Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Environment Collections
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Item FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANIMAL HEALTH AT WILDLIFE-CATTLE INTERFACE IN SANGA SUB COUNTY, KIRUHURA DISTRICT(BISHOP STUART UNIVERSITY, 2024) TUWANGYE INNOCENTThe coexistence of wildlife and domestic cattle in shared landscapes, known as the wildlife-cattle interface, presents a unique set of challenges for both conservation efforts and livestock management. The stduy assessed the factors associated with animal health at wildlife-cattle interface in Sanga Sub County, Kiruhura District. The objectives of this study were to: find out the community perceptions towards risks associated with wildlife-cattle interface; determine the prevalence and patterns of disease transmission between wild-life and cattle populations at the wildlife-cattle interface and develop evidence-based recommendations to mitigate identified risk factors associated with animal health at wildlife- cattle interface in Sanga Sub County, Kiruhura District. A quantitative approach was adopted employing a descriptive survey research design, Simple random sampling was adopted to select 148 respondents accompanied by purposive sampling used to select key informants for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews and analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that wildlife cattle interface is associated with disease transmission risks, significant mortalities and production losses in cattle, competition between wild and domestic herbivores of similar dietary breadth, predation and injuries by wildlife on cattle. More so, pathogens and parasites and livestock starvation due to shortage of water contribute to diseases such as brucellosis. It was concluded that farmers and local authorities in Sanga Sub County, Kiruhura District, have taken steps to alleviate the issues related to the wildlife-cattle interface in order to promote a peaceful coexistence between domestic cattle and wildlife which include raising awareness among farmers, handling problematic animals, compensation, conservation activities, installation of live fencing system, resource and revenue sharing in terms of tangible economic benefits like fish, firewood & medicinal plants. The major recommendation in light of this research is to encourage projects for collaborative land and resource management in light of the competition for resources that exists between wild and domestic herbivores.Item Rural Electrification and Maize Value Addition in Mpumudde Sub-County, Lyantonde District(International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 2024) Sulaiman Ssegilinya; Rebecca Kalibwani; Gershom NuwemuhweziThe study was about rural electrification on maize value addition in Mpumunde Sub-County, Lyantonde District. The study specific objectives were to; characterize maize value addition actors benefiting from rural electrification, identify factors limiting farmers from participating in maize value addition other than electrification, assess the contribution of rural electrification towards adding value to maize. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design and primary data was collected from 200 respondents. The data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. The study concluded that maize value addition actors who benefited from rural electrification were characterized by low level of education that is average number of years in school being six; limited size of land with average of 4 acres and majority had productive age with an average of aged 38. The study also concluded that there were factors limiting farmers from participating in maize value addition other than electrification which were; limited training on value addition was significant at (p=.027). Skills and experience at (p=.021), Credit services/financing at (p=.003). Market availability at (p=.026). Materials and equipments to use at p= (.029). Level of education and storage facilities were seen non-significant at 5% level of significance with p-values (p=.312; p=.261). The final conclusion was that maize value adders agreed that the rural electrification connection to maize milling centers mostly were more efficient in their operations than the non-connected milling centers. They had improved quality value added products, efficiency in processing activities, operated for long hours and had faster processes. The study recommends that, there is a need for the government to link with the donors like World Bank who have already acknowledged through their own studies that there should be a need for massive injection of funds to support the rural electrification programme. There should be more grace period for the rural people in terms of repayment period since they are not used to the urban living style where deadlines on payment attract severe action like total disconnection. Maize value adders should be subsidized with value addition equipments at a fair price to help them sustain production of better quality value added products. The study recommends that village saving cooperative societies limited render soft and affordable loans at low interest rate to help farmers finance their value addition activities and ensure sustainability of quality value added productsItem Effects of Urban Agriculture on the Socio-Economic Status