scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES TO MINIMIZE POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCE WEST COAST REGION OF THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-25
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Bejamin Gowon Ahule
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Horticultural Crop ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Investment Programme ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
Coast Region

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in West Coast Region of The Gambia. The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of horticultural crop produce. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interview supported by secondary data using official documents. The sample population consisted of three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents using a minimum sample calculation of Taro Yamane in which ten extension officers (10) and two extension agent heads (2) as key informants for a period of three months from September to November 2017. This study employs cluster, purposive and simple random sampling procedures to draw its population. The data was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to run percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared correlation test and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews and FGDs were also analyzed and presented appropriately. The findings of the study showed that extension services are not very much effective or proactive to post-harvest loss reduction in this region.  The study recommends there is the need for continued research, development and investment programme in both extension and post-harvest technologies, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, special extension agents training on post-harvest practices among others. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, Effectiveness, Post-Harvest Losses, Horticultural Crop Produce, Smallholder Farmer, The Gambia

scholarly journals THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES MODE OF OPERATION IN HORTICULTURAL SCHEMES IN WEST COAST REGION IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH OF THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Igbana Ajir
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Mode Of Operation ◽  
Coast Region

The study assesses agricultural extension services mode of operation in horticultural farms for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared test correlation and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews were also analyzed and presented appropriately. It was found that the variables on the influence of extension services (availability of AES, extension visit, farm size, marital status, experience in farming, education, farm group, transportation, post-harvest technology training and distance to market) are significantly associated with the horticultural smallholder farmers post-harvest losses. It means that there is a significant relationship between extension availability and post-harvest handling at p < 0.05 level of significance. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, development and investment programmes in extension, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production, government policy aimed at training and developing farmer capacity in appropriate monitoring systems of extension services, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. The study proves the need to improve the living conditions of services for extension services and availability of extension officers at a regular base with appropriate knowledge and skills. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, mode of Operation in horticultural Schemes, West Coast Region, Kombo Central, North, The Gambia.

scholarly journals HORTICULTURAL FARMERS’ ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION INFORMATION ON POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH, WEST COAST REGION, THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-39
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Bejamin Gowon Ahule
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
North West ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Coast Region

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages and frequency distribution tables. The results show that the current horticultural post-harvest loss management and access to relevant information from the extension agents is inadequate, no/uneasy access to available market, poor road conditions, inadequate available facilities for post-harvest produce, and low support services from the authorities. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production and post-harvest handling information, and special extension agents training on post-harvest practices. Provision of storage and processing facilities in the vicinity of the farms as crucial, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. Keywords: Agriculture Extension Services, Post-Harvest Technology, Smallholder Farmer, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Horticulture Crop Produce, Kombo Central and North

scholarly journals Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in West Coast Region of The Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 585-592
Author(s):  
Alphonsus Isara ◽  
Aru-Kumba Baldeh
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The West ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoea ◽  
Coast Region

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are the second most common cause of healthy life years lost by women in the 15 – 44 years age group in Africa. Aim/Objective: To determine the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. Materials and Methods: Blood, urine, and high vaginal swabs samples from 280 pregnant women attending ANC in Brika- ma District Hospital, Brikama, and Bandung Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Bandung were examined. Serum samples were tested for HIV using western blot technique and for syphilis using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, and rapid plasma regimen. Candida albicans, Group B Streptococcus and Neisseria gonorrhoea were identified using Analytical Profile Index (API). Direct urine microscopy was used to identify C. albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis while Chlamydia trachomatis was identified using Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) test. Results: The overall prevalence of STIs was 53.6%. The pathogenic agents isolated were Candida albicans (31.8%), Strep- tococcus agalactiae (15.0%), Treponema pallidum (6.8%), HIV (5.7%), Trichomonas vaginalis (3.9%), Neisseria gonorrhoea (1.8%) and Chlamydia trachomatis (0.7%). STIs were more prevalent among women in the younger age group of 15 – 24 years (54.7%), unemployed (54.0%), Primipara (62.3%), and in the third trimester of pregnancy (72.7%). Conclusion: A high prevalence of STIs was found among pregnant women attending ANC in the West Coast region of The Gambia. Public health intervention programmes should be strengthened to promote the sexual and reproductive health of pregnant women in The Gambia. Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections; pregnant women; antenatal clinics; The Gambia.

