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ItemPost-harvest storage and market performance in Eastern Uganda: a case of ware-potato value chains(Makerere University, 2025)The Eastern region of Uganda is characterized by two potato cropping periods and highly seasonal market supply of ware-potatoes. The region has prevalent distinct periods of potato supply gluts and scarcity which may affect market performance along the value chain. There are suggestions that volatility in potato market supply can exacerbate the problem of price fluctuations and post-harvest losses (PHL) throughout the year. The use of post-harvest (PH) storage practices across ware-potato value chain can provide diverse marketing opportunities. The extent to which different value chain actors are embracing the use of PH storage is however not well understood. There is limited information on the use of ware-potato PH storage practices, level of post-harvest losses, and how PH storage helps to reduce market inefficiencies across ware-potato value chains in the country. This study therefore assesses the extent to which PH storage helps to guarantee consistent market supplies, higher prices, profits for potato Value Chain (VC) actors throughout the year. The study was conducted in four purposively selected districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Mbale, and Kampala. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure and a semi-structured questionnaire, four quantitative cross-sectional data-sets were collected between the months of July and September 2015. Respondents were randomly selected and include: 116 ware-potato farmers, 72 ware-potato traders (including 34 wholesalers and 38 retailers), 34 processors, and 85 consumers. Descriptive statistics of key variables and market performance indicators were computed for each category of value chain actors basing on PH storage. A probit model was adopted to assess determinants of value chain actors’ decision to participate in the potato PH storage. The impact of participating in ware-potato PH storage on market performance of farmers was assessed using an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model. However, due to few observations, the ordinary least squares (OLS) model was adopted to estimate the effect of participation in ware-potato storage among traders and processor. The findings of the study show that ware-potato business was profitable for farmers, traders, and processors. Farmers in particular created an average added value of UGX 168 (USD 0.05) per kg when they are sold at farm gate. Farmers earned on average a gross margin of UGX 1,046,021 per acre. Relatedly, the value added by traders was on average UGX 212 (0.065) per kg, while their gross margin was estimated at UGX 671,293 (USD 204.663) per each trading route. The value added by processors was on average UGX 4999.5 (USD 1.515) per kg, and a gross margin of UGX 1,427,258 (USD 432.502) per each weekly processing operation. The value chain actors that engaged in ware potato PH storage added a higher value per kg of ware potatoes compared to their counterparts that did not participate in ware potato storage. Engaging in the practice of ware potato storage therefore creates opportunities for different actors to sell at higher prices. More than half of the farmers (56 percent) participated in ware potato storage, compared to 37 percent of traders and 41 percent of processors. The methods of storage used were mainly indigenous innovations with average storage periods of up to four weeks in case of farmers, six days for traders, and only four days for processors. Farmers stored up to one metric ton of ware-potato per each growing season, representing about 35 percent of total annual potato output. The study findings indicate that the likelihood to engage in ware-potato post-harvest storage at farming value chain node was negatively correlated with prior experience of post-harvest losses. Variables that are positively correlated with ware potato storage across farmers are land allocated to potato production, household size, distance to the market and group membership. At the trader node of the value chain, the study findings indicate that age of the household head, quantity of ware potato purchased, ware potato purchase price, ware potato selling price and economic losses significantly affected trader participation in ware-potato storage. The age of the household head, marital status, quantity of ware potato purchased, ware potato purchase price and physical loss incurred affected the participation of processors in ware-potato PH storage. In addition, results from the endogenous switching regression model for the effect of PH storage on market performance show that PH storage had a significant impact on gross margins of farmers. The findings show that farmers that stored ware-potato earned higher gross margins from ware potato production than those that do not participate in storage. The results confirm that ware-potato storage significantly increases the gross margins earned by farmers, traders and processors. The study findings highlights the need for widespread use of PH storage for ware potato to reduce Post-harvest losses, enhance market performance and stabilize incomes for VC actors along the potato value chains in Eastern Uganda. Notice the exchange rate was conducted at 1 US DOLLAR = UGX 3300.