of Farmers in Cities of Sub-Sahara Africa. A case of Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria: A Review(East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024-01) Ninsheka, Leonard; Ssemakula, Edward; Tiyo, Christopher; Kalibwani, Rebecca; Kityo, Ronald; Mugizi, Wilson; Byamukama, WillbroadThis paper reviews the current literature concerning the effect of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. The main objective of this review is to examine the impacts of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. Specifically, the paper reviews the impact of urban agriculture on income and food security as well as the benefits and challenges affecting urban Agriculture development in selected cities of sub-Saharan African countries. This paper reviews different articles and papers on urban farming in Sub-Sahara Africa and globally. The review posits that there is scanty information on how urban agriculture affects farmers' socio-economic status in sub-Saharan Africa. How farmers derive their social and economic status by engaging in urban agriculture, and the types and motivations of farmers are not clear. The review suggests that understanding the factors that are crucial for food security, income and related benefits in urban agriculture is essential to developing the right technologies and policies.Item Effects of Rainwater Harvesting Technologies on Sustainable agricultural Production in Ntutsi and Mijwala Sub-counties, Sembabule District(International Journal of Natural Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends (IJNSCFRT), 2023) G, Muhoozi; S, Edward; O, DavidDespite the benefits of rainwater harvesting technologies on enhancing sustainable agricultural production, farmer still face the number of huddles in implementing such technologies like lack of knowledge, limited space, and limited capital and among others. Rain water harvesting technologies were thought of to sustain agricultural production but its relevance among farmers remains un-documented. The study was about the effects of rainwater harvesting technologies on sustainable agricultural production in Ntutsi and Mijwala Sub counties, Sembabule District. The specific objectives were to; ascertain the methods of rain water harvesting use for sustainable agricultural production, identify the benefits of rain water harvesting technologies on agricultural production, identify the factors influencing the adoption of rain water harvesting technologies and investigate the challenges faced in implementing water harvesting technologies. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. Data was collected from 248 farmers. Data management and analysis was done using SPSS version 20 to generate both descriptive and regression statistics. The study identified different rain water harvesting methods use for sustainable agricultural production such as; ridges/tied ridges/furrows, water pans/ponds, sand dams and sub-surface dams as well as rooftop catchments. The study also discovered that technologies like ridges/tied ridges/furrows (x 2 = 8.305, p=0.005), road runoff water harvesting (x 2 = 6.048, p=0.001), and a combination of practices (x 2 = 4.120, p=0.042) had a significant influence on agricultural production. The study also confirmed that gender [AOR = 2.569; (95% CI: 1.239 - 5.327); p = 0.011], level of education [AOR = 1.441; (95% CI: 0.656 - 3.164); p = 0.003], and farm size [AOR = 2.060; (95% CI: 1.021 - 4.154, p = 0.044] were the significant factors influencing the adoption of rain water harvesting technology for sustainable agriculture production in the area.The study further confirmed that unavailability of labour [AOR = 0.978; (95% CI: 0.169 - 54.570, p = 0.001), lack of knowledge on water harvesting [AOR = 0.333; (95% CI: 0.104 - 34.088, p = 0.005], were some of the challenges faced in the implementation of rain water harvesting technologies. It therefore recommends that farmers be linked to financial institutions since they do not have the capital to invest in RWHTs. This will enable farmers to adopt not only one but many RWHTs.Item Effectiveness of Chia Seed Plant Powder in Comparison with Malathion in the Control of Bean Weevils(East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2023) Kamugisha, Francis; Opio, Fina; Osiru, David; Aharinta, Kenneth FaithThe primary objective of the research was to contribute to the control of storage pests in beans through the use of chia seed plant powder—an organic control method. The study adopted both descriptive and correlational research designs for data collection and analysis. It comprised: a survey of the chia seed farmers in Kyabugimbi sub-county, Uganda, for the purpose of assessing their perception concerning control of storage pests in beans through the use of chia seed plant powder; and an experiment for assessing the susceptibility of a variety of beans and pesticide application. The experiment had three bean varieties: NAROBEAN3, NABE16, and KAHURA. The type of pesticide had two treatments and control, that is, chia seed plant powder and malathion, and each had three levels. A control consisted of dishes with bean varieties infested with weevils without any pesticide added. Each set was comprised of control without any treatment. A total of 54 samples were used. These were laid out in a completely randomised Block design (CRBD) and replicated three