School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS)

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    Evaluation of the adoption of elite clonal coffee in Kagango sub-county, Sheema district in western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2016-08) Tugume, Myres
    Adoption of elite clonal coffee amongst farmers in Kagango Sub County has been due to the low productivity of traditional varieties that have been in existence for many years. The study evaluated the adoption of elite clonal coffee in Kagango sub -county Sheema district in western Uganda and the main objective of the study was to evaluate the adoption of elite clonal coffee by farmers, The specific objectives were to characterize the farmers of elite clonal coffee, to examine the source and affordability of elite clonal coffee seedlings and to assess the key constraints in elite clonal coffee adoption in Kagango sub-county. A Sample of 40 farmers was selected for the study and household interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire and factors such as farmers' level of education, sex, age, household size, land owner ship, farm size, variety of coffee grown, source and affordability of coffee seedlings, were considered. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social scientists (SPSS). To characterize the fanners of elite clonal coffee (Objective one), descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, and standard deviations) were used. The factors that influenced the adoption of elite clonal coffee were examined using the binary logistic regression model. The binary logistic regression model results showed that age of the farmer (p=0.0001), marital status of the farmer (p - 0.0280), coffee farming experience (p - 0.0850), years of formal education (p = 0.0170), and access to clonal coffee seedlings (p = 0.0000) significantly influenced farmers' adoption of elite clonal coffee. The farmers got elite clonal coffee seedlings from the nursery operators, community farmer groups and UCDA. The constraints that were faced by farmers in the adoption of elite clonal coffee are inadequate extension service, low farmer capacity to access and use of technology, on-innovative and non-proactive research systems, inadequate credit, inadequate information on availability of improved coffee variety (elite clonal coffee), lack of government support, inadequate knowledge about the innovation, and inadequate water The study recommended formation of farmer groups so as to increase their access to extension services, recruitment of more extension staff by the government, government's strategy of educating farmers through the use of radio programs on the need to adopt improved coffee technologies, the government to provide subsidized loans and credit facilities targeting rural farmers.
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    Nodulation, biomass and yield of erect type cowpea genotypes in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2017) Mugweri, Jonathan
    Cowpea is a major legume in Uganda, ranked fourth after beans, groundnuts and soybean. It is grown mainly in eastern and northern Uganda for human consumption and animal feed. Not much research has been done on cowpea especially with respect to crop improvement. As such, farmers largely grow landraces that are low yielding and susceptible to major constraints. On-going research to address these limitations have identified improved varieties, for which additional agronomic information is required. A field study was conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), Uganda, during 2015 second rains to determine the effect of nodulation and biomass on yield of 54 erect cowpea genotypes. The genotypes were planted randomly in plots and then in two replications. Parameters evaluated included: Nodulation (determined on a scale of 0-5 due to presence of nodules at root zone), biomass (total sum of mass of branches, leaves and roots) (g) and yield (seed weight) (kg/ha). There was more variability (CV = 60%) among yield values than among biomass values (CV = 26.3%) and root nodulation values (CV = 46.4%) relative to their respective means (2.65 for root nodulation and 253.16 for biomass). A strong correlation (r= 0.735) occurred between nodulation and yield (at 1% level of significance) with a positive linear relationship after regression analysis. There was a weak correlation (r= 0.042) between biomass and yield at 1% level of significance; absence of a linear relationship was confirmed after regression analysis. Higher mean root nodulation was observed for landraces from northern and eastern Uganda (NE) and IT genotypes from Nigeria while the crosses showed a higher biomass accumulation. Genotype NE 51 x SEC 3 had 464g as the highest mean biomass. Landraces from western and central Uganda (WC) had some of the highest mean yields in the data (WC 64 = 2674.18) and genotype WC 16 with 182.50 kg/ha had the lowest mean yield. Further studies are recommended in more seasons and location to validate these results.
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    Evaluation of the impact of age on compost quality at Mbarara Municipal compost plant in south western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2017) Mugambe, Christopher
    The composting industry, including producers, testing laboratories, marketers and consumers have a well-documented need to know the specific chemical, physical and biological properties of compost products. Composting has become a preferred method for municipalities and industries to recycle a variety of organic byproducts often regarded to as “wastes” thus transforming them into useful soil conditioners and amendments. The safety and quality assurance of compost product as a soil vitalizer and amendment are required to meet the needs of agricultural, horticultural, silvicultural and landscape markets both nationally and internationally. However, currently there exists no industry or laboratory wide sampling and testing the quality and protocols of compost product. The objective of this research was to assess the quality of compost produced at Mbarara Municipal Compost Plant in reference to the international standards for high quality compost. The study followed a whole composting process of Mbarara Municipal Compost Plant which has been producing compost in western Uganda for the past nine years. The impact of age on compost quality in terms of nutrient content at different stages of composting was tested. Most compost parameters tested such as C: N ratio (18:1-23:1), pH (9.8), %OC (15.54±3.47) % and %N (0.79±0.04) % were found within acceptable limits set by international standards of high quality compost as of July 2017. % P (0.46±0.01) % and % K (2.14±0.08) % tested in final sieved compost product were within critical levels for agronomic soil conditioning although international standards for them are not stated. However, the texture tested in Mbarara municipal compost at all stages of composting was found to be apart from the expected texture of high quality compost with sandy loam as the textural class for all samples. This therefore calls for investigation about the possible sources of the high sand content in the compost and at what stage it gets there. Generally, compost produced at Mbarara Municipal Compost Plant can be used as a good soil vitalizer and the same composting technology would be a great deal if adapted in all municipalities of Uganda to utilize an often neglected resource “municipal solid waste” into a useful resource to vitalize the depleted soils of Uganda. However, to further improve quality of compost and its sustainable production, a well-equipped laboratory to test compost quality and ensure quality assurance for compost produced at the plant for different markets should be established at the plant.
