UDSspace Collection:

NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, COOKING PRACTICES, AND CONSUMPTION OF INDIGENOUS LEAFY VEGETABLES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN SAGNARIGU MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

2025-02-11T12:09:12Z

Title: NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, COOKING PRACTICES, AND CONSUMPTION OF INDIGENOUS LEAFY VEGETABLES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN SAGNARIGU MUNICIPALITY, GHANA Authors: Awuni, V.; Adjei Yeboah, G.; Mohammed Misbah, J.; Zakaria, A.; Amagloh, F. K. Abstract: This study assessed nutrition knowledge, cooking practices, and consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables (IGLVs) among households in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on socio-demographics, nutrition knowledge scores, cooking practices, and consumption of IGLVs in the Sagnarigu Municipality. The study was cross-sectional, with a multi-stage sampling to select 399 respondents responsible for preparing family meals. More than half of the respondents had a low nutrition knowledge of IGLVs. Respondents with basic education were 67% (OR = 0.410, 95% CI: 0.170–0.986, p = 0.047) less likely to have high nutrition knowledge of IGLVs than those with tertiary education. Most respondents (65.7%) chopped their IGLVs before washing, and almost all (90.2%) discarded stock after cooking. Concerning the consumption of IGLVs, almost all respondents’ households consumed kenaf and jute leaves representing 90.2% and 99.5% respectively. A few of the respondents indicated that availability, low cost and high nutrient content were significant drivers in the consumption of IGLVs (27.1%, 13.3% and 8.8%, respectively). Therefore, interventions by both the government and non-governmental organisations to increase nutrition knowledge and consumption of IGLVs should include strategies to promote the production, utilisation, and commercialisation of IGLVs, especially in the Northern Region.

GENDER AND THE RATE OF ADOPTION OF MAIZE AND SOYBEANS TECHNOLOGIES IN FOUR DISTRICTS OF GHANA

2024-07-25T14:31:42Z

Title: GENDER AND THE RATE OF ADOPTION OF MAIZE AND SOYBEANS TECHNOLOGIES IN FOUR DISTRICTS OF GHANA Authors: Abujaja, Mohammed Afishata Abstract: The study sought to assess the influence of gender on the extent of adoption of three maize and soybean technologies. Four districts (West Mamprusi, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, East Gonja and Zabzugu) where maize and soybean are predominantly cultivated were purposively sampled for the study. Questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions, key informant interviews and desktop reviews of reports were used for the data collection. Pearson’s Chi-square tests were employed to establish the association between the extent of adoption of the technologies with gender. Over 60% of the farmers adopted the three technologies. Most (99.8%) farmers confirmed that the technologies were used by both men and women. About 42.4% of female and 31.08% of male farmers who used the technologies agreed to getting better market for their produce. Also, 37.84% of the male farmers strongly agreed to recording consistent improvement in the yield of maize and soybeans as against 32.20% of female farmers who said same. Generally, male (30.07%) farmers tend to adopt technologies that will help them increase their output whereas females tend to prefer technologies that will enhance the price of their produce. However, 49.79% of females are more likely to adopt a combination of organic and inorganic soil amendments than males (45.79%). It can then be recommended that technologies should be developed to target the preferences of male and female smallholder farmers. Further research should be conducted to establish the relevance of gender to the adoption of technologies in other staple crops.

GROWTH RESPONSE OF RABBITS FED MULTI-ENZYME TREATED MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL

2023-12-18T12:44:02Z

Title: GROWTH RESPONSE OF RABBITS FED MULTI-ENZYME TREATED MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL Authors: Aduguba, W. O.; Obeng, R.; Tietaah, M.; Quansah, L.; Ansah, T. Abstract: The effect of multi-enzyme (Kemzyme plus P Dry) treated moringa oleifera leaf meal on the growth performance, haematological parameters, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of weaned rabbits were evaluated. Twenty New Zealand White rabbits with an average initial weight of 908.75±135.3 g were divided into four groups and allocated four test diets in a completely randomized design for a period of 49 days after 14-days of adaptation. The experimental diets comprised of T0 (formulated concentrate), T1 (T0 + M. oleifera leaf), T2 (T0 + M. oleifera leaf + multi-enzyme) and T3 (T0 + multi-enzyme). Feed intake and final body weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by test diets. Rabbits fed T2 and T1 had higher feed intake (p>0.05) and weight gain (p<0.05). Apparent digestibility of Crude protein and Neutral detergent fibre (p<0.05) were found to be higher in rabbits fed with T2. Dressing percentage, hot and cold carcass weight were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. White blood cell, Haemoglobin and Packed cell volume indices significantly (p<0.05) differed with superior performance recorded among the rabbits fed with T2. Incorporating M. oleifera leaf meal at 40% in concentrate diet with 0.03 mg multi-enzyme could enhance growth of rabbits without any detrimental effect.

DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUALS IN SOIL AND TOMATO FRUITS FROM TWO TOMATO PRODUCTION AREAS IN NORTHERN GHANA

2023-05-18T10:38:49Z

Title: DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUALS IN SOIL AND TOMATO FRUITS FROM TWO TOMATO PRODUCTION AREAS IN NORTHERN GHANA Authors: Dari, L.; Addo, A.; Dzisi, K. A. Abstract: Tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is an important vegetable commodity in Ghana, as it is consumed daily in many households either heat-treated or without any form of heat treatments. Tomato production is a major source of income for many smallholder producers in Northern Ghana especially through dry season farming when the major supply of tomatoes from Southern Ghana is exhausted. Research conducted for the past decade confirmed the presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, onion, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, okra and pepper. The objective of this study was to identify and estimate pesticide residual levels in the soil and tomato fruits in comparison with the maximum allowable residual limits. The research was carried out in two production communities namely Doba where the “Burkina” variety is mostly grown in the Kassena Nankana East District of the Upper East Region and Bunglung where the “Wosowoso” variety is cultivated in the Savelugu/Nanton Municipality of Northern Region. Soil samples were collected for residue determination before transplanting of tomato seedlings. Matured and ripe tomato fruits were also collected for the determination of the presence and amount of pesticide residues. All soil and plant samples were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography to determine the presence of twenty-four organochlorines and thirteen organophosphate pesticide residues. From the analysis, pesticide residues were present in different variations which ranged from 0.002 – 0.033 and 0.003 – 0.022 (soils) and 0.330 – 1.187 and 0.002 – 0.088 (fruits) for organochlorines and organophosphates respectively for both communities. Levels of pesticide residues were generally above the acceptable maximum residue limits as farmer practices produced fruits with more pesticide residues since the land areas could have been predisposed with residues from previous seasons for other food crops, which could be translocated into the tomato plant and through into the fruits. The presence of pesticide residues could also be attributed to the influence of run-off and drift from other cultivated lands. For effective determination of pesticides residues in the tomato plants, it is essential to use uncontaminated soil and water to facilitate the efficient estimation of pesticide residues in tomatoes and plants in general.