Isaac K Arah | University of New England - Australia (original) (raw)

Papers by Isaac K Arah

Cogent Food & Agriculture

African Journal of Technical Education and Management, Aug 1, 2017

Australian Journal of French Studies, 2020

African Journal of Food Science, Nov 30, 2020

The physical properties of agricultural materials are functional in solving many glitches associa... more The physical properties of agricultural materials are functional in solving many glitches associated with machine design during handling and mechanical processing. Physical properties of five groundnut varieties (“Obolo”, “Yenyawoso”, “CRI Nkatie”, “Agbeyeyie” and “Pion”) and their relations to the design of food processing equipment were studied. Obolo variety recorded the maximum axial dimensions, 1000 mass grain, angle of repose, unit volume, and porosity. However, the values of bulk and true densities for Obolo variety were minimal compared with the other four varieties. Data for the angle of repose for the groundnut varieties were 17.74° (Yenyawoso), 18.02° (Pion), 18.73° (Agbeyeyie), 18.71° (Cri-Nkatie), and 18.89° (Obolo). The porosity of the kernels ranged from 21.97 to 24.54%. The mean greatest porosity was found in Obolo (24.54%), followed by Yenyawoso (24.38%), while Agbeyeyie recorded the least mean porosity of 21.97%. The coefficient of friction was greater for the galvanized steel surface than the other experimental surfaces for all the groundnut varieties studied. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed varietal differences among some means of the physical attributes at p < 0.05. Except for the angle of repose, the geometric, gravimetric and frictional properties showed some significant differences at p < 0.05. Obolo variety was statistically different compared with the other four varieties for all the parameters studied. In selecting or designing equipment for processing, Obolo variety will require separate equipment different from that of the other four varieties. Additionally, the study provides pertinent data for use in the selection and designing of machines for processing groundnut kernels. Key words: Postharvest processing equipment, geometric mean diameter, bulk density, frictional properties, groundnut kernels, angle of repose.

The Ghanaian mining industry is a controversial one. Many believe that the industry has contribut... more The Ghanaian mining industry is a controversial one. Many believe that the industry has contributed greatly towards the socio-economic development of the country in terms of employment and social infrastructure. However, others believe that the negative effects of mining, especially the loss of fertile agricultural lands, leave the people of mining communities much poorer in relative terms than they were before. This study therefore sought to ascertain the sustainability of the Ghanaian mining industry in the light of this controversy through an examination of the ecological, social and economic features of small-scale gold mining and the impacts on mining communities. It appears that land degradation, environmental pollution and many socio-economic problems have been major issues with communities where small-scale mining is practised in Ghana. Most of these negative impacts are a result of deficiencies on the part of the regulatory bodies charged with monitoring the mining industry...

Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 2015

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L. ) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It pr... more Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L. ) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provides a wide variety of nutrients and many health-related benefits to the human body. Tomato production can improve the livelihoods of small-scale producers by creating jobs and serving as source of income for both rural and peri-urban dwellers. Despite all these benefits, many constraints make tomatoes production unprofitable in Africa. Post-harvest looses is one of such constraints. Post-harvest losses have been found to be either an on-farm or off-farm problem. On-farm losses are caused by improper harvesting stages, excessive field heat, improper harvesting containers, poor farm sanitation and improper packaging materials. Causes of off-farm losses includes lack of access roads, inappropriate transportation system, lack of processing factories and lack of reliable market information. Using low-cost intermediate technology intervention can help reduce some of these post-harvest losse...

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 2016

Introduction: Cassava contains poisonous hydrogen cyanide. However, when well processed it serves... more Introduction: Cassava contains poisonous hydrogen cyanide. However, when well processed it serves as safe cheap source of edible carbohydrate. This study assessed the appropriateness of the available made-in-Ghana cassava processing equipment, the constraints and bottlenecks of the equipment manufacturers, the opinion of users of the equipment, and the effect of the equipment on safety of processed cassava. Methodology: Snowball sampling technique was used to select forty-eight (48) cassava processing equipment manufacturers and sixty-three (63) users of the equipment across the country and open ended questionnaires were used to solicit information on the characteristics of the manufactured equipment, the manufacturers' constraints and bottlenecks, and the users' opinion of the equipment. Hydrogen cyanide content in cassava dough and pressed cake from the locally manufactured graters were measured and compared statistically. Results: Eleven categories of made-in-Ghana cassava processing equipment were identified together with their technical specifications. Majority (92% and 77%) of the manufacturers were found to produce cassava graters and screw press respectively and about half of the users (51%) of the cassava processing equipment were satisfied with how they are functioning. The minimum cyanide content found in the cassava dough and pressed cake were 20.92 mg/Kg and 17.08 mg/Kg respectively. Conclusion: Most of the cassava processing equipment was not made of stainless steel material. A greater number of the users of these equipment were not satisfied with the durability, efficiency, robustness and post-sale services provided by the manufacturers. The cassava processing equipment manufactured in Ghana was in various ranges and their operation facilitated the removal of poisonous hydrogen cyanide from cassava for safe consumption. Practical Application: The overall outcome of this study will assist processors to select appropriate equipment for processing safe cassava products. It will also help policy makers and researchers to come up with effective interventions that will build the capacity of manufacturers to ensure the manufacture of appropriate equipment to process safe cassava products.