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    Soil fertility management in banana plantations using grass mulches and manures in South Western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2017-11-14) Munanura, Balaam
    Uganda’s soils were once believed to be the most fertile in Africa, but soil nutrient mining and soil erosion have led to soil degradation and declining agricultural productivity. Lack of environmental awareness among farmers, traditional agricultural practices, minimal inorganic fertilizer use, and little to no use of improved crop varieties all contribute to continued soil degradation. East Africa Highland banana yields on smallholder farms in the Great Lakes region are small Uganda inclusive. The major causes of poor yields are declining soil fertility and soil moisture stress. In order to improve production, knowledge on highland banana response to fertilization is important, to establish the effect on soil and hence the crop yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mulching and manuring on chemical and physical properties of soils in banana plantations in Bushenyi district. The study was conducted in Kyeizooba sub-county, Bushenyi district in southwestern Uganda. Ten soil samples were taken from mulched and ten from unmulched, five from top soil and five from subsoil for each treatment were analyzed at Makerere university soil science laboratory for pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, soil organic Carbon and texture. For top soils, the pH was significantly higher in mulched (7.25) than in unmulched (6.34). For sub soils the same trend was observed mulched (5.93) and unmulched (4.78). However for both mulched and unmulched plantations, the pH of sub soils and top soils were not significant (p>0.05). Nitrogen content in top soils of mulched and manured plantations was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sub soils. Also under both treatments, the N content of top soils was higher than that in sub soils. P content in top soils of mulched and manured plantations was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sub soils. In both treatments, the P content of top soils was higher than that in sub soils. The K content in top soils of mulched and manured plantations was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sub soils. Also the K content of top soils was higher than that in sub soils under both treatments. SOC content in top soils of mulched plantations was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in sub soils. Also under both treatments the SOC content of top soils was higher than that in sub soils. The clay content in top soils was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mulched than in unmulched plantations. For both soil levels, sand content was significantly (p<0.05) higher in unmulched plantations than in mulched, for both mulched and unmulched sand content was higher in topsoil than in subsoil. Silt content was similar in the top soils of both treatments. For sub soils, silt content was higher (p<0.05) in unmulched than in the mulched. For mulched silt content was higher in top soil than in subsoil and in unmulched, no significant difference was observed.
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    Evaluation of accuracy and precision of farmer reported field area using a mobile device application in three agro-ecological zones of Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2018) Najjuma, Zaharah
    This study focuses on improving estimation of harvested area, a key term in estimation of yield, which guides most evaluation of improved practices and optimization of resource allocation. It validates the accuracy and precision of GPS applications in determination of land area then compares the farmer-reported areas and those determined by the GPS mediated mobile device applications. The study was carried out in three agro-ecological zones of Uganda namely, the Lake Victoria Crescent, western and southwestern located in the central, western and south western regions. A known area (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.6 ha) was demarcated on the ground in regular rectangular shapes using the traversing method. For each demarcation, Samsung tablet installed with GPS essentials application (app) were separately used to determine the coordinates at cardinal points of the demarcation. The coordinates were imported into a GIS software (QGIS) and used to generate a polygon whose area was computed using in-built routines. The data were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the app. Banana farmers were asked to the acreage of their banana fields. The fields’ areas were then measured using the GPS mobile devices as described for the app. The data were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of farmer reported area for banana fields. Data were analyzed using the paired t-Test and linear regression. The app was found to be very accurate (Slope =1) and precise (R2=99.9%) in estimating field area. Farmer over-estimated their field areas leading to low accuracy and poor precision (R2= 39.5%). The accuracy decreased in the order Central >Western and South western regions. However, the precision of farmer-reported area was very poor. A regression function developed to predict actual field area from farmer-reported values using a GPS app performed poorly on an independent data set, showing that the errors in farmer reported could not be corrected based on the available data set. It was recommended that rigorous observations from a larger data set be used to generate reliable functions for correcting the farmer-reported values. Keywords: Banana,Geographical Information Systems, Traversing, Uganda, Yield
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    Performance of broiler chicken fed on graded levels of Napier grass protein as replacement for fish meal
    (Makerere University, 2018) Kyarimpa, Grace
