Assessing farmer involvement in collective action for enhancing the sorghum value chain in Soroti, Uganda

Farmer associations have been widely promoted in Uganda to bridge institutional gaps among smallholder farmers, however, their role in the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) value chain and factors influencing membership to these associations have not been well documented. This study was conducted to assess the role of these farmer associations and socio-economic factors influencing membership. A survey questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 120 sorghum farmers in six sub-counties of Soroti, Uganda, where associations are established. A binomial logit regression model was employed to ascertain socio-economic factors that influenced membership to farmer associations. Results showed that 65% of respondents belonged to a farmer association. Regarding benefits of farmer associations, 55.8% of the respondents received training in sorghum agronomy, 39.2% were trained on postharvest management, 35% engaged in collective marketing, 43.3% received credit and 3.3% processed sorghum as part of value addition for increased income. Gender and extension contacts significantly (P<0.05) influenced membership to farmer associations. Even with adequate resources (human and financial), the most critical factors in the process of building functional farmer associations is gender and extension contacts.Keywords: Collective action, farmer associations, sorghum, value chain, socio-economic factors, extensio

Enhancing nutritional density and quality of banana-soy based complementary diet through substitution with sesame

Although Uganda is well endowed with adequate food supplies, more than one third of the children under the age of five are malnourished and 60% of all deaths of children under five years of age are directly or indirectly attributable to malnutrition. The causes of this public health problem in Uganda are complex and multidisciplinary, but poor quality and quantity of foods given to children play a major role. In this study, we conducted a rat feeding trial experiment in order to explore the potential of a banana-soy based diet optimally incorporated with sesame as a complementary diet to support growth of children. The study applied sensory evaluation and rat feeding trial experiments to investigate the optimum level of sesame incorporation in an earlier formulated bananasoy diet and as well explore the nutritional value of the final diet. Crude protein, ash and energy contents of the formulations were determined using AOAC methods. Data were analyzed using GenStat 5 Release 3.2. Nutrient and energy composition was compared using ANOVA and PER was compared using t-test. Results showed that a mixture of 67% banana, 16.5% soybean and 16.5% sesame flours produced a blend whose proximate analysis, PER and sensory evaluation studies had satisfactory nutritional quality, quantity and optimum organoleptic attributes. There was a high nutritional quality attained when soy and sesame flours were mixed in equal proportions. Therefore optimum incorporation of soybean and sesame in banana based complementary diets not only greatly enhances nutrient density and quality of these diets but also their organoleptic attributes. Feeding children these diets could break the cycle of childhood malnutrition through reduced feeding of starchy gruels that have low energy and protein contents or with undesirable sensory properties. The mixture is also easy to prepare at community level and may be adequate for catch up growth among children recovering from malnutrition. Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutrient Density, Optimization, complementaryAJFAND Vol. 8 (1) 2008 pp. 104-11

Assessment of Striga hermonthica infestation and effectiveness of current management strategies in maize-based cropping systems in eastern Uganda

Striga is a major constraint to cereal production in the tropics, particularly on soils of low fertility. Striga causes 30 to 80% cereal crop losses in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perception of level of infestation and efficacy of current management options of Striga (Striga hermonthica (Delile) Benth) in maize-based cropping systems in eastern Uganda. A survey was conducted in Iganga district in eastern Uganda, involving 360 households. On the basis of the survey outputs, on-farm trials were conducted to assess the efficacy of a herbicide seed-coating technology, imazapyr herbicide resistant maize (IR-maize) variety, either as a sole crop or intercropped with soybean (Glycine max) or common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L). The study revealed that S. hermonthica caused more than 50% maize (Zea mays) yield loss and farmers were dissatisfied with the existing control practices. Farmers’ knowledge about Striga was mainly sourced from agricultural extension service providers. The on-farm trials revealed that IR-maize provided effective protection against S. hermonthica infestation. Also, intercropping Longe 6H maize variety with either soybean or common beans significantly reduced Striga infestation in farmers’ fields. Longe 6H-soybean intercropping reduced Striga infestation by 32%; while Longe 6H-common bean intercropping reduced Striga infestation by 14%. Intercropping either IR-maize or Longe 6H hybrid (farmer-preferred) with the aforementioned legumes, reduced S. hermonthica infestation (30–50%) and improved maize yield parameters (20-30%). For effective management of S. hermonthica in the maize-based cropping systems in eastern Uganda, farmers should be encouraged to adopt the improved IR-maize and intercrop farmer-preferred maize varieties with legumes in order to improve maize yields

New sources and stability of resistance to aphids in cowpea germplasm across locations in Uganda

