Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC)

Permanent URI for this community

http://10.29.1.53:4000/handle/10570/1999

Browse

Browsing Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) by Author "Mbowa, Swaibu"
  • Item
    Investment opportunities and challenges in the potato value chain in Uganda
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2016-06-15) Mbowa, Swaibu ; Mwesigey, Francis
    A seed potato shortage is identified as a major problem that affects the quality of potato production in the Kigezi subregion. There are two dimensions of shortfalls in supply: (i) the limited volumes of clean seed produced, and (ii) inadequacies in the supply of the appropriate potato varieties to support industrial-level processing into crisps and high-quality frozen chips. The study shows that Uganda needs to produce approximately 25,400 metric tons of quality seed valued at Ugx 28.1 billion (US$ 8.2 million). It reveals that some of the seed supplied by private seed producers is of low quality; only 47% of the seed multipliers are registered, which points to the weaknesses in the seed regulatory system.
  • Item
    Limited health insurance coverage amidst upsurge of non-communicable diseases in Uganda
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2019-04-30) Mpuuga, Dablin ; Mbowa, Swaibu ; Odokonyero, Tonny
    This brief uses the 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) and the World Development Indicators (WDI) to show the extent of health insurance coverage for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases among others. Results indicate that: (i) NDCs affect people of all socio-economic groups; (ii) more Ugandans suffering from NCDs are willing to pay for health insurance, but very few are holders of insurance policies in this regard; (iii) other diseases like malaria are more easily insured compared to NCDs, an indication that the providers of health insurance services are not keen to insure sufferers of NCDs; (iv) there are regional differences in health insurance coverage as well as prevalence of NCDs, with the burden of NCDs more intense in the Bukedi, Busoga and Teso sub-regions, whereas NCDs are least prevalent in Kigezi and Ankole sub-regionsand (v) NCDs are likely to erode gains in poverty reduction at household level, because it is equally high among poor households with the least capacity to afford health insurance. We there by, recommend establishing special screening centres for NCDs in public health facilities especially health center II’s and III’s. This will promote early detection and early treatment hence curbing expensive costs for treating severe and chronic NCDs. Preventive measures need to be emphasized as well. These include regular body exercises and monitored nutrition which all lower the risk of NCDs. We further suggest incorporating and prioritizing NCDs into the proposed national health insurance scheme.
  • Item
    Revisiting Uganda’s inorganic fertilizer Supply Chain: Need for a Stronger Regulatory System
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2015-05-15) Luswata, Kiiza Charles ; Mbowa, Swaibu
    This paper highlights the quality concerns of inorganic fertilizers on the Ugandan market. the findings reported are based on 170 samples (in 50 kg bags and small 1-2 kg packs) of the commonly used fertilizers on the Ugandan market i.e. urea, NPK, daP, MoP and CaN purchased and subjected to a laboratory analysis. Procedures followed in the purchasing of fertilizer samples mimicked a farmer purchasing fertilizers randomly from any input dealer country wide. Analytical results from the fertilizer samples revealed low quality fertilizers with moisture content above acceptable limits of 0.51.5 percent; and untruthfulness in both weight and nutrient content. In some instances, the nutrient content quoted on the labels did not match with the analytical content. This has serious consequences because fertilizer recommendations are based on the nutrient content. If the nutrients are not of the right quality, then the end-user (a farmer) will not attain the intended crop response to fertilizer application. The study reveals that re-packaging fertilizer into small quantities is justifiable to meet the requirements of smallholder farmers, but leads to loss of nutrients (especially nitrogen); and also aggravates the high moisture content problem. Results reveal gaps in the current regulatory system; therefore there is an urgent need for government to approve and operationalize the fertilizer policy, regulations and strategy.
  • Item
    Understanding the rice value chain in Uganda - opportunities and challenges to increased production
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2016-07-15) Mbowa, Swaibu ; Odokonyero, Tonny
    Government of Uganda considers rice as one of the strategic agricultural enterprises with the potential to remarkably contribute to increasing rural incomes and livelihoods, and improving food and nutrition security. However, current rice yields are remarkably low, a situation partly attributed to the fact that farmers hardly use agro-inputs such as improved seed, fertilisers and herbicides, which would otherwise boost yields. Low rice yields lower farm incomes from rice production, which partly contribute to the poor and declining performance of the agriculture sector. It is reported in the 2010/112014/15 National Development Plan that one of the major constraints to the performance of the agriculture sector is weak value chain linkages from production, processing and marketing; and limited extension support. The current study focuses on rice and assesses the constraints and opportunities for intensification along the value chain, as one of the strategies to accelerate growth of the agriculture sector.