Contrary to most people’s perception about agriculture as being a poor-old man’s occupation in the village, agriculture is certainly “the best culture” and has great potential to revive and drive our dwindling economy.
Amid global pandemics such as COVID-19 when almost all other sectors of the economy are on their knees, demand for agricultural commodities remains high. For instance, due to COVID-19 several industries have severely been hit including transport & energy industries following travel bans on commercial airlines. The tourism & hospitality industries are no exception.
Despite the global crisis demand for agricultural products such as food has remained high as everyone needs to eat regardless of the situation. Furthermore, medical and nutritional experts recommend the need for healthy diets to maintain strong immune systems in the fight against COVID-19. If anything, demand for Agricultural raw materials has increased due to COVID 19 as manufacturing industries are demanding more agricultural raw materials such as cotton to produce face masks and other protective clothing.
Demand for fresh cassava tubers has also increased as it is being used as the main ingredient in the processing of ethanol for making alcohol-based hand sanitizers. In J. Buel’s words “Agriculture is the Archimedean lever which, though it does not move a world, tends to fill it with plenty, with moral health, and human happiness.”
According to the 2018 labour force survey report Zambia’s youth population is estimated at 5.8 million representing 35% of the national population, an amazing 5.8 x 100 billion neurons. This entails that the country is equipped with both cognitive capacity and adequate youthful manpower to drive the sector.
Therefore, the youth should embrace agriculture and the government should make deliberate policies that support and encourage youth involvement in agriculture because it is envisaged that youth are creative and innovative, their innovation can be very key in improving the sector’s efficiency through technology.
Okra is a funny little green vegetable with a funny little name. A small, pear-shaped green veggie with a mild taste, okra resembles a pepper and has been cultivated as a food source for hundreds of years. Today, it is used in a variety of dishes around the world.
The medicinal benefits of okra are; It keeps you feeling full Okra’s dietary fiber helps you feel full for longer, which will keep you from snacking on those stray potato chips after dinner.
It aids in digestion The fiber is the main factor here again. High fiber content is great for the digestive tract and keeps you going more regularly. This not only helps keep your weight down but makes you healthier overall.
It’s a low-calorie food. It’s always nice when a portion of food can satisfy your hunger and help you stay trim. The low caloric count of okra means you can definitely scoop another spoonful onto your dish and still see the numbers go down on the scale.
It is a diuretic That means it helps the body detoxify itself and helps you shed excess water weight. A great weapon in your arsenal for de-bloating!
It helps control cholesterol levels The pectin in okra lowers LDL or bad cholesterol, which improves cardiac function.
It fights cancer Packed with antioxidants, okra can provide much-needed support to cells in fighting off free-radicals that can lead to cancer.
It boosts the immune system The healthy fiber in okra feeds much-needed good bacteria in our intestines, which builds our immunity against viruses and infection.
It supports fertility and healthy pregnancy The high amount of folates in okra are especially important in a pre-conception diet as it “decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in offspring“. Likewise, eating more folates during the pregnancy helps support a healthy mom and baby.
It stabilizes blood sugar levels Okra’s fiber content is also responsible for slowing down the rate of sugar absorption in the digestive tract.
It helps prevent diabetes Research has shown that in addition to its stabilizing effects on blood sugar, okra actually reduces blood sugar levels and could be an option for diabetes prevention.
It helps prevent kidney disease Studies have shown that eating more okra results in the reduction of kidney damage over time.
It may help reduce asthma symptoms Okra’s powerful dose of vitamin C has been linked to easing respiratory issues like asthma.
It can give you shiny, bouncy hair Okra boiled, cooled, and mixed with lemon juice can be applied to your hair for a nice bouncy finish. Neat, huh?
It’s good for your brain Okra is believed to be a portion of top brain food and is eaten frequently in the Middle and the Far East by students who need a mental boost.
It’s anti-inflammatory That means it’s good for joints, as well as treating lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.
It’s good for eye health Okra’s nutrients like vitamins C and A have been linked to a reduction in the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
It supports strong bones Thanks to its vitamin K and folates, okra has been credited with preventing bone loss and fending off osteoporosis.
