Factors Influencing Competition in the Maize Milling Sector in South Africa

Although the maize milling industry in South Africa is highly attractive and profitable, new entrants are unsuccessful. Thus, understanding the factors influencing competition is important for developing strategies which can help new entrants to be more resilient and also succeed. A case study of a very successful organization in the industry was conducted using Porters five forces model, to explore the factors influencing competition in the industry. The selected organization employs a differentiation strategy which enables it to constantly improve and introduce new maize meal varieties to serve a wide range of customers. The findings revealed that the selected organization employs resources, capabilities and knowledge in its business processes to sustain its competitive advantage. Thus, it is recommended that firms entering this industry should harmonize internal resources, knowledge, capabilities and external forces to generate a competitive advantage. Received: 18 November 2021 / Accepted: 30 December 2021 / Published: 5 January 2022

The necessity for Zambia's vitamin A sugar fortification requirement

Zambia faces a serious vitamin A deficiency (VAD) that affects most infants and expectant mothers, leading to night blindness, maternal deaths, and more. One of the efforts to address this is by permitting only the manufacture, sale, or import of household consumption sugar which is fortified with vitamin A - which is seen as a disguised restriction on international trade. Through a desk-top research study, the article examines the question, as to what extent Zambia's fortification requirement complies with the necessity principle in the Technical Barrier to Trade Annex to the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Trade (TBT Annex) and Article 2(2) of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). The research finds that the measure is a technical regulation with a legitimate objective to protect the health and lives of a target VAD Zambian population. Further, it is applied to both domestic and like foreign products; therefore, it is neither discriminatory nor directly linked to the lack of competitive opportunities for like foreign products. Even if fortified maize meal could be opted for instead of sugar, it cannot achieve the equivalent contribution in dealing with the VAD problem because of challenges, such as, the uncertainty in regulatory regime, and its irregular consumption pattern. Consequently, the sugar fortification requirement is not more trade restrictive than necessary under the TBT Annex and Article 2(2) of the TBT Agreement.

Potential of shea fruit-based ingredients for the feed industry

Background The cost involved in feeding poultry is very high especially in most developing countries. To this end, the effectiveness of the fruit pulp of Vitellaria paradoxa (shea), an agro-industrial by-product that is discarded in the processing of the nut for shea butter extraction was investigated on twelve poultry birds assigned to three groups A, B and C (control). Dried samples of the fruit pulp were analysed for their nutrients. Results Proximate analysis of the shea fruit pulp revealed a carbohydrate content of 41.14%, crude fibre 26.62%, crude protein 10.34%, ash 9.23%, crude fat 3.55% and 9.13% for moisture. It also contained essential minerals such as Ca (587 mg /100 g dw), Na (138.30 mg /100 g dw), Mg (1358 mg /100 g dw), K (771.5 mg /100 g dw), Fe (29.88 mg/100 g dw), Zn (40.31 mg/100 g dw) and Cu (8.11 mg/100 g dw). Heavy metals such as Cd, Mn, Pb and Cr were below detectable limits. Measured parameters were live body weights and some selected blood chemistry tests. Broilers in groups A and B fed on shea fruit pulp formulated with maize meal showed a significant growth performance in weight (p < 0.05) as compared to group C fed on maize meal only. Selected blood chemistry tests carried out included Ca, Na, K, Albumin, Triglyceride and Chloride. Statistical analysis showed that formulated feed had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on blood chemistry values of broilers, however, there was an insignificant effect (p > 0.05) in the control group, fed on maize meal only. Conclusion The fruit pulp of Vitellaria paradoxa could be considered a good source of macro and micronutrients and could be used as a supplement in poultry feed.

Activity concentrations of 226^Ra, 232^Th, and 40^K in common maize meal consumed in Namibia and their potential radiation hazards

Gamma spectroscopy was performed to determine the concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in maize meal samples collected from shop outlets and open markets in Namibia. The activity concentrations and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk were determined using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were found to be 29.98 ± 4.05, 0.99 ± 0.40 and 0.35 ± 0.08 Bq.kg – 1 in the maize meal samples. The result showed the activity concentrations of 40K significantly higher than the other radionuclides in all the maize meal samples. The average excess life cancer risk varies from 1.33 x 10 – 13 to 6.05 x 10 – 13 for 40K, 8.76 x 10 -13 to 1.19 x 10 – 12 for 232Th and 2.43 x 10 -11 to 2.83 x 10 – 11 for 226Ra. Hence, when compared with internationally acceptable limits, all values fall within the safety limits. Thus, the study concludes that the maize meals consumed in Namibia are radiologically safe for consumption.

