EBOLA RESURGENCE IN LIBERIA.

The deadly Ebola virus has reared its ugly head again in Liberia just when the country was to be pronounced EBOLA FREE. The latest victim a 44-year old woman died on 27/3/2015, her boyfriend was an Ebola survivor indicating that sexual transmission is a route of infection of the Ebola virus. Research has shown traces of Ebola virus in semen of survivors for at least 82 days after onset of symptoms ,to this end the W.H.O has advised Ebola survivors to abstain from sex during a 90- day period following recovery. The deputy health minister and head of the Ebola response team; Tolbert Nyenswah reiterated the stand of W.H.O and suggested that survivors go a step further until the the pathway of transmission is better understood. He suggested that Ebola survivors consider use of condoms for all sexual acts beyond 3 months. The Ebola virus has been linked to non-human primates such as monkeys and apes, the fruit bats has also been linked as a reservoir host. It has been documented that hunting in deep forest for wild animals(bush meat) and bats ,subsequent preparation and consumption is a major route of infection with the Ebola virus.The management of the sick in terms of cleaning vomitus, diarrhoea and other body fluids is responsible for spread.The burial rites and community -based burial ceremonies has further propagated the spread of the virus across the borders. The contamination of bedding, clothing and surfaces also contribute to spread of virus. The symptoms include fever,vomiting,diarrhoea and hemorrhaging .The bleeding is from all orifices, the diarrhoea and vomitus are also blood tinged. The envelope on the RNA virus is easily disrupted by washing with soap and water,hence hand washing is advocated. The use of alcohol based hand sanitizers has also been proven to inactivate the virus. The use of bleach to decontaminate surfaces,floors and drains is very effective for killing the virus. COMPLACENCY has been identified as the major cause of new cases of Ebola, it will be of paramount importance to be alert and be proactive. KEEP WASHING HANDS,WASH FLOORS/SURFACES WITH BLEACH.VISIT AN HOSPITAL IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE EBOLA SYMPTOMS AND REPORT TO HEALTH AUTHORITIES IF YOUVE HAD CONTACT WITH PERSON WITH EBOLA,OR HAVE VISITED COUNTRIES WITH EBOLA CASES.

BIO CROP # BIOTECHNOLOGY.

Food crops derived from agricultural biotechnology are referred to as bio crops.Farmers all over the world are turning to bio technology to produce food,fruits and vegetables. The advantages of biotechnology over conventional farming are enormous ;these include production of more disease resistant strains of crops within a short time, the process is environmental friendly because pesticides are not used,this also ensures food safety as there is no pesticide residue on the products. Biotechnology also prevents health hazard in farmers as there is no exposure to chemicals used in conventional farming, the crops produced are of higher nutritional value,better flavor and most of all the productivity is high which makes it a tool for food security. Bio technology is safe and does not cause any ecological damaged.Crops that are developed are such that they breed out undesirable traits.Farmers are turning to biotechnology so that they can grow plants that yield more per acre and resistant to diseases and insect pest while reducing production cost. Agricultural biotechnology is a key to eradicate poverty and hunger/malnutrition in the world,according to UN food and agricultural organization there is an estimated world population of 9.1 billion in 2050,this will require enhanced production and productivity of food. The new methods of farming with innovative use of technology is the key to sustainable food production. Change is the only constant thing...........welcome to a new age of food production. BIO CROPS# BIOTECHNOLOGY.

HYDROPONICS# FOOD IN A COLUMN.

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BIO TECHNOLOGY FOR FOOD SUSTAINABILITY.

Biotechnology is one of the various ways of using scientific principles and techniques to produce crops that are pure strains and resistant to diseases. Biotechnology,nanotechnology,genetic engineering are all scientific interventions to produce better crops,improve plants,animals and microorganisms to enhance their value.

 The world today is faced with population explosion; the growth of the population is not at the same rate as food production and processing leaving most developing countries on poverty threshold and food scarcity. The world now is looking at strategies for food security and sustainability to eliminate hunger and eradicate poverty.

 Biotechnology has actually shown great potential to achieve food security in the agricultural sector where it has been used to develop plant strains that are resistant to pests and diseases. Biotechnology has also been employed to improve food processing,nutritional value better flavor and productivity of plants,vegetables and other food crops.

 Agric biotechnology is the use of scientific techniques to modify and improve crops by selective breeding. Advances in science especially in the field of molecular biology has provided scientist with ability to manipulate food at molecular level referred to as genetic engineering.The technique employed in genetic engineering is the transfer of DNA from species with specific desired traits into distantly related organisms.

 Genetic engineering allows the transfer of one or more traits from specific organism,plants,animals and microorganism and introduce them to new strains to come up with genetically modified strains with better productivity. The technology era has brought with it innovation , information , inputs and institutional support to enhance economic growth and development.The use of technology to ensure food security cannot be overemphasized,and so many options are at our fingertips to ensure food sustainability.


 Food can be cultivated in nutrient media instead of soil, and this is done in a controlled environment this system is referred to as hydroponics /aeroponics depending on the conditions of growth.This system enables farming even in your room or balcony or any small space that can house the system you want to adopt.