    This experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of broiler chicken fed on graded levels of Napier grass protein as a replacement for fish meal. In Uganda, the prices of fish meal and soybean meal, which are the most commonly used protein sources are high. Fish stocks are continuously getting depleted due to over fishing and competition imposed on the lakes by both humans and the livestock sector. The poultry sector should now focus on the utilization of locally available crop resources to provide an alternative source of protein in substitution of the fishmeal. Napier grass is a locally available tropical grass that requires less water and nutrients to grow and is not competed for by humans for food as the case with Soybean meal. A total of 300 day old Cobb500 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 15 rearing pens, each containing 20 birds. The chicks were subjected to five treatments of diets containing different amounts of Napier grass protein. Each treatment was replicated three times. The treatments contained 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% Napier grass protein fed to the birds for six weeks. The birds were evaluated for their weight gain and their respective feed conversion rates (FCR), Protein and Energy Efficiency Ratios (PER and EER respectively). Birds were weighed on a weekly basis and their mean weight gain computed while feed intake was recorded daily. The study found out that birds weighed lesser (P<0.05) as more Napier protein was added to their diets. Birds fed on 0% NP had the highest mean weight of 1632.65g while those fed with 100% NP had the lowest mean weight of 450.8g by the sixth week. The FCR was lowest for birds fed 0% NP (1.83) for the starter phase but was however lowest for birds fed at 100% NP and 50% NP (2.26) during the finisher stage. The feed intake significantly (p<0.0001) reduced with increasing inclusion levels of NP in both the starter and finisher diets. Both PER and EER of the birds significantly (p<0.0001) decreased as more NP was added to the starter diets but no significant difference (p=0.0122) was observed for the same vi parameters during the finisher stage. Generally, birds gained more body weight during the finisher stage with increasing inclusion levels of NP in the diet as compared to the starter phase. The highest body weight gain was registered when birds were fed on a diet containing 0% NP (992.30g) and 25% NP (736.53g) for the starters and finishers respectively. This study thus concluded that substituting Fishmeal with Napier protein should be done for finisher diets at an inclusion level of 25% NP. Further studies should be conducted on Napier grass protein on other broiler chicken production parameters such as carcass quality, gut microbial environment, hematological components and others. As well, more crop-based protein sources need to be studied following the same procedures as this study to assess their potential in substituting the expensive and highly competitive fishmeal as a protein source in chicken production industry
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    Economic viability of coffee nursery operations in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2018) Byansi, Hamidu
    This study determined the profitability and economic viability of coffee nursery operations in Uganda, as well as the factors that influence the economic viability of these operations using secondary data that was collected on CNOs from a total of 178 nursery operators, who were randomly selected. Data was analyzed using MS excel, descriptive statistics and logistic regression using Stata (version 14). The results indicate that coffee nursery operations are not profitable since the gross returns is negative as well as not economically viable because the BCR is 0.27, which is less than 1. The results indicate further that 61.24% of the coffee nurseries are operated by males while only 38.76% by females thus the participation of women in to this business is still low. 92.70% of the nurseries are formally registered while the remaining 7.30% are informal and all those formally registered nurseries (92.70%) have a savings bank account while 7.30% do not have. Most farmers (88.76%) apply fertilizers of different forms while 11.24% do not use fertilizers. Further, 87.64% of the farmers use chemicals such as pesticides and fungicides where as 12.36% do not apply any chemical. A great number of farmers use hired labour (96.07%) and only a few do not hire (3.93%). Logistic regression revealed that sex, type of the nursery and fertilizers and chemicals application have a significant effect on the economic viability of the coffee nurseries. Only sex and nursery type influence positively while fertilizers and chemical application influence negatively the economic viability of this agribusiness. It is thus concluded that agricultural policy makers should focus on ensuring that inputs prices are stabilized and/or subsidized as well as mitigating the prevalence of counterfeit agricultural inputs mainly fertilizers and chemicals.
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    Effect of organic fertilizer (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer NPK (17:17:17) on the perfomance of leafy vegetable of red doodo (Amaranthus blitum) in Wakiso district
    (Makerere University, 2018-06) Nantume, Esther
    This was a screen house experiments carried out Namulonge research station. The effect of inorganic fertilizer NPK 17 :17:17 and organic fertilizer poultry manure on the performance of leafy vegetable Amaranthus blitum (Red Doodo) was determined. Viable seeds of Amaranthus were sown directly into pots containing the different rates of fertilizers verse the control in the screen house. The experiment was arranged in randomised complete block design with 3replicates. Data was collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, and number of branches, fresh weight, dry weight of the vegetable and weight of the seed were also determined. Data collection was done every after week for two months. The results from the experiment showed that among the fertilizers NPK mixed with poultry manure increased plant height, stem girth with the highest fresh and dry weight. NPK mixed with poultry manure also had the highest number of seed production followed by poultry manure alone, NPK alone and the control respectively. This could be attributed to the rate of mineralisation of the fertilizers
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    Prospects of adopting biogas technologies among the livestock farmers in Tororo District.
