11 research outputs found
Cost-Benefit Analysis and Growth Effects of Pelleted and Unpelleted On-Farm Feed on African Catfish (Claries Gariepinus Burchell 1822) in Earthen Ponds
Fish feed constitutes 40-60% of the total operational costs of a fish farm. Commercial feeds are often too expensive for rural fish farmers. Consequently, farmers use non-conventional and locally available fish feed ingredients including agro-industrial by-products. These feeds have not led to increased pond productivity due to poor processing, higher fibre content, and anti-nutritional factors that limit nutrient bio-availability. Farmers have not embraced processing of fish feeds because the cost-effectiveness of processing has not been clearly demonstrated. The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is an important farmed fish in sub-Saharan Africa hence the need for research on its nutrition and growth performance. The growth performance and cost-benefit of using pelleted diets formulated from locally available feed ingredients on C. gariepinus were evaluated in a rural African setting. The experiment included diets that differed in the ingredients and form used (pelleted and un-pelleted). Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated from freshwater shrimp (Caridina nilotica), rice bran (Oryza sativa) and wheat bran (Triticum aestivum). The diets were C. nilotica and wheat bran pelleted (CWBp), C. nilotica and wheat bran un-pelleted (CWBup), C. nilotica and rice bran pelleted (CRBp), and C. nilotica and rice bran un-pelleted (CRBup). The diets were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean initial weight 1.75±0.03g), in triplicates for 5 months. The pelleted diets showed significantly better performance (P<0.05) compared to the un-pelleted diets. Fish grew to a weight of 266.77±6.21g on CWBp, 224.9±3.91g on CRBp, 211.38±4.46g on CWBup and 190.87±4.47g on CRBup. Cost benefit analysis of the pelleted and un-pelleted diets indicated positive net returns of US142.5 for CRBp, US 115.5 for CRBup. The CWBp had significantly higher net returns than the other diets. This paper demonstrates that although on-farm pelleting of diets adds extra cost of labour, pelleted diets are cost-effective and should be incorporated as an essential part of on-farm feed production.Key words: Catfish, feed, pelleting, cost-effectiveness, pon
NUTRITIVE VALUE AND AVAILABILITY OF COMMONLY USED FEED INGREDIENTS FOR FARMED NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS L.) AND AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS, BURCHELL) IN KENYA, RWANDA AND TANZANIA
ABSTRACT Commonly utilized feed ingredients for culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were collected over a period of six months (January -June 2010) and evaluated for their nutritive composition through proximate analysis. Most of the fish feed ingredients were found in all the three countries except a few that were unique to one or two countries as detailed in the results. Feed ingredients of animal origin exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher crude protein levels (407 -635 g/kg DM) compared to the feed ingredients of plant based origin. Freshwater shrimps (Caridina nilotica) contained the highest crude protein levels of 635 g/kg DM. Feed ingredients of animal origin had low ether extracts (EE) with an exception of Omena fish (Rastrineobola argentea). Crude fibre (CF) was generally higher on feed ingredients of plant origin and ranged between 55-368 g/kg DM while Nitrogen Free Extracts (NfE) and ash content were higher in the feedstuffs of plant origin with an exception of maize bran which had the lowest value. Omena fish and freshwater shrimp had higher ash content of 182 and 228g/kg DM compared to other feed ingredients of animal origin, which may indicate contamination with soil particles during drying process. Based on the feed ingredient availability, potential competition with other human uses, content of crude protein and crude fibre and the feasibility of removal of anti-nutritional factors, C. nilotica, blood meal, meat and bone meal, were identified as most promising sources of animal based protein. Cotton (Gossypium spp) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed cakes provided the best option as source of processed plant based protein. Leaves of gallant soldier (Galisonga parviflora), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava (Manihot esculenta) and papaya (Papaya carica) were identified as high potential feedstuffs of plant origin either processed or in raw form for small-scale fish farming. We recommend that in well fertilized semiintensive ponds, maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa) bran may be utilized where available to supplement natural pond food
Treatment of phimosis with topical steroids as alternative to circumcision
Background: Topical steroids have been advocated as an effective
economical alternative to circumcision in boys with phimosis. This
study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of topical steroid
therapy as primary treatment of phimosis. Methods: Between December
2003 and February 2005, 182 of the 231 boys aged 14 years or younger
who were referred to us with phimosis, were treated with a six weeks
course of topical steroids as primary treatment for phimosis. The
outcome of treatment was evaluated up to 6 months from the initiation
of therapy. Results: Out of the 182 patients treated with topical 0.1%
betamethasone ointment, 141 (77.5%) successfully completed the follow
up period. At follow-up 126 patients (89%) had a successful outcome and
were able to avoid circumcision. The remaining 15 patients (11%) had
little or no improvement and subsequently underwent circumcision.