scholarly journals High faecal carriage of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae and other gram negative strains among food handlers in Cosmopolitan Cities of The Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
Bakary Sanneh ◽  
Ollie Diane Riley ◽  
Haruna S. Jallow ◽  
Abou Kebbeh ◽  
Yaya Camara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
West Coast ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Fecal Carriage ◽  
Coast Region

The introductions of advanced antibiotics have triggered complex versions of resistant genes in gram-negative bacteria. In a generation witness limited discovery of antibiotics makes this phenomenon a major public health threat. This study aims to establish the fecal carriage rate of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains among food handlers. Data was extracted from a prospective cross-sectional study – ‘Prevalence and risk factors of fecal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae amongst food handlers in Lower Basic Schools in West Coast region of The Gambia. The study enrolled 600 randomly selected food handlers (565 of which had complete data set) from 60 lower basic schools in 7 districts in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. Stool samples were collected from the participants and screened for resistance to cefotaxim. Isolated organisms were further tested for susceptibility to cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones and other families of antimicrobials as per Clinical Standard Laboratory Institute guidelines. The association of risk factors to fecal carriage of resistant Enterobacteriacea was performed using Pearson Chi squared and fishers exact (P<0.05). Results confirmed that the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae by resistance to cefotaxime was 15.8%. 23 genus and 89 species of resistant strains were isolated. All isolates were 100% resistant to cephalosporins such as ceftriazone, cefotaxime and cefuroxime, except ceftazidime (92%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) was measured at 50%. Only 1.2% was resistant to imipenem (carbapenem). Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin, nitrofurantoine, erythromycin, tetracycline and cotrimaxole. Majority of the identified Enterobacteriaceae were Enterobacter aerogene (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniea (12%) and Escherichia coli (7%). This study found a high prevalence of fecal carriage multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae among food handlers, mostly women, in The Gambia. The irrational prescription and use of antibiotics is a major risk factor for the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. Well-conducted surveillance is essential to implement effective control measures for the spread of antibiotic resistance urgently receommended.

scholarly journals ‘We are always desperate and will try anything to conceive’: The convoluted and dynamic process of health seeking among women with infertility in the West Coast Region of The Gambia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e0211634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Dierickx ◽  
Julie Balen ◽  
Chia Longman ◽  
Ladan Rahbari ◽  
Ed Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Process ◽  
West Coast ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
The West ◽  
Coast Region

scholarly journals The Impact of Agricultural Extension Service in Improving Vegetable Production in the West Coast Region of the Gambia

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
The Impact

The study attempts to look at the role of Agricultural Extension Services in the improvement of vegetable production. Six vegetables schemes in Western Region of the Gambia for agricultural extension support and non- agricultural extension services support schemes were selected. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select sixty women producers for all the six garden schemes and three Agricultural Extension Agents. Majority of the respondents highlighted inadequate water/irrigation facilities, high cost of farm inputs/implements and, pests and diseases as the major constraints to production especially the non- vegetable support schemes. Occasional glut of vegetables in the market, in adequate transport, inadequate storage facilities and limited marketing outlets were marketing constraints which have adversely affected their production and income level. The authorities and Ministry of Agriculture should double efforts to enhance the number and capacity of Agricultural Extension Services for the successful dissemination of production technologies to non- vegetable support schemes, so that production and income can be improved.

scholarly journals Effect of Agricultural Extension Services in Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses of Yam Produce in Benue State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
J. I. Ahungwa ◽  
E. C. Odiaka ◽  
G. T. Ahungwa
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Self Help Groups

