Ologhobo A.D. — новинки

A number of social and physiological problems have been traced to malnutrition as manifested in stunted growth among children, retarded mental development, low resistance to infectious diseases and reduced productivity. The interplay between nutrition and health is accountable for the established linkage between “protein malnutrition and socio-economic well being.” Re-cycling of agro-industrial wastes such as poultry offal and shrimp waste would not only reduce the environmental and health effect on the nation but would also help to reduce the high cost of dietary ingredients and feeding that are associated with intensive animal production systems. This is important in view of the increasing national population, which is not complemented with increased food production. This situation if unchecked could aggravate the national food security problem as livestock and man depend almost on the same sources of feed/food ingredients. Sufficient protein nutrition has been hinged on the availability of meat and eggs. It is not only the availability but that they are affordable. An attempt therefore to find alternative to expensive feed ingredients will bring down the cost of feed.

Sustainable animal production implies a careful balance between the animal’s genetic potential and the quality and quantity of nutrients consumed. For this purpose, an adequate supply of amino acids and a well balanced ratio between protein and energy are important dietary requirements. To maximize nitrogen utilization for meat, milk, eggs and wool production, absorbed amino acids are usually supplied in excess of what the animal can effectively utilize. This is not a serious problem to the animal because excess amino acids will be used as an energy source and the resulting nitrogen excreted as urine. That part of nitrogen which is not retained by the animal for growth and production is released into the surroundings in a potentially destructive form. Nitrogen is one of the most serious contaminants of the environment originating from animal production.

Graded levels of crayfish waste meal and poultry offal meal were combined to replace fish meal in the diets of broiler chicken. Performance characteristics, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, serum metabolites and haematology of birds were assessed. The results of the studies indicated that; crayfish wastes that were dried immediately after collection had the highest crude protein content. No significant difference was observed between treatment means in performance and carcass characteristics as well as nutrient digestibility at both the starter and finisher phases. All dietary treatments were similar in performance characteristics at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, chickens fed 75%POM,25%FM showed superiority over others in body weight gain. No significant difference was observed with other parameters monitored.

Wastes emanating from poultry processing and shrimping industries in Nigeria are mostly biodegradable and are usually dumped in the open on available land. The wastes being proteins putrify, gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide among others are usually released during the process of biodegradation. These gases contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and the phenomenon has been a source of concern to the environmentalists because of its effect on the global warming. In addition, the decomposition of these wastes could have significant implications on public health resulting from the growth of deleterious micro-organism during the process. The results of this study showed that combination of poultry offal meal and crayfish waste meal can successfully be used to replace fish meal in the diet of chicken (broiler) without adverse effect on performance.

Diversification of the economy away from oil producing and channeling resources to manufacturing and service sectors of the economy including agriculture provides the key to Nigeria’s economic stability. This will ensure that the global shift away from fossil fuel energy sources will not create any significant negative impact on the economy in the future. Nigeria needs to act fast in this regard. Nigeria should pursue rigorously alternative provision of renewable energy sources, for example, wind energy, in line with its growing preference internationally. This will not only provide efficient energy consumption, but will relatively reduce the green house gas emissions. Long term studies on national and regional climate should be embarked upon and religiously pursued. The findings of such studies will be paramount in the formulation of adequate response and adaptation policies such as adequate resettlement programmes for people that may be displaced by climate change, and increase government participation is crucial in the global climate change deliberation.