Chickpea Can Be a Valuable Local Produced Protein Feed for Organically Reared, Native Bulls

We assessed the effects of inclusion of chickpea from 24 to 21%, as feed basis, in diets for organically reared bulls. Sixteen young bulls (270 ± 6.4 days of age; 246 ± 0.13 kg in weight) belonging to a native Italian breed (Maremmana) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments. The control diets were based on mixed grass hay, maize meal, and barley meal. In the experimental diets, barley was equally substituted by locally produced chickpea. Animals were weighed every 2 weeks until the prefixed slaughtering weight (630 kg). Plasma metabolites were measured at the 1st, 7th, and 14th month of the experiment. Chemical composition, colour, shear force, and water holding capacity of meat were assessed on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum 7 days after slaughter. The chickpea-fed animals showed a significantly greater average daily gain (1064 vs. 1168 kg/day), a shorter growing phase (364 vs. 335 days), and a better carcass conformation. Plasma metabolites and meat quality were not influenced by the treatments. The better growth performance and carcass quality of the chickpea fed bulls resulted in a higher economic profit for the chickpea-based diets. Results suggest that chickpea may allow sustainable performance improvement of native breeds within their traditional farming systems.

Standardisation of alien invasive Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus sampling gear in Africa

Freshwater crayfish are damaging invaders across southern Africa; however, monitoring techniques and efforts are disparate across the region as different sampling methods have been used. To develop a standard method for assessing redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus abundance, a survey was conducted to assess for differences in detection and catch per unit effort (CPUE) in Lake Kariba. Two sampling approaches were compared: opera traps baited with cooked maize meal historically used in crayfish surveys in Zimbabwe, and Promar collapsible traps baited with dry dog food, which have been used for assessments in South Africa and Swaziland. Baits were compared in the Barotse Floodplain in Zambia using the Promar trap. Detection probability (Pcapture) and CPUE were significantly lower for opera traps baited with cooked maize meal (Pcapture = 0.41; CPUE = 1.19 ± 0.24 ind.·trap-1·night-1) compared to the Promar traps baited with dry dog food (Pcapture = 0.67; CPUE = 4.53 ± 0.82 ind·trap-1·night-1). The Pcapture and CPUE for Promar traps baited with dog food (Pcapture = 0.89; CPUE = 4.29 ± 0.83 ind·trap-1·night-1) was significantly higher than for maize meal baited traps (Pcapture = 0.29; CPUE = 0.25 ± 0.17 ind·trap-1·night-1). Sex ratio and carapace length of crayfish sampled did not differ between sampling methods. Due to higher CPUE, the authors consider the Promar collapsible trap baited with dog food approach as the better method for determining crayfish population abundance and suggest that comparisons of abundance take this into consideration by applying conversion factors if different methods are applied.

Measuring Dietary Iron Absorption From Edible Tenebrio molitor and Assessing the Effect of Chitin on Iron Bioavailability: A Stable Iron Isotope Study in Young Women