Advances in Agriculture, 2016

Tomato production has increased in recent years due to the economic and nutritional importance of... more Tomato production has increased in recent years due to the economic and nutritional importance of the crop. This increase is made possible by the numerous research advances made along the entire value chain. However, scientific research has been focussed mainly on production whilst neglecting postharvest issues. Tomato producers have therefore enjoyed good harvests in recent times, though the good harvests of those from developing countries do not translate into profit as most are lost after harvest. From this study, it was revealed that the postharvest quality and shelf life of the fruit in part will depend on some postharvest handling practices and treatments carried out after harvest. Handling practices like harvesting, precooling, cleaning and disinfecting, sorting and grading, packaging, storing, and transportation played an important role in maintaining quality and extending shelf life. Using appropriate postharvest treatments like refrigeration, heat treatment, modified atmos...

International Journal of Agronomy, 2015

Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most ... more Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most developing countries of the world. However, postharvest losses make its production unprofitable in these parts of the world. Postharvest losses in tomatoes can be as high as 42% globally. Postharvest losses in tomatoes can be either quantitative or qualitative. Even though emphasis in crop research nowadays is increasing shifting from quantity to quality of produce, there is still little improvement in the quality of commercially produced tomato varieties, hence resulting in high quality losses. From the study it was discovered that the postharvest quality status of tomatoes partly depended on some preharvest practices carried out during production. Some of these factors are fertiliser application, pruning, maturity stage, cultivar selection, and irrigation. Using best postharvest handling practices or factors such as temperature, relative humidity, gases in storage, postharvest calcium ...

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE, 2015

Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most ... more Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most developing countries of the
world. However, postharvest losses make its production unprofitable in these parts of the world. Postharvest losses in tomatoes
can be as high as 42% globally. Postharvest losses in tomatoes can be either quantitative or qualitative. Even though emphasis in
crop research nowadays is increasing shifting from quantity to quality of produce, there is still little improvement in the quality of
commercially produced tomato varieties, hence resulting in high quality losses. Fromthe study it was discovered that the postharvest
quality status of tomatoes partly depended on some preharvest practices carried out during production. Some of these factors
are fertiliser application, pruning, maturity stage, cultivar selection, and irrigation. Using best postharvest handling practices or
factors such as temperature, relative humidity, gases in storage, postharvest calcium chloride application, and physical handling
procedures to maintain the quality after harvest was also critical. It was concluded by this study that understanding and managing
both preharvest and postharvest factors properly will reduce the postharvest quality losses in tomatoes.

Global food security problem has raise concerns on the best agricultural practices that will stan... more Global food security problem has raise concerns on the best agricultural practices that will stand the test of time to replace
the already failing conventional agriculture. Yields are reportedly decreasing despite the increasing use of imputes. In the
quest of solving this problem, researches have revealed that organic agriculture can get the needed results in a more
sustainable manner. Activists of organic agriculture are therefore of the view that it is the best option for food sustainability
especially in developing worlds like Africa. Critics also think organic agriculture is a sort of luxurious lifestyle being
champion by some few rich consumers at the expense of the vulnerable majority. It is therefore unclear whether organic
agriculture is the answer to Africa’s food crisis. It was shown by literature that organic agriculture is the best model of
agriculture for Africa in tackling the food needs of the continent. The superiority of organic agriculture over conventional
agriculture was seen in its high yielding crops, high nutrient food produced, less energy consumption and less greenhouse
gas produced during production, high drought and flood resistant crops with an overall positive impact on the ecosystem.
However, challenges such as lack of national organic agriculture policies, low/no research in organic agriculture, high cost
of organic certification and imputes, high illiteracy rate, and under developed markets in most African countries hampers
widespread adoption of organic agriculture in Africa. Until these challenges are addressed by governments of African
countries, organic agriculture cannot be the answer to Africa’s food crises.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provi... more Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provides a wide
variety of nutrients and many health-related benefits to the human body. Tomato production can improve the
livelihoods of small-scale producers by creating jobs and serving as source of income for both rural and periurban
dwellers. Despite all these benefits, many constraints make tomatoes production unprofitable in Africa.
Post-harvest looses is one of such constraints. Post-harvest losses have been found to be either an on-farm or offfarm
problem. On-farm losses are caused by improper harvesting stages, excessive field heat, improper
harvesting containers, poor farm sanitation and improper packaging materials. Causes of off-farm losses includes
lack of access roads, inappropriate transportation system, lack of processing factories and lack of reliable market
information. Using low-cost intermediate technology intervention can help reduce some of these post-harvest
losses making tomato production a more profitable venture in Africa.