    (Makerere University., 2018-08) Nalubowa, Kezia
    Uganda‟s population depends on charcoal and wood as the main sources of energy for cooking. This has contributed greatly to the rapid depletion of the country‟s forest cover from 25% of the country‟s land area in 1990 to 8% in 2017. Several initiatives are being implemented to reduce the countries over dependence on wood biomass in meeting its energy needs. One of these initiatives is the African biogas partnership program which promotes biogas as an alternative source of clean, high quality and sustainable energy. In this initiative, biogas units are installed on the farmers‟ farms and they are required to use and maintain them. Unfortunately many of the biogas units installed end up being abandoned by the farmers. This study therefore is an attempt to investigate the poor adoptability of the biogas technology by animal farmers using Tororo district as a case study. The study involved establishment of coordinates of animals farms having the biogas technology installed on them using GPS instrument as well as administering questionnaires to owners of the farms/ biogas technologies. In addition, the economic viability of installing the biogas technology was determined using the net present worth method. A map showing the location of the biogas units in Tororo district was generated using arc GIS software and results of the questionnaire were presented using frequency tables. The results showed that farms with digesters are mainly in the sub-counties surrounding Tororo municipality. The main factors which affected adoption of biogas technology in Tororo district were education level, the cost of investment and, information availability. The commonest type of biogas technology adopted in the district was fixed dome with over 95% of animal farmers‟ possessing that type of biogas technology. The adoption rates are higher in male animal farmers than female. The main feedstock for the biogas digesters is cow dung and is used by 92% of animal farmers. The remaining biogas technology owners use either human excreta alone (4%) or a mixture of both cow dung and human excreta (4%). The Net present value obtained was -2811255 while the IRR was obtained to be -20%.This showed that the construction of the digesters is not a viable project mainly due to the high investment costs incurred. However, the project can become economically viable with a Net present value of 288743 if farmers are assisted with the initial investment by the government or other non governmental organizations. In conclusion, the main challenge to biogas adoption is limited capital for investment as well as the high labor costs. For adoption of biodigesters to be sustainable, the initial costs should be subsidized by either the government or authorities. Farmers also ought to be trained on proper operation and use of the biodigesters. This will help negate the need for hire of labor
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    The impact of armyworm on maize farmers in Mbulamuti Sub-County Kamuli District.
    (Makerere University., 2018-08) Inhemukazi, Bridget Hilder
    The aim of this study was to examine the impact of armyworm on maize farmers in Mbulamuti Subcounty Kamuli district. Well-designed questionnaires were used to collect data from 40 maize farmers who suffered from army worm attack the previous season. The respondents were selected by random sampling so as to avoid bias in the study.These data were coded and entered into SPSS (version 16.0) computer software for analysis. Results indicate the percentage of the males and females involved in maize production with the males dominating at 52% and females at 47.5 % out of the total 40 sampled respondents.There are various maize pests that attack maize crop is grown in Uganda and slightly more than half (52.5%) of the farmers’ crop was attacked by army worms maybe because it’s the most dangerous pest that infested the cereals this year. The effect of armyworm infestation can be as worse as no maize harvested however the majority (62.5%) of the sampled maize farmers registered poor quality maize yields that cannot fetch better market prices causing price fluctuation.Pest control is important to maize farmers since army worms are serious pests and destroys maize to the extent of farmers harvesting no maize at all therefore majority (62.5%) of maize farmers in Mbulamuti Sub county Kamuli district control army worms by spraying using recommended chemicals. Other farmers use trap crops such as spear grass to attract the army worms. Different maize farmers opt for their respective choice of army worm control and prevention mainly because it’s affordable (65%) to the rural households. Chi-square results show that the p-value of sex and level of education wasless than 0.05. This therefore implies that there was significant relationship between sex, level of education and the control strategy of army worms at 95% significance level.Diffusion of information and strategic communication with and within the farming community. This will allow the identification of the invasive pathways at an early stage of introduction of secondary pests and implementing, hence farmers’ preventive control can be effectively undertaken. Certainly the quality, relevance and accessibility of information would play a key factor in assisting the rapid control of a new pest incursion.