Objectives Iron deficiency is estimated to affect up to 1.5–2 billion people worldwide. Edible insects can be a rich source of iron and may have a smaller environmental food print than other animal source foods. Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae are recognized as an edible insect, but iron bioavailability in humans has not been investigated. Chitin, a major component of insect biomass, is a known iron binder. Our primary objective was to measure fractional iron absorption (FIA) from T.molitor with and without chitin in young women. Secondly, we aimed to assess the effect of the presence of mealworm biomass on iron absorption from iron present in low-phytate maize porridge. Methods Non-anemic females (18–45 years, body weight &lt; 65 kg) were recruited and FIA was measured as erythrocyte incorporation of stable isotopes tracers in red blood cells 14 days after test meal administration. Using a randomized cross over design, three different meals were administered to each subject, consisting of A) a low phytate refined maize porridge with 54FeSO4; B) intrinsically labelled (57Fe) T.molitor with native chitin and extrinsic 58FeSO4; C) intrinsically labelled (57Fe) T.molitor with reduced chitin and extrinsic 58FeSO4. Results Median serum ferritin concentration in the participating subjects (n = 21) was 22.7 µg/L. Iron content in T.molitor larvae was FIA from meals B (58Fe, 5.28%) and C (58Fe, 4.55%) in which mealworm biomass was given in combination with maize porridge did not significantly differ to FIA from maize porridge fed alone (5.84%). In case of intrinsic labelling, FIA from meals B (57Fe, 4.11%) and C (57Fe, 4.03%) were significantly lower compared to maize meal A (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions FIA from T.molitor was similar to low-phytate containing maize. Presence of mealworm biomass did not enhance or inhibit the FIA of iron present in the maize meal. Furthermore, a chitin reduction process did not show any discernible effect on FIA. T.molitor larvae could be a viable source of iron in the human diet, but iron absorption may be similar to plant-based foods. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04510831. Funding Sources Coop Research Program, World Food System Center, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

Evaluation for the Resistance of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) Germplasm against Macrophomina phaseolina

Background: The green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is the major legume crop in India. Dry root rot(DRR) incited by M. phaseolina is a serious problem to the green gram production area in the world and India; Dry root rot has in recent years become a major obstacle to the successful and gainful growing of green gram, which can lead to significant losses in green gram production. The host plant resistance is the best alternative to management the DRR of the green gram, it is an economical and eco-friendly way to disease management. In the experiment, Twenty-five green gram germplasm has been tested for resistance to DRR, a serious disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina. Methods: M. phaseolina sand maize meal inoculum was applied to the field in sufficient amounts to maintain the sick plot before planting green gram germplasm, each germplasm was planted in three rows of 5 m in length, maintaining a distance between plants of 10 cm, the incidence of DRR was recorded using a disease rating scale. Based on disease reaction, green gram germplasm was grouped into different categoriesResult: From 25 green gram germplasm, four germplasm showed a resistant reaction to dry root rot, namely IPM-02-03, G-2, MH-2-15, MUM-2, while this has been observed. Susceptibility of green gram germplasm to dry root rot such as RMG-26.

Preparation, storage, and utilization of mahewu (a non-alcoholic maize meal beverage) in Ntambanana, South Africa

Maize is among the top three grain crops in the world. In Africa, especially Southern Africa,maize is the basic ingredient in fermented soft porridge known as Mahewu. Mahewu is a refreshing drink, produced at the household level using various practices and ingredients as a fermentation enhancer. The underprivileged consume Mahewuas the main meal of the day and hence, Mahewuisasource of dietary nutrients for many populations in Africa and South Africa. The ingredient and practices of making Mahewudiffer from one ethnic group to another. However, some of the indigenous practices are not well reported. These practices are fading away, hence, there is limited information on some indigenous practices. This paper reports some traditional practices of making MahewuinZulu-based households in Ntambanana, a rural municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. An ethnographic research approach was adopted for the study to gain insight into the traditional practices of making Mahewu. Probing of key informants, interviews, and observations were complemented by four focus group discussions, within the range of 10-12 regular consumers of Mahewu. Four focus group discussions were conducted in Buchanana and LuwambainNtambanana; findings consistently reveal that Mahewuis popularly known as “umdokwe” and is consumed by all age groups beginning from four months to the aged. Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), imbiliso, inserting a saucer, or a spoon deep down into the Mahewucontainer were mentioned and identified as fermentation enhancers which are lacking in other studies. Therefore, indigenous practices are diminishing while some practices are being lost between generations. Inadequatetransfer of these practices might make the drink, to soon be accessible only commercially. To prevent this dilemma, the retention of traditional techniques of making Mahewu with sweet potatoes could promote food and nutrition security while retaining the indigenous practices. This study reports the preparation, storage, and utilization of Mahewu, a non-alcoholic maize meal beverage in Ntambanana, South Africa. It is recommended that campaigns promoting indigenous food consumption should form part of health, social development, as well as welfare, hence, food and nutrition interventions should be implementedin rural communities.