SUBTHEME 1
Food and Nutritional Security
Agenda on Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Food Security and Nutrition in Africa: Factoring in Youth voices.
Prof. Agnes W. Mwang’ombe,
Principal, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences,
University of Nairobi.
Science, technology and innovation issues have acquired increasing attention of the regional, national and international communities. Many of the recommendations are about mobilizing and directing science and technology to solve problems associated with energy deficiency, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, diseases, water insecurity and many other sustainable development challenges. The African Countries recognize that without investments in science and technology the continent will stay at the periphery of the global knowledge economy. This recognition is manifested in the kinds of new institutional arrangements and program that African countries are starting to establish.
Over 75% of the population in Eastern Africa is rural based. 80-85% farmers are small scale practicing mainly subsistence type of farming with a small percentage in market oriented type of farming. 80% of these small scale farmers are mainly women. The economies of East and Central African (ECA) are dependent on Agriculture. Thus, for any envisaged industrialization/ development, attention has to paid to Agriculture. For example in Kenya, Agriculture contributes directly 26% of GDP and over 60% of export earnings. In addition, through links with other sectors e.g. manufacturing and service-related, agriculture indirectly contributes a further 27% to the GDP.
The AU Commission has a portfolio of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) with a 2004-2007 Plan of Action to: "Promote Human Resource Development, CapacityBuilding and Science and Technology as tools and Youth as partners for socio-economic development". The Plan of Action was to be implemented through programmes that, inter alia, focus on policy harmonization, cooperation and coordination in the areas of education, training, capacity building and science and technology; Strengthening higher education and research through promotion and establishment of regional centers for excellence based on NEP AD areas; and promoting the implementation of science and technology provisions of the various continental treaties with a view to strengthening the scientific base of the continent.
Majority of the Universities in Africa offer degrees in Agriculture and related disciplines. Thus, in general this student population still forms a higher proportion in Science based causes. However, the decamping from the profession is still very large as the youth no longer have interest in Agriculture which is viewed as not rewarding. Infact, some students pursue as non related degree/diploma programs while studying Agriculture or related disciplines leading to poor performance or moving out of the profession on graduation. The challenge is how to attract talented youth and retaining the same in the profession. Talented youth are critical element of Human resource for effective agricultural research and development. This youth conference provides professional mentorship for the undergraduate students through valuable critique of own papers or posters and listening to presentations by postgraduate students and invited Scientists. It also provides an enabling environment for direct interactions, consultations and offers opportunities for future networking after the conference is over. This Forum will go along way in supporting professional development of the young undergraduate and reduce the flight from the profession leading to building on a talented youth pool for both MSc and PhD programs in Science and technology.
On behalf of the University of Nairobi, I wish to thank ATPS for sponsorship and all Scientists who have availed themselves in this critical Forum to support the students. The leadership of KCUSO is highly appreciated in taking on this challenge to organize the first Pan-Africa youth Conference in the mentioned disciplines.
Transferring Striga resistance QTLs from a donor source to a Kenyan Farmer Preferred Sorghum Variety
S. Osama1, A. Ngugi1, S. Devilliers2, E. Mutitu1, D. Kiambi3, C. Masiga4, C. Mugoya4 and K. Ngugi1
1University of Nairobi, 2Internation Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics, 3African Biodiversity Conservation and Innovations Centre and 4 Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
Abstract
Sorghum is the second most important cereal crop in Eastern Africa and the 4th most important cereal crop worldwide. Striga is one of the key biotic constraints of sorghum in this region with reported yield reductions of up to 100%. Conventional methods of controlling Striga at the farm level that include hand weeding, use of trap crops and use of fertilize have resulted into limited control. Breeding for Striga resistance using conventional methods has also not given effective control. Recent efforts that utilize molecular markers tightly linked to Striga resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) followed by marker assisted selection (MAS) have proved to be promising in Striga control. In this study, Striga resistance from a resistant donor (N13) was introgressed into Ochuti, a susceptible farmer preferred variety grown in Kenya in backcross lines 11, 33, 34 and 87. In BC2F3 of lines 11 and 34, one QTL was identified in nine plants and four plants were identified from BC3F1. In BC3F1, two plants with two and three QTLs were identified while in BC3F2, three plants with one, two, and four QTLs were identified. In all the backcrosses, the numbers of plants genotyped were fewer than would be recommended. This may have contributed to fewer plants with Striga resistance QTLs being detected. In on station trials in Alupe and Kibos under Striga infestation, the backcross genotypes with Striga resistance QTLs gave lower Striga scores than Ochuti. The genotypes from line 34 gave lower scores of Striga infestation than line 11. BC3F3 line 87 gave lower Striga scores than line 33. In certain cases, the performances of the backcross generations in the field were not very distinct from Ochuti because of non uniformity in Striga incidence in the field. However, this study indicates that MAS can be successfully used to transfer Striga resistance QTLs from a resistant donor source to a susceptible farmer preferred sorghum variety.
