HOW TO MAKE GARRI BREAD.

Garri bread mix.

Bread dough

Bread dough in portions.

Bread dough set for baking.

Delicious garri bread.

 

Agribusiness: Agroecological tropical farming systems through crop–livestock integration.

Agribusiness: Agroecological tropical farming systems through crop–livestock integration. An analysis of the operations and performance of 17 farms in three different tropical zones (Guadeloupe, Brazil, Cuba) demonstrates that systems are more agroecological, efficient and resilient when a diverse range of activities are practiced and nutrient cycles are closed with higher-intensity crop–livestock integration flows. Today’s agriculture must respond to increasingly complex demands. It must meet the ever-growing demand for food, while using fewer inputs, as natural resources become more scarce, while also adapting to the challenges brought on by the massive changes affecting socio-ecosystems. Agroecology offers a conceptual framework for developing farming systems that are productive, self-sufficient, efficient and resilient to better meet these challenges. Agribusiness: Agroecological tropical farming systems through crop–livestock integration. Crop–livestock integration (CLI) incorporates a number of agroecological principles (Dumont et al., 2013), such as closed cycles and using diversity to improve resilience. Researchers looked at how farms with more integrated mixed crop–livestock systems (with diverse and complex nutrient flow networks) were more productive, efficient, self-sufficient and resilient (Bonaudo et al. 2014). Their study focused on two areas.

Food Safety : Use of banned drugs in food animal production and the health implication in man.

Animals raised and processed for food have a great deal of impact on the health and well being of man. The saying "you are what you eat" hold true ,as whatever you throw in or gulp down shows up in terms of fat or a trim frame. 

Now a days the term is modified to you are "what your animals eat", meaning if you feed crap,you get crap at the end. The business of raising animals for consumption is not a minor issue, aside the monetary issue(profit margin),the health status of the animals and by extension humans that consume these products is very important as the drugs used in the production line must be safe for the animals and humans as well. 

 The superbugs issue has actually been traced to misuse or overuse of antibiotics in food animal production and this has birthed the antibiotic free production movement ,everyone is alert and aware of nutrients,health benefits,side effects and most importantly,people are going organic. 

This awareness has helped to enforce certain regulation and formulation of new regulations regarding what drugs to use and what not to administer during production. The regulation coupled with surveillance and strict inspection during slaughter to test for residues has helped to prevent greedy producers from passing dangerous products to the public. 

 This is the case of a cattle breeder;Stanley Richardson (67) from Woodford, Newtowngore,convicted and fined €500 and ordered to pay costs of €5,000 after he was found guilty of selling an animal which had been given bute, a banned substance.

Richardson was found guilty of selling a bull which had been administered the banned substance phenylbutazone, also known as bute. 

 Phenylbutazone is known to induce blood dyscrasias, including aplastic anemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia, and can result in death. Hypersensitivity reactions of the serum-sickness type have also been reported. 

 The banned substance has the potential to have a carcinogenic effect on humans, thus why it is prohibited in food producing animals. Bute can be used to treat horses, as it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, provided horses treated are not intended for human consumption.

FEED THE FUTURE ; HYDROPONICS SYSTEM.

Rose Chelang’at decided to take up hydroponics farming at her dairy farm in Kericho County, Kenya after receiving training by a representative from Hydroponics Kenya, a local company that helps smallholders use innovative technology to grow food. Hydroponics is the process of growing crops, including fodder for livestock, without the use of soil. The technology, which is gaining ground quickly in Kenya, speeds up growth while eliminating soil-borne diseases, such as aflatoxin. Under Feed the Future, USAID is on the forefront of this trend, encouraging hydroponics farming to ensure more nutrition for farmers’ livestock, which will increase milk production and raise incomes. Hydroponic farming is a new concept to Kenyan smallholder farmers, who are taking it up as they come to recognize its affordability and suitability for small-scale farming. Youth are becoming more receptive to the technology as well, as it is a major boost to the dairy sector and has created job opportunities along the value chain for youth who are now creating aluminum trays for sale to local farmers. Technology transfer is an important method under Feed the Future to get affordable, effective technologies into the hands of smallholder farmers around the world. In Kenya, USAID is supporting the dissemination of nine new agricultural technologies and management practices at different phases of development. As an exciting new way to increase animal fodder and dairy production, hydroponic farming is a bright spot in Kenya’s agricultural future. Chelang’at reported after introducing the hydroponically grown fodder into the diet of her herd, “Two of my dairy cows now produce four more liters per day, increasing their daily milk production from 11 to 15 liters. I get an additional 12 liters per day from my third cow. #food security # food safety # innovation story culled from feed the future/Kenya article.