times. Pesticides were applied at 0%, 50%, and 100% rates of application. Data were collected on the following measurements: Number of infested seeds, number of adult bruchids that emerged, and weight of seeds at the end of the experiment. The ANOVA test results found that the effect of pesticide application on the number of infested seeds, number of weevils that emerged, and weight of bean seeds was significant (P< 0.01), while the variety of beans was not significant. Although malathion had the lowest bean weevil figures and is therefore more effective in controlling bean weevils, it is a synthetic product, and chia seed would be promoted because it is an organic product because of being more friendly to the human body and the environment than malathion, a synthetic pesticideItem Morphological Deviation in Africa’s New Brood by Timothy Wangusa(East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2023) Evaristo, ArineitweThis article attempts to examine the use of morphological deviation as a style of foregrounding in Timothy Wangusa’s poetry. Besides, the researcher used the theory of defamiliarization proposed by Viktor Shyklovsky throughout the study. That the theory emphasizes the use of poetic devices makes it an apt one as this very study is on morphological deviation (which is used as a poetic device to achieve emphasis/foregrounding). The researcher used a qualitative approach in this study. The researcher also employed textual analysis method in the process of analysing data in form of poems from Africa’s New Brood. A description of the variable(s) was also given to explicate and make sense of the subject under study which is morphological deviation. The results of the findings from the data analysed prove that Wangusa uses morphological deviation to emphasize his message, shock, or surprise readers (estrangement) and create mood in his poetry. This study recommends that studies be carried out on Wangusa’s use of deviation of register.Item Contribution of Dry Spell Adaptation Technologies to Crop Productivity in Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District, Uganda(African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2023) Emmanuel, Bwengye; Tumwesigye, Wycliff; Gorett, Nagawa M.Extended Dry Spell Adaptation Technologies (EDSATs) can improve crop resilience to Extended Dry Spells (EDS). This study was aimed at determining the contribution of EDSATs to crop productivity in the Isingiro Town Council. An exploratory survey was conducted to collect data from 125 farmers. The selection of respondents was made through purposive and referral sampling methods. Key informant interviews were conducted with 05 Production Department staff. Data was analysed using Stata 14 to generate summary tables. Results revealed that the farmers’ priority crops are Bananas, beans and maize grown by 98.4%, 69.6% and 43.2% of the farmers, respectively. 99.2% of the farmers are aware that their technologies contribute to Extended Dry Spells Adaptation (EDSA). Weeding is done by 68.8%, 68.4% and 43% of Bananas, Beans and Maize farmers, respectively. Inter-crops of beans bananas, maize-bananas and maize-beans are implemented by 16.8%, 5.6% and 3.2% of the farmers, respectively. Application of manure is implemented by 60%, 5.6% and 4.8% of the farmers for all crops. Mulching is done by 67.2% and 7.2% of the banana and beans farmers. Contributions of weeding bananas, beans and maize contribute 65.2%, 94% and 88.6%, respectively to productivity. Inter-crops of beans-bananas, maize-banana and maize-beans contribute 122%, 57.1% and 35% to improved beans, maize, and beans productivity, respectively. Factors challenging the implementation of the crop EDSATs include; farmers’ economic status, availability of extension services, farmer exposure and availability of inputs, among others. The sustainability of EDSATs is hindered by a lack of investment funds and lack of consistent technical support, among others. Therefore, there is a need for the formulation of policy provisions that favour the availability of credit facilities to all farmers to enable them to manage all the limiting factors to the implementation and sustainability of EDSATs.Item Effect of Water Harvesting Practices on Sustainable Maize Production among Smallholder Farmers in Water Scarce Areas of Ibanda District(Journal of Crop Technology and Agricultural Science, 2023) Muhumuza, Simon; Kazibwe, Francis; Karibwani, RebbecaThis study was conducted to find out the effect of rainwater harvesting on sustainable maize production in Bisheshe and Nyamarebe Sub counties, Ibanda district. Specifically, the study was conducted to establish the water harvesting practices used by smallholder maize farmers, the relationship between water harvesting and maize yields, community perceptions on water harvesting and the challenges of the maize farmers in water harvesting. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design in which data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and observation; and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show that harvesting improved maize production in Nyamarebe and Bisheshe Sub Counties. This implied that water harvesting can support sustainable maize production in water scarce areas. The study recommends that farmers should be supported to harvest water for sustainable maize production.Item Effects of Post-Harvest Handling on Maize Farmers’ Income in Nkoma Sub County Kamwenge District(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) Ayebazibwe, UbardThis study was on the effect of post-harvest handling on maize farmers’ income in Nkoma Sub County, Kamwenge District. The study objectives were to: identify post-harvest handling technologies and practices on maize farmers’ income; establish the role of training in post-harvest handling technologies on maize farmers’ income; assess the effects of the post-harvest technologies and practices on the incomes of maize farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design applying quantitative and qualitative approaches for data collection. Data was captured from a sample of 150 respondents using both questionnaire and interviews. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study identified different post harvest handling technologies and practices used by maize farmers in Nkoma sub-county, Kamwenge District such as; threshing, drying, storage, winnowing, shelling, grading and packing. The study identified that there were factors affecting the use of maize post-harvest handling technologies on Smallholder maize farmer’s income. These were; price fluctuation of maize grains, human and financial capital, excessive field heats and lack of on-farm storage facilities and knowledge on post-harvest handling practices. The study further concluded that specific post harvest technologies/practices had an effect on household income generated. Technologies/practices such as; drying (p< 0.002), storage (p<0.00), winnowing (p<0.01), grading and packaging (p<0.001) presented a significant association with household income. The study concluded that different post-harvest handling technologies/practices such as; drying, storage, winnowing, grading and packaging have a significant contribution on household income however the rate of use of these practices is still low due to different socio-economic and institutional factors. The study therefore recommended more education for farmers on the technologies since this influences farmers’ decision to adopt technologies. Farmers should be assisted in acquiring value addition facilities such as threshing and grinding machines to improve packaging. Farmers must be supported through credit services so to acquire advanced postharvest handling technologies and equipment.Item Assessing the Smallholder Farmers’ Coping Strategies to the Effects of Climate Change(International Journal of Agriculture and Animal Production, 2023) Baranabas, Opiyo; David, Osiru; Edward, Ssemakula; Kalibwani, Rabecca; Malinga M., GeoffreyBackground: The effects of climate change such as droughts, floods and land degradations normally result into crop failures among smallholder farmers. The effect is more adverse on smallholder farmers of Sub Sharan region owing to its low coping strategies and poverty prevalence. Assessing the smallholder farmers coping strategies to the effects of climate is an evitable thought if we want to develop sustainable coping options and policies to climate change. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of climate change, and assess on how the smallholder farmers coped up with them. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to generate data from the 360 randomly selected household heads across the nine parishes in the Sub County via a semi- structured questionnaire, interviews schedules to key informants and focus group discussion to smallholder farmer groups. The SPSS tool was used to analyze the effects of climate change and their coping strategies and presented in frequency distribution tables and correlation matrices. Results: The two most widely practiced coping strategies were sales of productive assets and reduction in food consumptions rates among the smallholder farmers. The results from the correlation analysis revealed that there were significant positive correlations between floods, droughts, famines, and sales of productive assets and reduction in consumption rates of food. Conclusion: The findings from the study note that there are several factors that work in synergy to influence the specific coping strategies by smallholder farmers to climate change. This therefore calls for more efforts from government and development partners to strengthen the agricultural extension services by customizing climate information delivery system, allocating more fundings to researchers to engineer climate-tolerant crop and animal resources, investing on water for production projects, renting out idle pieces land to investors by smallholder farmers in order to provide the additional source of earningsItem THE EFFICACY OF FOLIAR FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CABBAGES (Brassica oleracea) IN BUTUNDUZI SUB- COUNTY, KYENJOJO DISTRICT.(Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), 2023) Yeremiah, Muhindo; S.O, David; K. Zaake, JuliusCABBAGE is an important food, medicinal and cash crop in Uganda that increasing its production and productivity must be emphasized. The yield and quality of cabbage head are partly influenced by fertilizers application method used / nutrient level. There is an increased land degradation and low use of fertilizers by famers in Uganda leading to low cabbage yields and poor quality – dry matter. Most farmers have low adoptility in fertilizer use which would otherwise cabbage production. In order to boost cabbage production in Uganda, the fertilizer application method used should be affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly for sustainable usage. In order to address these, this study was designed with the aim of establishing the efficacy of foliar fertilizer application on growth and yields of cabbages in Butunduzi sub-county Kyenjojo. The objectives of the study were to determine the growth parameters, yield output and nutritive content of cabbage varieties under different fertilizer application methods convectional fertilizer and foliar fertilizer application methods. The fertilizers used were NPK 25:5:5, vigmax and Easgro on two varieties of cabbage namely; Gloria and Copenhagen. The study was carried out for two seasons at Mujungu Farm Butunduzi subcounty Kyenjojo District. The experiment was carried in a 4 x 4 factorial arranged in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with four replications for each season. Results showed that growth parameters like plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, were not significantly different among the fertilizer application methods. The application of Vigmax (F1) on GLORIA (V1) led to the highest means plant height of 28.75 cm in season one and 30.25 cm in season two . On the other hand, copenghen cabbage (V2) plants which were subjected to the control (C) treatment showed the least means of plant height of 16.33 cm in season one and 16.50 cm in season two. The height of 26.3cm was the best for copenghen and it was achieved in season two. NPK treatment that was used on Gloria (V1) had the greatest influence on the number of leaves of cabbage plants of 16.00 in season one, while vigmax (F1) treatment had the greatest effect on cabbage number of leaves of 16.17 in season two. The yield potentials of all varieties were achieved with use of any fertilizer application method. The highest overall means head weight was achieved from vigmax(F1) with Gloria at 104.0 t/ha during Season two and this was far better than 70 t/ha internationally recorded tonnage for hybride varieties and the lowest over all mean at 25.4 t/ha from copenghen with control treatment during season one. Copenghen yielded most at 67.3 t/ha during season two with vigmax (F1) and this was equally far better than the average tonnage of 30 t/ ha for OPV varieties. There is a significant difference between the means of copenghen (V2) and Gloria (V1) varieties in both seasons. COPENGHEN with control treatment had the greatest influence on the content of Calories (24.2g), Carbohydrates (19.7g), and Vitamin K (67.7mcg) in cabbage. Meanwhile, Gloria with NPK treatment had the lowest influence on the content of Calories (22.1g) and Carbohydrates (18.4g). Vigmax( F1) treatment with copenghen (V2) had the greatest influence on Vitamin A (3.1mg) and Vitamin C (32.8mg) while F2 treatment with Gloria (F2V1) had the least mean of Vitamin A of 2.9 mg and Gloria variety with control treatment(C1V1) had the lowest mean of Vitamin C of 32.4mg in season one. Both treatment F1, F2 and NPK gave exceptionally good results which beyond the normal. Treatment F1 that was applied onto Gloria (V1) cabbage plants was the most effective treatment in regard to significantly influencing the growth parameters. Similarly, treatment F1 that was applied on Gloria gave the best yield results. Control Treatment gave good results in terms of nutritive content than all treatments.Item EVALUATION AND ADOPTION OF BIOFORTIFIED BEAN VARIETIES IN SHEEMA AND NTUNGAMO DISTRICTS, SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA.(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) KANYESIGYE, JOHNThe study's main objective was to evaluate the adoption of biofortified bean varieties in Sheema and Ntungamo Districts, Southwestern Uganda. It was limited to identifying the social and economic factors that affect the adoption of biofortified bean varieties, determining how farmers perceive the chosen traits of biofortified bean varieties, and determining how effective the interventions in place have been at encouraging farmers to adopt biofortified bean varieties. 214 respondents provided primary data for the study, which used a cross-sectional, descriptive research approach. 193 were bean farmers randomly selected and 21 key informants were purposively selected. The study findings established the following social economic factors significantly affected the adoption of biofortified bean varieties; access to credit P=0.00 and SD= 0.00, market access P=0.00 and SD=0.02892, household size P=0.00 and SD= 0.14047, access to extension P=0.00 and SD= 0.19475, gender P=0.00 and SD= 0.30575, education level p=00 and SD=0.31439, farmers perception P=0.00 and SD=0.34305, farm size P=0.00 and SD=0.34837, farmers income P=0.39167 and farmers age was not significant since P=0.997 was greater than P=0.05hence such factors which are significant should be put into consideration in design of any related project or programme so that malnutrition is minimized using these biofortified bean varieties. The study findings established that farmers liked NAROBEAN 2 109 (51%) and NAROBEAN 3 62 (29%) due to their traits especially market class, early maturing, high with cubiod shape, yielding, and bush type and short cooking time, market class respectively. The study established that most farmers 175 (81.8%) were still growing local