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    Evaluating the nutritive value of sorghum Stover, with graded levels of Rhodes grass hay
    (Makerere University, 2018-08) Kayondo, Fazhir
    This study was conducted to assess the nutritive value of the sorghum Stover when mixed with a less fibrous Chloris gayana, which is also highly abundant in the Uganda. Dairy farmers often suffer from scarcity of the forage to feed their dairy animals especially in the dry seasons. Although there is normally abundant sorghum Stover after harvest during this same time, farmers hardly utilize this resource due its high fiber content at that stage of maturity affecting its palatability. This study was conducted at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLiRRI) to evaluate the nutritive value of sorghum Stover when mixed with graded levels of Rhodes grass hay. Samples of ground sorghum Stover to which Chloris hay was added at varying inclusion levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in a Completely Randomized Design and were analyzed for their proximate composition and were digested following the standard procedures of the In vitro gas production technique. Data obtained was analyzed using SAS analytical software and was used for estimating the nutritive value of the combinations in terms of energy, protein content, fat, fiber content, inorganic mineral levels and degradability of the dry matter. Results showed that the CP, EE and Ash content of the Stover were significantly (P<0.05) increased as more Chloris was added while the fiber content of the combination was decreased. Analyzing the samples for all nutritional parameters indicated that Sorghum Stover with 25% Chloris hay in combination was the most nutritious with high energy value (8.18 MJ/kgDM), the most degradable NDF (17.22%) and Organic matter (82.45%). The feed combination was also the most degradable amongst the SCCs and hence may be better utilized by the animals. The results of the study concluded that the nutritive value of the Stover and thus its utilization can be enhanced when Rhodes hay is added to it at 25% inclusion level. The study thus recommends that sorghum Stover may be used in a strategic basal diet in ruminant feeding such as critical classes of cattle, goats and other ruminants, particularly lactating female when other energy rich forages are scarce. Further studies may be done to determine the levels of intake of the combination for ruminants at other physiological states than lactating.
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    Assessing the effectiveness of the Drainage System in Kalerwe, Kawempe Division, Kampala
    (Makerere University, 2018-08-18) Nkamwebaza, Denis
    Floods are a big problem in the low lying areas of Kampala such as Kalerwe and Bwaise which leads to loss of lives, increases disease incidences and destruction of properties. The effectiveness of the drainage channels to convey water was examined and assessed after a heavy downpour to identify problem channels, the chocked points and the causes of choking, and the GPS coordinates of these points were taken. The coordinates were entered into a google earth map. In addition, the depth and width of the channels causing flooding were measured. Interviews were held with 60 randomly selected residents from Kalerwe to obtain their perceptions of flooding. Results showed that undersized and poorly constructed channels were the major causes of flooding in Kalerwe. These were followed by poor channel maintenance and indiscriminate refuse dumping. Chocked Point B of the channel was causes by increased silt due to delayed desilting and cleaning of the channels, unplanned construction with in the area leaving no space for channel expansion. The width of the channel was 152.3cm and depth 42.6 cm. Chocked Point A of the channel was caused by undersized channel and unplanned construction of structures such as houses which leaves no space for drainage channel expansion. The depth and width of the channel were too small with increased chokings and silt (mud) hence back flow of water. The width of the channel was 167.6cm and the depth 121.9cm. Chocked point C of the channel was caused by small sized channel and Unplanned activities such as Gaulage which reduce the size of channels during the creation of a space for activity operation. Chocking was also caused by indiscriminate refuse dumping in the drainage channel. The width of the channel was 121.9cm and depth 50.9cm. Chocking point D of the channel was caused by undersized channel as compared to the amount of water collected from different places such as Mulago, Kyebando and Nsooba. It was also caused by poor waste disposal in the drainage channel. Poor road construction planning with small sized and shallow pipes than navigate storm water from the village to the main Nsooba channel increase the back flow of water. The width of the channel was 762.2cm and depth 91.44cm. Chocked Point F of the channel was caused by increased dumping of wastes in the drainage channel by the residents of Kalerwe village. Wastes from the village are collected near the channel (Nsooba channel) and not taken away, when it rains, the same wastes get back into the channel resulting into blockage. The width was 213.4cm and depth 91.4cm.
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    Urban River Pollution: A Case Study of River Mpanga in Fortportal City, Kabarole District
    (Makerere University, 2018-08-21) Amanyire, Stella
    Water quality is needed to maintain the integrity of a river system and depends on the preservation of natural (chemical and biological) conditions of the water and the surrounding environment. Unsustainable use and pollution through various human activities can impair the ecological state of a natural ecosystem by altering its chemical composition and the biological communities that naturally occur in it. To identify the human activities carried out on river Mpanga, Assess the effect of these human activities on river Mpanga and finding out the level of awareness of legislations concerning rivers among the community within river Mpanga, a study was conducted where survey data was collected and chemical analyses were carried out. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collections, Simple random sampling was used to draw a sample from residents operating and living within Mpanga catchment in Fortportal City. The survey results indicated that various activities carried out within the Mpanga catchment including farming, improper waste and sewage disposal have a large influence on the physical and chemical water quality of the river. These human activities had negative effects on River Mpanga including; siltation, Eutrophication, water hardness, toxicity etc. Laboratory analysis was done on the River water at different points and Using GenStat software, data was analysed at 5% significance level. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the pH, P, K, BOD and COD level at different points along the stream (p<0.05) . However, there was no significant difference for the levels of N, Ca and Na in the water at different points along the stream (p>0.05). It was concluded that human activities have led to increased pollution of this river and was due to lack of information and knowledge about laws concerning rivers. The study recommended that people should be sensitized on the values, uses, guidelines and laws for sustainable use of rivers.
