School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) Collection
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ItemEffect of different soil texture on the final sweet potato tuber shape (Ipomoea batatas)(Makerere University, 2021)There is increasing demand for sweet potato in the manufacturing and export sectors. These new markets for sweet potato are creating new challenges that need to be addressed. One of the key demands of the export and processing market is the requirement for standard uniform tuber shape, size and color. While color can be predetermined by variety. Shape and size of the tuber are determined by environmental conditions in which crop is grown. Regularly shaped sweet potatoes are preferred by the export market, because of their easy packing and processing. Unfortunately factors which influence the tuber shape are not well understood. Therefore the purpose of this study was to find out if soil texture has a major role in determining the final shape of a sweet potato tuber. Therefore the purpose of this experiment was to find out if texture has a key role in determining the final shape of a tuber. The experiment was arranged as follows: The textures created where formed by addition of proportions of 10% (T2), 30% (T3), 50% (T4) sand to loam soil and a control experiment of 0% (T1). The study was conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) and was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications, 4 treatments and 16 pots. Data was collected at different growth stages of the crop, right from the 1st day of planting the vines to harvesting the tubers .Data was collected every after two weeks. The data collected included the number of vine branches per sweet potato plant, number of leaves per sweet potato plant and number of vine branches per sweet potato plant. After harvesting of the tubers data were collected on weight of tubers, and shape regularity. Data collected was analyzed using GenStat statistical software package 14th edition. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine significant differences within the treatments at 5% (P ≤ 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among different treatments over the exposure period. Results of the study showed a significant effect of the treatments (P<0.005) on plant height, number of leaves, vine branch number and yield data of weight of tuber and shape regularity. Pots that had added proportions of 50% (T4) sand to loam soil had the highest vegetative growth (longest plant height, highest number of leaves and vine branches) and yield (weight of the tubers) followed by that of 30% sand added to loam (T3) soil .while the pots with 0% sand added to loam (T1) soil had the least vegetative growth( leaf number, vine number and plant length) and lowest yields (weight of tubers) followed by 10% sand added to loam soil (T2). Although increasing the sand percentage in loam soil increased yields ,it reduced the shape regularity of the tubers i.e. the pots with 50% sand added to loam(T4) had more irregularly shaped tubers while pots with less or no sand added to loam soil had more regular tubers. This study therefore recommends growing tubers in a more sandy soil if the farmer is interested in yields, and maintaining a minimal sand percentage to balance high yields and shape regular.
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ItemThe access of credit by rice farmers in Doho Rice Scheme, Butaleja district(Makerere university, 2019)Generally, in Uganda lack of finances is one of the critical problems hindering growth, production, productivity and generation of farm income. The extent to which agricultural credit has been of benefit to rice farmers as well as influences its access, have been of interest though not much study has been carried out on them. The study examined the access of agricultural credit. The study was conducted in Doho Rice Scheme, Butaleja district using a survey design. A systematic sampling technique was adopted in selecting 60 rice farmers who were examined. Structured questionnaires and document analysis were used to collect quantitative data from the sampled households. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. The study examined 52 rice farmers who have ever received agricultural credit and 8 who did not access credit. Results imply that agricultural credit access by the female farmers is still very limited. Generally, farmers’ association, collateral security especially land and land ownership were highly important in influencing access to agricultural credit. There is need for stakeholders to promote flexible credit facilities and increase awareness among farmers with less experience in agriculture so as to increase their access. In case of collateral security, farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative groups or farmer investment groups to enable them access credit from financial institutions.
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ItemAdoption and effect of tractor hire service on cassava productivity among e-voucher beneficiaries in West Nile(Makerere University, 2023)Cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. (Afedraru, 2019). Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. (FAO, 2015) It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while Thailand is the largest exporter of cassava starch. Although cassava is an established commercial crop in many tropical countries and hundreds of varieties are in existence, little is generally known of the nomenclature and identification of varieties. Various varieties are usually differentiated from one another by their morphological characteristics such as color of stems, petioles, leaves and tubers. Moreover, in many instances the same variety is known in various places by a number of names. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 61.1% of the world’s cassava production (FAOCAST, 2020). Although it is a perennial plant, cassava is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates.(GRIN, 2014). Cassava is predominantly consumed in boiled form, but substantial quantities are used to extract cassava starch, called tapioca, which is used for food, animal feed, and industrial purposes. Cassava is an important rural food for communities in Uganda. It has tolerance to poor soils and resistance to drought, a cheap and reliable source of food that fits well into the food security strategy of smallholders (Nweke, Spencer, and Lynam 2004; FAO 2003). Cassava has, therefore, served many times as food of last resort to ameliorate the effect of food deficits which occur from erratic weather conditions and reduce the yields of cereals. Tractors can be hired for primary tillage and subsequent planting, and weeding can also be done with a combination of power sources and technologies. Application of these alternative power sources can relieve pressure on human labour at critical times of heavy demand (Sims, B. G., & Kienzle, J.,2006).