bean varieties since they perceived biofortified bean varieties to require additional inputs especially fertilizers and pesticides and these forced even those growing to abandon them. The study further established that a reasonable number of farmers 87 (40.7%) have ever grown biofortified bean varieties but only 39 (18.2%) were still growing them since the nutritional programme that used to provide seeds to them was no longer supplying and even such biofortified bean varieties were not available in the visited stores. It was established that creation of markets like promotion of school feeding programme significantly influences adoption of boifortified bean varieties P=0.00 on the other hand construction of storage facilities P=0.253, provision of post-harvest inputs like tarpaulins P=0.709 and strengthening farmer groups P=0.931 did not significantly influence the adoption of biofortified bean varieties. However the level of benefiting from the interventions is still low with the highest 17% benefiting from free distribution of quality seeds and the least (2%) benefiting from strengthening farmer groups. The study recommends that all the social economic factors established in this study should be put into consideration while designing any project related to minimization of malnutrition, the need to include farmers’ preferences and empowering farmers to select new varieties under their own management and social economic conditions through interventions like free distribution of biofortified bean seeds, construction of storage structures accessible by farmers.Item YIELD AND DRY MATTER RESPONSE OF POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM) TO DIFFERENT NPK 17:17:17 FERTILIZER LEVELS IN MID ALTITUDE REGION IN UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2022-12) KAGURUSYA, NICHOLUSPotato is an important food and cash crop in Uganda that increasing its production and productivity must be emphasized. The yield and quality of potato tubers are partly influenced by the elevation and fertilizers used / nutrient level. There is an increased land degradation and low use of fertilizers by famers in Uganda leading to low potato yields and poor quality – dry matter. Most of the potato varieties in Uganda are bred for high altitude environments. In order to address these, this study was designed with the aim of establishing the yield and dry matter response of the potato in the mid altitude environment. The objectives of the study were to determine the yield output and dry matter content of potato varieties under different NPK 17:17:17 fertilizer levels; 0Kgs/ha, 50Kgs/ha and 100Kgs/ha. Three potato varieties; Victoria, Rwangume and Kachpot1 were studied for two seasons at BSU Farm Mbarara under a 4 x 4 factorial experiment arranged in a Randomized Complete Block design with three replications for each season. Soil analysis was carried out for the two sites. Results showed dry matter was significantly different among the varieties and the overall mean ranged from 17.06% to 23.7%. Across the seasons, Kacpot1 had the highest dry matter content at 22.96% from fertilizer level one whilst Rwangume had the lowest dry matter content at 18.08% from fertilizer level three, f3. The varieties were significantly different for; total tuber yield, average weight per tuber, tuber weight per plant, marketable/non-marketable tubers, biomass and number of tubers per plant. Fertilizer level three produced the highest overall mean of yield at 12.19 t/ha during Season I and the lowest over all mean at 5.3t/ha from fertilizer level f1 during Season II. Across the seasons, Katchpot1 yielded the best at 14.78 t/ha whilst Victoria was the lowest yielder at 7.02 t/ha. Fertilizer level three had the highest overall mean for number of tubers per plant at 11.1 during Season II. Across the seasons, Kachpot1 had the heaviest weight of tubers per plant at 369.5 g from fertilizer level f2 whilst Victoria had the lowest weight of xiv tubers per plant at 175.5 from fertilizer level f1. From this study, fertilizer requirements are also genotype specific. The output in the mid altitude area of Mbarara revealed lower yield and more none marketable tubers because the varieties studied were bred targeting highland areas of Uganda. There was a magnitude of genotype by environment interaction as indicated by the varied dry matter out puts per variety across the seasons and varying soil types. The fertilizer levels manipulated dry matter content with a steady reduction as more fertilizer of NPK 17:17:17 was applied. Fertilizer level f2 is recommended as optimum levels for optimum yield output. Further studies could focus on the interaction of different fertilizer levels and potato spacing, effect of potassium levels on dry matter content.Item Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Irish Potato Value Addition in Ndorwa County West, Kabale District(Bishop Stuart University, 2023-01) Akankunda, LoydahThis study investigated the factors influencing small holder farmers’ participation in Irish potato value addition in Ndorwa County West, Kabale District. The specific objectives were to; identify actors, services, and processes in the potato value chain and to establish the socio-economic and institutional factors influencing participation in the potato value chain. The study was a cross sectional descriptive survey employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Data