It’s great for your skin The high vitamin C content helps the growth and rejuvenation of skin cells and collagen, which keeps skin looking smoother, younger, and healthier
It’s a great source of vegetable protein With 2 grams of protein per cup, okra is an easily-digestible, vegetarian source of filling, a fibrous protein.
It supports ulcer healing Okra coats the digestive tract when consumed and helps speed the healing of peptic ulcers.
So whether you’re trying to lose weight, or just eating healthier to feel better and prevent future health issues, okra should definitely make it onto your next grocery list.
Do you know that instant noodles are produced with chemicals that are harmful to the human body?
Instant noodles are highly processed foods that lack proper nutritive values. Each single serving of an instant noodle is high in carbohydrates, sodium, and other food additives. But low on essential elements such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals necessary for growth and development
Why Are Instant Noodles Harmful to the Body? There is a reason for the campaign against instant noodles and it’s because of the ingredients used in producing the noodles.
According to the Codex Standards for instant noodles, flavor enhancers, acid regulators, flour treatment agents, humectants, emulsifiers, colors, thickeners, antioxidants, stabilizers, anti-caking agents, and preservatives are used in the production of instant noodles.
Wax Indomie noodles are coated with wax and this helps prevent the noodles from sticking together. The wax can be seen when hot water is added to the raw noodles, after a few minutes, the wax will be seen floating in the water.
Sodium This is the major reason instant noodles are not safe for consumption. Foods that are high in sodium can cause heart disease, hypertension, kidney damage, stroke, and other serious health problems.
Effects of Indomie on Human Health There are many adverse effects of eating instant noodles and every consumer deserves to know them. You’ll see many people asking questions like the effects of eating raw Indomie and does eating raw Indomie causes cancer, well we don’t advise that you eat these instant noodles raw.
Due to the unhealthy nature of these instant noodles, every consumer should be conscious of his or her consumption of these foods and if possible, reduce their usage to an extent. Then companies would only write down the nutritional value of instant noodles on the label but leave the harmful effects. Although instant noodles are not banned in Nigeria, you can personally make your choice after knowing how harmful they are.
Some harmful effects of instant noodles are: Nutrient Absorption: In children under the ages of 5, instant noodles can inhibit or restrain the absorption of nutrients.
Cancer: Ingredients like “Styrofoam” that are used in the manufacturing of these noodles can increase the risk of cancer in the body
Sodium: Instant noodles are produced with sodium and excessive consumption of sodium can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and hypertension.
Affects the body metabolism: Due to chemical substances like preservatives and coloring that are used in the manufacturing of these instant noodles, their regular consumption affects the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Noodles are junks: Although you might be eating these noodles like your normal meals, they have characteristics of junks. They are fully packed with carbohydrates but lack fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
They contain Monosodium Glutamate: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a chemical used for enhancing the flavors of instant noodles but many people are allergic to it. It can cause pains, headaches, facial flushing, and burning sensations if you have an allergy to it.
They contain Propylene Glycol: Ingredients like Propylene Glycol are used in the manufacturing of instant noodles because of their anti-freeze properties. It helps the noodles retain their moisture but weakens the body’s immune system. When consumed, it accumulates in the heart, liver, and kidneys and can cause abnormalities in those areas.
Affects digestion: Regular consumption of instant noodles can ignite bloating and irregular bowel movements.
Obesity: Due to its high content of sodium and fats, regular consumption of instant noodles can increase the risk of obesity in the body.
With these facts, do you think instant noodles are still worth eating?
The initiative designed to revamp and build capacities for the livestock, poultry, and fisheries sector players by the Agrihouse Foundation has been launched. The 2021 LiPF tradeshow with the theme: We Move; W)n Yaa, was launched at the Nungua Farms, Accra.
A programme like this is a shared mission of promoting and sustaining the poultry and livestock production for employment, income generation, food security through research, technical backstopping, and capacity building, and wish to assure everyone that, at the tradeshow, there would be an exhibition of all kinds of livestock, poultry and fisheries food value chain to showcase job opportunities, as well as training sessions to promote capacity building.
This was said by Madam Amen Arose Ghartey, the Farm Manager of Nungua Farms when she was given the welcoming address at the launch. Giving a critical contribution of the farm to the livestock sector, she said the farm is mandated to produce and supply elite and parent stock of pigs, rabbits, and grasscutter to farmers.
