51 research outputs found
Exploratory and multidisciplinary survey of the cowpea network in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of Ghana: A food sovereignty perspective
No full textAn exploratory survey of selected deprived communities in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of northern region of Ghana was conducted in August 2007 by a multi-disciplinary team of social scientist, food technologist, plant breeder and food nutritionist. The survey sought to identify with farmers their critical agronomic needs and production constraints in order to develop appropriate breeding strategies, as well as cowpea varietal preference for improved processing technology development. A rural participatory and conventional survey approaches were used. Close to half of the interviewed farmers cultivate both improved and local varieties. It was realized that 33 and 22% cultivated only local and improved varieties respectively. Generally, farmers indicated preference for improved varieties due to market value but rather preferred local varieties for household consumption and food sovereignty purposes. The top three most preferred varietal traits mentioned by farmers for breeding considerations included yield, tolerance to diseases and pests and seed colour. Processors preferred white seed coat varieties due to their good whipping ability and short cooking period. Farmers stressed the role of local varieties in food sovereignty with the early maturing ones being the most significant in household food provisio
Socioeconomic Survey Of Traditional Commercial Production Of Cocoyam And Cocoyam Leaf
No full textCocoyam, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, is cultivated for human nutrition,
animal feed, and cash income for both farmers and traders. As food for
humans, its nutritional value includes carbohydrate, minerals and
vitamins . Despite its socioeconomic importance, cocoyam production in
Ghana is beset with challenges such as lack of improved varieties for
commercial production and post-harvest losses of cocoyam leaves. To
address these challenges, a socioeconomic baseline survey was conducted
to provide benchmark information on commercial cocoyam and cocoyam leaf
production for further research under the Root and Tuber Improvement
and Marketing Programme (RTIMP). A total of 110 randomly selected
cocoyam farmers were interviewed in Fanteakwa District of the Eastern
region of Ghana. Survey findings showed that cocoyam production levels
were very low with an average acreage of 0.8 hectares per farmer and
yield of 6.2mt per hectare as compared to achievable yields of 8.0mt
per hectare. Majority (92%) of the farmers interviewed cultivated
cocoyam for both cormels and leaves. However, harvesting of cocoyam
leaves was only undertaken when cormels were matured. Cocoyam
production in the Fanteakwa District was profitable. For a hectare of
cocoyam farm, total cost of production, total revenue and net revenue
were 1426 and $757 respectively. Some of the problems besetting
the cocoyam industry enumerated by the farmers interviewed include high
cost of planting material, lack of knowledge on improved varieties and
limited access to credit. Availability of harvestable cocoyam leaves
was seasonal. In order to stimulate supply response to high market
demand in the dry season, intensive mono cropping management practices
under irrigation is recommended. Development of a comprehensive
cocoyam/cocoyam leaf production and marketing strategy in Ghana and
dissemination of existing improved cocoyam varieties through effective
extension activities is also recommended. Farmers interviewed suggested
that varietal improvement research should focus on superior qualities
such as early maturing, high yielding and resistance to disease and
pest
Socioeconomic Survey Of Traditional Commercial Production Of Cocoyam And Cocoyam Leaf
No full textCocoyam, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, is cultivated for human nutrition,
animal feed, and cash income for both farmers and traders. As food for
humans, its nutritional value includes carbohydrate, minerals and
vitamins . Despite its socioeconomic importance, cocoyam production in
Ghana is beset with challenges such as lack of improved varieties for
commercial production and post-harvest losses of cocoyam leaves. To
address these challenges, a socioeconomic baseline survey was conducted
to provide benchmark information on commercial cocoyam and cocoyam leaf
production for further research under the Root and Tuber Improvement
and Marketing Programme (RTIMP). A total of 110 randomly selected
cocoyam farmers were interviewed in Fanteakwa District of the Eastern
region of Ghana. Survey findings showed that cocoyam production levels
were very low with an average acreage of 0.8 hectares per farmer and
yield of 6.2mt per hectare as compared to achievable yields of 8.0mt
per hectare. Majority (92%) of the farmers interviewed cultivated
cocoyam for both cormels and leaves. However, harvesting of cocoyam
leaves was only undertaken when cormels were matured. Cocoyam
production in the Fanteakwa District was profitable. For a hectare of
cocoyam farm, total cost of production, total revenue and net revenue
