July 15, 2010

Ghana university focuses on cocoa pod husk as potential feed

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana has begun exploring the possibility of using bio-technology techniques to improve the nutritional value of cocoa pod husk for use as animal feed.

Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, the Vice-Chancellor, said this had become necessary because of the under-utilisation of the huge volumes of the husk generated in the country.

The department of bio-chemistry and bio-technology of the university is undertaking the project with support from the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (Talif).

Various attempts to find an appropriate use for the by-product, especially its use as animal feed had been fruitless due to its high fibre content.