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    Farmer’s attitude towards governance in producer organizations in Lwebitakuli Sub-County Sembabule District.
    (Makerere University., 2018-09) Kimera, Paul
    Uganda is one of those countries with a long history of such farmer groups and these groups remain central to the agriculture transformation process. Northern Uganda had the highest percentage of membership to farmer groups at about 12% with males reporting a higher percentage of membership than female farmers, followed by the Western region with about 9%, followed closely by the Eastern region at about 8%, then the Central Uganda had the least percentage of membership to a farmer groups at only 6% with only a slight percentage difference between male and female membership.As the international agenda places greater weight on food security, sustainable development and climate change andattitude towards producer organizations are increasingly recognized as central players. The study was conducted in Lwebitakuli Sub County in Sembabule District.The climate in Sembabule is warm, humid and overcast.Agriculture is the mainstay of the district economy. A cross sectional research design was used to examine attitude towards membershipand governance in producer organizations Lwebitakuli Sub Countyin Sembabule District. The sample included 35 women and 35 men that were purposively selected from Lwebitakuli Sub County. In this particular study, both women and men were defined as individuals above the age of 18years. Study results revealed that majority of the respondents were married, aged between 31 and 50 years and all respondents had attained some level of education. The results further show that the majority of men join producer organizations in Lwebitakuli Sub County because they want to get accessible market for their produce while most of the women join producer organizations in Lwebitakuli Sub County because of the desire to access credit. The results from the study indicated that gender significantly predicts membership in producer organizations since P>0.05 (0.058>0.05). The results further indicated that gender does not significantly predict attitude in producer organizations. The regression results further showed a statistically significant positive relationship at (at 5 percent level of significance) between the age,income level and joining producer organizationsin this study since its P-value is less than 0.05. The study therefore recommends that there should be efforts to main stream gender through formulation of pro gender- policies. This involves formulating policies and programs that ix provide women’s access to production resources and those that contribute to gender-just social and economic transformation
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    Effect of plant spacing and nutrient source on growth and yield of pineapple (Ananas comosus) in Wakiso district
    (Makerere University, 2018-09-03) Kaamoga, Hajara
    Uganda produces only 0.35% of total pineapple production for East Africa compared to 80% and over 19% produced in Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. Low productivity is attributed to lack of improved planting materials, high fruit perishability, low fruit prices, lack of access to formal credit, plant diseases and soil nutrient depletion. Nutrient depletion in Uganda is estimated at 66 kg ha-1 per annum. As a result, farmers obtain low crop yields and experience crop failure. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nutrient source and spacing on growth rate and yield in pineapple. Field trials were set-up at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Namulonge using a split-plot design. Nutrient source was the main factor, with two treatments: NPK (3kg/150m2) and poultry manure (100kg/150m2). Plant spacing was the sub-factor at 0.5ft, 1ft, 1.5ft and 2ft between plants in a double row; each treatment having three replicates. Data were taken monthly on ten randomly selected plants. Growth rate was determined as plant height and width, leaf length and width. Yield was determined from fruit number and average fruit weight per 15m2 for spacing and 150m2 for nutrient source. Nutrient source had a significant difference (P<0.05) on plant height, plant width, leaf length and leaf width. Poultry manure produced the tallest (25.4cm) and widest plants (94.2cm), the broadest (4.4cm) and longest leaves (62.7 cm) while control produced the shortest plants (23.5 cm); NPK produced the narrowest plants (87.9cm) with the shortest leaves (59.4cm). Nutrient source showed no significant effect on average fruit weight and number of fruits. There were significant differences (P< 0.05) between plants in plant height and width, leaf length and leaf width at different spacing. The tallest (25.6cm) and widest plants (94.3cm), with the broadest (4.5cm) and longest leaves (62.4cm) were produced at 1.5ft plant spacing. In contrast, 0.5ft plant spacing produced the shortest (22.7 cm) and narrowest plants (86.2cm), with the narrowest (3.99cm) and shortest leaves (59.7cm). This spacing, however, produced the most number of fruits (76) although with the lowest average fruit weight (950g). The lowest number of fruits (21) was recorded at 2ft. spacing. The highest mean fruit weight of 1384g was realized at the 1.5ft spacing. The highest overall yield (47.4 tons/ha) was recorded at a spacing of 1ft. Controlled studies are recommended for different agro-ecological regions where pineapple is grown in Uganda in addition to profitability analysis for recommended plant spacing (0.5ft and 1ft) and nutrient source (poultry manure).