 Technology bringing change in its track; who could have imagined farming without soil or land? can you imagine planting tomatoes or vegetables or even yam in a column -like stand or table? Welcome to the world of BIOTECH; feeding the world with ease.

DOG SHAMPOO.

The washing of your pets can pose a problem if you dont use right products.The coat of your pets needs to be handled properly to prevent damage and hair loss. The ordinary washing or cleaning of your pets should be scheduled for every 2 weeks and use products that are safe and leave the coat soft and silky. The B olive dog shampoo cleans and conditions your pet's coat. Call today to buy your dog shampoo; 08023003455.

BIO SECURITY IN THE SNAIL FARM.

Bio-security refers to sum total of protocols/practices embarked on in the farm that is aimed at keeping pest, pathogen-causing organisms away.The main purpose of bio security is to keep disease causing organisms away to ensure production of wholesome snails. 

 The first step in the bio security protocol will be to start with clean stock, procure new stock from reputable farmers. Buy snails that are clean,without cracks,nodules and pungent smell. 

The snails must be active and the foot must fill the shell. The new stock must be cleaned with water and cloth before introduction to house,snails of various ages from various stock should not be mixed and Snails from old batch must not be mixed with new stock. 

 The housing depending on the type require cleaning and wiping/raking and turning of the soil. The fittings of the house must be clean,doors,panels must be solid to prevent ant infestation.The housing must be fitted with wire netting and nets to prevent entry of pests,this must also be cleaned, and checked for any damage. 

 The sand in the snailery must be clean and insect free, the sand must be moistened with water to prevent drying out of the snails.The sand must be raked and turned to remove slime, food remnants and feces.

The surrounding of the house must be kept clean,regular washing of the drains and disinfecting of drains are important,the drains can also be lined with oil to prevent solider ants from entering the house. Rat baits are animal traps should be scattered around the compound to prevent access to rodents and other wild animals. 

 The feed and water must be stored properly to prevent contamination with feces or dirt..The water tanks and pipes must be cleaned and the water source sanitized .Clean water must be available to the snails at all times. Feed must be stored in air tight areas, and also prevent water from soaking the feed to prevent molds growing on the feed . 

 Feeding snails: if you want to give fresh vegetables,they must be clean and well chopped to allow the snails consume them easily and the remnant feed must be removed from the snailery. The snails must be examined at regular intervals, and any snail showing signs of illness must be removed from the house. Dead/sick snails must be removed from the house immediately. 

 Visitors to the snailery must be restricted, the visitors can view the snails from side bars without entering, in case of walk-in type full protective clothing must be put on with clean boots. Handling of snails by everyone must be discouraged, as rough handling may predispose to shell damage and possible death due to contamination. 

 The snailery must never have feed/ food with salt ,also use of soap inside the snailery is prohibited.

HOW TO REAR SNAILS.

 HOW TO REAR SNAILS. Snail farming also referred to as heliculture is a lucrative business with high export potential.Snails are small,hardy and easy to manage.

They can be raised on small or large scale using various means of housing.

The snail business is easy to set up, with simple management.. Snail farming is not capital intensive, does not require specialized equipment ,the feed are readily available and cheap.. 


Snails dont constitute a nuisance to the environment because there is on noise from the pens, and waste is odorless.

 The snail is divided into 3 parts; the shell, muscular foot and the visceral mass. The shell is the most visible part which makes up 30-40% of the whole body.

The shell is a means of identifying various species, and it has ornamental values.The shell increases with body size,thus its also a means of determining the age of the snails.

The muscular part also referred to as foot is the edible part, and makes up 45% of the body weight.Its also the means by which the snails move.

The visceral mass houses the internal organs and the reproductive organs. The snails are hermaphrodites, but they still require another snail to lay eggs. .


Snails can be housed using various enclosures depending on size of stock. Old tyres with wire netting,drums,wooden cages, cemented high/low fenced pens or natural gardens .The housing must be intact to prevent  openings for rodents,ants and mosquitoes.  The housing must provide shade,to prevent heating up the snails resulting in death.


 Snails feeds on greens,tubers and fruits. Snails can feed on leaves of pawpaw,cassava,fruits of mango,banana,orange. They can also be fed  with well ground broiler ration,chick mash or layer ration.

The feed must be balanced with adequate components of carbohydrate,fish meal and calcium supplements. Water is very important in snail diet and it must be readily available.

 The  floor of  the house of the snail must be covered with loamy soil which must be kept moist to allow the snails to burrow and lay eggs.

The snails/ hatchlings that are to be the foundation stock must be carefully chosen, they should be of good weight (300-350g),with no cracks on shell and no nodules.

The snails must be well stocked to prevent cannibalism,death and poor growth. A stocking density of the snails should be 40-50 hatchlings/m2, 30- 40 growers/m2 and 12-15 adults/m2.

 The sexual maturity of the snail is 5-6 months, upon maturity they lay eggs in presence of other snails and the eggs are buried deep in the sand to protect them. The snails lays about 80-100 eggs in clutches/batches.