Conclusion: Topical steroids are becoming the standard conservative
measure for treating phimosis. Our study supports this trend, with an
overall efficacy of 89%
Cost-Benefit Analysis And Growth Effects Of Pelleted And Unpelleted On-Farm Feed On African Catfish ( Clarias Gariepinus Burchell 1822) In Earthen Ponds
Fish feed constitutes 40-60% of the total operational costs of a fish
farm. Commercial feeds are often too expensive for rural fish farmers.
Consequently, farmers use non-conventional and locally available fish
feed ingredients including agro-industrial by-products. These feeds
have not led to increased pond productivity due to poor processing,
higher fibre content, and anti-nutritional factors that limit nutrient
bio-availability. Farmers have not embraced processing of fish feeds
because the cost-effectiveness of processing has not been clearly
demonstrated. The African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) is an
important farmed fish in sub-Saharan Africa hence the need for research
on its nutrition and growth performance. The growth performance and
cost-benefit of using pelleted diets formulated from locally available
feed ingredients on C. gariepinus were evaluated in a rural African
setting. The experiment included diets that differed in the ingredients
and form used (pelleted and un-pelleted). Four isocaloric and
isonitrogenous diets were formulated from freshwater shrimp ( Caridina
nilotica ), rice bran ( Oryza sativa ) and wheat bran ( Triticum
aestivum ). The diets were C. nilotica and wheat bran pelleted (CWBp),
C. nilotica and wheat bran un-pelleted (CWBup), C. nilotica and rice
bran pelleted (CRBp), and C. nilotica and rice bran un-pelleted
(CRBup). The diets were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean initial
weight 1.75±0.03g), in triplicates for 5 months. The pelleted
diets showed significantly better performance (P<0.05) compared to
the un-pelleted diets. Fish grew to a weight of 266.77±6.21g on
CWBp, 224.9±3.91g on CRBp, 211.38±4.46g on CWBup and
190.87±4.47g on CRBup. Cost benefit analysis of the pelleted and
un-pelleted diets indicated positive net returns of US142.5 for CRBp, US 115.5 for CRBup. The
CWBp had significantly higher net returns than the other diets. This
paper demonstrates that although on-farm pelleting of diets adds extra
cost of labour, pelleted diets are cost-effective and should be
incorporated as an essential part of on-farm feed production
Nutritive Value And Availability Of Commonly Used Feed Ingredients For Farmed Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis Niloticus L.) And African Catfish ( Clarias Gariepinus , Burchell) In Kenya, Rwanda And Tanzania
Commonly utilized feed ingredients for culture of Nile tilapia (
Oreochromis niloticus ) and African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus )
from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were collected over a period of six
months (January - June 2010) and evaluated for their nutritive
composition through proximate analysis. Most of the fish feed
ingredients were found in all the three countries except a few that
were unique to one or two countries as detailed in the results. Feed
ingredients of animal origin exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher
crude protein levels (407 - 635 g/kg DM) compared to the feed
ingredients of plant based origin. Freshwater shrimps ( Caridina
nilotica ) contained the highest crude protein levels of 635 g/kg DM.
Feed ingredients of animal origin had low ether extracts (EE) with an
exception of Omena fish (Rastrineobola argentea). Crude fibre (CF) was
generally higher on feed ingredients of plant origin and ranged between
55- 368 g/kg DM while Nitrogen Free Extracts (NfE) and ash content were
higher in the feedstuffs of plant origin with an exception of maize
bran which had the lowest value. Omena fish and freshwater shrimp had
higher ash content of 182 and 228g/kg DM compared to other feed
ingredients of animal origin, which may indicate contamination with
soil particles during drying process. Based on the feed ingredient
availability, potential competition with other human uses, content of
crude protein and crude fibre and the feasibility of removal of
anti-nutritional factors, C. nilotica, blood meal, meat and bone meal,
were identified as most promising sources of animal based protein.
