Pollinator services and the development of beekeeping as a poverty alleviating tool have gained considerable focus in recent years in sub-Saharan Africa. An improved understanding of the pervasive environmental extent of agro-chemical contaminants is critical to the success of beekeeping development and the production of clean hive products. This study developed and validated a multi-residue method for screening 36 pesticides in honeybees, honey and beeswax using LC-MS/MS and GC-ECD. Of the 36 screened pesticides, 20 were detected. The highest frequencies occurred in beeswax and in samples from apiaries located in the proximity of citrus and tobacco farms. Fungicides were the most prevalent chemical class. Detected insecticides included neonicotinoids, organophosphates, carbamates, organophosphorus, tetrazines and diacylhydrazines. All detected pesticide levels were below maximum residue limits (according to EU regulations) and the lethal doses known for honeybees. However, future risk assessment is needed to determine the health effects on the African genotype of honeybees by these pesticide classes and combinations of these. In conclusion, our data present a significant challenge to the burgeoning organic honey sector in Uganda, but to achieve this, there is an urgent need to regulate the contact routes of pesticides into the beehive products. Interestingly, the “zero” detection rate of pesticides in the Mid-Northern zone is a significant indicator of the large potential to promote Ugandan organic honey for the export market.

The potential of beekeeping to mitigate the exposure of rural sub-Sahara African farmers to economic stochasticity has been widely promoted by an array of development agencies. Robust outcome indicators of the success of beekeeping to improve household well-being are unfortunately lacking. This study aimed to identify the key drivers and barriers of beekeeping adoption at the household level, and quantified the associated income contribution in three agro-ecological zones in Uganda. Beekeepers were generally the most economically disadvantaged people in the study areas and tended to adopt beekeeping following contact with non-government organisations and access to training. Whilst incomes were not statistically lower than their non-beekeeping counterparts; their mean household well-being scores were significantly lower than non-beekeeping households. The inability of beekeeping to significantly improve well-being status can in part be attributed to a lack of both training in bee husbandry and protective equipment provision such as suits, gloves and smokers. These are critical tools for beekeepers as they provide the necessary confidence to manage honey bees. Rather than focussing solely on the socio-economic conditions of farmers to effectively adopt beekeeping, future research should also attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of development agencies’ provision to the beekeeping sector.

Robust evidence underpinning the role of beekeeping in poverty alleviation is currently lacking. This study estimated the production potential for beekeepers in Northern Uganda by quantifying current production assets (equipment and knowledge) and impact on rural income streams range of proposed interventions. Intervention scenarios evaluated the economic benefits to be derived from different hive types combined with year-round provision of a nectar source ( Calliandra calothyrsus ) planted at varying density. Findings show that the type and number of beehive combinations used influenced the amount of revenue streams generated by the beekeepers. Addition of 20 log hives increased incomes 10 times, 20 KTBs increased revenues 16 times and Langstroth 18 times. Adding Calliandra trees as a forage source to the baseline scenario yielded revenues up to 17.6 times higher than the baseline. Implying that good management plus the introduction of a reliable nectar source, to off-set dry season challenges (absconding), could improve beekeeping productivity in Northern Uganda. Further research is required to validate in situ the impact of modelled scenarios on both honey yield and other ecosystem service benefits.

Fish consumption in subsistence fishing community is a life style associated with lead and mercury uptake for humans. Fish consumption is influenced by sociocultural factors, exposure and health risks. Unfortunately, no sociocultural study in the Lake Albert fishing community in light of lead and mercury exists. A cross-sectional sociocultural study was carried out between March and June 2015. A total of 270 household heads in four landing sites in Hoima district completed structured questionnaires and data analyzed using SPSS version 20. The majority of the households (74.8%) had primary education or below, 51.1% drank unboiled water, and 30% perceived lake water safe for drinking. Children under five ate soup (15%) and middle piece of the fish (29%). The Poisson general linear model predicting weekly fish consumption amounts against sociocultural factors showed that household size ( p = 0.047), male child presence ( p = 0.007), methods of preparation i.e. salting ( p < 0.0001), fish parts consumed by adults ( p < 0.0001), fish preference ( p < 0.0001), awareness about the beach management unit ( p < 0.0001), and income from charcoal selling ( p < 0.0001) were positive predictors. The negative predictors of weekly fish consumption amounts were awareness about fish consumption benefits ( p < 0.0001), eating young fish ( p = 0.002), donor agency presence ( p < 0.0001), and frying as the method of fish preparation ( p = 0.002). In conclusion, knowledge of the sociocultural factors associated with fish consumption determines the amounts and frequency of the predominant fish eaten. Therefore, to establish and adopt fish consumption guidelines for lead and mercury in the Lake Albert, the sociocultural factors should be integrated in the message disseminated.

To meet the rising demand for animal-based protein, conventional livestock may prove expensive as the current production system remains unsustainable. This calls for intervention research on alternative sources of protein, hence a switch to affordable and environmentally acceptable protein sources of which approximately 1,900 insect species are consumed worldwide. Alate termites have thus received considerations in this line for nutritional and economic benefits. Trading of alate termites is becoming a valuable source of income for many people in Vihiga county and other parts of western region, which although modest in terms of monetary value, could nonetheless form a significant proportion of their annual income. Information about commercialization of alate termites and its impact to household level food security has remained sparse. The goal of this research was to partly fill this knowledge gap and document the associated potential of alate termite commercialization on household livelihoods in Luanda and Hamisi sub-counties of Vihiga county. A total of 204 respondents participated in the cross-sectional study. Chi Square and regression analysis was employed to predict association and relationship between alate termite collection and marketing and household income for improved livelihoods. The results affirmed that, alate termites are a delicacy and cultural food eaten by the majority of the people in western Kenya. This is attributed to its nutritional value as well as higher economic potentiality. The average retail price per kilogram of 500 Kenya Shillings (US $5), compares favorably with that of goat meat, which is retailed within the region. The trading of alate termites is dominated by women and characterized by wholesalers who buy the alates from collectors and sell to retailers. The purpose of utilization was positively significant p<0.005. Inferring that the benefits realized from utilization of alate termites was dependent on households’ decisions regarding various utilization purposes. Drying was the most common preservation method (64%) whereas others have a preference for frying. Moreover, alate termites are grounded into flour that is used for baking other products. The potential of alate termites to diversify household livelihood can be fully explored in order to contribute to household livelihoods and ultimately food security. Key words: Household Livelihood, Alate termites, Marketing, Value addition, Utilization