, cotton, other tropical fibres, spices and medicinal plants. New content for this edition includes: - A chapter on nematode soil biodiversity and soil health. - Reflections on the future impact of nematodes and nematology on food security. - The importance of climate change, emerging threats, and new management technologies for large and small subsistence growers. - Significant revisions to the IPM chapter and chapters on vegetables, citrus, legumes, tuber crops, cotton, peanut and banana where major advances in nematode management have occurred. This book is highly illustrated, with up-to-date practical guidance on methods of extraction, processing and diagnosing of different plant and soil nematodes and on integrated pest management. It remains an invaluable resource for those studying and working in the area of crop protection.

      • Trusted Partner
        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        August 2023

        Parasitic Plants in African Agriculture

        by Lytton John Musselman, Jonne Rodenburg

        Parasitic Plants in African Agriculture brings together for the first time in a single volume, the ecology, biology, damage, and control of all groups of African parasitic plants including both the relatively few parasites introduced to the continent as well as those native parasites that have spread from within Africa. The book covers the well-known witchweeds and broomrapes but also groups and species that have received less attention including mistletoes, dodders, rice vampire weed, and other species posing threats. The book distinguishes between stem and root parasitic weeds and between holoparasites and (facultative or obligate) hemiparasites. Based on their research and experience collectively spanning six decades, the authors provide an authoritative and state-of-the-art overview of the distribution, biology and impact of these highly specialized weeds and include recommendations for their management. Since parasitic plants in African agriculture primarily affect smallholder farmers, these weeds are explicitly discussed within a context of resource limitations and global changes. Readers are informed on all parasitic plant species relevant to African agriculture and the impact these plants have on crop production and livelihoods of smallholders in a changing world. Current and future management strategies are outlined in terms of their principles and effectiveness as well as their feasibility and affordability for farmers, all of which determine farmer adoption. The final chapter synthesises some of the relevant findings and statistics regarding parasitic weed distribution and their host crops and discusses implications in terms of future crop protection concerns in African agricultural systems. Key features: · Authoritative text based on extensive field and laboratory work. · First comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of parasitic plants and their management in Africa. · Highly illustrated with photos, graphs and species distribution maps. · Reviews previous basic and applied work, with relevance to smallholder farming systems. This book will be a valuable reference for students, researchers, extension workers, development officers, national agriculture researchers, plant pathologists, food security specialists, weed scientists, agronomists and botanists.

      • Trusted Partner
        July 2022

        Next-generation Sequencing and Agriculture

        by Philipp Bayer, David Edwards

        This book summarises the impacts that the genome sequencing revolution has had in all areas across animal and plant agriculture, including cattle, orphan crops, cash crops, and more, with reference to applications in many species and locations. It explains new techniques and their use in understanding epigenetics, breeding and conservation.

      • Trusted Partner
        April 2022

        Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

        A Handbook for Practitioners in East and Southern Africa

        by Mateete Bekunda, Jonathan Odhong, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon

        This book provides an insight into the background, lessons learned, and the methodology of facilitating the application of best-bet/best-fit agricultural technologies to smallholder farms in East and Southern Africa (ESA). All technologies highlighted within this book, except those on livestock feeding, were trialed and demonstrated in farmers' fields over an eight-year period [2012 - 2020] as part of the Feed the Future/USAID funded research-for-development Africa RISING ESA Project and supported by the CGIAR. The livestock feed technologies were compiled from Eastern Africa literature and included to offer a full set of technologies relevant for farmers in mixed farming systems. Topics covered include the introduction of resilient and nutrient-dense crops, better arrangement of crops in the field to amplify intercrop benefits, and the management of soils to improve soil fertility and minimize physical soil and nutrient loss. The publication also features technologies for postharvest loss reduction, livestock feeding, food processing, and in the later chapters, important expositions on how multiple technologies can be creatively integrated in a farming system and how key products of research can be taken to scale. In the first chapter and throughout the handbook, the importance of taking gender dynamics into account to ensure technologies produce equitable outcomes is emphasized. This book: provides evidence-based descriptions of sustainable agricultural intensification technologies that have been validated iteratively with smallholder farmers. a convenient, easy-to-read, and science-based 'how-to' guide for successful deployment of improved agricultural technologies that will ensure readers from development/scaling agencies save time and resources for research trials and instead focus on technology deployment. gives evidence of how building research and development partnerships can be a critical element for successful delivery and scaling up of agricultural technologies. The book is aimed primarily at development practitioners who seek new competences in taking new technologies to scale. However, the breadth of topics covered makes this book an essential resource for agricultural scientists as well as university and college students aspiring to apply systems thinking in future agricultural research and development work.