were 1426 and $757 respectively. Some of the problems besetting
the cocoyam industry enumerated by the farmers interviewed include high
cost of planting material, lack of knowledge on improved varieties and
limited access to credit. Availability of harvestable cocoyam leaves
was seasonal. In order to stimulate supply response to high market
demand in the dry season, intensive mono cropping management practices
under irrigation is recommended. Development of a comprehensive
cocoyam/cocoyam leaf production and marketing strategy in Ghana and
dissemination of existing improved cocoyam varieties through effective
extension activities is also recommended. Farmers interviewed suggested
that varietal improvement research should focus on superior qualities
such as early maturing, high yielding and resistance to disease and
pest
Spermatic cord liposarcoma and prostate adenocarcinoma : a synchronous association
No full textSpermatic cord liposarcoma is rare, with fewer than a 100 reported cases in the world literature. We report on its presence in an elderly man who presented with a painless scrotal mass. The serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was also found to be elevated. Transrectal ultrasound biopsy of the prostate confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma. This is the first report of prostatic adenocarcinoma in association with spermatic cord liposarcoma in the English literature. The treatment options for spermatic cord liposarcoma are discussed further
Bionomics of the sweet potato weevil, Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Brentidae) on four different sweet potato varieties in sub-Saharan Africa
No full textSweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. A limiting production factor is infestation by the sweet potato weevil Cylas puncticollis (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Brentidae). The use of host plant resistance is an essential component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Therefore, the bionomic parameters of C. puncticollis were studied under laboratory conditions (30±1 °C and 75±5 % RH) on four sweet potato varieties commonly grown in Ghana (Apumoden, Ligri, Bohye, and Okumkom) to determine their susceptibility to the pest. There were significant varietal differences between some of the parameters. Egg to adult development time was highest on Okumkom while larval survival, emergence rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and the net reproductive rate were lowest on Bohye. The results of this study indicate that Bohye was the least susceptible variety compared to the other varieties tested and can be used in host plant resistance as part of an IPM programme against C. puncticollis in Ghana.55-6
A socio-economic assessment of cowpea diversity on the Ghanaian market: implications for breeding
No full textGiven the importance of cowpea [Vignaunguiculata(L)Walp] in fighting malnutrition and poverty, a socio-economic assessment of cowpea diversity found on the Ghanaian market was conducted. The objective was to investigate emerging consumer preference for cowpea and make recommendations for the development of tailor-made varieties. Forty-seven cowpea accessions were collected from traders interviewed for morphological characterization to ascertain the degree of diversity. Data was subjected to Hierarchical Cluster Analysis using Genstat Discovery Edition 3 software and variations among the cowpea varieties based on the selected seed traits established. Cowpea varieties found on the markets were broadly categorized into foreign and local varieties and usually named after their sources. Foreign Cowpea varieties were very popular on the markets surveyed as reflected in the per cent distribution of respondents by cowpea varieties sold; Niger (52%), Burkina Faso (50%), Togo (46%), Lagos (36%) and Ghana (18–21%). At the trader level, the order of preference for cowpea characteristics was cleanliness (stone free and no dirt), colour (white seed colour), easy to cook, taste, size, less weevil damage, dryness and place of origin ranked in decreasing order of importance. At the consumer level, cleanliness that was also tied to the extent of weevil damage was ranked most important. This was followed by seed colour (preferable white), short cooking time, size and taste. From the sociological perspective, concerns are raised on the impact of past cowpea breeding activities giving the level of competitiveness and market performance of locally improved varieties observed. Recommendation is made for traders and consumers to be considered as relevant actors in all the stages of crop improvement and breeding activities. This is crucial for enhanced small-holder farmer market access and strengthened food networks in rural economie
Piloting of a Screen-Triage-Treat Surgical Approach Model for Management of Anal Cancer in Liberia
