Farmer demand and willingness-to-pay for sweetpotato silage-based diet as pig feed in Uganda

This study was undertaken to assess farmer demand and willingness-to-pay for sweet potato silage-based diet as pig feed by smallholder farmers in Uganda. Information for the study was collected through secondary data review and semi-structured questionnaire interviews to assess farmer WTP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 256 respondents randomly drawn from 16 purposive clusters formed at a radius of 3 km around 16 farmers piloting sweet potato silage based diets for pig feed. The results show that pig farming is mainly the responsibility of women, with farmers mean willingness to pay price ranging from 679 to 697 Ugandan shillings, for a kilogram of sweet potato silage based diet. At the mean prices, annual demand for silage is 17,679 tons with a market potential estimated between 12.0 to 12.3 billion Uganda shillings. The study concludes that at the mean willingness to pay prices, there is a huge market potential that can be exploited by SMEs venturing in the livestock feed industry. Acknowledgement : This study is an output of Expanding Utilization of Roots, Tubers and Bananas and Reducing Their Postharvest Losses (RTB-ENDURE), a 3-year project (2014-2016) implemented by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) with funding by the European Union and technical support of IFAD. Special thanks also go to VEDCO and CHAIN Uganda as well as district production officers of Masaka and Kamuli and other participants who fully took part in this study

Smallholder orange farmer access to markets in Uganda

Orange ( Citrus sinensis L.) is a major dietary component globally, responsible for supplying nutrients and phytochemicals of biological and health influence such as minerals, vitamins, fiber, flavonoids, limonoids, and carotenoids and antioxidant. It accounts for more than 50% of the citrus fruits produced world-over. It is a popular fruit in sub-Saharan Africa, though its level of consumption per capita is by global standards very low. In Uganda, orange production is mostly concentrated in eastern and northern parts; mostly grown by small holder farmers who are plagued by a milliard of production and marketing constraints. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic factors on smallholder access to orange markets in Uganda. The study was conducted in Kaberamaido, Kumi and Soroti Districts in eastern Uganda, using cross sectional data, during 2011-2012. Probit model results showed that the key institutional factor that affected smallholder access to markets was institutional belonging; the infrastructural factors entailed ownership of mobile phone and location of household; while age of household head, household size and output price constituted the socio-economic factors. Mobile phone, household size and age of household head elicited the highest effect on the probability for smallholder market access, and the magnitude of effect is shown by flexibilities of 0.5, -0.06 and 0.02, respectively. Tobit model estimates showed that market information, and household location constituted institutional and infrastructural factors affecting market access, respectively; while age of trees, output, output price and occupation of household head constituted the socio-economic factors. The critical factors that affect the extent of market access include location, market information, primary occupation of household head and quantity of output as shown by flexibilities of -0.6, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.03, respectively. Based on the Probit and Tobit model estimates, market information, mobile phone and quantity of outputs constitute critical institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic factors that affect smallholder market access. Therefore, opportunity for unlocking the potential for smallholders to access orange markets exists in boosting the level of output and facilitating linkage to markets.L\u2019orange ( Citrus sinensis L.) est un aliment majeur \ue0 l\u2019\ue9chelle mondiale, qui contient des nutriments et des compos\ue9s phytochimiques d\u2019influence biologique et sanitaire tels que les min\ue9raux, les vitamines, les fibres, les flavono\uefdes, les limono\uefdes et les carot\ue9no\uefdes et les antioxydants. Il comprend plus de 50% des fruits des agrumes qui sont\ua0cultiv\ue9s dans le monde. C\u2019est un fruit populaire en Afrique sub-saharienne, bien que son niveau de consommation par habitant soit tr\ue8s bas par rapport aux normes mondiales. En Ouganda, la production d\u2019orange est principalement concentr\ue9e dans l\u2019Est et le Nord de l\u2019Ouganda; principalement par de petits agriculteurs qui souffrent d\u2019un milliard de contraintes de production et de commercialisation. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019effet des facteurs institutionnels, infrastructurels et socio-\ue9conomiques sur l\u2019acc\ue8s des petits agriculteurs aux march\ue9s d\u2018orange en Ouganda. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 faite dans les districts de Kaberamaido, Kumi et Soroti dans l\u2019Est de l\u2019Ouganda \ue0 l\u2019aide de donn\ue9es transversales, au cours de la p\ue9riode 2011-2012. Les r\ue9sultats du mod\ue8le Probit ont montr\ue9 que le facteur institutionnel cl\ue9 qui affectait l\u2019acc\ue8s des petits agriculteurs aux march\ue9s \ue9tait l\u2019appartenance institutionnelle, les facteurs d\u2019infrastructure impliquaient la propri\ue9t\ue9 du t\ue9l\ue9phone portable et l\u2019emplacement du m\ue9nage, tandis que l\u2019\ue2ge du chef de m\ue9nage, la taille du m\ue9nage et le prix de production qui constituaient les facteurs socio-\ue9conomiques. Le t\ue9l\ue9phone portable, la taille du m\ue9nage et l\u2019\ue2ge du chef de m\ue9nage provoquent l\u2019effet le plus \ue9lev\ue9 sur la probabilit\ue9 d\u2019acc\ue8s au march\ue9 des petits agriculteurs et l\u2019immensit\ue9 de l\u2019effet est indiqu\ue9e par des flexibilit\ue9s de 0,5, -0,06 et 0,02, respectivement. Les estimations du mod\ue8le Tobit ont montr\ue9 que les informations sur le march\ue9 et l\u2019emplacement des m\ue9nages constituaient des facteurs institutionnels et infrastructurels affectant respectivement l\u2019acc\ue8s aux march\ue9s, tandis que l\u2019\ue2ge des arbres, la production, le prix de production et l\u2019occupation du chef de m\ue9nage constituaient les facteurs socio-\ue9conomiques. Les facteurs critiques qui affectent l\u2019\ue9tendue de l\u2019acc\ue8s au march\ue9 comprennent l\u2019emplacement, les informations sur le march\ue9, l\u2019occupation principale du chef de m\ue9nage et la quantit\ue9 de production, comme le montrent les flexibilit\ue9s de -0,6, 0,5, 0,5 et 0,03, respectivement. En se basant sur des estimations du mod\ue8le Probit et Tobit, les informations sur le march\ue9, le t\ue9l\ue9phone portable et la quantit\ue9 de production constituent des facteurs institutionnels, infrastructurels et socio-\ue9conomiques critiques qui affectent l\u2019acc\ue8s des petits exploitants aux march\ue9s. Par cons\ue9quent, il est possible de lib\ue9rer le potentiel des petits agriculteurs d\u2019acc\ue9der aux march\ue9s d\u2018orange en augmentant le niveau de production et en facilitant les liens avec les march\ue9s

