Volume 53 (2020): Issue 1 (March 2020)

Commercialisation of helmeted guinea fowl production in Africa is still in its rudimentary stage and there is a dearth of information on the optimal stocking density of the birds. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the physiological responses and performance of guinea fowl. A total of 240 indigenous guinea fowl were used for this study. The birds were weighed and assigned to different stocking densities of 14, 16, 18 and 20 birds/m2 (SD1, SD2, SD3 and SD4, respectively) at four weeks of age. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on growth performance, haematochemical profile and plasma triiodothyronine of the birds. The results showed that from the 7^th to the 13^th week, birds stocked at 14 and 16 birds/m² were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than birds stocked at 18 and 20 birds/m², while at weeks 14 and 15, body weight of the birds was in the order 14 birds / m² > 16 birds / m² > 18 birds/m² > 20 birds/m². Feed conversion ratios of the birds increased with stocking densities. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio significantly increased with stocking density. It was concluded that stocking density of helmeted guinea fowl higher than 16 birds/m² adversely affected growth performance and welfare of the birds.

Haematological studies help in understanding the relationship of blood characteristics to the environment. One of the major environmental factors influencing haematological indicators is season. This study was aimed at the variation in haematological profiles of two strains of laying birds at different seasons. We therefore evaluated the effects of genotype and season on the haematological profile in two strains of laying birds – Dominant brown (D-192) and Hyline brown in the tropics. A total of 50 birds per strain at 30 weeks of age were randomly selected for this study. Packed cell volume (PCV) and platelets were obtained using microhaematocrit whereas red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were counted using a haemocytometer. The result obtained showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the haematological profile of the birds in the two seasons compared (rainy and dry seasons). The haematological indices obtained during the rainy season had significantly higher mean values in packed cell volume (29.65 ± 0.32%), red blood cells (2.65 ± 0.03 × 10¹²/L), haemoglobin (100.1 ± 0.11 g/L) and eosinophil (2.5 ± 0.16%) while those obtained during the dry season had a higher significant effect on the white blood cells (19.16 ± 0.36 × 10⁹/L). The results further revealed that between the strains, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in most of the indicators analysed but Hyline brown had significantly higher values (P < 0.05) of eosinophils and platelets. We concluded that the observed differences could be a result of genetic differences between the two strains of birds which gives room for selection and that the rainy season is more favourable for laying birds production under tropical condition.

Compost maturity is a major factor in its use for nutrient supply without adverse effect on crop germination. Composting may be accelerated with inclusion of some microorganisms as activators. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Trichoderma asperellum and length of composting of different plant materials and cattle manure on compost maturity in Ibadan, Nigeria. Composting of two plant materials with cow dung at ratio 3:1 was done in triplicate with or without Trichoderma activation to obtain twelve heaps of four different types of composts; Panicum-based compost with Trichoderma, Tridax-based compost with Trichoderma, Panicum-based compost without Trichoderma and Tridax-based compost without Trichoderma. The process was a 2×2 factorial experiment, laid out a completely randomized design. The Trichoderma activated compost (TAC) at four weeks of composting (4WC) had 56% total N, 21% organic matter, 38% total K, 51% total P and 66.6% microbial biomass N increase over non-activated compost (NAC). Carbon to nitrogen ratio was within the ideal range (10–20) in TAC while it was greater than it in NAC. Microbial biomass and lignin contents had a 56% and 41% increase, respectively, in NAC over TAC. Trichorderma-activated compost has a potential to hasten maturation and makes the compost ready for field on or before four weeks without posing a threat to crop germination.

Attaining adequate child nutrition requires prompt access to relevant nutrition information. Present information reveals that the nutrition status of children younger than five years is threatened. In this study we sought to assess under-five nutritional status among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to sample a total of 146 mothers as respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule and were analysed using percentage, mean, Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Most respondents were married (89.9%), currently working (93.2%) and had an average age, household size and monthly income of x¯ = 34.61, x¯ = 6 and ₦11,530, respectively. The respondents were mostly aware that cowpea is a major source of protein (x¯ = 0.99) and appropriate immunization of children is essential in aiding nutrition (x¯ = 0.99). They mostly sourced information on child nutrition from radio (x¯ = 0.87) and family and friends (x¯ = 0.87). Child nutritional status was high (59.6%). A significant relationship exists between educational attainment (χ² = 10.781, P = 0.029), occupational status of the respondents (χ² = 8.553, P = 0.014), awareness of adequate nutrition (r = 0.166, P = 0.044), source of information (r = 0.137, P = 0.010) and the child nutrition status. Improvements in nutrition campaign using available medical outlets and radio are advocated.

The increasing number of regional blocs and interdependence of nations have become important aspects of global economic integration. The European Union (EU28) as one of the most advanced regional bodies has had preferential trade agreements with other regional bodies, such as the East African Community (EAC). Historically, the EU28 has been the EAC’s leading trading partner. Against this background, this paper analyses the dynamics of bilateral trade in agri-food between the two regional blocs for the period 2000–2018, using the battery of empirical tools.

The findings indicate that even though the EU has finalised trade agreements with the EAC, it holds on the region regarding trade has diminished. The EAC bloc has diversified its trading partners (to other African countries, India and China) beyond the EU28 markets. The results further reveal that the EU28 has comparative advantages in 32 out of 46 agri-food products in trading with EAC. The export concentration ratios show the EU28 slightly concentrated more in exporting products to the EAC than EAC to the Union. The BCG findings reveal (un)competitive and/or promising (dropping) products in export structures of both regions. By and large, the results indicate certain shifts in the comparative advantage, specialisation/diversification of exports and competitiveness of specific products on the bilateral level between EU28 and EAC. Policymakers, especially from EAC should continue to create enabling environments to stimulate food processing, trade and monitor changes in trade patterns or shocks within the framework of the Partnership Agreement.