The study assessed the effect of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of yam in Benue State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 yam producers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean and standard deviation, post-harvest management coefficient (PMC) and binary logistic regression (BLR) were used to analyse the data. Results on producers’ capabilities to manage PHLs revealed that 58.5% of the total yam produce (PMC = 0.585) was preserved while a sizeable proportion (41.5%) of losses were incurred after harvest. The availability of agricultural extension services showed that, the provision of agricultural information ( ̅ = 1.54), access to agricultural markets ( ̅ = 1.50) and facilitation of the formation of producers’ self-help groups ( ̅ = 1.50) were the prime extension services rendered in the study area. Empirical result on the effect of agricultural extension services on PHLs management revealed that the number of agricultural extension services (P ≤ 0.01) and access to agricultural credit (P ≤ 0.01) exerted positive and significant influence on PHLs management. Also, the level of producers’ education (P ≤ 0.1) enhanced significantly and consistently, their capabilities to minimize PHLs. Conversely, the number of agricultural information sources (P ≤ 0.1) exerted negative and significant influence on yam producers’ capabilities to manage post-harvest losses. The study concludes that agricultural extension services are potent in the management of post-harvest losses. The study thus recommends the provision of agricultural extension service by service agencies, given that the capacities of yam producers’ in minimizing post-harvest losses could be enhanced significantly and consistently with increase in the numbers of agricultural extension services at their disposal, and the enhancement of access to agricultural extension services by yam producers, individually and cooperatively, to curtail the incidences incidence of post-harvest losses on yam.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors for faecal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae among food handlers in lower basic schools in West Coast Region of The Gambia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e0200894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakary Sanneh ◽  
Abou Kebbeh ◽  
Haruna S. Jallow ◽  
Yaya Camara ◽  
Lusubilo Witson Mwamakamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
West Coast ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Faecal Carriage ◽  
Coast Region

scholarly journals Men and infertility in The Gambia: Limited biomedical knowledge and awareness discourage male involvement and exacerbate gender-based impacts of infertility

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260084
Author(s):  
Susan Dierickx ◽  
Kelvin Onyango Oruko ◽  
Ed Clarke ◽  
Sainey Ceesay ◽  
Allan Pacey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Male Factor Infertility ◽  
Male Factor ◽  
The West ◽  
Coast Region

Introduction Infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa constitutes an important social and public health problem. Yet, there is a paucity of research on the experiences of men living with infertility, especially in West Africa. This study explored men’s aetiological knowledge, views and experiences of infertility in the West Coast region of The Gambia, West Africa. Methodology An explorative qualitative study was conducted among men living in the rural and urban communities of the West Coast region of The Gambia using in-depth interviews. Data collection and analysis were performed concurrently, and thematic data analysis was an iterative process carried out using NVivo 11 Analysis Software. Results Gambian men had generally poor knowledge of infertility, allocating it to God, spiritual powers and bodily (biomedical) factors. While societal norms meant that infertility was generally attributed to women, some men allocated male-factor infertility to poor sperm quality and impotence. Infertility threatened participants’ sense of masculinity and resulted in psychosocial distress, including stigma, feelings of isolation, and low self-esteem. Conclusion Normative gendered frameworks of infertility result in high levels of female responsibilisation in the Gambian context. Yet men diagnosed with infertility experience significant, often unrecognized, psychological and social distress. We therefore call for increased attention to male-factor infertility, and the promotion of male engagement with infertility-care and services, both of which are essential for successfully addressing infertility and it’s psychosocial consequences in The Gambia.

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SYSTEM OF NIGERIA AND THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-71
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Bejamin Gowon Ahule ◽  
Akuhwa Tor
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Extension System ◽  
Women's Participation ◽  
Agricultural Business ◽  
And Function

This study focuses on the analysis of Nigeria and The Gambia National extension policies and system. The study discussed three main themes (mission and goals, approach and functions, and clienteles). The study found that both two countries does not adopt legislated or formal national extension policy rather implied policies which were garnered, feasible, for the two countries through their government publications and published researched studies from academic and recognized developmental institutions.  Generally, the analysis found that the two countries extension missions and goals focused on improving profitability of agricultural business and increasing output volumes; market share in achieving to enhancing quality of life and agricultural development. In terms of approaches and functions, the study observed that public sector extension in the two countries is undergoing transformation including decentralization and outsourcing extension services in the context of adopting a pluralistic system of extension delivery. While up to six models of extension are a commonly applied in the two countries, the dominant context is pluralism around public, private and NGO-based services. The dominant clientele was stated to be women and small- and medium-scale farmers. However, main barriers limiting women’s participation are still insufficiently addressed. The study concludes that it is important for the two countries authorities, perhaps supportively, to develop and establish formal extension policies that will manifest their vision, mission, goals and methods to provide a stable agenda within which targeted clientele and be purposively supported in the pursuit of sustainable agricultural development. Keywords: Extension, Extension Policy, Nigeria, The Gambia, Mission and Goals, Approach and Function, Clientele.

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