“We provide capacity building for farmers, students, extension workers in the poultry, piggery, grasscutter, and rabbitry. Furthermore, we have a small feedmill that supports farmers in the catchment area in formulation and preparation of their feed”, she added.
She welcomed all to the enclave and urged the Ghanaian populace to make it to the main event in May at Efua Sutherland Part Accra.
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa expounded that the Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries Tradeshow seeks to encourage farmer groups and livestock farmers to deliberate on the potentials present in the animal agriculture and ways to improve the sector, to promote and identify opportunities in the livestock, poultry, and fisheries sector.
Moreover, the tradeshow is to encourage people to venture into the animal sector and the career opportunities it offers as well as serving as a perfect platform to link actors within the animal sector value chain.
According to her, the tradeshow would elapse for 2 days. The first day or opening day would follow by various training sessions in livestock, poultry, and fisheries. On the same day, the exhibition ground would be opened for business, where exhibitors would advertise their wares and products.
The second day, thus the last day will continue with the training. Participants would be engaged by the industry experts on poultry management and production, fish farmers would be trained on the best types of fish to grow for the Ghanaian market, fish management options, feed and distribution options. “There would be a breakout business session on piggery, cattle, rabbit, fish, grasscutters, and poultry where farmers and interested persons would be trained and interact with experts and their mentors”, she added.
She called on the general public to help move the sector forward as this year’s theme We Move; W)n Yaa after stepping up last year. She assured of best training from experts to farmers and business opportunities.
“Livestock, poultry, and fisheries undoubtedly play a key role in preventing people from falling into poverty, therefore, deserve all the attention the sector can get. Farmers alone must not be left to face the challenges of the industry so when we move, we move together with the policymakers, financial institutions, investors, value actor players, and even the consumers. We all must play a part in developing a sustainable animal agricultural sector”, the Chief of Party USDA-GPP, Carianne De Boer said.
She explained that livestock products are important to human livelihood for quality nutrition, human health, and well-being, however, animals and their products pose risks to human health, therefore, this shows how the sector is interlinked with others and requires collaborative efforts to harness its potentials in contributing to the national economy.
Madam De Boer gladly expounded how the poultry sector has improved the lives of people especially women and youth from been unemployed to owing productive ventures and from poverty to prosperity.
She seized the opportunity and launched the 2021 maiden edition of the Livestock, poultry, and fisheries tradeshow which would take place in May, and invited all Ghanaians to participate and join in the discussions on ways to position the industries and take advantage of such opportunities.
In a message from ADB, a supporting organizer of the LiPF tradeshow, Mohammed Ali, the assistant communication officer said the ADB is exultant to support such initiatives that build capacities for young individuals in the value chain.
“Agricultural development is very critical to the survival of the economies of Ghana and the African continent, so we as ADB are all out to support any project which aims at promoting agribusiness”, Mr. Ali said.
He urged interested persons who seek to collaborate or want any form of funding from ABD not to hesitate but to visit any of the ADB branches for support with the required documentation.
The Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries Tradeshow was introduced in 2019 by Agrihouse Foundation to close the gap that existed between the livestock and the crop sectors in the Ghanaian agricultural sector.
Eggs are one of the few foods that should be classified as “superfoods.” They are loaded with nutrients, some of which are rare in the modern diet.
Here are 10 health benefits of eggs that have been confirmed in human studies.
Incredibly rich in nutrition. Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken.
A single large boiled egg contains:
Vitamin A: 6% of the RDA Folate: 5% of the RDA Vitamin B5: 7% of the RDA Vitamin B12: 9% of the RDA Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA Phosphorus: 9% of the RDA Selenium: 22% of the RDA Eggs also contain decent amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, calcium, and zinc This comes with 77 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 5 grams of healthy fats.
Eggs also contain various trace nutrients that are important for health.
In fact, eggs are pretty much the perfect food. They contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need.
If you can get your hands on pastured or omega-3 enriched eggs, these are even better. They contain higher amounts of omega-3 fat and are much higher in vitamin A and E.
Raise HDL (The “Good”) Cholesterol. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It is often known as the “good” cholesterol (9).
