IMPROVING NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY.

A walk through the annual Kerala seedfest, in the sultry heat of India’s Western Ghats, is like a walk through a proverbial garden of Eden; okra the size of a hand; deep purple coloured runner beans; 26 varieties of chillies from one village alone. The size and colours of multiple bananas on offer here make a mockery of the fact that your average supermarket sells just one type. With women and men standing proudly alongside their produce, this celebration of seeds and biodiversity is the future of farming: it is abundant, resilient and most importantly, smallholder led. Read more; http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/11/how-a-successful-collective-of-smallholder-farmers-in-india-is-showing-the-way?CMP=ema-1702&CMP=

SOCIAL PROTECTION , WOMEN AND FOOD SECURITY.

( Photo credit; internet). Social protection; simply refers to programmes,policies ,laws and regulation that are designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by providing a way of escape by tackling these issues .Social protection seeks to support those that are at risk because of sickness,illness, disability ,exclusion and old age.Social protection is to provide help to those in need and prevent shock caused by these factors. The sector of the society basically affected are women and children; they are at risk of shock caused by lack,discrimination, disability,poverty e.t.c. Social protection is vital to food security as the women and children which are part of the work force are segregated/discriminated and holed up by laws that hamper productivity.The land laws are big issues in certain parts of Africa, where land rights are given to men; how will the women make a living without farmlands? how about education? how many girls are in school/or learning a skill that will be a source of income. Traditional beliefs such as female genital mutilation, this must be addressed; social protection must cover all unlawful acts and practices that prevent the provision of normal basic amenities and human rights .Equal land rights, employment opportunities,a means of livelihood,right to life,education,primary health care and a cell-group where there are interactions,discussion and training is the best form of social protection that will ensure economic growth, and food security.

VITAMIN C FOR DOGS.

Vitamin C is synthesized in liver of healthy dogs,but this ability is compromised in sick,debilitated and old dogs.Vitamin C is also depleted in cases of stress such as prolonged exercise,lactation, pregnancy, surgery and vaccinations. The level of stress a dog experiences can be measured by the level of depletion of vitamin c in the dogs blood.Dogs placed on supplements of vitamin C,show greater resistance to disease and exhibit better recovery from illness and injuries. Dogs with skin diseases usually have low levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be very low or absent in dogs with fever or have exercised beyond limits.Vitamin C improves the immune functions by enhancing the white blood cell function and activity.Vitamin C increases the blood level of interferon the body's natural antiviral and anti cancer compounds and antibodies,this is the reason its used to treat cancer.The effect of vitamin c on immune system is utilized in treating kennel cough,respiratory infections,abscess and bacterial infection. Vitamin C, maintains health of collagen, this is very important in reversing degenerative joint diseases,hip dysplasia,arthritis and spinal disorders.Young and old dogs benefit from vitamin C supplement; the young dogs exposed to various stressors and the old dogs with joint issues e.t.c. Vitamin C is very vital to dog's health and really comes in handy in practice, when presented with a weak, debilitated dog or lethargic dog , i always include a shot of vitamin C with my protocol and it always a success.When faced with cold/ cough i always give it alongside antibiotics and its also the only treatment for canine distemper. Vitamin C is very handy, add it to your medicine box.In poultry ,when birds are to be vaccinated; i dissolve some tablets in their drinking water 2 days before vaccination. When birds are dull/inactive with low feed consumption; just add vitamin C to their water for 3 days you will be amazed at the turn around. When you observe that birds are stressed, give cool water with vitamin C . Vitamin C ; a little does a lot of magic. #dogs #photoofdogs #petcare

CHICKEN OR BEEF; WHICH IS THE BETTER PROTEIN SOURCE??

A study has been carried out to find out which is a better source; http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Industry-Markets/Study-compares-meat-and-poultry-as-protein-sources/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12-Nov-2015&c=KviYxCjZMiVTKDg7xXT1EFJfqLvNeajb&p2=

BROILER DISEASES AND VACCINATION.

COCCIDIOSIS Coccidiosis vaccines are often used in poultry raised without antibiotics, as well as in conventional production systems that need to rest in-feed anticoccidials and restore their efficacy. The vaccines tend to be used in summer months, when coccidiosis pressure subsides with increased ventilation. Producers then switch back to ionophores or synthetic anticoccidials. In the US, broiler operations have the option of administering coccidiosis vaccine in ovo or on day 1 as a hatchery spray. According to Cookson, the choice hinges on company philosophy, production history and management preferences. “The challenge with coccidiosis vaccine is getting good, uniform delivery of the vaccinal oocysts that stimulate the bird’s natural immune system,” Keck says. “Zoetis research with alternative delivery systems has shown great potential for helping improve vaccine and flock performance.” He points out that the first round of coccidial vaccination is a transition period for most growers as birds often face both a field and vaccination challenge. “Because vaccines may initially cause short-term intestinal disruption and loss in performance, they are usually more practical and cost-effective to use in medium to large birds that have more time to make up for lost weight,” he says. E. COLI E. coli has become more prevalent in broiler operations that have discontinued antibiotics in the hatchery. In addition, cool, wet weather increases the incidence of secondary E. coli infections due to respiratory challenges from IBV, ILT and ND. E. coli can also occur as a primary disease. As a day-of-age spray, E. coli vaccination is gaining acceptance for its ability to help decrease mortality, particularly in large birds, Keck says. Read more here;http://poultryhealthtoday.com/broiler-vaccines-more-diseases-more-decisions/

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C.

Vitamin C is essential for proper development and maintenance of health. Vitamin C is very important for sexual health in man. Vitamin C provides protection against eye diseases,skin wrinkling, cardiovascular disease,cancer and diseases of immune system.Vitamin C is an antioxidant that preserves life and ensures relief from stress. Vitamin C is water soluble and easily eliminated through urine.The benefits of vitamin C include boosting the body's ability to synthesize calcium , it also boosts brain function,and rebuild tissue,bones and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for fertility in man. Vitamin C boosts sperm count and semen volume. The common sources are oranges,lime,lemon,bell peppers,tomato juice,pineapple,peas,leafy vegetables,peas,pawpaws e.t.c.The vitamin C content in peppers are high, and also the beta carotene of pepper make it excellent for cardiovascular health,thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Vitamin C is also of benefit in dogs. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for proper body metabolic activities,thus it must be included in diet.Dogs synthesize vitamin C in their own liver,but stress,age and diseases easily disrupt the production hence it must be included in the diet.

ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY.

Animals have been known to impact health of humans. Dogs and cat are the common therapy assistants but new insights show that all animals have a role to play in health of man. A cat in a home with an elderly keeps such patients alert and healthy,the minimal movements in the house to feed the cat,a stroll in the garden and even the gentle snuggling of the cat on the lap with light stroking gives life to the patient. Dogs visit old people,sick children and they spread so much love that patients have recorded tremendous improvements.Dogs aside from been companions and rescue dogs,they also impact heaith. Dogs are trained to know sugar levels in diabetic patients,which come in very handy in diabetic patients. Animals are great to have around. read more here ;.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278173.php