Cotton ( Gossypium spp) and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) seed
cakes provided the best option as source of processed plant based
protein. Leaves of gallant soldier ( Galisonga parviflora ), sweet
potato ( Ipomoea batatus ), cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) and papaya
( Papaya carica ) were identified as high potential feedstuffs of
plant origin either processed or in raw form for small-scale fish
farming. We recommend that in well fertilized semi- intensive ponds,
maize ( Zea mays ), wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and rice ( Oryza
sativa ) bran may be utilized where available to supplement natural
pond food
Mycoflora and mycotoxins in finished fish feed and feed ingredients from smallholder farms in East Africa
A total of 52 samples of finished fish feeds and ingredients were collected from smallholder farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, and analyzed. Culture and molecular techniques were used to identify fungal isolates from the feedstock, and mycotoxin profiles were determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The most prevalent fungal species recovered in the samples was Asperigillus flavus (54.5%). Other fungal species recovered from the samples were Aspergillus tamarii (9.1%), Mucorvelutinosus (9%), Phoma sp. (6.1%), Aspergillus niger (6%), Eurotium rubrum (3%) and Penicillium chrysogenum (3%). Fourteen mycotoxins were identified: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1and G2, fumonisin B1 and B3, deoxynivalenol (DON) and acetyldeoxynivalenol (sum of 3-ADONand 15-ADON), ochratoxin A, roquefortine C, alternariol, T-2 toxin, and nivalenol. DON (92.9%), aflatoxins (64.3%) and fumonisins (57.1%) were the most prevalent within locally manufactured feeds, while no contamination was found in imported feed. Samples from Kenya were the most contaminated with aflatoxin (maximum 806.9 μg·kg−1). The high levels of aflatoxin and trichothecene type A and B contamination found in this study point to potential risks to fish performance and to the health of consumers of the fish and derived products
Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in rural Rwanda: promising early outcomes
Purpose
The burden of cancer is rising in low- and middle-income countries, yet cancer treatment requires resources that are often not available in these settings. Although management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been described in low- and middle-income countries, few programs involve patients treated in rural settings. We describe characteristics and early outcomes of patients treated for CML at rural district hospitals in Rwanda.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of patients with confirmed BCR-ABL–positive CML who were enrolled between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2014. Types of data included patient demographics, diagnostic work up, treatment, clinical examination, laboratory testing, and death.
Results
Forty-three patients were included, with a maximum follow-up of 58 months. Of 31 patients who were imatinib-naïve at enrollment, 54.8% were men and the median age at diagnosis was 36.9 years (interquartile range: 29-42 years). Approximately two-thirds of patients (67.7%) were on the national public insurance scheme. The imatinib dose was reduced for 16 patients and discontinued for five. Thirty-two of the 43 patients continued to have normal blood counts at last follow-up. Four patients have died and four are lost to follow-up.
Conclusion
Our experience indicates that CML can be effectively managed in a resource-constrained rural setting, despite limited availability of on-site diagnostic resources or specialty oncology personnel. The importance of model public-private partnerships as a strategy to bring high-cost, life-saving treatment to people who do not have the ability to pay is also highlighted
Tea land degradation in Rwanda: Case study of Gicumbi District
Abstract-This paper presents the results of the Study taken in Gicumbi District, Rwanda. It showed that Tea agriculture have degraded the environment through different types of Fertilizers used in tea plantations. The soil in tea plantation is acidic where the pH is less that 5; the Environment has been considerably degraded and water in river steams near to the tea plantation was polluted by agrochemicals used
Treating nephroblastoma in Rwanda: using International Society of Pediatric Oncology guidelines in a novel oncologic care model
Purpose
Success in treating nephroblastoma in high-income countries has been transferred to some resource-constrained settings; multicenter studies report disease-free survival of greater than 70%. However, few reports present care models with rural-based components, care tasks shifted to internists and pediatricians, and data collection structured for monitoring and evaluation. Here, we report clinical outcomes and protocol compliance for patients with nephroblastoma evaluated at Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda.
Patients and Methods
This retrospective study reports the care of 53 patients evaluated between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2014. Patients receiving less than half of their chemotherapy at Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence were excluded.
Results
Of the 53 patients included, 9.4% had stage I, 13.2% had stage II, 24.5% had stage III, 26.4% had stage IV, and 5.7% had stage V disease; the remaining 20.8% had unknown stage disease from inadequate work-up or unavailable surgical report. The incidence of neutropenia increased with treatment progression, and the greatest proportion of delays occurred during the surgical referral phase. At the end of the study period, 32.1% of patients (n = 17) remained alive after treatment; 24.5% (n = 13) remained alive while continuing treatment, including one patient with recurrent disease; 30.2% (n = 16) died; and 13.2% (n = 7) were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm that nephroblastoma can be effectively treated in resource-constrained settings. Using an approach in which chemotherapy is delivered at a rural-based center by nononcologists and data are used for routine evaluation, care can be delivered in safe, novel ways. Protocol modifications to mitigate chemotherapy toxicities and strong communication between the multidisciplinary team members will likely minimize delays and further improve outcomes in similar settings