FOOD SECURITY THROUGH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT.

Food security can be achieved on a global scale if production processes are subjected to improved stock using genetically proven animals.

The way to harness the advantages in using genetically proven lines include; selective breeding,rearing and cross breeding to develop strains/lines that can produce more in the desired country.

There are various breeds of chicken,cattle,pigs that are proven and can adapt and survive in the country.

Genetics play a pivotal role in food security either by selective breeding, genetic engineering, gene mapping and coding and artificial insemination.
The improved strain will produce faster within a short time thus extending production cycles. Seed improvement is also relevant in food security, where genetically modified seeds produce better crops that are disease resistant .

Ordinary seeds can also be improved by using agricultural supplements that enables the crops to grow,flourish and ready for harvest within a shorter time. The use of technology in food security cannot be overemphasized as the introduction of biotech to food production is of immense benefits.

The springing up of bio-crops allows farming even in areas where there is much pressure on the land,thus availing the urban farmer an opportunity to participate in food security.

 Cultivating advanced planting techniques such as hydroponics,aeroponics and aquaponics , also enables farming in areas where land is an issue.

Fruits and vegetables are planted in columns,using nutrient media instead of soil. Vegetables can also be reared alongside fishes in the aquaponics to enhance food security.

Improving genetic resources through gene bank management.

The European Commission has selected the IMAGE project (Innovative Management of Animal Genetic Resources) for grant preparation and funding by the Horizon-2020 programme. The aim of IMAGE is to upgrade animal gene bank management and to enhance the use of genetic collections. IMAGE will enhance the accessibility of collection information and will improve the quality of gene bank collections. Genetic diversity in gene bank collections and live populations will be analysed using dense SNP marker and sequence information. Cryoconservation and reproduction technologies; Methods and software for better conservation and use of genetic diversity will be further improved making use of dense marker information. Besides genetic aspects, IMAGE will also further improve cryoconservation and reproduction technologies for different farm animal species. Strengthening of gene bank infrastructure; A variety of stakeholders (gene banks, breeding organisations, science, NGOs) participate in IMAGE. The IMAGE project is very important for strengthening of the gene bank infrastructure in Europe and for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources at European level. The importance of gene banks and gene pools cannot be overemphasized; it plays a key role in food security as very proven strains and traits are passed down to subsequent generations.Genetic engineering, gene typing, artificial insemination and synchronization of estrus all are vital to the food security drive. Read more here;http://www.pigprogress.net/Breeding/Genetics-Al/2015/12/Improving-genetic-resources-through-gene-bank-management-2732874W/

AGRIBUSINESS: ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION AND QR CODES.

The vet has a major role to play in nation building in terms of animal health and production.Animal identification is a tool for tracing,tracking animals as well as collate data on population.

 Animal identification is also a planning tool that will provide into on different animals in the state,number and location. This will help policy makers to plan for vaccination project and other  preventive protocols in animals.

 It has been documented that 75% of diseases affecting humans are caused by animals, so if the health status of the animals are top priority ,then we can prevent a lot of diseases in man.


 The animal kingdom has a lot to offer the human race ,in terms of food, clothing, medicine, research opportunities, foreign exchange and new improved genetic strains and breeds that can eliminate unwanted traits in certain species.

 There is a fortune to be made from animal husbandry but management of such projects deny us the expected rewards.

  Animal identification benefits for animal health and food  safety.

 Animal/pet identification project: if farmer has his farm registered, the animals on the farm are tagged/ pooled in a data base. This  information is stored , the location of the farm is noted using google earth or the simple G.P.S . Activities on the farm are monitored by vets and of course the farm is insured.

All products from the farm can be traced up to the market,and all food safety procedures adhered to, and documented.  This process alone will give a data base of producers in the country.

 The proper management on farms will be ensured , tracing of products from farms  are possible. This will be of importance if there is a problem that mandates a recall of product for investigation.