No full textBackground: While cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, significant disparities exist in care access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Liberia, screening and treatment for anal cancers remain limited, and are exacerbated among vulnerable groups, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Screen-triage-treat models for cancerous lesions have been successful in reducing cervical cancer mortality, but the feasibility of this approach has not been studied for anal cancers in a low-resource context. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of implementing a screen-triage-treat model for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (aHSIL) among MSM in Liberia. Methods: This descriptive study represented a collaboration between Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) and health institutions in Liberia and the USA. MSM and transgender participants were recruited through convenience sampling with SAIL peer-educators. A survey validated by SAIL experts assessed demographics and sexual risk factors. Participants underwent anal self-swabbing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and offered human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. Those with positive results were offered a screen-triage-treat model through high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) and infrared coagulation (IRC). Data were cleaned and analyzed in SPSS. Findings: Among 110 participants, most were single (n = 94, 88%) and without formal employment (n = 21, 75%). Participants engaged in regular anal (n = 64, 60%), oral (n = 62, 58%), and receptive sex (n = 58, 54%), and sex with women (n = 51, 48%). Nearly 20% of participants reported being HIV positive (n = 21). In all, 50 participants (45%) tested positive for anal high-risk HPV, 34 (68%) elected to undergo HRA, and 10 (84%) were treated with IRC. Of those who underwent HRA, 75% tested HIV positive. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a screen-triage-treat model presents a feasible option to identify and reduce the incidence of anal cancer among MSM in Liberia. The screen-triage-treat model, with proven success in management of cervical dysplasia, may be a viable option to treat aHSIL for anal cancer prevention in LMICs
Progress on implementation of an accelerated sweetpotato breeding scheme in Ghana.
No full textThe sweetpotato support platform for West Africa was established at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute in Kumasi, Ghana in early 2010 with the objective of supporting cultivar development in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa through the development of adapted less sweet germplasm, and through a participatory approach. The accelerated sweetpotato breeding approach in Ghana uses multi-locational clonal evaluation of seedling families to identify promising families and genotypes, followed by 2 years of additional multi-locational evaluation in target environments. Superior early selections may be used as parents in population improvement in order to speed genetic gain for various attributes. In 2010, roughly 250 genotypes from 34 families, from Ghana, Uganda and Kenya were evaluated at 3 locations, and high yielding, virus resistant genotypes were selected, some at 2 or more locations. In 2011 selected genotypes and introduced clones from diverse sources (330 genotypes) were evaluated in replicated trials at 5 locations covering major production zones and agroecologies. At harvest, farmers were involved in assessment of performance and taste, and selections were evaluated for sugars, minerals and carotenoids using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Sixteen genotypes are in advanced trials in 2012.
Multi-locational assessment of some physicochemical attributes and amylase activity of sweetpotato varieties and elite materials in Ghana.
No full textAs part of the breeding objectives to select sweetpotato materials with acceptable quality attributes for adaptation and subsequent utilisation in Ghana, the total amylase activity and physicochemical attributes (flesh colour, Beta-carotene, dry matter, starch and sugars) of 13 sweetpotato genotypes across five locations were evaluated. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectrometry (NIRS), was mainly employed in the study. The flesh colour of the materials ranged from white to deep orange while thedry matter content ranged from 20% to 44%. Starch, fructose, glucose and sucrose contents were 46– 74, 0.3 - 5, 2 – 8 and 9 – 22% respectively. Apomuden, a deep orange type, recorded the highesttotal sugar content of 36% and the lowest dry matter and starch content of 20% and 46% respectively. Hi-starch variety had the highest dry matter (45%), starch (74%) and the lowest sugar (11%). Dry matter content correlated positively with starch content whilst orange colour intensity was inversely proportional to dry matter content. The outcome of the study supports the fact that sweet potato contains high extractable amylases. Amylase activity of the materials was fairly stable across locations. Okomkum, Faara, Santom Pona, Kemb, and Cemsa 74-228 recorded the highest activity while Hi-starch, Apomuden, Mohc, and 199062.1 were low. There was no correlation between raw sugars and amylase activity. The potential of individual cultivars for food industry will be discussed in relation to starch content and extractable amylases
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