The Ghanaian mining industry has contributed greatly towards the socio-economic development of th... more The Ghanaian mining industry has contributed greatly towards the socio-economic development of the country but its negative impacts, particularly on natural resources, raise a question about the net effect of mining on mining communities in Ghana. One major natural resource which is negatively affected by mining is water. The quantity and quality of water available in mining communities in Ghana is declining rapidly as mining activities increase. This is caused by the direct use of water from rivers by miners and also the discharge of mining waste into rivers from mines. This is depriving many communities of their source of clean drinking water. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of government efforts to ensure the quality of water in these areas is maintained by using the MERI (monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement) approach as a framework. It was ascertained that attempts are made to address the monitoring, evaluation and reporting aspects but little improvement occurs. A number of solutions are recommended. These include establishing more stringent water quality monitoring programs, investigating waste disposal from production sites of mines and introducing progressive rehabilitation as opposed to post-mining rehabilitation. Additionally, adequately resourcing regulatory bodies and stricter sanctions for offenders is essential.

Conference Presentations by Isaac K Arah

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. The frui... more Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. The fruit can either be eaten raw or as an ingredient in many dishes and drinks. Tomatoes and tomato-based foods provide a wide variety of nutrients and other health-related benefits to the human body. Tomato compared to other fruits contains higher amounts of lycopene, a type of carotenoid with anti-oxidant properties which is beneficial in reducing the incidence of some chronic diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and all kinds of cardiovascular disorders. Tomato production can improve the livelihoods of small-scale producers by creating jobs and serving as source of income for both rural and peri-urban dwellers, thereby contributing to the GDP of African countries. Despite all the benefits that can be derived from the crop, many constraints make its production unprofitable in Africa. Although other authors have identified some other constraints in tomato production to include lack of effective irrigation systems, incidence of pests and diseases, low quality and insufficient quantity of tomato produced among competition from foreign imports, the constraints for this paper are the post-harvest challenges facing tomato production. Post-harvest challenges are challenges faced by producers, processors, distributors, retailers as well as exporters in handling the produce after it has been harvested until it gets to the final consumer. Post-harvest challenges can be an on-farm or off-farm problem. On-farm challenges include improper harvesting stages and or periods, excessive field heat, improper harvesting containers, poor farm sanitation and improper packaging materials. Off-farm challenges can include lack of access or bad roads leading to production fields, inappropriate transportation system, lack of processing factories, lack of effective storage facilities, lack of market information and reliable markets. Using low-cost intermediate technology intervention can help reduce some of these post-harvest constraints making tomato production a more profitable venture in Africa.

Cogent Food & Agriculture

African Journal of Technical Education and Management, Aug 1, 2017

Australian Journal of French Studies, 2020

African Journal of Food Science, Nov 30, 2020

Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 2015

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 2016

Advances in Agriculture, 2016

International Journal of Agronomy, 2015

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE, 2015

Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most ... more Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most developing countries of the
world. However, postharvest losses make its production unprofitable in these parts of the world. Postharvest losses in tomatoes
can be as high as 42% globally. Postharvest losses in tomatoes can be either quantitative or qualitative. Even though emphasis in
crop research nowadays is increasing shifting from quantity to quality of produce, there is still little improvement in the quality of
commercially produced tomato varieties, hence resulting in high quality losses. Fromthe study it was discovered that the postharvest
quality status of tomatoes partly depended on some preharvest practices carried out during production. Some of these factors
are fertiliser application, pruning, maturity stage, cultivar selection, and irrigation. Using best postharvest handling practices or
factors such as temperature, relative humidity, gases in storage, postharvest calcium chloride application, and physical handling
procedures to maintain the quality after harvest was also critical. It was concluded by this study that understanding and managing
both preharvest and postharvest factors properly will reduce the postharvest quality losses in tomatoes.