Growth, Reproduction, Blood Chemistry and Carcass Characteristics of New Zealand White Weaner Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Fed Different Levels of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal

Authors : Bonsu Fritz Ramseyer Karikari ; Gyebi Emmanuel ; Sarfo Goodman Kantanka et.al.,

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjav.73.45.55

Abstract:

Anthropometric Status and Feeding Practices of Infants (0 - 12months) in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Authors : A. D. OGUIZU ; C. A.  UGBE

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjav.73.37.44

Abstract:
Background: Infant nutrition is an integral part of infant health. Infant feeding practices are feeding options and activities undertaken by mothers/caregivers to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. Objectives: This study assessed the anthropometric status and feeding practices of infants (0-12months) in Awka, Anambra State. Methods: A cross sectional survey design was adopted. The population of the study were all the mothers with infants (0-12months). Data collection was done using a closed ended questionnaire. Recumbent length was measured using an infantometer and reading was taken to the nearest 0.1cm. Weight was taken using bathroom weighing scale and measurement was taken to the nearest 0.1kg. WHO-Anthro was used to assess the anthropometric status of the infants. In the classification of knowledge questions, correct response was assigned the value of one while zero was given to the wrong responses. The knowledge and attitude score was derived from the summation of the individual question scores, while the percentage knowledge score was obtained by dividing the knowledge score by the number of knowledge items. Knowledge was graded thus: poor knowledge (≤ 39.9), fair knowledge (40.0-69.9), while good knowledge (≥ 70.0). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation) were used for analysis. The Significant difference was judged at p<0.05. Results: About 42.1% of the infants were between 6-9months. The result revealed that many of the nursing mothers (65.5%) who participated in the study had good knowledge on practice of breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding at one year. About 10.3% of the infants were stunted, while 1.8% infants were severely stunted.  Males (11.3%) were more stunted than females (9.7%). About 10.3% of the infants were underweight, while 1.8% were severely underweight. Males (11.3%) were more underweight than females (9.7%). The study also showed that 22.4% of infants were overweight, 5.5% infants had possible risk of overweight. Conclusion: Although many of the mothers had good knowledge and attitude on infant feeding practices, some of the mothers practiced early cessation of breast milk, early as well as late introduction of complementary foods.

Performance of Agriculture Extension Services under Local Government Authorities in Tanzania: A Review

Authors : Sebastian Severin Mosha ; John Miyekelo Daudi

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjav.73.30.36

Abstract:
East African countries referred to have the effective extension system in Africa. However, the agriculture sector has not shown significant improvement in production and bettering peoples’ lives in rural areas. In Tanzania, agricultural extension system remains almost entirely financed by the public sector represented by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture. Extension services provided by the Government of Tanzania are publicly funded and, thus, free for farmers employing several extension systems and approaches including the gradual improvement in farming methods, the transformation approach, the settlement scheme and the Training and Visit (T&V) system. Decentralization of extension services in Tanzania introduced with the aim of bringing services closer to farmers. However, the impact of decentralization of extension services in improving farmers’ lives has been perceived mostly with failure than with success. Additionally, performance of extension services in the country reported to be affected by numerous factors such as inefficient funding, poor organization at Local Government Authorities (LGAs), coordination and management, political interference environment, and weak linkage with research sector among others. In addition, the insufficient number of staff and poor infrastructures and facilities, government extension agents reach only 10% of the farming households, leading to dissatisfaction with rendered services among farmers. However, Government’s apparent commitment to policies and strategies in transforming the agriculture sector as it employs more than 70% of its population. Thus, recently, the central government provided motor bikes, iPad and soil scanners to all extension workers throughout the country. Hence, this review on the performance of agriculture extension services under local government authorities was conducted to articulate challenges facing the system and propose solutions to achieve the traditional ‘structural transformation’ whereby increasing agricultural production provides a platform for manufacturing and economic growth.

The Effects of Steeping Temperature Variations on the Production of Pap (Akamu)

Authors : Egbe Ebiyeritei Wisdom

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjav.73.23.29

Abstract:
The effect of temperature variation on the nutritional quality of pap was studied using (AOCS) American Oil Chemists Standard Method. Pap ingredients were purchased from Amassoma ultramodern market, Bayelsa State. A thermometer was used to record an initial temperature of 80°C (Group A), 50°C (Group B) and 25°C a room temperature (Group C).  After discarding the water, the cereal grains were carefully and independently cleaned with fresh water. An attrition mill was used to grind the wet grains, and the paste produced was mixed with 1000ml of purified water. A muslin cloth was used to filter the mixture’s slurry. After allowing the filter to stand for a full day, the supernatant was disposed of. In order to allow additional water to drain off, the newly created pap was wrapped inside a muslin cloth and left to stand for the following 12 hours. The proximate composition of the pap was investigated at the varying steeping temperatures. From the result it shows that the proximate composition of pap can vary depending on the steeping temperature used, it shows that the moisture content ranged from 25.51-27-52%, protein ranged from 7.79%-8.15, fibre ranged from 2.16% – 2.24%, lipid content ranged from 8.22%–13.10%, carbohydrate  ranged from 48.16% – 50.60% as the steeping temperatures increased from 25-100°C. The study revealed that the steeping temperatures had an impact on the pH, moisture, fiber, and carbohydrate contents of the papa samples, but not on the lipid, protein, mineral, or nitrogen contents, which stayed mostly unchanged. In order to preserve the nutritious value of the food, it is advised that pap be produced and steeped at a lower temperature.