Tomato(Solanum esculentum)is one of the most promising vegetables whose production is being intensified in Uganda. However, tomato yields remain low due to several constraints. The study aimed at identifying production and marketing practices, and constraints affecting tomato productivity in major tomato growing areas of Uganda. A survey was conducted in eight major tomato producing districts using a questionnaire to guide interviews for 240 farmers and 16 key informants. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results revealed that tomato production in Uganda is dominated by males who grow them on 0.68 acres of land on average. Mosttomatofarmers (78.4%) use mono cropping system with varietiesAsilla F1 (35.3%), Tengeru97(21.1%), Rambo (18.1%), NovelaF1(17.7%) and Riogrande (10.3%) dominating. The choice of tomato varieties used by farmers mainly depend on yield potential, pest and disease tolerance and market preference attributes such as long shelf life. In the study area, tomato is mainly fertilized using foliar fertilizers, followed by Diammonium phosphate and cattle manure. The key pests affecting tomato include caterpillars, thrips, worms and whitefly, while bacterial wilt, blight, leaf spots and viral infections are the major diseases. Majority (95.7%) of farmers use chemical sprays(pesticides and fungicides)and 4.3% of farmers used other control methods. The other methods of pest and disease control included rogueing, hand picking, ash, organic extracts, urine and frequent weeding. Average tomato yield was 4,846.3 kg/acre lower than the potential yield of 6000kg/acre. Thirty five percent of farmers market their tomato individually on-farm, 32.8% sell in rural markets, while 32.2% send to the nearest urban markets. The study revealed intensive chemical use accounting for 20% of the production costs, high seed costs (11%) and drought (10%) as the major production constraints impeding tomato production; and price fluctuations, low prices, high transport costs, post-harvest loss on farm, and poor market access as the major marketing constraints. The research findings will aid in the development of new market-oriented, highly productive tomato varieties with improved access to seed and designing initiatives to address production and marketing constraints, which will eventually enhance tomato production.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots in the fresh form, are susceptible to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), thus reducing their economic value and farmer benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pruning and waxing on fresh root storability among cassava varieties in Uganda. Sixteen cassava plants per variety (TME 14, NASE 14, Nyaraboke, Kirimumpale, and Bukalasa) were pruned seven days before harvest, leaving the rest as unpruned controls. After harvest, roots were divided into two portions and one portion was waxed using food grade wax. Pruning alone reduced PPD of stored roots by 23% at day 14 of storage; and by 19% at day 28 compared with the control. Pruning as a treatment resulted into increased sugar content, ranging 9-30%), and significant (P<0.05) losses in starch yield. Pruning combined with waxing, resulted in a reduction of up to 43% in PPD by day 14, and up to 67 at day 28. Reduction in carbohydrate (starch) was not significant (P>0.05) under the pruning and waxing treatment, which had minor effects on stored root composition. The results indicate that pruning is appropriate for the short-term storage of fresh cassava roots for up to 14 days. Waxing, combined with pruning, is suitable for longer term storage up to 28 days under Uganda conditions.
The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most widely consumed legumes globally due to its nutrient content, taste, and affordability. Nutrient composition and consumer preference were determined for twenty local farmer (landrace) and commercial peanut varieties grown in the Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts of the central wooded savanna of Uganda through sensory and laboratory evaluation. Significant differences in nutrient content (p < 0.05) among peanut varieties were found within and across sites. A significant relationship between nutrient content and consumer preference for varieties within and across sites was also realized (Wilk’s lambda = 0.05, p = 0.00). The differences in nutrient content influenced key organoleptic characteristics, including taste, crunchiness, appearance, and soup aroma, which contributed to why consumers may prefer certain varieties to others. Gender differences in variety selection were significantly related to consumer preference for the crunchiness of roasted peanut varieties (F = 5.7, p = 0.016). The results imply that selecting different varieties of peanuts enables consumers to receive different nutrient amounts, while experiencing variety uniqueness. The promotion of peanut intraspecific diversity is crucial for improved nutrition, organoleptic appreciation and the livelihood of those engaged in peanut value chains, especially for the actors who specialize in different peanut products. The conservation of peanut diversity will ensure that the present and future generations benefit from the nutritional content and organoleptic enjoyment that is linked to unique peanut varieties.
A collaboration program was established between the group of Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the IREC Institute of Game and Wildlife Research (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Spain) and the National Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda (NARO) for the development of vaccines for the control of cattle ticks in Uganda. Controlled pen trials identified a tick protective antigen, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin, and a cross-species-effective vaccine formulation. As the next step, a controlled vaccine field trial has been approved by Ugandan state regulatory authorities, the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and the National Drug Authority (NDA), to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccine formulation for the control of cattle tick infestations under field conditions. The results of this trial may lead to the approval of the vaccine for application in Uganda to improve cattle health and production while reducing the use of acaricides.
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for quality laboratory services worldwide. There is renewed focus to strengthen country capacities and laboratories to effectively respond to public health emergencies and patient outcomes. Uganda launched the accreditation program for public health facilities in 2016 with sixteen laboratories. As of June 2021, twenty-three public laboratories have attained ISO 15189:2012 accreditation status. Despite the tremendous achievements of accrediting laboratories in Uganda, laboratory services still face challenges like stock out of commodities and limited testing scopes. We conducted this study to evaluate the impact of accreditation on health care services performance in Kiryandongo district, Uganda. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study from January 1, 2020- April 30, 2021 at ten health facilities in Kiryandongo district. We collected health care services performance data from the MoH dhis-2 on selected indicators for HIV, TB, Malaria, Laboratory, Maternal & child health and dhis-2 reporting. We used Generalized Estimating Equations to estimate the impact of accreditation on health care services performance at the different health facilities. Results The odds at the accredited facility in comparison to the non-accredited public facilities were; 14% higher for ART enrolment (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.25), 9% lower for determine testing kits stock out (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85–0.97), 28% higher for TB case diagnosis (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10–1.49), 19% higher for TB case enrolment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04–1.36), 104% higher for maternity admissions (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.60–2.59), 63% higher for maternity deliveries (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39–1.90) and 17% higher for reporting hmis 10:01 data to dhis-2 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04–1.31). The odds at the accredited facility in comparison to the non-accredited PNFP facilities were; 26% higher for ART enrolment (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17–1.36), 33% higher for TB case diagnosis (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15–1.55), 24% higher for TB case enrolment (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.42), 136% higher for maternity admissions (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.89–2.94), 76% higher for maternity deliveries (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.51–2.04) and 2% higher for reporting of hmis-10:01 data to dhis-2 (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03). Conclusions HIV, TB, laboratory, MCH, and reporting to dhis-2 selected indicators were positively impacted by accreditation. This impact translated into increased health care services performance at the accredited facility as compared to the non-accredited facilities.
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