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ItemFinancial innovations and their implications for consumption of agricultural finance among smallholder farmers in Uganda: the case of Centenary Bank(Makerere University, 2025)Agricultural finance consumption in Uganda is evolving as innovations address barriers for smallholder farmers' use of financial services. The application of financial innovation was expected to improve the development process, enhance the quality of innovations, and streamline delivery to smallholder farmers. It was also intended to increase understanding of the life goals of smallholders that influence their consumption. Although financial innovations aimed at improving agricultural finance to 25% of industry lending, smallholder farmers still account for a relatively small share of agricultural finance. Low usage is attributed to several factors, including a one-size-fits-all product approach, inflexible and discriminatory policies by FIs, high sector risks, dispersed demand, high service costs, land rights issues, and inefficient delivery processes. The study holistically assessed the agricultural finance consumption of smallholder farmers. It examined agricultural finance innovation pathways, product types, delivery mechanisms, and life goals shaping product usage. The study was anchored in agricultural innovation system theory and actor-network theory. These frameworks generated insights into processes, delivery structures, and actor-network interactions. Marketing theory (7Ps Market mix framework) clarified how product nature and delivery influence use. Expectancy-value theory helped elicit product characteristics, developing hierarchical value maps linking products to outcomes and life goals sought through agricultural finance. The study employed a qualitative design, utilising case studies to provide contextual, in-depth knowledge of Centenary staff and smallholder farmers. Data was collected through focus groups and key informant guides. Results showed that the development of financial innovations followed a non-farmer-led, complex, six-stage process handled by diverse actors, with gaps in research representation. The nature of the product, pricing, and inefficient processes hindered the use of finance by smallholder farmers. Goals like financial security, love and belonging, social security, and self-esteem drove decisions to use agricultural finance.
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ItemControl of the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) using botanicals and soap(Makerere University, 2025)Pentalonia nigronervosa is an important aphid in banana production as a vector for the Banana bunchy top virus. Management of the aphid through chemical means has been detested due to its cost, negative impact on humans, animals and environment at large, and possible development of insect resistance. Therefore, the need for eco-friendly and economically sound strategies for controlling the aphid such as biorationals is crucial. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) to compare the effect of treatment by selected botanical preparations (neem oil, garlic, fermented garlic, chili pepper, fermented chili pepper, peppermint, fermented peppermint) and soap solutions (bathing soap, laundry bar soap and liquid soap) and some of their mixtures on the mortality of P. nigronervosa. Commercial insecticides i) insecticidal soap, ii) nimbecidine® and iii) a synthetic chemical (aceta-mectin Force®) served as positive control treatments while distilled water served as a negative (water) control treatment. Aphid mortality was observed over a 4-day period. All the tested treatments singly and in mixtures caused aphid mortality; with most of them significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different from the water control. Most importantly, single applications of nimbecidine, garlic, chili pepper and fermented chili pepper botanicals; and insecticidal, bathing and laundry bar soaps at highest concentration caused higher aphid mortalities (31.1% to 87.2%) at 24 hours post spray (HPS). Mixed applications of nimbecidine®, neem oil, garlic, fermented garlic, chili pepper, fermented chili pepper, fermented peppermint with insecticidal soap and nimbecidine® with bar soap (71.0% to 93.8% mortality at 24 HPS) were promising in vitro. Screenhouse experiments based on in vitro promising mixtures with greater than 50% aphid mortality were conducted in a CRD. Of the 12 treatments evaluated, seven caused the greater aphid mortality (proportion of 72.9% to 97.1% after fourth sprays); with three greatly reducing the aphid population abundance to less than 2 (≈ 5 aphids/plant) compared to water control of 5.4 aphid abundance (≈ 140 aphids/plant) at eighth week. Among the seven treatments, mixtures of neem oil, garlic, fermented garlic and fermented chili with insecticidal soap were promising in vivo. These findings revealed the potential use of botanical plant fermentation and botanical mixtures with soap for biorational control of P. nigronervosa. This implies that biorationals can be considered as an eco-friendly and economically alternative approach in pesticides science and technology.