Keywords: MAS, Introgression, Striga, resistance
EFFICACY OF ACTIVEBAG® PACKAGING ON PROLONGING THE POSTHARVEST SHELF LIFE OF PURPLE PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis)
Yumbya Penina1, Ambuko, J1,S.I Shibairo1 and W.O. Owino2
1University of Nairobi, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection
2Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology
Corresponding author:
Abstract
Passion fruit production has gained popularity among smallholder farmers in Kenya as a high returns enterprise because of increasing demand for the fruit in the domestic, regional and international markets. However, passion fruits are very highly perishable with an estimated shelf-life of 7 to 10 days under ambient room conditions. This shortens the marketing period for the fruits resulting in high postharvest losses, unless measures are undertaken to slow down the deteriorative processes. Water loss from the fruits during storage results not only in loss of saleable weight but also aggravates deterioration as it triggers stress ethylene production and reduces the aesthetic value of the fruits as they shrivel. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a simple and versatile postharvest technology that minimizes water loss, slows down metabolic processes and pathological breakdown due to altered gas composition that disfavors the processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy MAP with a specific focus on activebag® a new product recently availed in the Kenyan market and promoted as being superior to ordinary polythene bags commonly used for packaging fruits in retail outlets. Purple passion fruits were harvested from a commercial farm in Moiben, Uasin Gishu county at two stages of maturity defined as stage two (50-70% turning purple) and stage three (full purple). These stages were estimated to be 60-65 and 75-80 days after anthesis (DAA) respectively. The fruits (from each stage) were divided into three similar batches and subjectedto different treatments. The first batch was packed with activebag®, the second batch with ordinary polythene bags (commonly used in supermarkets) and the third batch was left unpackaged to act as the control. All the fruits were left to ripen at ambient room temperature conditions (25 ± 1oC and RH 60 ± 5%). Six fruits from each treatment combination were randomly selected and specifically numbered for the determination of percentage cumulative weight loss, rate of respiration and ethylene production after every two days. From the remaining pool, six other fruits were randomly sampled at three-day intervals for the evaluation of other physicochemical changes associated with ripening and quality. The parameters determined from juice extracted from the fruits include hue angle, 0brix, titratable acidity, soluble sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose), beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and mineral nutrients (calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium).
Activebag® packaging significantly maintained the quality of the fruits at both stages of maturity thereby prolonging their shelf life by 15 days longer than the unpackaged fruits. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in percentage cumulative weight loss with the unpackaged fruits having the highest weight loss. The unpackaged fruits were extensively shriveled by the 12th day of storage while the packaged fruits showed no signs of shriveling throughout the storage period. Although the shelflife of fruits packaged in ordinary polythene was significantly prolonged compared to the control, most of the fruits were rotten by the 18th day of storage. Ethylene evolution rate was significantly reduced by activebag® packaging with the peak being delayed by 3 and 2 days in stage two and three respectively. The rate of respiration was significantly reduced and the respiratory climacteric delayed in packaged fruits with active bag having the lowest rate of respiration. Generally, progression of ripening related changes including reduction in titratable acidity, increase in 0brix and soluble sugars, and change hue angle was slower in packaged fruits compared to unpackaged controls. No significant difference (p>0.05) in beta carotene and ascorbic acid content was observed between the packaged and the unpackaged fruits at the end of storage. Although no significant difference was observed between packaged and unpackaged fruits in most of the mineral nutrients (iron, magnesium and potassium), calcium levels remained relatively higher throughout the storage period in packaged fruits. These results confirm the efficacy of activebag® in prolonging the shelf life of purple passion fruits while maintaining quality attributes. It should therefore be promoted for commercial application in passion fruits to prolong their shelf life and extend their marketing period thence minimizing postharvest losses. Although the ordinary polythene packaging also prolonged the fruits’ shelf life over the unpackaged lot, the positive effect was negated by high incidence of rotting.
Key words: Passion fruit, MAP, quality, shelflife
Effect of stage of maturity on the efficacy of 1-MCP in Tommy Atkins mango fruits
Githiga, R.W1, Ambuko, J1,M.J. Hutchnison1 and W.O. Owino2
1University of Nairobi, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection
2Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology
Corresponding author:
ABSTRACT
Mango is a fruit of high economic and nutritional importance in Kenya. It is currently the second most important export fruit after avocado and a source of livelihoods for many smallholder farmers and other stakeholders involved in its value chain. Although production volumes in Kenya have significantly increased over the years, a high proportion of the fruits (up to 50%) are lost along the value chain. The high losses are attributed to high perishability of the fruits and seasonality. Poor postharvest handling practices and lack of appropriate postharvest technologies further aggravate this situation. Mango is a climacteric fruit whose ripening is accompanied by a surge in ethylene evolution, which in turn triggers other metabolic processes that hasten ripening. The ripening process can be slowed down by inhibiting perception and action of the ripening hormone, ethylene. 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a novel postharvest technology, known to prolong the postharvest shelf life of perishable commodities by inhibiting ethylene production and action. Efficacy of 1-MCP is reported to be affected several factors including, species, variety and stage of maturity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stage of maturity on the efficacy of 1-MCP in mango fruits, variety Tommy Atkins. The fruits were harvested at two stages of maturity based on shoulder elevation also referred to as the fullness of cheeks. The stages were verified in the laboratory from flesh color and respiratory activity. Stage 1 fruits were those at early maturity (mature green), prior to rising of the shoulder, where the flesh was mostly white in color, slightly turning yellow near the seed. Stage 2 fruits were those at advanced maturity when the shoulders had fully risen and with a sunken stem end and the flesh had changed color to yellow-orange. The fruits at the two stages were selected for uniformity and separated into two batches for administration of the various treatments. For each maturity stage, one batch was treated with 1-MCP at 1 ppm for 24 hours while the other batch was left untreated. The treated and untreated fruits were then allowed to undergo normal ripening at ambient room conditions. A random set of five fruits were sampled every two days from each treatment combination for evaluation of various physiological and physicochemical parameters associated with mango ripening. The parameters evaluated include respiration rate, ethylene evolution, cumulative weight loss, flesh hue angle and firmness, 0brix, titratable acidity, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and soluble sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose). The experimental design used was a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement.
