Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

ABSTRACTDrying plays a pivotal role in post‐harvest processing, influencing the quality, storability, and commercial value of cocoa beans. This study compared the impact of three drying techniques—open sun drying (OSD), convective oven drying (COD), and a modified convective oven drying method (MCOD), which emulates sun drying by controlling temperature and humidity—on the quality characteristics of fermented cocoa beans from Ghana. Key attributes assessed included pH, fermentation index (FI), fermentation quality (FQ), fat and polyphenol content, levels of free fatty acids (FFA), sugars, organic and amino acids, and the profile of volatile compounds. Beans dried using MCOD achieved the highest FI (1.16) and a higher FQ of 96.23%, closely mirroring results from OSD (FI = 1.14, FQ = 98.23%). COD produced the lowest values (FI = 0.90, FQ = 89.23%). Fat content was preserved in OSD and MCOD (52.82% and 52.03%, respectively), whereas COD resulted in a lower fat yield (40.29%). Total polyphenol content (TPC) peaked in COD samples (40.55 mg GAE/g), while MCOD had the lowest FFA content (0.77%). OSD and MCOD retained higher levels of sugars and free amino acids and showed richer volatile profiles. Principal component analysis revealed similar chemical profiles between OSD and MCOD, particularly in sugars, amino acids, and volatiles, while COD samples were more associated with organic acids. These findings suggest MCOD is a practical and scalable substitute for traditional sun drying, especially under unfavorable weather conditions. Further studies should examine its potential in retaining bioactives, minimizing mycotoxins, and preserving sensory attributes.

Abstract Aflatoxins, toxic metabolites produced by certain molds, pose a significant threat to food safety and public health, particularly in agricultural products like groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), impeding the progress of achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty) and 2 (zero hunger). Despite existing awareness and harvest techniques aimed at controlling aflatoxins, the effectiveness of these strategies remains unclear. Thus, little/no evidence to confirm whether these management techniques reduce aflatoxin in groundnut production. This paper assesses the adoption of pre-harvest and post-harvest aflatoxin management practices among 318 simple random groundnut farmers across the agroecological zones of Ghana. We utilized both multivariate probit and truncated regression models to identify the factors influencing adoption and the intensity of adoption of management techniques, respectively. We found that most farmers (92.45%) are aware and have a positive perception on aflatoxin contaminations. Our findings further showed that a wide range of socioeconomic (sex, years of schooling, groundnut farming experience, household size, age), farm-level (farm size, frequency of groundnut cultivation per year, output), and institutional factors (distance to extension services and training in aflatoxin management) significantly influence both the decision and intensity of smallholder farmers' adoption of pre-harvest and post-harvest management techniques. We recommended targeted aflatoxin management training for farmers with lower education and limited access to extension services. Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with private stakeholders should promote farmer-group collaboration for best practices across all agroecological zones of Ghana.

Data from three and half years' nightly light-trap catches of 25 Afrotropical ant species were examined by Fourier analysis. Between 8 and 72 % of the seven-day-moving-average logarithmically transformed catches were accounted for by two to four terms. All 25 species showed significant annual periodicity and all, but Dorylus fulvus and Camponotus foraminosus, six monthly. Four species had wavelengths of between two and four years, and Tapinoma melanocephalum of 289 days. Twenty-three species showed two peak catches annually, contemporaneous with the two rainy seasons, with the higher peak corresponding with the main rains for 21 of them, while D. fulvus and C. foraminosus had single annual peaks during the main rains. Catches of 14 species with lunar periodicities were lowest around full moon and highest near new moon, contrasting with Hypoponera dulcis and Plagiolepis brunni whose catches were highest at full moon, and near the first quarter, respectively. Gynes and males of eight species were sufficiently numerous for comparisons of their separate responses to lunar illuminance. Catches of males peaked ca. six and three days later than gynes for Tapinoma cf. carininotum and Tetramorium aculeatum, respectively; whereas males of Crematogaster africana, Cr. depressa, Tetramorium sericeiventre, Oecophylla longinoda, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Technomyrmex andrei peaked from ca. one to six days earlier than their respective gynes.

Increasing human population, urbanization, and changing consumer trends have contributed to the emergence of rice as the leading staple food in Ghana. Despite its importance in the Ghanaian diet, patronage and consumption of locally grown rice are not yet widespread. This study investigates consumer patronage of locally grown rice in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, and fills a critical gap in understanding the specific factors that influence consumer preferences in urban settings. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 120 respondents across different income categories using a multistage sampling technique and analyzed using descriptive statistics, a Probit model, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The study found that cooking quality, palatability, colour, and fragrance were the primary attributes that influenced consumer preferences. Probit analysis revealed that income and the frequency of rice consumption significantly influenced the likelihood of purchasing locally grown rice. Specifically, a higher income decreases, while frequent rice consumption increases the likelihood of choosing local rice. Key constraints identified include perceived high cost, limited availability, and concerns about the quality of rice. This study recommends that local rice producers, agricultural organizations, and government bodies should make efforts to improve the sensory and culinary qualities of locally grown rice through improved processing techniques, increased promotion, and campaigns to ensure the commodity is readily available to consumers. These strategies aim to boost local rice consumption and support agricultural sustainability and food security in Ghana.

Heat-tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) can be used to alleviate the impact of climate variability, increase productivity, and increase income of smallholder vegetable farmers under tropical conditions. Adoption of improved nursery practices and willingness to adopt heat-tolerant tomato varieties under tropical conditions was examined. Using data from 432 tomato farmers, multivariate probit and tobit regression models were used to assess willingness to adopt heat-tolerant varieties and number of nursery practices. Willingness to adopt heat-tolerant tomato varieties was positively influenced by education, experience, and extension contacts. Adoption of improved nursery practices was influenced by sex, household size, off-farm income, credit, education and extension. These results will enable decision-makers to prioritize strategies that target educated farmers with more years of experience in tomato production and have contacts with extension to enhance the adoption of heat-tolerant tomato seeds with complementary improved nursery practices to increase productivity and income of smallholder tomato farmers under tropical conditions.

Abstract Bacterial black spot (BBS) of mango, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri pv. mangiferaeindicae, is an emerging disease affecting mango‐producing areas in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The disease spreads primarily through wind‐driven rain and farm implements, and its host range is limited, affecting mango, cashew, and pepper plants. BBS is characterized by dark, angular lesions with elevated borders on infected leaves and fruits in the lower and upper parts of the tree canopy. Infected plants display numerous tiny water‐soaked black lesions on leaves, fruits, and stems. Early symptoms on leaves include tiny, veined, water‐soaked patches with angular black dots and occasionally chlorotic spots. Managing BBS presents challenges, but various control measures have shown effectiveness in different regions. Integrated disease control measures, such as cultural methods and removing diseased plant parts, could further reduce BBS prevalence in the field. This paper reviews the detrimental effects associated with the disease, while also offering a concise overview of the existing body of research concerning BBS and its implications for mango cultivation.