People who have higher levels of HDL usually have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Eating eggs is a great way to increase HDL. In one study, eating two eggs per day for six weeks increased HDL levels by 10%.
Contain Choline, an important nutrient that most people don’t get enough Of. Choline is a nutrient that most people don’t even know exists, yet it is an incredibly important substance and is often grouped with B vitamins. Choline is used to build cell membranes and has a role in producing signaling molecules in the brain, along with various other functions. The symptoms of choline deficiency are serious, so fortunately it’s rare. Whole eggs are an excellent source of choline. A single egg contains more than 100 mg of this very important nutrient.
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease. LDL cholesterol is generally known as the “bad” cholesterol. It is well known that having high levels of LDL is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. But many people don’t realize that LDL is divided into subtypes based on the size of the particles. There are small, dense LDL particles and large LDL particles. Many studies have shown that people who have predominantly small, dense LDL particles have a higher risk of heart disease than people who have mostly large LDL particles. Even if eggs tend to mildly raise LDL cholesterol in some people, studies show that the particles change from small, dense to large LDL, which is an improvement.
Contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin — Antioxidants that have major benefits for eye health. One of the consequences of aging is that eyesight tends to get worse. There are several nutrients that help counteract some of the degenerative processes that can affect our eyes. Two of these are called lutein and zeaxanthin. They are powerful antioxidants that accumulate in the retina of the eye. Studies show that consuming adequate amounts of these nutrients can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two very common eye disorders. Egg yolks contain large amounts of both lutein and zeaxanthin. In one controlled study, eating just 1.3 egg yolks per day for 4.5 weeks increased blood levels of lutein by 28–50% and zeaxanthin by 114–142%. Eggs are also high in vitamin A, which deserves another mention here. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of blindness in the world.
Omega-3 or pastured eggs lower triglycerides. Not all eggs are created equal. Their nutrient composition varies depending on how the hens were fed and raised. Eggs from hens that were raised on pasture and/or fed omega-3 enriched feeds tend to be much higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce blood levels of triglycerides, a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Studies show that consuming omega-3 enriched eggs is a very effective way to lower blood triglycerides. In one study, eating just five omega-3 enriched eggs per week for three weeks reduced triglycerides by 16–18%.
High in quality protein, with all the essential amino acids in the right ratios. Proteins are the main building blocks of the human body. They’re used to make all sorts of tissues and molecules that serve both structural and functional purposes. Getting enough protein in the diet is very important and studies show that currently recommended amounts may be too low.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, with a single large egg containing six grams of it. Eggs also contain all the essential amino acids in the right ratios, so your body is well-equipped to make full use of the protein in them. Eating enough protein can help with weight loss, increase muscle mass, lower blood pressure, and optimize bone health, to name a few.
May reduce the risk of stroke. For many decades, eggs have been unfairly demonized. It has been claimed that because of the cholesterol in them, they must be bad for the heart. Many studies published in recent years have examined the relationship between eating eggs and the risk of heart disease.
One review of 17 studies with a total of 263,938 participants found no association between egg intake and heart disease or stroke. Many other studies have arrived at the same conclusion. However, some studies have found that people with diabetes who eat eggs have an increased risk of heart disease.
Whether the eggs are actually causing the increased risk isn’t known, because these types of studies can only show a statistical association. They cannot prove that eggs caused anything. It is possible that people who eat lots of eggs and have diabetes are less health-conscious, on average. On a low-carb diet, which is by far the best diet for people with diabetes, eating eggs leads to improvements in risk factors for heart disease.
The Koudijs Ghana Limited has unveiled the high complete quality made-in-Ghana poultry layer feed concentrate for farmers for optimum performance of their poultry.
With the recent challenges of poultry feeds and raw materials in Ghana, the advent of Koudijs’ locally produced high-quality layer feed concentrate provides the best solution of right and strict controlled nutrients in the most balanced ratios for the poultry farmers.
“For Ghana, we have planned to source within 3 years, 15% of our raw materials locally. We at de Heus embrace this local incentive because it fits perfectly into the sustainable goals of our global company”, Mr. Koen de Heus, the CEO of Royal De Heus said at the launch.
Mr. Heus said with more than a hundred (100) years of experience in animal nutrition, the aim of Koudijs is to be a safe haven for poultry farmers especially in times like this where farmers are looking for reliable suppliers.