      • Trusted Partner
        July 2024

        The Untold Stories of African Agriculture

        Lessons from Ethiopia

        by Tsedeke Abate

        This landmark volume presents the results of a comprehensive and coherent in-depth assessment of Ethiopian agriculture and draws lessons from it to generate actionable recommendations that will inform policy decisions and priority setting for agricultural transformation across Africa. Policy makers in Africa are faced with the challenges of ensuring food and nutrition security and the economic wellbeing of their rapidly growing populations while at the same time maintaining the integrity of their natural resource base. Between 2000 and 2021, 74% of the growth in overall crop production on the continent was derived from increases in land area expansion, while increases in yield contributed only 26% of the growth. This unchecked expansion of land use puts the sustainability of the natural resource base under severe pressure. Even though some countries have made substantial increases in their farm productivity over the last two decades, the overall performance for Africa is far behind other regions. For the most part, in Africa, agriculture is not fulfilling its expected functions of food and nutrition security, increased export earnings, import substitution, and raw material supply for local industries. Attempts have been made to transform African agriculture over the years, but few countries have succeeded in achieving sustainable change. Using examples from Ethiopia this book identifies the major factors for success and the root causes of underperformance, and offers evidence-based recommendations for future decision making, policy change and the creation of growth. This book: · Draws on a unique set of case studies from Ethiopia described and told from a truly African perspective. · Emphasises to policy makers in Africa that development cannot be outsourced and there are no shortcuts; it is only through consistent effort and sustained support for their agricultural research and development that positive change can be brought about. · States that past agricultural development efforts by the international community have not properly included a strong African voice, and that therefore, all future academic research, policies and strategies dealing with the continent's agriculture and food security should be formulated by Africa's own leading thinkers and experts. · Is not a polemic; its arguments are knowledge and evidence based, building a compelling picture of how agricultural development can be sustained for the future.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        June 2020

        New Land, New Life

        A success story of new land resettlement in Bangladesh

        by Andrew Jenkins, Natasha Haider, Bazlul Karim, Mihir Kumar Chakraborty, Kiran Sankar Sarker, Rezaul Karim, Robiul Islam, Nujulee Begum, Edward Mallorie, Koen de Wilde

        The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta has newly emerged 'char' islands, resulting from the deposition of sediment, which are very vulnerable, socially, institutionally and environmentally. This book explains how the governments of Bangladesh and the Netherlands and the International Fund for Agricultural Development cooperated on a land-based rural development project to give settlers security and purpose. It details how they engaged communities and civil societies, and implemented an infrastructure aimed at reducing flooding, improving drainage, and providing adequate drinking water and sanitation. The book describes the project's application to crop and animal agriculture, and the development of value chains and encouragement of female participation. It considers the financial underpinning and infrastructure, as well as how to ensure the impacts of the scheme are enduring. The scheme serves as a model for support projects to vulnerable groups faced with climate change and other environmental challenges. This book is suitable for students, researchers, specialists and practitioners in rural development, water resources, land management and soil science.

