The classification of a Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite image helped demonstrate prevailing habitat types and land use intensity in the Volta basin of the Northern Region of Ghana. A geo-referenced data layer comprising the capture results of a cross-sectional survey of Glossina tachinoides Westwood was over-laid on a data layer of habitat types within 500 m of either bank of the Volta river and its tributaries. An evaluation of the relationship between habitat types and the capture results of G. tachinoides suggested a strong preference of G. tachinoides for woodland, followed by shrubland, grassland and flood plains. The findings were used to classify the suitability of habitat types for G. tachinoides as 'high', 'medium' and 'low' and a prediction map for the distribution of G. tachinoides in the entire river network was produced. The usefulness of this method in estimating the potential distribution of G. tachinoides in an area of increasing agricultural expansion is discussed.
La trypanosomose animale africaine, transmise par les mouches tsé-tsé (Glossina spp.), est un problème majeur limitant l’utilisation optimale de la terre destinée à l’agriculture dans les régions du Ghana infestées de glossines. Au cours des 50 dernières années plusieurs chercheurs ont analysé la distribution des mouches tsé-tsé et la maladie qu’elles transmettent afin d’adapter les mesures de contrôle appropriées. A cause de la croissance démographique et de l’expansion agricole, l’aire de distribution des glossines du groupe morsitans a diminué. Les mouches du groupe palpalis restent les vecteurs les plus importants de la trypanosomose animale, parce qu’elles sont capables de persister même dans les régions fortement occupées par l’agriculture. L’exploitation optimale de la trypanotolérance comme moyen de contrôle des trypanosomoses est entravée par l’utilisation croissante d’animaux croisés avec les races locales trypanosensibles. Bien que l’incidence de la maladie du sommeil ait diminué significativement au cours des dernières décennies, l’état actuel de la maladie n’est pas bien connu. Cette revue décrit l’historique du problème de la trypanosomose et de ses vecteurs au Ghana, examine la situation actuelle de la maladie et identifie quelques priorités de recherche dans l’optique d’un contrôle durable de la trypanosomose.
The major constraint of livestock farming in Burkina Faso is the feed gap. This study aims to provide information on feed resources, availability, and uses in Bama's district. Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was used to evaluate feed resources and to generate possible interventions. Focus groups were held and took into account 140 farmers, of which 90 were recalled for individual surveys. We found that the Bama district was characterized by agropastoral production systems in which crop provides 65.1% of household income whereas 23.9% was from livestock. Livestock feeding throughout the year depended on natural grazing. Natural pastures contributed most often to dry matter, metabolizable energy, and crude protein in animals' total diet, respectively, with 65.4, 64.4, and 61.5%. In addition to grazing, crop residues were collected after harvest to form a dietary supplement for the animals. The study also revealed nutritional gaps, and farmers were purchasing concentrates to compensate and ensure the best livestock productivity. The dominant complement purchased was cotton cake at a rate of 623.1 kg/year/household. None of the agropastoralists grew fodder crops. Identified interventions able to improve productivity and production of animals were supplementations with: a high-energy supplement (molasses); protein byproducts; pruning products, aerial parts, and leaf-stripping without sacrificing grain/tuber yields; cereal byproducts (rice bran, corn, wheat); multi-nutritional blocks; and commercially balanced feed. Given the food shortage, especially in the dry season, better management of food resources through the collection and conservation of fodder and the adoption of forage crops could increase feed availability.
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