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ItemResponse of selected Latin American cassava genotypes to cassava brown streak disease in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a big threat to food security in the predominantly cassava growing regions in Africa. The disease causes total crop loss in susceptible varieties. A more sustainable method to manage CBSD would be to use host plant resistance. Although most African cassava germplasm continue to succumb to the disease, novel sources of CBSD resistance were reported in the Latin American gene pool when germplasm collection at CIAT, Columbia, was screened by graft-inoculation technique in a glasshouse in Germany. This study undertook an evaluation of the Latin American cassava genotypes for resistance to CBSD and root quality in Uganda. Specifically, the study validated the resistance reported in the Latin American cassava genotypes in a hotspot environment and established variability for root quality attributes in Uganda. Two sets of experiments were established at Namulonge; one under natural field conditions, using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The second experiment was conducted in a screenhouse, where the plants were graft-inoculated with a virulent strain of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV). Data was collected on CBSD severity and viral detection every three months from the time of planting. To understand variability for fresh root yield, dry matter, and starch contents, data was collected from field trials set at three sites at Abi, Serere, and Kabarole. Results from the screening experiment indicated the Latin American cassava genotypes did not show CBSD symptoms in the field, as opposed to the Ugandan genotypes that showed varying levels of CBSD symptoms. In the second experiment, after graft inoculation, highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) among genotypes were realized. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) were observed for both CBSD foliar and root necrosis. Overall, the mean CBSD severity of Ugandan clones was higher than in the Latin American genotypes, suggesting better resistance for CBSD in the background of Latin American clones. Interestingly, three genotypes, COL 40, COL 2182, and PER 556, neither exhibited CBSD symptoms nor tested positive for CBSV in the two experiments. Notably, all the Latin American cassava genotypes yielded lower than the top-check variety, NAROCASS 1. However, genotype COL 40 exhibited mean dry matter content (DMC) of 38% across the three study environments, which was higher than the mean DMC of the local check variety NAROCASS 1 (35%). Taken together, this study provides information about sources of CBSD resistance, and it is therefore essential to keep track of these clones as potential sources for subsequent CBSD resistance breeding. Consequently, the finding also emphasizes the suitability of genotypes such as COL 40 that combine disease resistance with desirable root quality attributes, as well as the need to incorporate graft inoculation techniques while screening advanced breeding materials for CBSD resistance.
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ItemImpact of banana bacterial wilt and it’s control practices on household incomes in South - Western Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Household income of banana producing households has since 2002 been faced with various constraints including Banana Bacterial Wilt (BXW or BBW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv musacearum. In 2013, BBW prevalence and incidence increased rapidly in the South-Western sub-region of the country, the home to over 70% of Uganda’s banana. Luckily, there was an intervention to control BBW using cultural practices. Hence, information on application of these practices was disseminated to banana farmers in the sub-region including Ibanda and Ntungamo districts. Against this background a study was conducted in Ibanda and Ntungamo districts to determine the Impact of BBW and its Control Practices on Household Incomes in South-Western Uganda. The study was conducted using Difference in Difference impact evaluation design, Ordinary Least Squares and fractional regression techniques. The findings of the study show that low BBW incidence had no significant effect on banana productivity compared to No BBW. However, high BBW incidence, above 20% (100 affected banana plants per acre or 200 affected plants per hectare), reduced banana yield by 23% which was averagely 222.80 bunches per hectare per year. Economically, the loss was valued at two hundred eighty nine (289) US Dollars per hectare per year. The study also observed that whereas, all farmers were adopting some BBW control practices, it is only the entire package that eliminates BBW. Hence, partial adoption of BBW Control Practices, led to a recovery of 56% of productivity, while a full package, at 80% and above adoption level caused a productivity recovery of 89% which was estimated at 198.29 bunches per hectare per year. Consequently, partial adoption had an economic value of one hundred forty four (144) US Dollars while high adoption had an economic value of two hundred and three (203) US Dollars per hectare per year. The study noted that household socio-economic characterstics of gender and ownership of cutting tools influence the extent of adoption of BBW control practices. The study further observed that farmer to farmer extension approach increased access to relevant information for BBW control and could be harnessed to ensure simple enforcement mechanisms required by the community to minimize BBW prevalence. It is important that the promotion and enforcement strategies should encourage banana farmers to adopt a complete package and not a partial package if BBW is to be properly controlled. The complete package includes avoidance of spreading BBW by cutting the male bud using a forked stick, use of clean planting materials, cutting down BBW infected plants, disinfecting tools using jik or fire, as well as suspension of use of farm tools in affected plantations.