Gender Action Plan 2017 for the Africa RISING West Africa and East/Southern Africa Projects

United States Agency for International Developmen

Cropping practices and labor requirements in field operations for major crops in Ghana: What needs to be mechanized?

This study is to examine the labor requirements associated with different cropping systems in Ghana in order to guide the prioritization of investments in mechanization in the country. First, major cropping systems are identified in the country by adopting the cropping pattern approach of Ruthenberg (1983), who defined farming systems according to the leading crop activities. Second, labor requirements and costs of production of crops in the various systems are examined at various levels of substitution of either herbicides or animal and mechanical traction for labor. We found that the total labor requirements varied among cropping systems. The requirements were particularly high in the two cocoa cropping systems in the forest zones. The requirements were particularly high for land preparation and crop maintenance. Looking across crops, land preparation and crop maintenance took the largest share of labor for cassava, yam, and maize. Rice, on the other hand, required large shares of labor for land preparation and harvesting. When all the systems are considered together, however, crop maintenance required more labor than land preparation. In response to apparent unavailability and cost of labor, farmers are increasingly demanding mechanical traction for land preparation in Ghana. The benefits of mechanizing land preparation depend on both the system and the type of crop cultivated. Mechanization of land preparation for cassava in the vegetable belt, for instance, is more labor saving and cost effective than m Mechanization of land preparation for cassava in cereals belt. Within systems, there is also variation across crops. Where mechanization is not feasible for land preparation or not yet adopted for other field operations such as weeding, an alternative and common substitution for labor in crop production is herbicides. Herbicides are used to clear land for planting as well as to control weeds in standing crops. We found that where herbicide was used, its application reduced labor requirements for land preparation significantly. Selective herbicides were used to control weeds in all the crops examined and in all the belts except the vegetable belt. They also reduced labor use for weeding drastically.Cropping systems, labor requirements, mechanization, seasonal labor, Development strategies,

Development and Evaluation of Low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Improved Fish Smoking Kiln

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic pollutants which get into foods during smoking. This research was used to develop an improved smoking kiln and to determine its effects of the methods of smoking in reducing the level of PAHs of a locally consumed fish in Nigeria. The fish specie clarias gariepenus (catfish) was smoked with different methods. They are the firewood in open-fire fish smoking drum (FOSD), charcoal using improved fish smoking kiln (CISK) and gas using improved fish smoking kiln (GISK). The PAHs was determined using the Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionization detector (FID). Comparison of the concentration of PAHs in smoked fish samples were investigated with the aim of determining the process that has reduced the concentration of the PAHs in the fish samples. The total values of PAHs have shown that the methods FOSD, CISK and GISK have PAHs level of 80.01μg/g, 20.95μg/g and 14.69μg/g respectively. Benzo(a)pyrene, which is highly carcinogenic and posses health risk was found only in FOSD to be 9.20μg/g, while it was not detected in CISK and GISK respectively. As for other PAHs, they were all detected in FOSD, while fluoranthene was exceptionally high in all the methods used as 22.08μg/g, 10.23μg/g and 5.04μg/g respectively. However, naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthrene, benzo(k)fluoranthrene, benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(g,h)perylene were not detected (ND) in the developed improved fish smoking kiln. The developed improved fish smoking kiln has been able to reduce the level of PAHs considerably and is therefore recommended. Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Benzo(a)pyrene, smoking kiln, smoked fish, Gas Chromatography DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-12-04 Publication date:June 30th 202

The Role of Macroeconomic Policies on Savings Mobilization in Nigeria

This research work analyzed the roles of macroeconomic policies on savings mobilization in Nigeria (1985-2018) empirically. The secondary data were adopted and sourced from CBN. Ordinary Least Square and Cointegration were used to determine the role of the selected macroeconomic policies on savings mobilization in Nigeria. The aftereffect of the overall statistic showed that there is a positive and significant impact between the macroeconomic variables and domestic savings mobilization in Nigeria. But in particular, financial deepening appeared to have a greater impact on savings mobilization in Nigeria. Exchange rate and inflation uncovered a reverse relationship with domestic saving mobilization in Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root tests and cointegration demonstrated that the variables are stationary and there exists a long-run relationship among the variables. The study hence recommended among others that efforts should be geared towards continuous and all-around fiscal and monetary policies that will sustain this development in the financial sector. Additionally, the government ought to guarantee that adequate macroeconomic policies will be set up to attract foreign investors, encourage export, and make Nigeria an export platform where export goods could be delivered, this will assist with strengthening Nigeria’s exchange rate incite domestic savings. Finally, appropriate measures ought to be placed into encouraging banks to open branches in rural areas to mop up deposits. The rural banking policies should be returned to adjusted and implemented in Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-4-02 Publication date: February 28th 202

Study of the Level of Polycyclic Aromatc Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Locally Smoked Fish Species