He revealed that farmers from now will have possibilities to purchase locally produced feed of Dutch quality. “I am sure that this introduction will result in an even better contribution of Koudijs to the technical results of our customers and to further development of the Ghanaian Agriculture Sector”, the CEO added.
He espoused the company’s seriousness in business and urged the government of Ghana’ to assist to facilitate the company’s work in order to give better services and products to the poultry farmers (customers).
Mr. Hugo Visher, the General Manager of Koudijs Ghana Limited explained his excitement for progressing from importing poultry feed from the mother country to producing and selling locally made high-quality layer feed concentrates of Dutch quality standards.
“Today, we the importer of feeds are now recognized in the Ghanaian market as producers and sellers of local layer feed concentrate according to Dutch quality standards, we are very grateful for that”, he gladly expressed.
According to him, priorly, farmers were not able to access the feeds because it was difficult for the farmers to mix the feeds to the required ratio on the farms, but with the addition of concentrate of the feed portfolio, every farmer in Ghana would have access to a real customized feed solution.
“With the newly introduced complete feed by Koudijs, you no longer need to be dependent on multiple suppliers, all with their own qualities, nor do you need to mix your own raw materials. This saves time and protects your farm from non-consistency in your feed concentrates and you are always guaranteed the best, most complete animal feed of the highest, consistent quality that is developed according to the latest scientific insight”, the GM said.
Speaking to Agric Today, Mr. Visher said to sustain and consistently supply feeds to the Ghanaian poultry farmers, sustainability development plans have been put in place to make raw materials available to feed the factory.
The raw material is a basic need of every producing organization for sustainability and constant operation in a competitive sector like the agriculture and the poultry sector to be precise.
He underscores the need for the company to venture into the production of raw materials like maize and soybean and also buy from the out-growers when the need arises to feed the factory.
Koudijs Ghana Limited is a subsidiary of Royal De Heus started as a local grain mill in Barneveld, the Netherlands in 1911. Since then, Royal De Heus has become an internationally leading producer and exporter of a complete range of feed concentrates.
Salt is a mineral compound primarily of sodium chloride. It is essential for life in general, and saltiness is one of the basic human tastes.
Eating too little salt is generally not a concern for most, with the advent of packaged and convenience foods.
Enjoying a diet rich in whole, unprocessed, naturally low-sodium foods is the most nutritious option, allowing you to add salt to taste when cooking, reducing the risk of overdoing your daily recommended amount. Current Health Canada guidelines advocate most healthy adults eat approximately 1500 mg of sodium per day, though most are consuming more than double that. Therefore, the recommended amount of salt to be taking is 1500mg per day.
Sodium and chlorine are the two elements that makeup salt, making all types of salt sources of these essential compounds, adding another layer of confusion to the mix, as most are indistinguishable to the palate from one to the next. Whether purchased at a grocery store or specialty food shop, salt’s diverse price range, wide-spanning varieties, and nutritional profile can leave you scratching your head.
Agrihouse Foundation, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (UNDA) – Ghana Poultry Project (GPP), is set to launch the third edition of the Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries Tradeshow (LiPF) on March 02, on the theme, “WE MOVE! W) YAA.”
The main event of the two-day training and exhibition tradeshow is slated for May 21 – May 22, in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winner’s Association of Ghana (NFFAWAG).
According to the Executive Director of Agrihouse, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the third edition of LiPF will afford participants, including, livestock, poultry, and fisheries farmers and exhibitors, tertiary and financial institutions, agriculture and media organizations, and development partners. The programme would provide a learning environment to explore deeper ways to take advantage of opportunities in the animal sector.
She said LiPF has come at an opportune time to inform and educate participants about alternative means to create jobs and make additional income, especially, in the livestock sector, since many people in the country now have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“LiPF is a relevant intervention as it seeks to build resilience and confidence in individuals who have lost their source of income and are looking for alternate means in these times. It is also here to encourage people who are passionate and interested in the animal sector, to let them see the multiple opportunities they can take advantage of. Even with the government and the private sector interventions, the animal sector still has several areas of opportunities that have not been tapped into. These are the areas we are aiming to highlight this year.” she said.