was collected from 206 smallholder farmers and other value chain actors (input suppliers, commission men, rural hawkers, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers) using questionnaires and interviews. Data management and analysis were done using SPSS version 20 to generate both descriptive and regression statistics. The potato value chain of Ndorwa west consists of five major players that are input suppliers, producers, retailers, processors, and consumers as opposed to the national standard value chain that consisted of; input suppliers, producers, commission men/ brokers, rural hawkers, local traders, traveling traders, wholesalers, retailers, consumers, processors and support providers (indirect actors). The main socio-economic factors influencing small holder farmers’ participation in potato production and value addition are; gender, access to capital, access to technology, household size, quantity harvested, engagement in off-farm activities, and group membership. Access to credit services, un-reliable power, lack of value-addition information, and lack of formal arrangements along the value chain were the main institutional factors influencing small holder farmers’ participation in potato value addition. As a result, the study confirmed that there is a difference between the potato value chain of Ndorwa west and a standard value chain as well as significant factors influencing participation in potato value addition. It is, therefore, recommends farmers form groups that may help them pool enough resources for technology improvement, boost production, and access credit services. Potato value chain actors should also be supported in their groups and females trained in value addition and processing of potatoes to compete favorably with the male actors. Value chain actors need to access the necessary information on value addition through training, exposure visits, seminars, and on-farm visits by agriculture extension workers for follow-up.Item UNDERSTANDING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CATTLE TICK-BORNE DISEASES AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN MBARARA DISTRICT, WESTERN UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2023-02) Komutunga, Everline T.; Bemigisha, Jane; Mwebembezi, WilliamA study to examine the association between tick - borne diseases and climate variability in cattle keeping communities in Mbarara district in South in Western Uganda was undertaken aiming at inputting into the tactical and strategic control of the diseases in the largely livestock dependant region in the country. In a multi sectoral priority setting exercise, tick borne diseases was top on the list of constraints responsible for cattle mortality and reduced productivity. A clinical tick- borne disease data analyzed basing on standard microscopic procedures, including capillary agglutination test and giemsa stain, was obtained from Mbarara veterinary clinic. The disease data was matched with rainfall data from 27 rain gauge stations obtained from National meteorological stations and recording centers scattered within the district covering a period of 56 years since 1950. The number of wet spells and disease cases showed that disease cases were positively correlated with rainfall at a 95% confidence level (R2= 0.56). Disease cases exhibited peak cyclical patterns related to rainfall during the transmission season during October, November and December with extreme peaks occurring every other year while Significant (r2=0.536) variability was observed for the positive trend in March - April -May seasonal rainfall for one of the three zones. Additionally, the results in this study indicate that rainfall is a substantial determinant of seasonal activity of the transmitting vectors from season to season and from year to year.Item UNDERSTANDING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CATTLE TICK-BORNE DISEASES AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN MBARARA DISTRICT, WESTERN UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) William, Mwebembezi; Jane, Bemigisha; . Komutunga, Everline TA study to examine the association between tick - borne diseases and climate variability in cattle keeping communities in Mbarara district in South in Western Uganda was undertaken aiming at inputting into the tactical and strategic control of the diseases in the largely livestock dependant region in the country. In a multi sectoral priority setting exercise, tick borne diseases was top on the list of constraints responsible for cattle mortality and reduced productivity. A clinical tick- borne disease data analyzed basing on standard microscopic procedures, including capillary agglutination test and giemsa stain, was obtained from Mbarara veterinary clinic. The disease data was matched with rainfall data from 27 rain gauge stations obtained from National meteorological stations and recording centers scattered within the district covering a period of 56 years since 1950. The number of wet spells and disease cases showed that disease cases were positively correlated with rainfall at a 95% confidence level (R2= 0.56). Disease cases exhibited peak cyclical patterns related to rainfall during the transmission season during October, November and December with extreme peaks occurring every other year while Significant (r2=0.536) variability was observed for the positive trend in March - April -May seasonal rainfall for one of the three zones. Additionally, the results in this study indicate that rainfall is a substantial determinant of seasonal activity of the transmitting vectors from season to season and from year to year.Item EFFECT OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ON THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES BY FARMERS IN UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) Tumusiime, Bernard; Kiwanuka, Micheal; Rwaheru Aheisibwe, AmbroseThis study assessed how stakeholder engagement strategies used by SNV-TIDE project in planning, capacity building and resource mobilisation influenced the adoption of improved forages in Isingiro District, Southwestern Uganda. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for the study, which covered five purposively selected SNV-TIDE project cooperatives. The data were collected from 50 active cattle farmers and three field supervisors using both a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Descriptive and inferential analysis including multiple regression techniques were employed to analyse the data. The findings revealed that stakeholder engagement in planning and capacity building contributed 35 and 14.3 percent change respectively, in the adoption of improved forages. Stakeholder engagement in planning and capacity building had a positive significant (p<0.05) influence on the adoption of improved forages among the SNV-TIDE project members. But stakeholder engagement in resource mobilisation had no influence (p>0.05) on the adoption of improved forages. Thus based on the study, it was concluded that engaging stakeholders in planning and in capacity building contributes to the adoption of improved forages. To achieve better results, therefore, stakeholder engagement strategies should put more emphasis on involving stakeholders in the project planning activities and capacity buildingItem CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE** A COMPREHENSIVE SCOPING AND ASSESSMENT STUDY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) S.O Osiru, David.Item ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF FARMYARD MANURE AND NPK FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON BANANA YIELDS IN SHUUKU TOWN COUNCIL, SHEEMA DISTRICT, WESTERN UGANDA(Bishop Stuart University, 2023) Kanyesigye, J.; Ssemakula, E.The Experiment was on the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on banana yields in Shuuku Town council, Sheema district. It was guided by three objectives which were, determining the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected Sites. The experiment was set using an incomplete randomized block design to evaluate the effects of Farmyard Manure and NPK fertilizer on banana yields, with an aim of determining the effect of Farmyard manure and NPK fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining Hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected farms. Each block consisted of 30 banana stools, each farm with 4 blocks, one block cattle manure, another for NPK fertilizer, another one for a combination of both and the last one as a control in a randomized form. Data was collected from at least 15 banana stools from each block. Data was used to give conclusions to the experiment objectives. Data was coded, edited and analyzed using SPSS to give meaning. After data processing, it was presented in tables. The researcher recommended the combined application of cattle manure and NPK fertilizers in banana production since they provide different nutrients to the soil hence ensuring increased yields. The researcher recommended utilization of cattle manure for the average Farmers. For the farmers involved in production of the banana crop, the researcher recommended cattle manure to enhance plant heights for both the maiden plants and suckers.Item Women’s vulnerability in bean value chain development at the Maendeleo innovation platform, Eastern DRC(African Journal of Rural Development, 2018) R.M., KALIBWANI; NYAMWARO, S.O.; WIMBA, B.; MUKE, A; KAKURU, M; TENYWA, M.M; MUGABO, J.; BURUCHARA, R.A.Value chain development in post conflict countries should not only deal with the technical issues of the value chain, but with women’s gender needs, and even more critically understand and address their vulnerabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the vulnerabilities of women involved in a bean value chain development intervention at the Maendeloe Innovation Platform in Eastern DRC. Specifically, the paper first discusses the roles of women and men in the value chain, what production resources and benefits they access and control, the role of the IP as a vehicle for women’s empowerment, and identifies women’s gender needs. Secondly, the paper identifies women’s vulnerabilities, and the capacities that the IP could build on, to support their participation in bean value chain development. Using gender analysis tools, the study shows that in addition to the lack of control of productive resources, household assets and the benefits of their labour, women have been traumatized by the rampant sexual violation and gender-based violence in the region. The innovation platform should consider including legal, mental health and psycho social counselling service providers as stakeholders in its activities to develop the bean value chain.