      • Trusted Partner
        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        November 2018

        Reorienting Indian Agriculture

        Challenges and Opportunities

        by Raj S. Paroda

        The Green Revolution of the mid-1960s and subsequent agricultural revolutions gave unprecedented gains in production, and halved the incidences of poverty and hunger. However, a growing world population, climate change bring new challenges alongside second-generation problems of the Green Revolution such as: decline in factor productivity, soil degradation, imbalanced use of nutrients, costly inputs, depletion of groundwater table, chemical contamination of food and feed as well as decline in farm income. This book sketches a journey from green to an evergreen revolution and India's ability to face those challenges through harnessing the best technologies and blending them with rich traditional knowledge. This book outlines the agricultural scenario in India, and the multiple revolutions, and the reorienting of agricultural research for development, productivity and productions, including potential and possibilities of promoting GM crops. Genetic resources and natural resource management, and the role of seed sector in Indian agriculture are analysed. Chapters consider climate smart agriculture, innovation in extension systems for efficient transfer of technology, empowering women and attracting youth in agriculture and the policy reforms to achieve these goals.

      • Trusted Partner
        Global warming
        December 2015

        Climate Change and Agricultural Water Management in Developing Countries

        by Edited by Chu T Hoanh, Vladimir Smakhtin, Robyn Johnston.

        The book provides an analysis of impacts of climate change on water for agriculture, and the adaptation strategies in water management to deal with these impacts. Chapters include an assessment at global level, with details on impacts in various countries. Adaptation measures including groundwater management, water storage, small and large scale irrigation to support agriculture and aquaculture are presented. Agricultural implications of sea level rise, as a subsequent impact of climate change, are also examined.

      • Trusted Partner
        December 2023

        Sustainable Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness Development

        An African Perspective

        by Brighton Nyagadza, Tanyaradzwa Rukasha, Abimbola Oluyemisi Adepoju, Abolupe Oluyemi Ayanboye, Archeford Munyavhi, Adenike Omotola Ajibobare, Adulation Khayisano Ndlovu, Basil Shumbanhete, Benard Chisiri, Benjamin Mudiwa, Benson Ruzive, Brenda Guruwo, Charles Tsikada, Dumisani Rumbidzai Muzira, Ernest Mugoni, Emmanuel Ndhlovu, Esther Mafunda, Gibson Muridzi, Gift Manhimanzi, Godwin Shumba, Jabulani Garwi, Joseph P. Musara, Julius Tapera, Luckmore Marodza, Maurice Kwembeya, Moses Jachi, Noah Ariel Mutongoreni, Nyasha Nyakuchena, Iscacle Nyanhete, Oluwakemi Adeola Obayelu, Patrick Korera, Praise Zinhuku, Purity Hamunakwadi, Rahabhi Mashapure, Reason Masengu, Rumbidzai Pashapa, Savanhu Howard Manyere, Tafadzwa Machaka, Tafadzwa Y. Chiwanza, Thelma Lilian Munodawafah, Wellington Bandason

        The future of Africa and the whole globe is dependent on sustainable agribusiness management. This book offers insights to a wide range of agricultural marketing and agribusiness management practices with a focus on sustainability. It is designed to provide academics and graduate students in business studies with a comprehensive treatment of the nature of agricultural marketing and agribusiness management, as well as sustainability transitions and related practices in certain regions of the world (particularly in Africa). The text also serves as an invaluable resource for agricultural marketing practitioners requiring more than anecdotal evidence on the structure and operation of agricultural marketing and agribusiness management, as well as sustainability in different organisations and geographical areas. It allows the reader to compare and contrast agricultural marketing and agribusiness management, as well as sustainability practices across different research methodologies and settings. The book provides a unique mix of theory, reviews, primary research findings and case studies.

      • Trusted Partner
        Science & Mathematics
        December 2016

        Conservation Agriculture for Africa

        Building Resilient Farming Systems in a Changing Climate

        by Amir H Kassam, Amir H Kassam, Saidi Mkomwa, Saidi Mkomwa, Theodor Friedrich, J N Blignaut, H Boulal, Roland Bunch, Trent W Bunderson, Dennis Garrity, Oussama El Gharras, Mohammed El Mourid, Mphatso Gama, Zwide D Jere, Josef Kienzle, Jaap Knot, Erna Kruger, Peter Kuria, Baqir Lalani, Simon Lugandu, Brand Mbale, Charles Midega, Michael Misiko, Zeyaur Khan, Obedi Mkandawire, Alice Murage, Richard M. Museka, Weldone Mutai, Blessings M. Mwale, Spencer W.D. Ng’oma, John M. Paul, John A. Pickett, Jimmy Pittchar, Brian G. Sims, Hendrik J. Smith, Phillip Tembo, Christian Thierfelder, Patrick C. Wall, Reynolds K. Shula, Peter Dorward, Jose Dambiro