Open Access ArticleThe cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) is an economically important pest, whose feeding effects cause stunting, delayed flower initiation and yield reduction in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Host plant resistance offers an alternative for controlling aphids; while simultaneously reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. The objective of this study was to evaluate a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population of cowpea against aphids, across cowpea growing regions in Uganda. The study was arranged in alpha lattice design, with two replicates in three locations over two seasons (2018B and 2019A). Results revealed significant effects (P<0.001) for the main treatment effects, genotype x location and location x season interaction for both infestation and damage. The genotype x season interaction was significant (P<0.01) for both aphid infestation and damage; while the three-way interaction was only significant (P<0.001) for aphid infestation, but not for damage. The study identified five new resistant and stable genotypes from the MAGIC panel, including MAGIC131, MAGIC-132, MAGIC149, MAGIC170 and MAGIC280; and one resistant parent, SUVITA-2. The study further revealed MAGIC-125, MAGIC-171, MAGIC153, MAGIC-333, MAGIC177, MAGIC-292, MAGIC282, MAGIC249, MAGIC162, SEC 4W * SEC 5T, NAROCOWPEA 4, MAGIC-204, MAGIC-039, MAGIC060, MAGIC-097, NAROCOWPEA 3, MAGIC-233, MAGIC090 and MU 9 to be moderately resistant and high yielding genotypes. The above genotypes are recommended for use in the cowpea breeding programme, to develop improved resistant lines against aphids in Uganda

Biosafety education relevant to genetically engineered crops for academic and non-academic stakeholders in East Africa

Development and deployment of genetically engineered crops requires effective environmental and food safety assessment capacity. In-country expertise is needed to make locally appropriate decisions. In April 2007, biosafety and biotechnology scientists, regulators, educators, and communicators from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, met to examine the status and needs of biosafety training and educational programs in East Africa. Workshop participants emphasized the importance of developing biosafety capacity within their countries and regionally. Key recommendations included identification of key biosafety curricular components for university students; collaboration among institutions and countries; development of informational materials for non-academic stakeholders and media; and organization of study tours for decision makers. It was emphasized that biosafety knowledge is important for all aspects of environmental health, food safety, and human and animal hygiene. Thus, development of biosafety expertise, policies and procedures can be a stepping stone to facilitate improved biosafety for all aspects of society and the environment

Effects of Volatiles from Maruca vitrata Larvae and Caterpillar-Infested Flowers of Their Host Plant Vigna unguiculata on the Foraging Behavior of the Parasitoid Apanteles taragamae

The parasitoid wasp Apanteles taragamae is a promising candidate for the biological control of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata, which recently has been introduced into Benin. The effects of volatiles from cowpea and peabush flowers and Maruca vitrata larvae on host selection behavior of the parasitoid Apanteles taragamae were investigated under laboratory conditions by using a Y-tube olfactometer. Naïve and oviposition-experienced female wasps were given a choice between several odor sources that included (1) uninfested, (2) Maruca vitrata-infested, and (3) mechanically damaged cowpea flowers, as well as (4) stem portions of peabush plants carrying leaves and flowers, (5) healthy M. vitrata larvae, and moribund (6), and live (7) virus-infected M. vitrata larvae. Responses of naïve and oviposition-experienced female wasps did not differ for any of the odor source combinations. Wasps were significantly attracted to floral volatiles produced by cowpea flowers that had been infested with M. vitrata larvae and from which the larvae had been removed. Apanteles taragamae females also were attracted to Maruca vitrata-infested flowers after removal of both the larvae and their feces. Female wasps discriminated between volatiles from previously infested flowers and mechanically damaged flowers. Uninfested cowpea flowers attracted only oviposition-experienced wasps that had received a rewarding experience (i.e. the parasitization of two M. vitrata larvae feeding on cowpea flowers) before the olfactometer test. Wasps also were attracted to uninfested leaves and flowers of peabush. Moreover, they were also attracted to healthy and live virus-infected M. vitrata larvae, but not when the latter were moribund. Our data show that, similarly to what has been extensively been reported for foliar volatiles, flowers of plants also emit parasitoid-attracting volatiles in response to being infested with an herbivore

Enhancing Nutritional Density And Quality Of Banana-Soy Based Complementary Diet Through Substitution With Sesame

Although Uganda is well endowed with adequate food supplies, more than one third of the children under the age of five are malnourished and 60% of all deaths of children under five years of age are directly or indirectly attributable to malnutrition. The causes of this public health problem in Uganda are complex and multidisciplinary, but poor quality and quantity of foods given to children play a major role. In this study, we conducted a rat feeding trial experiment in order to explore the potential of a banana-soy based diet optimally incorporated with sesame as a complementary diet to support growth of children. The study applied sensory evaluation and rat feeding trial experiments to investigate the optimum level of sesame incorporation in an earlier formulated bananasoy diet and as well explore the nutritional value of the final diet. Crude protein, ash and energy contents of the formulations were determined using AOAC methods. Data were analyzed using GenStat 5 Release 3.2. Nutrient and energy composition was compared using ANOVA and PER was compared using t-test. Results showed that a mixture of 67% banana, 16.5% soybean and 16.5% sesame flours produced a blend whose proximate analysis, PER and sensory evaluation studies had satisfactory nutritional quality, quantity and optimum organoleptic attributes. There was a high nutritional quality attained when soy and sesame flours were mixed in equal proportions. Therefore optimum incorporation of soybean and sesame in banana based complementary diets not only greatly enhances nutrient density and quality of these diets but also their organoleptic attributes. Feeding children these diets could break the cycle of childhood malnutrition through reduced feeding of starchy gruels that have low energy and protein contents or with undesirable sensory properties. The mixture is also easy to prepare at community level and may be adequate for catch up growth among children recovering from malnutrition