http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1091 2026-04-14T23:28:14Z 2026-04-14T23:28:14Z Amoni, Joshua http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12018 2025-05-28T11:15:56Z 2024-08-01T00:00:00Z

Livestock Production and Consumption Practices in the Assin South District and Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana Amoni, Joshua The study was undertaken in the Assin South District and Cape Coast Metropolis, both located in the Central Region of Ghana. The aim was to evaluate the practices of livestock production and meat consumption in these areas. The research used a descriptive survey design, involving 77 livestock farmers and 202 meat consumers selected purposively to respond to questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using the descriptive statistical tool of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, and the results were presented in frequency tables. The findings indicated that chicken was the most prevalent livestock species kept in the study areas, with the majority of livestock producers mainly focusing on poultry production. Livestock farmers in these areas primarily utilized intensive and semi-intensive housing systems for their animals. They reported experiencing multiple disease outbreaks annually, with Newcastle disease being the most common. In terms of consumption practices, beef was the preferred meat among consumers in the study areas. Additionally, the price of meat was identified as the primary factor influencing consumers' meat purchasing decisions. However, it was worrying to find out that animals known to be sick were sometimes slaughtered by some farmers as well as animals which were on treatment. There were instances where dead carcasses were dressed and sold for human consumption. As a result, it was recommended that the government, specifically the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, provide training programmes and workshops for farmers aimed at disease prevention, early disease detection and management practices. Furthermore, efforts should be made to educate consumers on the importance of avoiding the consumption of meat from animals that do not respond to treatment or those that died naturally. xii 111p:, ill

2024-08-01T00:00:00Z Tokpa, Quita http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11847 2025-01-30T11:50:31Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Effect Of Roasted Para Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Seed Kernel Meal Incorporated Feed On Growth Performance, Blood Composition, Liver And Kidney Tissue Histology Of Institute Of Cancer Research (Icr) Albino Mice Tokpa, Quita This study examined the impact of incorporating roasted para rubber seed kernel meal (RoPRSKM) into the feed of ICR albino mice, focusing on growth performance, haematology, blood biochemistry and liver and kidney tissue histology. In this study, four experimental diets, T1, which was the control made of Koudjis feed (21% CP and 2825 kcalsME/kgDm) and T2, T3 and T4 in which ME of RoPRSKM replaced 5%, 10 and 15%, respectively of T1 metabolizable energy content were used. Using a completely randomized design, 40 male albino mice were assigned to four dietary treatments. The proximate analysis of the RoPRSKM indicated 24.8% crude protein, 9.2% crude fibre, 46.6% crude fat, 0.26 mg/kgDM hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and estimated metabolisable energy of 4405.5 kcal ME/kgDM. Inclusion of RoPRSKM in the meal showed no significant effect on the weight gain and water intake of the albino mice. Feed intake significantly reduced in mice feed on treatments T3 and T4. At the end of the experiment, Mice were chosen randomly to collect blood for analysis of haematology and blood biochemistry. Using terminal standard operating procedure, blood samples were obtained from the orbit. To determine the packed cell volume, microhematocrit centrifugation method, hemoglobin (Hb) was employed to measured spectrophotometer, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell and manually performed using Merck Veterinary Manual.While mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were calculated Blood parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, etc.) showed no significant detrimental effects in mice fed with RoPRSKM diets as compared to the control group. In terms of blood biochemistry, the diets did not exhibit any adverse effects across all the measured parameters, except for total protein, Alkaline Phosphatase, and Globulin. These three parameters displayed statistically significant differences among all the treatment groups. After the blood samples collection, the mice were immediately euthanized humanely by cervical dislocation. The abdomen was opened by an incision along the mid-ventral line and the skin and musculature folded back to expose the internal organs. The liver and kidney samples were harvested and fixed in 10% formalin solution for a week. After that, Tissue samples were washed 24 hours under slow-speed running water, dehydrated in graded concentrations of ethanol and immersed in ethanol - xylene, xylene – paraffin1, paraffin wax I, paraffin wax II, paraffin wax III, and finally embedded in paraffin wax. 5 μm thick slices were cut from each paraffin block sample onto a glass slide, and stained with haematoxylin-eosin (HE) routinely. Tissue structure was then observed under the Hund H600 microscope, and photomicrographs were taken as images for presentation. However, the histology examination revealed no observable alterations or changes in the liver and kidney tissues of the mice when fed with RoPRSKM. The finding indicated that incorporating RoPRSKM into the diet of ICR albino mice did not have significant adverse effects on their growth, haematology, blood biochemistry, or liver and kidney tissue structure. However, some variations were observed in certain parameters, but were not significant as compared with the acceptable ranges. x, 140p; , ill.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z Tokpa, Quita http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11598 2025-01-27T10:37:59Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Effect Of Roasted Para Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Seed Kernel Meal Incorporated Feed On Growth Performance, Blood Composition, Liver And Kidney Tissue Histology Of Institute Of Cancer Research (Icr) Albino Mice Tokpa, Quita This study examined the impact of incorporating roasted para rubber seed kernel meal (RoPRSKM) into the feed of ICR albino mice, focusing on growth performance, haematology, blood biochemistry and liver and kidney tissue histology. In this study, four experimental diets, T1, which was the control made of Koudjis feed (21% CP and 2825 kcalsME/kgDm) and T2, T3 and T4 in which ME of RoPRSKM replaced 5%, 10 and 15%, respectively of T1 metabolizable energy content were used. Using a completely randomized design, 40 male albino mice were assigned to four dietary treatments. The proximate analysis of the RoPRSKM indicated 24.8% crude protein, 9.2% crude fibre, 46.6% crude fat, 0.26 mg/kgDM hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and estimated metabolisable energy of 4405.5 kcal ME/kgDM. Inclusion of RoPRSKM in the meal showed no significant effect on the weight gain and water intake of the albino mice. Feed intake significantly reduced in mice feed on treatments T3 and T4. At the end of the experiment, Mice were chosen randomly to collect blood for analysis of haematology and blood biochemistry. Using terminal standard operating procedure, blood samples were obtained from the orbit. To determine the packed cell volume, microhematocrit centrifugation method, hemoglobin (Hb) was employed to measured spectrophotometer, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell and manually performed using Merck Veterinary Manual.While mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were calculated Blood parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, etc.) showed no significant detrimental effects in mice fed with RoPRSKM diets as compared to the control group. In terms of blood biochemistry, the diets did not exhibit any adverse effects across all the measured parameters, except for total protein, Alkaline Phosphatase, and Globulin. These three parameters displayed statistically significant differences among all the treatment groups. After the blood samples collection, the mice were immediately euthanized humanely by cervical dislocation. The abdomen was opened by an incision along the mid-ventral line and the skin and musculature folded back to expose the internal organs. The liver and kidney samples were harvested and fixed in 10% formalin solution for a week. After that, Tissue samples were washed 24 hours under slow-speed running water, dehydrated in graded concentrations of ethanol and immersed in ethanol - xylene, xylene – paraffin1, paraffin wax I, paraffin wax II, paraffin wax III, and finally embedded in paraffin wax. 5 μm thick slices were cut from each paraffin block sample onto a glass slide, and stained with haematoxylin-eosin (HE) routinely. Tissue structure was then observed under the Hund H600 microscope, and photomicrographs were taken as images for presentation. However, the histology examination revealed no observable alterations or changes in the liver and kidney tissues of the mice when fed with RoPRSKM. The finding indicated that incorporating RoPRSKM into the diet of ICR albino mice did not have significant adverse effects on their growth, haematology, blood biochemistry, or liver and kidney tissue structure. However, some variations were observed in certain parameters, but were not significant as compared with the acceptable ranges. x, 140p; , ill.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z Tuoho, Bombason Kweku http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11497 2025-01-22T11:27:01Z 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z