        Tillage agriculture has led to widespread soil and ecosystem degradation globally. This is especially so in Africa where traditional and modern tillage-based agricultural practices have become unsustainable due to severe disturbance and exploitation of natural resources, with negative impacts on the environment and rural livelihoods. In addition, agriculture in Africa today faces major challenges including increased costs of production and energy, the effects of climate change, and the lack of an effective paradigm for sustainable intensification, especially for small- and medium-size holdings. Africa is facing a serious challenge to food security and as a continent has not advanced towards eradicating hunger. In addition, the population is still growing much faster than on most other continents. This pressure has led to the emergence of no-till conservation agriculture as a serious alternative sustainable agriculture paradigm. In Africa, in recent years, conservation agriculture techniques and methods have spread to many countries, as greater development, education and research effort are directed towards its extension and uptake. This book is aimed at agricultural researchers and scientists, educationalists, and agricultural service providers, institutional leaders and policy makers working in the fields of sustainable agriculture and international development, and also at agroecologists, conservation scientists, and those working on ecosystem services. This book: · Focuses on research and development initiatives in Africa aimed at building resilient farming systems based on conservation agriculture principles and practices. · Summarises the status of conservation agriculture in Africa today and prospects for its future development in Africa as a basis for sustainable agriculture intensification. · Describes case studies showing the performance of conservation agriculture in Africa. ; Tillage agriculture has led to widespread soil and ecosystem degradation. This book reviews research and development initiatives in Africa aimed at building resilient farming systems. It summarises the status of conservation agriculture today, discusses prospects for future development and provides case studies showing its performance in Africa. ; 1: Conservation Agriculture in Africa: An Overview2: Weather-Proofing Agriculture with Conservation Agriculture3: Conservation Agriculture: Growing more with less – the future of sustainable intensification4: Empowering Smallholder Farmers with Profitable and Sustainable Farming using Conservation Agriculture – the Case of East Africa5: Implementing the Principles of Conservation Agriculture in Malawi: Crop Yields and Factors Affecting Adoption6: Innovation Systems and farmer perceptions regarding Conservation Agriculture in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique7: Conservation Agriculture in North Africa: Experiences, Achievements and Challenges8: How Can We Cover Millions of Hectares with Conservation Agriculture in Africa?9: Climate-Smart push-pull - A conservation agriculture technology for food security and environmental sustainability in Africa10: How to Make Conservation Agriculture Ever Green11: Mechanization of smallholder Conservation Agriculture in Africa: contributing resilience to precarious systems12: Conservation Agriculture in South Africa: Lessons from Case Studies13: Extending Conservation Agriculture benefits through Innovation Platforms14: Summing Up

      • Trusted Partner
        Global warming
        June 2014

        Climate Change Impact and Adaptation in Agricultural Systems

        by Edited by Jurg Fuhrer, P J Gregory.

        The focus of this book is future global climate change and its implications for agricultural systems which are the main sources of agricultural goods and services provided to society. These systems are either based on crop or livestock production, or on combinations of the two, with characteristics that differ between regions and between levels of management intensity. In turn, they also differ in their sensitivity to projected future changes in climate, and improvements to increase climate-resilience need to be tailored to the specific needs of each system. The book will bring together a series of chapters that provide scientific insights to possible implications of projected climate changes for different important types of crop and livestock systems, and a discussion of options for adaptive and mitigative management.