 The way to achieve the purpose of wealth creation  from agribusiness venture is to have a data base that shows location, tracks supplies and distribution channels..

AGRICULTURE ; KEY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

Attention is turning towards the role of agriculture and the management of natural resources to ensure global warming does not exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 2°C.Scientists believe that any greater temperature rise would be catastrophic for the planet, exceeding survival thresholds of crop, tree and fish species. Climate change threatens to derail efforts to end poverty and hunger, and achieve the sustainable development goals. A focus on agriculture is key to combat climatic change and here are some of the pointers. The poorest are hit hardest Climate change disproportionately affects the world’s poorest countries - particularly small island developing states, landlocked countries, arid and semi-arid areas - where people are most dependent on natural resources. In a cruel twist, these countries have contributed the least to causing climate change. Food producers are most vulnerable Drought, floods, sea level rises, and hurricanes destroy crops, livestock and fish resources and devastate ecosystems, irrigation systems and infrastructure. Family farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk and foresters - the same people who provide the bulk of the planet’s food – are those whose lives and livelihoods will be most affected. A threat to global food production Agricultural production needs to increase globally by an estimated 60% by 2050 to meet projected demands for food and feed from a growing and changing world population. However, scientists predict that production may fall by as much as 2% each decade for the rest of this century as a consequence of rising temperatures. The socio-economic impact could be devastating. Stressing the planet The expected increase in extreme weather events will only add to the challenge of current food production systems, which are already under stress through degradation of land and water resources and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services resulting from unsustainable practices. Today, a third of farmland is degraded, up to 75% of crop genetic diversity has been lost and 22% of animal breeds are at risk. More than half of fish stocks are fully exploited, and in the first decade of this century, some 13m hectares of forests were converted into other land uses each year. Reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint Agriculture, forestry and fisheries can make a significant contribution to global mitigation efforts by reducing their carbon footprint, adopting low emission growth strategies and enhancing carbon storage in soils, forests and aquatic systems. While agriculture and deforestation account for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, forests retain as much carbon as in the whole atmosphere, and soil makes up the greatest pool of terrestrial organic carbon. The agricultural sector has considerable transformational potential as it is uniquely positioned to simultaneously address all three dimensions of sustainability. Agro-ecology schooling Sharing knowledge with farmers on agro-ecological approaches and how to adapt them to local conditions through farmer field schools and other networks can have a positive long-term impact on climate change. For some time now, FAO has been working with countries and partners in developing and promoting approaches that avoid deforestation, over fishing and focus on improving soil fertility and increased ecosystems services that lower emissions while ensuring human and ecosystem well-being. Transforming food systems Modern food systems are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Moving away from dominant input-intensive food systems and pursuing climate-resilient approaches to agriculture can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the cost of shifting to sustainable agricultural practices will require long-term public and private investment and cannot be borne alone by poor farmers, fisherfolk, foresters, and indigenous communities. Saving energy One third of the food the world produces is lost or wasted. That amounts to about US$2.6 tn per year, including $700 bn of environmental costs and $900 bn of social costs. Reducing food losses through improved access to post-harvest technologies, and reducing waste through consumer education and initiatives like FAO-UNEP’s Save food can help cut the energy bill. Ultimately, the agri-food value chain will have to gradually decouple from fossil fuel dependence to deliver more food with less and cleaner energy. The big picture The big picture Action on climate change must be part of the bigger picture of sustainable development, taking into account the fight against hunger and poverty while investing in renewable resources. Nearly 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and most depend on agriculture for their living. Achieving zero hunger by 2030 largely depends on ensuring that agricultural systems and rural communities are healthy, productive, sustainable, and resilient in the face of climate change. Measuring and monitoring A better understanding of the influence of a changing climate on agricultural sectors has to be the first step. Providing essential information for climate change adaptation planning and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, FAO has developed tools for assessing the impact of climate change, monitoring natural resources and harmful emissions. read more here;http://www.theguardian.com/fao-partner-zone/2015/dec/01/10-reasons-why-agriculture-is-key-to-combating-climate-change

CHINA CLONING FACTORY TO PRODUCE A MILLION CATTLE.