Performance and challenges of the domestic broiler chicken value chain and implications for agricultural graduate employment in Ghana Tuoho, Bombason Kweku The study analysed the performance and challenges of the domestic broiler value chain (VC) and its implication for agricultural graduate employment in Ghana. The mixed method of the concurrent nested strategy model was used. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 345 broiler producers in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono regions. Census was employed in taking data from 70 feed millers, 40 poultry processors, and 123 live bird sellers and 1,129 final year agriculture students from the University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, and Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development. Structured interview schedules and questionnaire were used to collect data. Which were analysed using statistical techniques including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as ANOVA, SFA translog profit function model, probit and multivariate probit regression models. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to rank actors’ challenges, which included price volatility of maize and soybeans, high cost of feed and competition from cheap poultry meat imports. Broiler producers had gross margin (GM) of GH¢ 28.4 and profit efficiency of 62.9%, a live bird seller’s GM was GH¢ 28.2 and a profit efficiency of 34.4%, whilst a poultry processor had GM of GH¢ 20.9 and a profit efficiency of 79.9%. Significant differences were found in students’ perceived knowledge level in these broiler VC activities, inputs production and distribution, marketing of broiler, provision of support services, and broiler production. On perception, there were significant differences in the constructs economic, government policy and social-cultural perceptions. Students’ choice to engage in the broiler VC was largely driven by having parents in poultry enterprise, knowledge of specific VC activity. Whilst males are more likely to choose broiler VC business as a carrier. It is recommended that agriculture programmes of study in Ghanaian universities be designed based on the value chain concept with a practical approach to teaching and learning to equip students’ become entrepreneurs or employees. The development of a national poultry policy to create an enabling business environment and increase access to market for actors is also recommended. xxv, 469p;, ill.

2023-03-01T00:00:00Z