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ItemThe effect of access to storage facilities on the profitability of fruit and vegetable vendors in urban food markets in Kampala.(Makerere University, 2025)This study investigates the factors influencing access to storage facilities among fruit and vegetable vendors in four major markets in Kampala, Uganda (Kalerwe, Nakawa, Nakasero and Owino), and examines their effect on profitability and spoilage. Despite their critical role in urban food supply chains, vendors face significant postharvest losses due to inadequate storage, which undermines profitability. Primary data were collected from 60 vendors using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Tobit regression, one-sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, profitability ratio analysis, and descriptive statistics. The findings show that all vendors (100%) reported some form of storage, but the type and quality varied. Low-cost options such as open-air spaces, vending shelves, and market shades were the most common, while refrigerated storage was rarely used due to high costs and unreliable electricity. Vendors in Kalerwe and Nakawa, who mainly relied on open-air storage, recorded higher profit margins (28% and 27.5%) but suffered significant spoilage losses, with Kalerwe losing up to UGX 50,871 weekly. In contrast, Nakasero and Owino vendors, who invested in refrigeration, achieved lower profit margins (24.9% and 20.7%) because of high operational costs, despite charging premium prices. Hybrid storage strategies, combining refrigeration for perishables and open-air storage for hardy produce, appeared more sustainable. Tobit regression results showed that gender significantly influenced storage access with coefficient of –0.033,( p = 0.007), with female vendors disadvantaged compared to males. Education ( p = 0.031), cost (β = 0.052, p < 0.001), and market infrastructure (e.g., shade storage, β = 0.049, p = 0.004) enhanced access. The study concludes that while storage type affects profitability, affordable and accessible facilities are critical. It recommends targeted support for women, subsidized storage options, and improved market infrastructure to reduce losses and enhance vendor profitability.
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ItemAdoption of organic fertilizers and effects on maize production in Uganda(Makerere University, 2023)The study explored the roles and contribution of organic fertilizers on maize production in Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were: to characterize the socio-economic characteristics of maize producers; assess the maize production by maize crop framers and evaluate the effect of use of organic fertilizer on maize yields by maize farmers in Uganda. The study adopted primary data that was collected by Uganda Bureau of Statistics in 2019/2020 agriculture survey. The extracted data was from 14 sub regions of Uganda. The used data is quantitative in nature which will facilitate analysis about research objectives. Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the social-economic characteristics of household farms. Also, logitic model is used to analyze the determinants of organic fertilizer use among the maize farmers in Uganda. Besides, ordinary least square method was used to evaluate the effect of the use of organic fertilizer on the level of maize production in Uganda. The study results indicated that there is positive significant relationship between the use of organic manure and maize productivity in Uganda. This implied that when the application of organic fertilizer increased amongst the farm households, maize production drastically increased and therefore farmers should be trained on the how to use organic fertilizers and the associated impacts on its use. The study findings also indicated that males were 844 (68.6%) and female were 387 (31.4%). However, out of 844 males, only 354 used organic manure and 490 did not use organic manure. This implied that men were more than women and more than those who use organic manure and therefore women should be encouraged to join farming and also promote the use of organic fertilizers to enhance maize production in Uganda. The results also indicated that the use of organic manure is significantly associated with the education level (p=0.025), accessed extension services (p=0.018), use of improved maize seed (p=0.006), enough household labor (p=0.045), farming experience (p=0.000). This implied that education level accessed, extension services, use of improved maize seed, enough household labor, and farming experience in years influence the use of organic fertilizer in maize production in Uganda and therefore the government should provide the service as mentioned above so as to increase o maize productivity in Uganda.