Efficacy of 1-MCP was significantly affected by the stage of maturity with stage 1 being more responsive compared to stage 2. For fruits harvested at stage 1, significant treatment effect (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in most of the parameters evaluated. 1-MCP treated fruits retained higher flesh firmness and hue angle compared to untreated control throughout the storage period. Lower respiration rate was observed in 1-MCP treated fruits compared to untreated fruits throughout the storage period and the respiratory climacteric delayed by 3 – 4 days. Ethylene evolution was erratic in both the treated and untreated fruits, showing no clear trend. The accumulation of total soluble solids (0brix) and soluble sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) progressed faster in untreated fruits, in which titratable acidity also decreased faster compared to 1-MCP treated fruits. At the end of the storage period, 1-MCP treated fruits retained relatively higher ascorbic acid and beta-carotene levels compared to untreated control. The results of this study show that 1-MCP can be used to effectively delay ripening changes in ‘Tommy atkins’ mangos thereby prolonging the shelf life and extending the marketing period. However, the timing of 1-MCP application is critical in realizing the desired effect.
Key words: Mango, Tommy Atkins, Quality, Shelf life, 1-MCP, Ethylene
IMPROVING THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF INFANTS AND MOTHERS LIVING IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT IN NAIROBI, KENYA.
Mercy Mukite Barasa
Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture University of Nairobi
Corresponding author:
Abstract
The major obstacles to child survival in the developing world include infections, parasitic diseases, malnutrition and the risks associated with low birth weight and high fertility. A serious problem exists in the informal settlements in Nairobi, as result of children dying from common illness and infections that are attributed to poor nutrition. In Nairobi slums, mortality rates for children under five years old are double the city’s average and greater than for rural areas, according to UN Habitat, the U.N. agency for human settlements. Studies have indicated that children living in slums are more likely to die from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles or HIV/AAIDS than those from wealthier parts of the same city and rural areas. Establishment of a community-based mothers’ and infant’s centre would beneficial to these informal settlements with the hope of expanding to other areas as well.Such a project would remain in the forefront of the efforts of the Government of Kenya to achieve the child nutrition related Millennium Development Goal (MDG1). This centre would focus on providing nutritional education and counselling for mothers, especially those from the extremely low-income areas. It is expected that through the provision of information to the mothers, it would be possible to have a direct and positive effect on the well being of the young children of the community. The objectives of the study were: 1. To reduce the degree of malnutrition among young children byproviding mothers in slums with relevant information regarding health and nutrition;assisting mothers in Nairobi slums in learning how to effectively apply health and nutrition information in helping their young children to be healthier; and teaching mothers in slums how to evaluate changes in the health of their young children. 2. To effectively use volunteers as a major factor in helping people to learn by recruiting a group of undergraduate students in local Kenyan Universities to become volunteers; providing a 4 week training program for the volunteers that covers basic nutritional information for mothers and information on adult teaching methods, placing the students in the centre to offer tutoring services to local mothers. Cross Sectional Survey was done in villages where KEMRI/CDC conducts population-based surveillance for infectious disease syndromes. All enrolled households that had at least a child under five were included in the survey wheredata collected using structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements.Data was analyzed using WHO Anthro software and SAS. During the study 1476 children were recruited from 1100 households aged between 0 and 59 months. Anthropometric measurements obtained for 1310 children 6-59 months, results were available for 1245 children from 929 households where 635 households had each one child aged 6-59 months and 294 households had more than one child aged 6-59 months. Majority (90.0%) of respondents experienced food shortage. They dealt with this situation by reducing the quantity of meals consumed and eating less expensive foods. Majority (92.7%) of the respondents bought municipal water from salespersons. Almost half (47.1%) of the respondents did not treat their drinking water. A test of association was performed to check for any association of wasting with the following factors; gender, number of meals eaten, feeding in illness, number of children under five in household, ages of the children and morbidity of children two weeks prior the survey. Therefore Malnutrition among children under five in Nairobi Slums is a sustained problem and the predominance of malnutrition in older childrenindicates failure to catch up on growth during the firsttwo years of life.Promotion and protection of optimal infant and toddler feeding practices are urgently needed within urban slums.