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ISSN 2063-5346
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ASSESSMENT OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF GRAINS AND FODDERS OF SELECTED CROPS CULTIVATED USING IRRIGATION-FED FARMING IN KUNENE REGION, NAMIBIA

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James Abah, Venaune Hepute, Percy Mashebe
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.sa1.556

Abstract

This study has the main objective of assessing the chemical compositions of grains and fodders harvested from maize, sorghum, cowpea, Okashana and Kangara (pearl millet varieties) cultivated under experimental irrigation-fed farming at Otuzemba and Swartbooisdrift in Kunene Region. The following chemical compositions: moisture levels, ash contents, crude protein, fat content, crude fibre, carbohydrate content, mineral elements (phosphorus, calcium and potassium), were analyzed in the grains and fodders. Additionally, dry matter, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin were determined in the fodders. All the laboratory analyses were performed using standard laboratory procedures at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Analytical Laboratory, Windhoek. The results obtained revealed that the grains’ moisture levels, ash contents, crude protein, fat content, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content at both experimental farms fall within the standards grain values of l < 12%, 1.2% to 5.4%, 7% to 15%, 1.5% to 5.6%, 1.4% to 3.7%, and 63% – 79% respectively. Apart from Okashana and Kangara which recorded low levels of calcium and phosphorus, the other grains (maize, cowpea and sorghum) recorded optimum levels of all the mineral elements (calcium (0.021% to 0.38%), phosphorus (0.01% to 0.368%), and potassium (0.009% to 2.9%) determined in the present study. Furthermore, the results of the different chemical compositions analyzed in the fodder samples fall within the standard values recommended for animal feeds. The research findings are indicative of the prospect of quality grain and fodder production using irrigation – fed farm in the study area as all the crops cultivated in this study could produce edible grains and fodder for human and livestock nutrition respectively.

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