Browsing by Author "Temba, B. A."
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Item Accessibility and use of information and communication tools among farmers for improving chicken production in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2016) Temba, B. A.; Kajuna, F. K.; Pango, G. S.; Benard, RObtaining correct and appropriate extension services is an important aspect of maximizing production among farmers. This is a cross sectional study carried out to assess the use of information and communication tools (ICTs) to get extension services among chicken farmers and identifying factors hindering the accessibility and use. The study was conducted using structured questionnaire involving 160 chicken keepers randomly chosen from list of poultry keepers and voluntarily concerted to participate in four wards of Morogoro municipality. Data collected were analyzed for descriptive statistics, comparisons and correlations. It was identified that majority of farmers used televisions, mobile phones and radio to get extension information while few farmers occasionally use internet, magazines, books, fliers and audio-visual materials like DVDs. 82.5% of the farmers do not get enough information they needed for their projects. High costs, unreliable electricity, poor TV and radio signals and lack of knowledge on the use or modern tools were pointed as major limiting factors. It was however observed that the use of information and communication tools to access extension services strongly correlated with productivity of chicken enterprises. We therefore recommend for more efforts to facilitate and sensitize farmers on the better use of ICTs for their enterprises.Item Awareness on mycotoxins among commercial poultry feed handlers in Morogoro(TANZANIA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, 2017) Temba, B. A.Successful control of the mycotoxins contamination in animal feeds needs to integrate variety of techniques which involve different stakeholders along the livestock management and feed handling chain. A study was conducted in three districts in Morogoro region, Tanzania, to assess the degree of awareness among poultry feed handlers including feed processors and retailers. A structured questionnaire was delivered to 186 respondents including 36 feed miller owners or managers, 54 feed miller workers and 96 feed retailers. The respondents were randomly sampled in Morogoro municipality, Morogoro rural, and Kilosa districts. It was found that 85% of the respondents in the three districts had basic knowledge on mycotoxins. Among the respondents with the basic knowledge on mycotoxins 52% had very unsatisfactory knowledge, 44% had unsatisfactory knowledge and 4% had satisfactory knowledge. The respondents from Morogoro municipality (urban area) had significantly higher awareness on mycotoxins as compared to the ones from Morogoro rural and Kilosa (p< 0.05). Managers and/or owners of feed millers were more aware on mycotoxins as compared to other miller workers. Feed miller workers and retailers conducted 82% and 72% respectively of activities potential for mycotoxins control during feed handling processes while managers conducted 56% of the activities. The findings of this study display the potential roles of commercial poultry feed handlers on occurrence and control of mycotoxin accumulation in feeds and subsequent exposure to poultry. Utilization of the obtained information on implementation of mycotoxin control programs will facilitate better allocation of the limited resources, by understanding what inputs are required by different groups of role players.Item Photodynamic inactivation of Aspergillus flavus mediated by Bidens pilosa extract(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2015) Temba, B. A.; Fletcher, M. T.; Fox, G. P.; Harvey, J. W.; Sultanbawa, Y.Occurrence of mycotoxins in food and animal feeds poses major health risks to human and animals, and effective control requires integration of crop management strategies both in the field and during post-harvest storage and processing. Photodynamic inactivation is a novel light-based approach which offers a promising alternative to conventional methods for the control of mycotoxigenic fungi. An experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of photoinactivation of Aspergillus flavus, a major aflatoxin-producing fungal species, by photosensitization mediated by an extract of the tropical plant Bidens pilosa. Photosensitization was conducted on fungal spores and hyphae in solution using of 420 nm wavelength light at a dose of 60 J cm -2 combined with 0.25 and 0.5 mg ml -1 of the plant water extract. The numbers of viable spores and hyphae were reduced by 4 log colony forming units (CFU ml -1 ) and this was affected by changing temperature but not pH. The findings of this study indicate the potential of using photosensitization technique utilizing natural photosensitizers derived from locally available herbs to effectively control mycotoxins in feeds for improved livestock production.