Prof. Emmanuel K. Adu
Research Scientist

Office: ARI Room 20

Email:

Degrees: PhD. (UG, Ghana), MAppSci. (Massey University, New Zealand),
BSc. (Hons). (UCC, Ghana), DipEd. (UCC, Ghana)

RESEARCH

Research Interests
  • Nutritional effects on fetal health
  • Development of agribusiness incubation models
  • Industrial applications of research outputs, e.g. development of industrially applicable products from eggs, snails, pig skin, fish scales and cow hide

    • Current Research
    I am currently researching into reducing reproductive wastage in domesticated livestock species using the grasscutter as a model. During the course of fetal development in the grasscutter, about 40% of all implanted embryos are resorbed and this is believed to be as a result of nutritional imbalances. The aim of the research is therefore, to determine the right nutritional balance that support optimum fetal growth thereby resulting into increased reproductive output. I am also researching into developing various agribusiness incubation models that would help translate various research outputs into business ventures. Currently, with support from KOPIA, we are looking at developing small-scale poultry production models into viable businesses. Other research interests are in the development of new products from poultry and livestock species. In this regards we are looking at optimizing our locally developed techniques for the production of egg powder for the bakeries and confectionaries, powdered albumin for development of various industrial products and the production of gelatin from pig skin, snails and fish scales.

    Current Projects
    An Assessment of the access and adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies on the livelihood of gender in crop-livestock systems in northern Ghana. This is a PhD research working title.

    BRIEF PROFILE

    E. K. Adu (PhD) is the immediate past Director of the CSIR-Animal Research Institute, a Professor at the CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST), and an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, where he developed and teaches a course in Micro-livestock Production. He is also the founding Chief Executive Officer of CCLEAr Agribusiness Incubator, which is a FARA-supported initiative in Ghana. Prof. Adu holds a B. Sc. (Hons) Zoology and a Dip.Ed both from the University of Cape Coast, an M. App. Sci. (Animal Science option) from Massey University, New Zealand and a Ph.D in Animal Reproductive Physiology (nutritional effects on fetal health) from University of Ghana, Ghana. He has training in animal nutrition, reproductive physiology and grazing management. Determination of nutritional requirements of livestock, nutritional effects on fetal survival, deer production from pasture, grazing management, molecular and cellular concepts, and application in reproduction, molecular and immunoassay applications in laboratory diagnostics. Prof. Adu has over 25 years research experience in grasscutter farming; and has significantly contributed to backstopping most Grasscutter Farmers’ Associations across the country. His research efforts have resulted in 32 publications as books, book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles. As the Director of the CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Prof. E. K. Adu led a team to locally adapt the technology for producing egg powder, powdered albumen and egg yolk oil. Among other things, he is also leading the research into developing locally adapted techniques for the production of new products from snails, pig skin, fish scales and cow hide. [Under his leadership at CCLEAr Prof. Adu has helped to commercialize four (4) technologies, trained over 2,000 smallholder farmers in pig production, about 300 youth in grasscutter agribusiness ventures, and incubated 200 of them. Prof. Adu has also mentored and coached over 100 young interns who are ready to take up opportunities in the job market, and has helped to create over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs of which a significant percent is for women. He has also helped build a marketing network for about 200 SMEs. Prof. Adu has managed to enlist 16 tertiary institutions, one (1) research institute, and two (2) private sector players to support the consortia in research and churn out technologies for commercialization, mentor raw talent and implement the revamped agribusiness curriculum. Besides the above, the incubator has reached out to more than 3,000 livestock entrepreneurs whose livelihoods have been impacted by the programme.

    PUBLICATIONS

    Books
    1. E. K. Adu,1999. Grasscutter Farming: A Manual for Beginners. INSTI, Accra. ISBN: 9988-0184-3
    2. S. Y Annor, E. K. Adu, J. Donkor, H. R. Otsyina and J. Ahiaba. 2009. Grasscutter Production : A Handbook for Ghanaian Farmers and Scientist. GTZ/MOAP, Accra. ISBN: 978-9988-1-2653-7

    Book Chapter
    1. E. Adu, R., Paterson, F., Rojas, L., Germana, D., Fielding, and E., Osafo. 2005. Grasscutters, guinea pigs and rabbit. In: E. Owen A. Kitalyi, N. Jayasuriya, & T. Smith (Eds.). pp. 325 – 341. Livestock and wealth creation: improving the husbandry of animals kept by resource-poor people in developing countries. Nottingham University Press.

    Referenced Journal Papers
    1. Yeboah, S. and Adamu, E. K., 1995. The cane rat. Biologist 42, 86-87.

    2. Adu, E. K., Barry, E. N., Wilson, P. R and Kemp. P. D. 1998. Evaluation of Lotus corniculatus for increasing pre-weaning growth of young deer. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge; 131, 197-204

    3. Adu, E. K., Alhassan, W. S. and Nelson, F. S. 1999. Smallholder farming of the greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck, in southern Ghana: A baseline survey of management practices. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 31, 223-232
    4. Adu, E. K. and Yeboah. S. 2000. The efficacy of the vaginal plug formation after mating for pregnancy diagnosis, and embryonic resorption in utero in the greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 32, 1-10.