In a bid to ensure food security, China has gone the biotech way to provide beef for consumption.The world’s biggest animal “cloning factory” is due to open in China, producing one million calves a year, sniffer dogs and even genetic copies of the family pet. Interest in agricultural biotechnology has been rapidly increasing in China, where farmers are struggling to provide enough beef for the country’s growing middle classes. Prices of the meat are said to have tripled from 2000 to 2013. Mr Xu said his new facility will clone racehorses and a handful of dogs for people with “emotional ties” to their pets, but its main focus was producing cattle. However, he appeared to be more excited about its ability to churn out sniffer dogs. read more here;http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/12013158/China-cloning-factory-to-produce-cattle-racehorses-and-pets.html

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY.

Food security can only be achieved if more food is produced and food waste and loss is eliminated from the value chain.


Women make up the bulk of those in the farming business,and the production of their produce can be doubled to increase revenue and feed the nation.

 The women in agriculture started farming and rearing animals because they wanted to feed their family and help in running of the home,but over the years this has evolved to a business where they rear and sell making money for themselves.

 Women in agriculture produce more food that could actually ensure food security but are constrained due to the following:

 1) preservation equipment.
 2) processing technology.
 3)education on proper handling of food.
 4)Transportation.

 Women in agriculture produce their crops,but lack technical strength in terms of preservation methods
  The.women produce grains,that when harvested are stored in sack, or spread on the floor,thus exposing the product to rodents and other pests.
This results in food loss and contamination which reduces revenue of the farmer but also the amount of food available for consumption,thus disrupting the food security chain.

 When women have access to modern storage facilities such as silos, more crops will get to market .The provision of such facilities at community level,divisional level or district zoning,will give more women access.

Organizing the farmers per zone and also providing a platform for marketing will ensure more food will get too the market.

Processing technology :the women in the fishing business and poultry are majorly affected. The fish harvested can be sold live,but because they lack processing equipment they cant process the fish into smoked variety.This  results in reduced income,as the majority of the fish are left unprocessed and marketers will offer to buy it off at ridiculous prices.

When processing technology is available  to these women, such drying stoves/kiln provided at community level,more fish will make it to the market and food security will be a reality.

The education on powered eggs will be an advantage in the poultry industry.When large quantities of eggs  are available,storing methods are very important to the marketability of the eggs.

 Food handling techniques are very important to food processing and packaging.

Women in agriculture should be educated on proper handling to prevent food waste and food loss.

When crops are harvested ,there are proper handling methods to prevent spoilage;like vegetables, these should be handled with care and store in an aerated environment to prevent rottenness.These must also not be lumped on ,but are stacked on platforms to keep them fresh

Modern techniques on handling will ensure more food get to market to prevent food loss and food waste.

 Transportation of these produce is a major key to food security. When roads are accessible more produce get to destination and in record time ensuring fresh foods are available.

The women face a lot of constraints that if addressed in form of training,seminars and provision of infrastructure such as light,electricity,good roads and telecommunication devices,

food security will be a reality. Empower the women!!! feed the nation.

VETERINARIANS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

The vet has a major role to play in nation building in terms of animal health and production. It has been documented that 75% of diseases affecting humans are caused by animals, so if the health status of the animals are top priority ,then we can prevent a lot of diseases in man. 

 The animal kingdom has a lot to offer the human race ,in terms of food, clothing, medicine, research opportunities, foreign exchange and new improved genetic strain and breeds that can eliminate unwanted traits in certain species. 

 There is a fortune to be made from animal husbandry but management of such projects deny us the expected rewards. I want to talk on an aspect of production that is crucial but its neglected, this is the major reason why we are not raking in the estimated profits. 

 Animal/pet identification project: if farmer has his farm registered, the animals on the farm are microchiped, the information is stored in a data base, the location of the farm is noted using google earth or the simple G.P.S , all activities on the farm are monitored by vets and of course the farm is insured. All products from the farm can be traced up to the market,and all food safety procedures adhered to, and documented. 

 This process alone will give a data base of producers in the country,proper management will be ensured, tracing of products are possible, this will be of importance if there is a problem that mandates a recall of product for investigation. 

 The way forward to achieve the purpose of production is to have a data base that shows what is where, where they came from, where they are off to. The integration of the insurance companies to the livestock industry with strict compliance will boost standard and level of production. The identification project should be extended to pets as well, this will enhance proper planning for effective vet care against Zoonotic diseases especially rabies. 