The organizing partner, Chief of Party of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ghana Poultry Project (GPP), Ms. Carianne De Boer, noted that development partners and agri-stakeholders must ensure that the public and donor investor policies truly reflect the resilient and prosperous future they envision for the agricultural sector, by taking a fresh look at the youth in agriculture programmes, and considering more robust approaches to enabling the youth to gain access to knowledge, finance, assets, and modern technology.
She said to engage and empower young people in agriculture, the sector must address young people’s aspirations and expectations, emphasizing that young people are very interested in modernized approaches to agriculture, where they can utilize their mobile phones, new techniques, and computers to manage their poultry farms.
Background Annually, LiPF brings together hundreds of individuals, groups, and businesses within the animal value chain to showcase and promote their products and services, while training and building the capacity of persons and individuals, who want to venture into the livestock business.
The maiden edition of the Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries Tradeshow was held alongside the 7th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture (AACAA), in 2019, with about one thousand participants from Ghana and other countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, among others, with over 40 Exhibitors. Exhibitors included livestock, poultry, and fisheries-based companies like Jubaili, Ghana Poultry Project, Agricare, Tilly farms, Big Stars among others.
Participants expressed their joy at the initiative and appreciated that it came at a time when the government was championing the Rearing for Food and Jobs initiative because it allowed them to showcase their goods and services, also impact their activities had on the country’s animal agricultural sector and on the Ghanaian economy, wholly.
The second edition of LiPF was held at the Efua Sutherland Children’s park last year, with about 785 participants in attendance over the two days. The second edition focused on training sessions in animal agriculture, equipping participants to step up their ideas and interest in going into animal agriculture. The training, therefore, equipped participants with basic and intermediary knowledge required for poultry, piggery, snail production, mushroom production, cattle rearing, small ruminants (sheep, goats, rabbit) rearing.
This year, the launch will outline key strategies and activities that will make up the third edition of the two events which is being planned in collaboration with knowledgeable stakeholders from agri-institutions and farmer organizations, including NBSSI, CSIR, NFFWAG, USDP-GPP, Fisheries Commission, Animal Production Directorate and Egg Secretariate.
Impacts of LiPF Since the first edition, Agrihouse Foundation, through LiPF has built organic data over the years and has engaged over 50,000 sub-holder farmers with a significant percentage of them expressing interest in animal agriculture. The high numbers recorded and interest expressed by participants necessitated an urgent need to add and build on the training component of the event
Furthermore, analysis of the feedback received from the first edition of LiPF revealed 87% of participants wanted training in starting a poultry, piggery, rabbit, cattle, and piggery farm; 90% were of the view that a platform like LiPF was a perfect one to offer introductory training. This led to the introduction of more training sessions during the second edition of the event.
About Agrihouse Foundation Agrihouse Foundation is a non-governmental agricultural capacity building, innovation, and project management organization, with a special focus on changing the perception of, and consciously shaping the conversation around agriculture.
In light of this, Agrihouse Foundation undertakes a number of agricultural interventional projects and events, all year round, for our farmers, agric students, agribusinesses, households into backyard farming, among others.
The projects include Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogues Bootcamp (AG- STUD); Livestock Poultry & Fisheries Trade Show (LiPF); Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards; International Farmers & Agribusiness’ Resilience and Sustainability Convention (INTAFAC), Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions; The Agrihouse Agri-Woman Market Place; Agri-Watch; 1 household, 1 Garden Initiative (1h,1g).
The founder and director of the Agency for Health and Food Security Mr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour Asante has indicated his support for the global efforts towards ending of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
According to Mr. Asante, the struggle to eradicate NCDs and their associated morbidity and mortality is a duty of all and not just the civil society organizations and public health entities.
He revealed that NCDs are responsible for the mortality of 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
“Each year, 15 million people die from NCDs between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths across the globe.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol, and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from an NCD” he revealed.
The Founder and Director for Agency for Health and Food Security made these revelations during a virtual Global Conference on Localising Sustainable Development Goals under the theme Strengthening Prevention and Control of NCDs; The Role of CSOs across the globe.
He mentioned that SDG targets 3.4 mandates that by 2030 premature mortality from NCDs be reduced by one-third through prevention, treatment, mental health, and wellbeing.