Analysis of citrus value chain in eastern Uganda

Citrus farming is a smallholder enterprise in Eastern Uganda that has been prioritised and has received significant strategic support from government. However, farmers are variably engaging and benefiting from it probably due to existing inefficiencies in the value chain. This study aimed at analysing the citrus value chain, to identify factors affecting its performance, to foster citrus market competitiveness. The study involved citrus farming households, input suppliers, processors and traders. Cross sectional data were obtained and analysed using value chain mapping and gross margin analysis techniques. Results showed that farmers produce citrus using traditional technologies, including use of informally distributed planting materials with limited chemicals and irrigation. Value addition is limited and processing is still a critical missing link, thus fruits are commonly sold fresh. Generally, the value chain is not well coordinated and there is lack of trust among actors. Nevertheless, gross margin analysis shows that citrus farming is a profitable venture, which can lead to improvement in smallholder farm incomes and gainful employment in some segments of the value chain. Thus, citrus value chain upgrading opportunities lie within provision of quality planting materials, processing for value addition, and establishment of commodity innovation platforms.La production des agrumes est une entreprise de petits exploitants \ue0 l\u2019Est d\u2019Ouganda qui a \ue9t\ue9 prioritis\ue9e et a re\ue7u de soutien strat\ue9gique de la part du Gouvernement. N\ue9anmoins, les producteurs sont variablement engag\ue9s et en b\ue9n\ue9ficient probablement du fait de l\u2019inefficacit\ue9 de la cha\ueene de valeur. Cette \ue9tude a pour objectif d\u2019analyser la valeur de cha\ueene de l\u2019agrume pour identifier les facteurs affectant sa performance pour accroitre la comp\ue9titivit\ue9 du march\ue9 des agrumes. Cette \ue9tude a impliqu\ue9 les exploitants agricoles, les fournisseurs d\u2019intrants, les transformateurs et les commer\ue7ants. Les donn\ue9es transversales ont \ue9t\ue9 obtenues et analys\ue9es en utilisant la sch\ue9matisation de la cha\ueene de valeur et les techniques d\u2019analyse des marges brutes. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que les exploitants produisent les agrumes en utilisant les technologies traditionnelles, y compris l\u2019usage des mat\ue9riels de plantation traditionnellement distribu\ue9s avec un usage limit\ue9 des produits chimiques et d\u2019irrigation. La valeur ajout\ue9e est limit\ue9e et la transformation demeure un maillon critique manquant, donc les fruits sont couramment vendus frais. G\ue9n\ue9ralement, la cha\ueene de valeur n\u2019est pas bien coordonn\ue9e et il y a un manque de confiance parmi les acteurs. N\ue9anmoins, les r\ue9sultats de l\u2019analyse des marges brutes montrent que la production des agrumes est une op\ue9ration rentable, qui peut conduire \ue0 l\u2019am\ue9lioration des revenus des petits producteurs et un emploi r\ue9mun\ue9rateur dans certains segments de la cha\ueene de valeur. Par cons\ue9quent, la cha\ueene de valeur des agrumes donne lieu \ue0 des possibilit\ue9s de perfectionnement dans la fourniture des mat\ue9riels de plantation de qualit\ue9, la transformation pour de la valeur ajout\ue9e, et la mise en place des plateformes d\u2019innovation de la commodit\ue9