    5. Adu, E. K., Aning, K. G., Wallace, P. A. and Ocloo. T. O. 2000. Reproduction and mortality in a colony of captive greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 32, 11-17

    6. Yeboah, S. and Adu, E. K. 2000. Gestation and pre-natal losses in the cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck. Ghana Journal of Science; 40, 33-38

    7. Adu, E. K., Wallace, P. A. and Ocloo. T. O. 2002. Efficacy of sex determination in the greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Tem. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 34, 27-33

    8. Adu, E. K. 2003. Patterns of parturition and mortality in weaned greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck). Tropical Animal Health and Production; 35, 425-431

    9. Adu, E. K. and Wallace. P. A. 2003. Growth and reproductive performance of captive grasscutter fed freshly cut Panicum maximum. Journal of the Ghana Science Association; 5, 90 – 94

    10. Adu, E. K. and Yeboah. S. 2003. On the use of the perineal stain as an index of sexual maturity; and breeding condition in the male greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck. Tropical Animal Health and Production 35, 433-439

    11. Adu, E. K., Otsyina, H. R. and Agyei, A. D. 2005. The efficacy of different dose levels of albendazole for reducing faecal worm egg count in naturally infected captive grasscutters, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck. Livestock Research for Rural Development; 17(128):, http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/11/adu17128.htm

    12. Awotwi, E. K. Tudeka, K. C. and Adu. E. K. 2007. Farmers’ adoption of improved management practices and the subsequent impact on their operations on the grasscutter industry in the Greater Accra Region; Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science 2 & 3, 153 – 159.

    13. E. K. Wallace, P. A., Adu and Yang, L. 2009. Plasma cholesterol levels and the consumption of milk and milk products – right perspectives and prospects. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science; 4, 12 – 22.

    14. Adu, E. K. and Rhule. S. W. A. 2009. Influence of dietary protein improvement on liveweight gains in captive grasscutters fed freshly-cut Panicum maximum. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science; 4, 33 – 38.

    15. Kankam, T., Adu, E. K. and Awumbila, B.. 2009. Gastrointestinal parasites of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck, 1827) on the Accra Plains of Ghana. African Journal of Ecology; 47, 416 – 421.

    16. Obese, F. Y., Darfour-Oduro, K. A. and Adu, E. K. 2009. Effects of extended postpartum anoestrus period on reproductive performance of indigenous beef cattle raised on smallholder farms in Ghana: An overview. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science; 4, 1 – 11.

    17. Owusu, B. A., Adu, E. K., E.K. Awotwi,E. K. and Awumbila, B.. 2010. Embryonic resorption, litter size and sex ratio in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus. Animal Reproduction Science; 118, 366 – 371

    18. Wallace, P. A., Adu, E. K. and Rhule, S. W. A. 2010. Optimal storage conditions for cocoa cake with shell, palm kernel cake and copra cake as poultry and livestock feed in Ghana. Livestock Research for Rural Development; 22(32): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/2/wall22032.htm

    19. Adu, E. K., Bagulo, H. and Amaning-Kwarteng,K.. 2010. The effects of incorporation of Moringa oliefera leaves and sweet potato vines in the ration of growing grasscutters, (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck). Livestock Research for Rural Development; 22(103): Retrieved November 24 2010 http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/6/bagu22103.htm

    20. Adu, E. K., Amaning-Kwarteng, K., Awotwi, E. K. and Awumbila, B. 2012. Metabolic fecal nitrogen and digestibility estimates in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 44, 881 – 886

    21. Adu, E. K., Awotwi, E. K., Awumbila, B. and Amaning-Kwarteng, K. 2013. Predicting the energy and protein requirements of the pregnant grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) using the changes in weight and composition of the foetus and associated tissues of pregnancy. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 45, 1207 – 1213

    22. Adu, E. K., Awotwi, E. K., Amaning-Kwarteng, K. and Awumbila, B. 2013. The effects of fetal growth on maternal body weight, visceral organ mass in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck. Archiva Zoothenica; 16, 55-69.

    23. Wallace, P. A., Amoah, K. O., Asiedu, P., Osei, D. Y., Adu, E. K. and Karbo, N. 2014. Impact of rumen enhancer 3 (RE 3) as a feed additive on lipid, biochemical and histopathological profile of rabbits reared under tropical conditions. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science; 8, 59-65.

    24. Nyameasem, J. K., Adu, E. K., Amoah, K. O. and Hagan, B. A. 2016. The effect of male proximity on vagina patency, oestrus cycle length and feed intake of female grasscutters. Tropical Animal Health and Production; 48, 445-449.

    25. Nyameasem, J. K, Amoah, K. O., Wallace, P. A. and Adu, E. K. 2017. Nitrogen partitioning and growth in grasscutters fed freshly cut Panicum maximum alone or supplemented with Leucaena lecocephala treated with 0, 1 or 2 per cent saline solution. Livestock Research for Rural Development; 29(24): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd29/2/nyam29024.htm

    26. Adu, E. K., Asafu-Adjaye, A., Hagan, B. A. and Nyameasem, J. K. 2017. The grasscutter: An untapped resource of Africa’s grasslands. Livestock Research for Rural Development;29(47): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd29/3/jnyam29047.html

    27. Asuming-Bediako, N., Aikins-Wilson, S., Affedzie-Obresi, S. and Adu, A. K. 2017. Challenges in the butchery business: Potential opportunities for business in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science (In Press)

    28. Nyameasem, J. K., Akoloh,M. and Adu, E. K. 2018. Effects of protein content on feed intake and performance of grasscutters fed diets containing forage meal. Animal Production Science https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15889

    29. J. K. Nyameasem, S. Affedzie-Obresi and E. K. Adu. 2018. Time of feeding and predictability of dry matter and water intake of grasscutters fed on grass and supplements containing varying levels of dietary fiber. Tropical Animal Health and Production. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1573-z

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