“SDGs target 3. A indicated that we must Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries.
Women in fertile ages (WIFA) between ages 15-45 must keep fit, control weight and prevent NCDs by participating in physical activities, consuming fewer fats, sugars, and salt, and consuming more fruits and vegetables” he stated.
Mr. Asante indicated that within the African context, NCD interventions are challenged by poor data landscape, low prioritization, policy fragmentation, and incompetent leadership and governance arrangements.
“AHEFS over the past one and half decades have championed in-school and out-of-school preventive education, keep fit support programs, nutrition education, collaborative research, training of CSOs to localize and facilitate the dissemination of health information and behavioral change, communicate messages on community mobilization activities.
The spread of COVID should not limit or compromise the attention needed for NCD prevention and control and those innovative outreach strategies including resorting to social media outreach among, media engagements, the use of information, education and communication (IEC) materials should be encouraged to reinforce preventive messaging against NCDs” he pointed out.
He also reminded persons living with NCDs to be conscious of their conditions and obtain prompt treatment from the nearest health facilities in spite of the apparently heightened attention on COVID.
Mr. Asante believes that deliberate funding support to civil society promotional activities would help in this campaign.
“Stakeholders must establish infrastructural facilities for sports and youth development to support universal health coverage, provide essential medications, and policy coherence of NCD initiatives.
With over 30,000 registered non-profit organizations in Ghana alone, it is high time to establish an NCD community support facility to resource community-based NPOs against NCDs” he added.
The speakers for the conference were Mr. Valere Sossou from Bennin, Mr. Munib Ur Rehman from Pakistan, Ms. Ar Datin, Dr. Norwina Mohd from Malaysia, Major General Dr. Anathbandhu from India, Dr. Premesh Chandra from India, Dr. Almax Giziew Adunga from Bhutan, Mohd Nazri Bin Muhammad from Malaysia, Mr. Ashish Baru from Bangladesh and Amb. Ihuoma Chinecherem E. from Nigeria.
Grapes are a go-to snack for picnics and lunchboxes which should not be taken for granted. For thousands of years, they’ve been used in some cultures as a medicine. Each of these small fruits is loaded with over 1,600 compounds – and many of them can help keep you healthy.
It protects heart Grapes are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance fluids in your body. Potassium can help bring down high blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people don’t get enough of this nutrient, so eating grapes can help fill the gap.
For healthy skin and hair Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, which helps your skin stay smooth and hydrated. Other compounds in grapes may help prevent acne and increase blood flow to your scalp for healthier hair
Promotes weight loss You wouldn’t think a fruit this sweet could help you drop some unwanted pounds, but grapes may do just that. A natural compound they contain appears to make it harder for your cells to store fat. It may also help fat cells in your body break up at a faster rate. Just be careful not to eat too many. One serving is ½ cup or about 16 grapes.
It protects the eye Natural chemicals in grapes ease inflammation in your body and help protect your cells from damage. That’s good news for your eyes. Studies show that a diet that includes grapes can prevent or delay common eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.
Serves as an immune booster A compound in grapes called resveratrol can help shore up the immune system – your body’s defense against germs. More research needs to be done to find out exactly how it may help, but one day, you might see resveratrol in products to help heal wounds or prevent bacterial infections.
Good for Your Brain Resveratrol in grapes slows the breakdown of cells that naturally happens as you age. This may prevent harmful plaques from forming in your brain and slowing down how well it works.
Constipation Relief The high water content in grapes can help your digestive system run more smoothly. Grapes are also full of insoluble fiber, which can lead to softer stools.
Promotes better sleep. Grape skins are high in melatonin, a chemical that may improve your sleep. Studies show melatonin eases jet lag and insomnia and may help steady your mood.
Keep Blood Sugar Low Grapes have a “low glycemic index,” which means they don’t raise your blood sugar too quickly. Because of that, they’re a good fruit choice if you have diabetes. The polyphenols in purple grapes – the compounds that give them their color – may also help prevent type 2 diabetes.
It helps fighting cancer in the system. Research shows antioxidants in grapes may prevent or delay the growth of cancer cells. Some cancers that they may protect you from include mouth, lung, throat, pancreas, prostate, and colon.