Identification will let us know where pets are ,and what types we are dealing with ,the insurance collaboration will be of immense benefit to the pet owners. Identification, monitoring , tracing and tracking in animals and pets will go a long way to ensure a better level of production. The role of vets in nation building cannot be overemphasized and a collaboration between vets and human medics will go a long way to ensure the one health one world initiative. 

The world has a lot to learn from the vets, according to GILBERT S. KAHN,DEAN OF VET MEDICINE,SCHOOL OF VET MED,UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA,AS REPORTED BY JOAN HENDRICKS IN THE HUFF POST. HE SAID "Most people think that veterinarians are doctors who treat cats and dogs, provide compassionate, expert care but also charge amply for their services. This narrow view means that a vet's work is underestimated and, often, not respected. 

In reality their role

is substantially broader and yet their leadership potential is generally overlooked. While many vets are caregivers for our domestic animals -- and it's very important work -- a larger mission is to focus on minimizing the transmission of infectious disease and help tackle world hunger issues. 

 Vets are trained as rigorously as doctors of human medicine; four years of college, four of vet school and additional internships and residencies if they become specialists. Uniquely trained in comparative biology, veterinarians are the only members of the clinical profession -- including physicians -- who see many different species, and understand medicine fundamentally such that all species benefit. 

 Veterinarians approach medicine with a global perspective and support public health, enormously impacting people's well-being. They also play an integral role in food safety and food production. Since people share many of the same diseases and biology as animals, veterinarians have a large role in preventing and controlling diseases, as well as providing research that helps treat diseases like cancer, neurological disorders and immune diseases. In fact, veterinary medicine is the profession that stands between all of humanity and plague and famine.  

For instance, many of the infectious diseases (e.g. avian flu, swine flu, AIDS, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease) that spread in humans come from animals originally. The CDC estimates that number to be 75%. 

Preventing new diseases in humans, as well as potential plagues, is crucial, and well-trained animal care professionals play a vital role. In Pennsylvania, veterinarians developed surveillance technology that provides the ability to stem an outbreak of avian influenza. 

Within one month, a potentially devastating outbreak was stopped at a cost of $400,000 while a similar outbreak in Virginia at the same time cost the state over $100 million. Undoubtedly, it is safer, cheaper, healthier and more effective to identify a disease before it appears in people. 

Beyond infectious diseases, many veterinarians transcend the animal world by applying the knowledge they have gained through their research to develop better treatments for animals and people. For example, Dr. Ralph Brinster became in 2011 the only veterinarian ever to win the National Medal of Science. He developed a reliable in-vitro culture system for early mouse embryos. 

Now the system is used in embryo manipulations such as human in-vitro fertilization, mammalian cloning, and embryonic stem cell therapy. And vets are leading the way in critical advances in gene therapies -- including cures for two forms of blindness in animals and humans, one of which is now in human trials. 

The American Academy of Neurology cites more than 12 neurological diseases or disorders that animal research has helped cure, treat, prevent, or further understand. Clearly, human and animal health are more connected than most people realize, and doctors can learn much from the breakthrough work of veterinarians. Famine Not only are we concerned about diseases of epidemic proportions but as our world population grows, we also are increasingly faced with issues related to famine. 

HUNGER is the world's number one public health threat -- killing more people than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, according to James T. Morris, Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Program.

 Food availability, safety and production are key areas of research and service for veterinarians. Our food sources need to be safe, healthy and plentiful. 

Veterinarians, for instance, have developed a food safety system whereby poultry eggs can be tested for SALMONELLA 10 times more swiftly, saving millions of dollars and ensuring public safety and by gathering information from dairy farms, vets can examine this data and advise farmers on how to modify their feed formulations and additives and change milking schedules. 

Not only does this tremendously increase animal well-being, it also positively impacts the economics. Eating "local food" is a direct result. And beyond eating local, this knowledge has global implications and can be shared with developing countries who demand a higher quality of food and more animal protein, such as meat, milk, and eggs.

 While the number of dairy cows in the U.S. has decreased, milk production has grown. This isn't the case in developing countries -- the number of cows continues to grow while milk production doesn't. Our knowledge related to increasing yield per animal for dairy cows can help feed developing countries.