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic pollutants which get into foods during processing. In spite of this, only a few studies have been carried out on Nigerian delicacies. This study was used to determine the level of PAHs in some smoked fish species namely: clarias gariepenus (catfish), scomber scombrus (atlantic mackerel) and clupea harengus (herring fish). The fish species were smoked with a local open-fire fish smoking drum and PAHs were determined using the Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionization detector (FID). The levels of PAHs were evaluated on the three species of fish. The total values of PAHs have shown that the smoked clarias gariepenus (catfish), scomber scombrus (mackerel fish) and clupea harengus (herring fish) have 80.01μg/g, 69.94μg/g and 154.08μg/g respectively. Higher values were found in benzo(a)pyrene and lower values found in naphthalene. For benzo(a)pyrene, the values were 9.20μg/g, 2.90μg/g and 40.13 μg/g respectively. For naphthalene, the values were 1.13μg/g, 1.11μg/g and 1.72μg/g respectively. Benzo(a)pyrene, which is highly carcinogenic was found to have the highest concentration in clupea harengus (herring fish) of about 40.13μg/g which is above permissible level. As for the other PAHs, they were all detected in various quantities which resulted to the high level of the total PAHs in the samples. From the study, it was revealed that the open-fire fish smoking pose a health risk for human as it is being contaminated. It is therefore recommended that a low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) improved fish smoking kiln should be developed. Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, smoked fish, Gas chromatography, Benzo(a)pyrene, Carcinogenic DOI: 10.7176/CMR/13-3-03 Publication date:October 31st 2021

Development and Evaluation of Value-Added Biscuits of an Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon plant is often used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but its value added food products was investigated. Wheat biscuits were made for diabetic and health conscious individuals by incorporation of bitter melon extract at different levels such as 0%, 3% and 5% as sample A (control), B and C respectively. Sensory properties of the bitter melon biscuits were ranked above acceptable range by panel of judges; however, the biscuit with 100% wheat was far ranked highest in colour, texture, taste, flavour, and general acceptability. There was significance difference (p ≤ 0.05) among the three samples. The acceptability of sample A was 8.70 while sample B and C were 7.10 and 6.40. The proximate composition showed that there was significnt difference (p≤0.05) among the three samples in all the parameters analysed. The incorporation of bitter melon powder into the biscuits increased the ash content from 1.21 to 1.42%, fat content from 1.61 to 1.72%, protein from 2.37 to 2.49%. On the other hand, the crude fibre and carbohydrate were decreased significantly. This could be that the bitter melon biscuit reduced the high carbohydrate content to a low content from 87.16% to 84.17%. The phytochemical content increased as more bitter melon powder was incorporated into the biscuits and there was significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the samples. There was increased in phytate from 1.28% to 1.64%, tannin was 1.30 to 1.44%, oxalate was 1.10 to1.33%, saponin was 0.41 to 0.48% and alkaloid was 0.21 to 0.28% respectively. Thus, the products developed had higher ash, fat, protein and all the phytochemicals and sample B also had good colour, flavour and palatability and could still benefit diabetic, obese and health conscious people. Keywords: bitter melon, biscuit, proximate composition, phytochemicals, sensory evaluation, diabetes DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/105-06 Publication date: February 28th 202

Preliminary Study of The Nutritional Content and Phytochemical Constituent of An Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon (momordica charantia) plant is used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but the food value was investigated. The nutritional compositions and phytochemical constituents of the powdered leaf and fruit were investigated using standard analytical methods. The proximate compositions showed the percentage of moisture content (11.38 ±0.29 and 10.74 ± 0.02), ash (14.39 ±0.02 and 7.40 ± 0.1), crude fat (2.65 ±0.10 and 6.11 ± 0.05), crude fibre (16.11 ±0.04 and 13.61 ± 0.04), crude protein (21.19 ±0.52 and 27.92 ± 0.06), and carbohydrate (33.94 ±0.25 and 34.22 ± 0.11) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and the fruit respectively. Also, the mineral analysis showed the concentration in mg/100g of Ca (239.65 ±0.30 and 70.60 ±0.23), Na (40.40 ±0.04 and 23.47 ±0.02), K (67.22 ±0.02 and 319.25 ±0.03), Fe (4.98 ±0.02 and 5.64 ±0.04), Zn (24.5 ±0.40 and 17.40 ±0.56) and Cu (4.96 ±0.20 and 2.57 ±0.06) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and fruit respectively. Powdered samples of the leaves were extracted with water and ethanol respectively to isolate the required phytochemicals. Phytochemicals like phytate, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and oxalate were found present in appreciable level except for the glycoside which is present in trace amount in the water extract. The study indicates the presence of nutritional components that are beneficial in addition to the purported numerous medicinal values of the plant. Keywords: Momordica, bitter melon, proximate composition, minerals, phytochemicals. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR12-2-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

KARAKTERISTIK DAN MANAJEMEN DERMATITIS KONTAK DI PELAYANAN KESEHATAN PRIMER SAMARINDA

Dermatitis kontak adalah penyakit pada kulit yang disebabkan oleh zat-zat luar baik bahan yang bersifat iritan atau alergen yang merupakan 9 dari 10 penyakit terbanyak di Samarinda pada tahun 2018. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran karakteristik pasien dermatitis kontak di Samarinda. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif menggunakan 120 data rekam medik pasien dermatitis kontak yang diambil dari 3 Puskesmas di Samarinda pada periode Januari-Desember 2018. Berdasarkan kelompok usia, usia terbanyak merupakan anak-anak berusia 6-11 tahun (26,7%). Berdasarkan produktifitas, usia terbanyak merupakan usia produktif 15-64 tahun (55%). Mayoritas jenis kelamin perempuan (63,4%). Pekerjaan yang paling sering ditemui adalah pelajar (42,5%). Pasien paling sering berobat dengan keluhan utama gatal (89,16%). Hanya sedikit rekam medik yang disertai catatan riwayat kontak (3.3%). Lokasi keluhan kulit yang paling sering ditemukan adalah pada seluruh tubuh (30,9%). Tatalaksana yang paling sering digunakan adalah antihistamin (86,66%). Ditemukan kasus dermatitis kontak dengan rekurensi (3,3%)