Evaluation of the growth potential of local chickens in Malawi

The growth potential of local chickens in Malawi was evaluated by comparing their growth performance under cage-fed and free-range management conditions. Chicks (n = 106) were collected from 39 farmers in 19 villages and individually raised in cages from an average age of 9 weeks to 20 weeks. Onfarm made growers mash (17 % CP) was fed and birds were treated against common diseases and parasites. Hatch mates (n = 141) of cage-raised chicks remained on farmer household flocks and were raised by their dam hens under scavenging conditions. These birds were raised in two batches between October and December 2002, and between January and March 2003, which were corresponding with hot-dry and warm-wet seasons, respectively. Sex of chickens, village, management and management x batch interaction significantly (p<0.05) influenced growth traits. The values for birds under cage-managed conditions were significantly (p<0.05) 27, 39, 42, 25 and 41% higher than for birds under scavenging conditions, for weight at 20 weeks, overall daily weight gains, specific growth rate and growth efficiency, respectively. Phenotypic variance for daily weight gains and specific growth rates were 17 and 21%, respectively lower for cage-fed than for free range birds. Correlation coefficients of growth traits measured between cage-fed and scavenging conditions were low (r = 0.21-0.53, p<0.05), indicating possible genotype by environment interaction. Gross margin over feed costs was MK26.00 per bird (SD, MK27.00). This was 35 % rate of return on feed costs (SD, 38 %) or 24 % rate of return on initial bird value plus feed cost (SD, =26). It is concluded that growth potential of local chickens is only partially exploited under scavenging conditions primarily due to feed constraints

Assessment of nutritional characteristics of products developed using soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) pipeline and improved varieties

Open Access Journal; Published online: 30 Oct 2017 Breeding new varieties can introduce compositional differences in Soybean grains which could be caused by environment and climate factors, among other factors. Thus, there was need to evaluate these differences and also to investigate the applications of these varieties for product development at household level for improve nutrition. This study evaluated the nutritional, functional and pasting properties of pipeline and improved soybean varieties and of soy-based products. A total of six improved/pipeline soybean varieties and nine products were developed, which include six soy-fortified products using 80:20 wheat: soy flour blend and three soy-based products using 100% processed soybean grains, were milled and analysed. The moisture, fat and protein contents ranged from 4.91–6.13/100 g; 13.77–19.82/100 g and 31.78–36.56/100 g fresh weight, respectively. The lowest water absorption capacity (WAC) was observed for D.AL/Z 7 having 180.43% while D.AL/Z 8 had the highest value at 285.94%. Pasting viscosity ranged from 1.65–9.63 RVU. The results also showed that the ash, fiber and fat contents of Soy yoghurt are significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with Soy tofu and Salad cream. Soy Tofu had a significant (p < 0.05) higher level of protein content (30.7/100 g FW)

Nutrient and aflatoxin contents of traditional complementary foods consumed by children of 6–24 months

Open Access Journal; Published online: 14 March 2018The nutrient composition and safety of complementary foods have recently become areas of concern, especially with regard to aflatoxin contamination which has been found to adversely affect health outcomes. This study presents the nutrient and aflatoxin contents of complementary foods consumed by children (6–24 months) and infants and young child feeding practices of mothers from two districts in eastern and southern Zambia. A total of 400 mother–child pairs were recruited from Monze and Chipata districts, and data on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices were collected twice at 3‐month interval using a structured questionnaire. Samples of two traditional complementary foods (Maize Nshima and Maize porridge) were collected from the mothers and analyzed for nutrient contents and aflatoxin contamination. The results showed that there is a high level of awareness on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers. Fat, protein, carbohydrate, and ash contents of Maize nshima from Chipata were significantly lower (p < .05) compared to those from Monze district except for starch and sugar. Monze mothers preferred to prepare a thicker Maize nshima and Maize porridge compared to their Chipata counterparts. The aflatoxin contamination showed that the Maize porridge samples from Chipata were the most contaminated with mean aflatoxin content of 5.8 ± 15.93 mg/100 g, while Maize nshima was the most contaminated of the two complementary foods from Monze districts with mean aflatoxin level of 3.8 ± 6.41 mg/100 g. There were significant (p < .05) positive correlations between fat and aflatoxin contents for Chipata samples (r = .12409) and for Monze samples (r = .13666). The traditional complementary foods studied were found to be low in fat and protein and high in aflatoxin contamination. Thus, it is imperative that best practices and interventions are designed and introduced to reduce the possible lethal health implications of consumption of such complementary foods by children under 5 years

Welfare impacts of improved groundnut varieties in eastern Zambia: a heterogeneous treatment effects approach

Published online: 01 Dec 2017This paper examines the welfare impacts of improved groundnut varieties in eastern Zambia using data from a survey of over 600 households. We use the stratification-multilevel, matching-smoothing, and smoothing-differencing methods to analyse how treatment effects vary with the propensity to adopt improved groundnut varieties. We find consistent results across the models indicating that crop yields and incomes increase significantly with the propensity to adopt improved groundnut varieties. The results point to the need for policies and strategies that increase access to market information and overcome the constraints to adoption for realising the benefits from improved groundnut varieties in Zambia

The use of integrated research for development in promoting climate smart technologies, the process and practice

Integrated Agriculture Research for Development (IAR4D), based on the use of participatory research and extension and innovation system approaches, represents an action research process in support of development activities. This is a major shift from the traditional way of undertaking research, where researchers conceptualized and developed technologies and then passed them on to extension, who were then expected to take new technologies to farmers. Instead, innovation system approaches involving multiple stakeholders are encouraged to build partnerships for dialog finding solutions to existing challenges or seeking new opportunities, often within a commodity value chain. The strengths of an innovation system approach are its wide base in terms of stakeholders, capacity building, planned progression of involvement of different actors, and the voluntary nature of participation, which can reduce hidden costs and involve committed actors. There is untapped potential for participation and hence institutionalization of technologies with information and development networks. This is much higher within an innovation platform than using conventional linear approaches. However, there are challenges associated with engaging stakeholders in the agriculture sector, which provide both learning opportunities and future research questions. In this chapter, key issues for linking stakeholders in innovation platforms are addressed. This includes, deciding on focus, identifying challenges and opportunities, testing and modifying solutions, developing capacity, analyzing, learning, and scaling up to effectively deliver new technologies for wide use. The chapter is organized as follows: what is IAR4D; its components using participatory research and extension approaches; partnerships and innovation platforms for commodity value chains; implementing IAR4D; case studies of establishing cassava innovation platforms in Zambia and Malawi; and benefits, challenges, and lessons for scaling up