      • Trusted Partner
        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        September 2019

        Climate Change Impact and Adaptation in Agricultural Systems

        by Jurg Fuhrer, P J Gregory

        The focus of this book is future global climate change and its implications for agricultural systems which are the main sources of agricultural goods and services provided to society. These systems are either based on crop or livestock production, or on combinations of the two, with characteristics that differ between regions and between levels of management intensity. In turn, they also differ in their sensitivity to projected future changes in climate, and improvements to increase climate-resilience need to be tailored to the specific needs of each system. The book will bring together a series of chapters that provide scientific insights to possible implications of projected climate changes for different important types of crop and livestock systems, and a discussion of options for adaptive and mitigative management.

      • Trusted Partner
        Zoology & animal sciences
        May 2021

        Nutrition and Feeding Organic Cattle

        by Robert Blair

        Organic cattle farming is on the increase, with consumer demand for organic milk and meat growing yearly. Beginning with an overview of the aims and principles behind organic cattle production, this book presents extensive information about how to feed cattle so that the milk and meat produced meet organic standards, and provides a comprehensive summary of ruminant digestive processes and nutrition. Since the publication of the first edition, global consumers have increasingly become concerned with the sustainability of meat production. Here, Robert Blair considers the interrelationships of sustainable practices and profitability of organic herds, reviewing how to improve forage production and quality, and minimizing the need for supplementary feeding using off-farm ingredients. This new edition also covers: - Managing a recurrent shortage of organic feed ingredients, due to increased GM feed crop cultivation worldwide - Current findings on appropriate breeds and grazing systems for forage-based organic production - Diet-related health issues in organic herds and the effects of organic production on meat and milk quality. Required reading for animal science researchers, advisory personnel that service the organic milk and beef industries and students interested in organic milk and meat production, this book is also a useful resource for organic farming associations, veterinarians, and feed and food industry personnel.

      • Trusted Partner
        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        September 2018

        Crisis and Conflict in Agriculture

        by Rami Zurayk, Eckart Woertz, Rachel Bahn

        This book discusses the causes and effects of crisis and conflict within an agricultural and rural context. It explores issues such as competition over resources, and looks at how crisis and conflict impact upon developing country agriculture for both the physical and human agricultural landscape. It reviews crises stemming from politically-driven violence, natural disasters and climate change. Exploring the relationship between agriculture and conflicts and crises before, during and after crisis periods, this book: - Evaluates controversial issues such as land-grabs and the growing of illegal crops; - Covers methodological approaches including GIS-based studies, ethnographic studies and the blending of methods; - Includes numerous case studies on developing countries within Asia, Latin America, Middle East-North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Providing detailed knowledge about the interactions of agriculture, conflict and crisis, this book aims to inform future policymaking for reconstruction and to foster resilience in the agricultural sector. An important resource for researchers of agricultural economics, development studies, sustainable agriculture and food security, it is also an illuminating read for students of these disciplines and agricultural extension workers.

      • Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        March 1905

        The First Book of Farming

        by Charles L. Goodrich

        This book is a result of the author's search for these facts and truths as a student and farmer and his endeavor as a teacher to present them in a simple manner to others. The object in presenting the book to the general public is the hope that it may be of assistance to farmers, students and teachers, in their search for the fundamental truths and principles of farming.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        April 2020

        Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability

        Ecosystems of Tanzania

        by P.Z. Yanda, C.G. Mung'ong'o, Edmund Mabhuye

        This book provides a detailed analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of climate change on the tropical ecosystems in Tanzania. Topics covered include agriculture, marine resources, wildlife, and weather forecasting. The analyses concentrate on real and potential impacts of climate change, focusing on changes in temperature and precipitation. Adaptive capacity and strategies for enhancing resilience (such as changing crop types and crop patterns in farming) are described. Particular attention is paid to climate change impacts on vulnerability and resilience in communities and ecosystems with special reference to extreme events such as droughts and flooding. The book: is the first book to analyse in detail climate change effects in Tanzania, highlighting the unique vulnerability of communities and ecosystems in East Africa from a socio-ecological point of view discusses potential future threats as well as providing solutions to current problems examines the application of local knowledge systems when formulating solutions The book is essential reading for researchers on climate change and socio-economic impacts in tropical rural economies and of broad interest to climate change scientists, tropical ecologists, conservationists and agricultural scientists.

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