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    Towards enhanced potassium management for East African highland banana productivity and sustainability in Ntungamo district, southwestern Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2018-10) Kasalirwe, Anold
    Bananas are both a food and cash crop in Uganda’s southwestern district of Ntungamo. The soils have low inherent fertility and low CEC. This is problematic for monovalent cations like exchangeable K, which is also taken up in large amounts by bananas. Potassium is the most limiting nutrient for banana production in Uganda. Application of K to address its deficiency requires knowledge of its critical value in the soil, which hitherto is ambiguous. Soil fertility reduces with distance from the homestead, but it is not clear how strongly this affects the K application rates for improving (sufficiency rate) and sustaining (maintenance rate) banana productivity. The specific objectives of this study were therefore to determine the critical value for exchangeable K, and to evaluate the variability of K sufficiency, maintenance and total application rates with distance class from the homestead in Ntungamo district. The study was carried out in Butare village in Nyakyera subcounty, Ntungamo district on ten farms. Fisteen mats of the banana cultivar ‘Enyeru’ were selected on each of the farms from the distance classes ‘near’ (<20 m from homestead), ‘mid distance’ (20-39.9 m from homestead) and ‘far’ (≤40 m from homestead). The fresh bunch weight at horticultural maturity was taken using a salter scale and yield (t ha-1 yr-1) computed for each reference mat. Total number of fingers per bunch were counted and recorded. Five soil cores were randomly taken from 0-30 cm depth layer around each reference mat, composited and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Exchangeable K was extracted from each sample using Mehlich 3 solution and read using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A scatterplot of fresh bunch yield vs. exchangeable K was subjected to boundary line analysis to identify points representing the attainable yield for a given level of exchangeable K. The functional relationship between attainable yield and exchaneble K was determined using linear optimsation conditioned on minimising the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the oberved vs. predicted attainable yield, and the associated squared correlation coefficient (r2) evaluated. From the fitted function, the critical value of exchangeable K for banana production in the study area was computed as the value of independent variable required for 90% of the maximum yield (60 t ha-1 yr-1) observed in the study area. The reference mats whose soil K test value was less than the critical value had a sufficiency rate computed. And the result divided by 5 to obtain an annual application rate (kg K ha-1 yr-1) for gradually raising the soil K level to the critical value. The K maintenance rate (kg K ha-1 yr-1) was computed from the annual K exports in harvested bunches. The sum of the K maintenance rate and annual K sufficiency rate gave the total K application rate needed to increase and sustain banana productivity for a given reference yield. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the variation in K sufficiency rate, K maintenance rate and total K application rate across distance classes from the homestead. There was a strong functional relationship between attainable fresh bunch yield and exchangeable K (RMSE = 0.1; r2 = 0.93). The critical value of K was found to be 0.53354 cmolc kg-1. The sufficiency K rate for banana production increased significantly from ‘far’ than at the near distance class from the homestead. However, there was no significant difference in the maintenance K rate across the distance classes. The total K application rates was about 120 kg K ha-1 yr-1. It is recommended that this study be conducted across all the major banana agroecological zones of Uganda and also to find suitable nutrient input materials for meeting the total K requirement for banana production, which farmer can afford.
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    Land use and soil conservation practices used by farmers in Suam sub county, Bukwo district.
    (Makerere University, 2018-10) Charicha, Elimas
    ABSTRACT This is a special project report of a research study carried out in Suam Sub County, Bukwo district, Uganda. The purpose of study was to find out the land use activities and soil conservation practices used by land users. The specific objectives were to find out; the land use activities, soil conservation practices, the relationship between land use and soil conservation practices in Suam sub county. Data were collected from a sample of 30 respondents carrying out different land use activities who were sampled using questionnaires, and observation. Findings show that the different land uses, costs, ease of establishment, and labor requirements influence the choice of conservation practices used. Basing on the findings it was concluded that land degradation was the major cause of decline in soil productivity and fertility in the area. Therefore, it is recommended that land users should carry out good soil conservation practices so as to maintain the productivity of soil for crop, forestry and pastures for grazing, it will also lead to the safe water productions free from soil and mud.
