View/Open - UGSpace - University of Ghana

34.139- Reference hee--been mode to the failore of Btallrfed goats under the Kano Unit Farm Scheme. Exwrfraent*made at Sokoto erxwaced that compered with penned animalsgoats on free range -hove a higher--hirtb--rate and a lowerabortion - and death-rate. It was thought that leavesof certain bush-plants were needed to keep the goats ingood condition. An average milk yield of 70 lbs. ever alactation period of 117 days was obtained at Daure; thebest nanny produced 159 lbs. in 167 days. At Qnltsha thebest yields have been 160 lbs. in 119 days and 233 lbs. inI94 days. The quality of goat manure is said to be high 1no details of yield per animal were aveliable.D A I R I E S . - 1(a)NQrth.14©., Dairies relying on dally supplies of milk fromgroups pi mixed farmers and Fulani herdsmen have operatedvery successfully in many parts of the northern Territories,Notably at Kano, Maldugurl and Zaria; et each of these plasesupwards of 100 bottles of pasteurised milk have been solddally. The N.A. Dairy et Kano at one time produced 400bottles per dey, but it was later necessary to divert suppliesto butter-making. This dairy has marketed an averageof 50,-000 lbs. of butter per annum during the past threeyears. " There has also been a small trade in cream cheese.141. There seems no reason why the butter industryshould not be developed after the war for the benefit ofother West African Colonies, once regular shipping facilitiesare available. Butter-making has the following advantagesover a fresh-milk trade(1) Skim milk can be returned to thestook, thereby reducing the danger©f weakening the calves.• •142. Whilst milk is a desirable addition to native -diet it is difficult to decide how far one could riffordto organise B' trade in fresh milk. Unless distributionis closely supervised it will be difficult to preventadulteration by water at times of seasonal shortage; fivesamples collected from the uncontrolled milk trade inMaldugurl in early 1944 contained added water,ranging from15 to 36 per cent. Milk is an excellent medium for bacteria,and adulteration by polluted weter might have seriousconsequences.- It has been suggested that the Fulanipractice of consuming curd rather than fresh milk may havebeen Inspired by the inability of a number of pathogenicorganisms (including those of baclllsry dysentery, choleraand typhoid) to tolerate an acid medium (Nutrition in theColonial Empire, page 81). It would, therefore, seem wise,unless processing can be undertaken, to confine the consumptionof ft—Ii milk to the producing areas.(b) South. /