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    Towards Enhanced Potassium Management For East African Highland Banana Productivity and Sustainability in Ntungamo District South Western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2018-10-31) Kasalirwe, Anold
    Bananas are both a food and cash crop in Uganda’s southwestern district of Ntungamo. The soils have low inherent fertility and low CEC. This is problematic for monovalent cations like exchangeable K, which is also taken up in large amounts by bananas. Potassium is the most limiting nutrient for banana production in Uganda. Application of K to address its deficiency requires knowledge of its critical value in the soil, which hitherto is ambiguous. Soil fertility reduces with distance from the homestead, but it is not clear how strongly this affects the K application rates for improving (sufficiency rate) and sustaining (maintenance rate) banana productivity. The specific objectives of this study were therefore to determine the critical value for exchangeable K, and to evaluate the variability of K sufficiency, maintenance and total application rates with distance class from the homestead in Ntungamo district. The study was carried out in Butare village in Nyakyera subcounty, Ntungamo district on ten farms. Fisteen mats of the banana cultivar ‘Enyeru’ were selected on each of the farms from the distance classes ‘near’ (<20 m from homestead), ‘mid distance’ (20-39.9 m from homestead) and ‘far’ (≤40 m from homestead). The fresh bunch weight at horticultural maturity was taken using a salter scale and yield (t ha-1 yr-1 ) computed for each reference mat. Total number of fingers per bunch were counted and recorded. Five soil cores were randomly taken from 0-30 cm depth layer around each reference mat, composited and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Exchangeable K was extracted from each sample using Mehlich 3 solution and read using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A scatterplot of fresh bunch yield vs. exchangeable K was subjected to boundary line analysis to identify points representing the attainable yield for a given level of exchangeable K. The functional relationship between attainable yield and exchaneble K was determined using linear optimsation conditioned on minimising the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the oberved vs. predicted attainable yield, and the associated squared correlation coefficient (r2 ) evaluated. From the fitted function, the critical value of exchangeable K for banana production in the study area was computed as the value of independent variable required for 90% of the maximum yield (60 t ha-1 yr-1 ) observed in the study area. The reference mats whose soil K test value was less than the critical value had a sufficiency rate computed. And the result divided by 5 to obtain an annual application rate (kg K ha-1 yr-1 ) for gradually raising the soil K level to the critical value. The K maintenance rate (kg K ha-1 yr-1 ) was computed from the annual K exports in harvested bunches. The sum of the K maintenance rate and annual K sufficiency rate gave the total K application rate needed to increase and sustain banana productivity for a given reference yield. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the variation in K sufficiency rate, K maintenance rate and total K application rate across distance classes from the homestead. There was a strong functional relationship between attainable fresh bunch yield and exchangeable K (RMSE = 0.1; r2 = 0.93). The critical value of K was found to be 0.53354 cmolc kg-1 . The sufficiency K rate for banana production increased significantly from ‘far’ than at the near distance class from the homestead. However, there was no significant difference in the maintenance K rate across the distance classes. The total K application rates was about 120 kg K ha-1 yr-1 . It is recommended that this study be conducted across all the major banana agroecological zones of Uganda and also to find suitable nutrient input materials for meeting the total K requirement for banana production, which farmer can afford.
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    An assessment of pests and disease management on cocoa production in Busaru sub-county, Bundbugyo district
    (Makerere University, 2018-11) Birungi, Cleophus
    Pests and disease management are one of the major problems farmers in Busaru face due to the impacts of pests and disease infestation which has led to a drop in Busaru’s cocoa production. This study assessed pests and disease management in the Busaru sub-county since their infestation accounts for the poor cocoa yields attained by majority of these farmers. Specifically, the study identified (1)the types of pests and diseases affecting cocoa production in Busaru sub-county,(2) Impacts of these pests and disease attacks on cocoa production and (3)farmers management practices and the problems that hinder them in ensuring quality cocoa bean production in the sub county. A multi-staged sampling technique was used on 60 farmers to carry out this research were semi structured questionnaires were distributed to cocoa farmers. Data was descriptively analyzed using special software called SPSS to establish levels of significance upon management of pests and diseases on cocoa production among farmers in the sub county. Results clearly indicated that pests like Ring bark borers heavily affected cocoa followed by Mirids, cocoa pod borer, cocoa beetle, flower eating caterpillars then broad mite pest. Diseases such as black pod heavily affected the crop followed by vascular streak dieback, frosty pod rot, cocoa swollen shoot virus and switches broom disease affected cocoa least. Effects were realized on the health of the farmer then quantity and quality of the beans were farmers obtain few beans during harvest yet of poor quality hence low market price are attained. Other effects were observed during trade. Farmers apply chemicals then adhere to bush clearing and wood ash applications to minimize pest and disease infestations on cocoa. Findings reveal that proper pest and disease control measures with enhanced cocoa management practices, yield is expected to increase in the nearby future in this study area. Government should avail incentives of bonuses like pesticides to reduce on impacts of pest and disease infestation, extension service enhancement in various farmer groups for awareness about these pests and diseases then cultural cocoa management practices should be addressed to cocoa farmers for higher yields and marketable cocoa beans.
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    Contribution of village savings and loan associations to small scale farmers' welfare in Ddwaniro Sub county Rakai district
    (Makerere University, 2018-11) Nakasinga, Racheal
    This paper explores the contribution of Village Savings and Loan Associations towards households' welfare specifically in villages (rural areas). It looks at the back ground of VSLAs, activities they undertake and their contribution towards village small scale farmers' welfare, challenges faced by beneficiaries, reasons as to why non members didn't join VSLAs and reasons for members' participation in VSLAs. A VSLA is an accumulating savings and crediting Association (ASCA), which requires no external borrowing, it is entirely self-sufficient. Its work therefore, falls within the formal sector. It differs from a savings and credit cooperative organization (SACCO) in that it does not receive external funding, and it is not formal) registered with the government which allows it to operate with less formal book keeping and this be more user-friendly for illiterate members (Brannen, Class by 2010).