Sweet potato wastes in major pig producing districts in Uganda: An opportunity for investment in silage technologies

This study was undertaken to assess the potential for sweet potato silage making business by estimating sweet potato vines and root wastage and assessing the economic feasibility of investing in sweet potato silage. Information was collected through key informant interviews, secondary data review, sweet potato root peeling and weighing, focus group discussions with pig and sweet potato producers covering a sample of 180 farmers. Semi-structured interviews with 240 respondents (120 sweet potato farmers, 60 pig farmers and 60 sweet potato traders) were also conducted. The results showed that sweet potato production is seasonal with substantial wastage of sweet potato components existing across the various nodes of the sweet potato value chain. The study concludes that there is an opportunity for investment in sweet potato silage business that has the potential to reduce wastage of sweet potato and bridge the feed scarcity gap faced by pig farmers

Farmer Demand and Willingness-To-Pay for Sweet Potato Silage-Based Diet as Pig Feed in Uganda

This study was undertaken to assess farmer demand and willingness-to-pay for sweet potato silage-based diet as pig feed by smallholder farmers in Uganda. Information for the study was collected through secondary data review and semi-structured questionnaire interviews to assess farmer WTP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 256 respondents randomly drawn from 16 purposive clusters formed at a radius of 3 km around 16 farmers piloting sweet potato silage based diets for pig feed. The results show that pig farming is mainly the responsibility of women, with farmers mean willingness to pay price ranging from 679 to 697 Ugandan shillings, for a kilogram of sweet potato silage based diet. At the mean prices, annual demand for silage is 17,679 tons with a market potential estimated between 12.0 to 12.3 billion Uganda shillings. The study concludes that at the mean willingness to pay prices, there is a huge market potential that can be exploited by SMEs venturing in the livestock feed industry. Acknowledgement : This study is an output of Expanding Utilization of Roots, Tubers and Bananas and Reducing Their Postharvest Losses (RTB-ENDURE), a 3-year project (2014-2016) implemented by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) with funding by the European Union and technical support of IFAD. Special thanks also go to VEDCO and CHAIN Uganda as well as district production officers of Masaka and Kamuli and other participants who fully took part in this study

Smallholder orange farmer access to markets in Uganda

Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) is a major dietary component globally, responsible for supplying nutrients and phytochemicals of biological and health influence such as minerals, vitamins, fiber, flavonoids, limonoids, and carotenoids and antioxidant. It accounts for more than 50% of the citrus fruits produced world-over. It is a popular fruit in sub-Saharan Africa, though its level of consumption per capita is by global standards very low. In Uganda, orange production is mostly concentrated in eastern and northern parts; mostly grown by small holder farmers who are plagued by a milliard of production and marketing constraints. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic factors on smallholder access to orange markets in Uganda. The study was conducted in Kaberamaido, Kumi and Soroti Districts in eastern Uganda, using cross sectional data, during 2011-2012. Probit model results showed that the key institutional factor that affected smallholder access to markets was institutional belonging; the infrastructural factors entailed ownership of mobile phone and location of household; while age of household head, household size and output price constituted the socio-economic factors. Mobile phone, household size and age of household head elicited the highest effect on the probability for smallholder market access, and the magnitude of effect is shown by flexibilities of 0.5, -0.06 and 0.02, respectively. Tobit model estimates showed that market information, and household location constituted institutional and infrastructural factors affecting market access, respectively; while age of trees, output, output price and occupation of household head constituted the socio-economic factors. The critical factors that affect the extent of market access include location, market information, primary occupation of household head and quantity of output as shown by flexibilities of -0.6, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.03, respectively. Based on the Probit and Tobit model estimates, market information, mobile phone and quantity of outputs constitute critical institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic factors that affect smallholder market access. Therefore, opportunity for unlocking the potential for smallholders to access orange markets exists in boosting the level of output and facilitating linkage to markets.&#x0D; Key words: Citrus sinensis, infrastructural, institutional </jats:p

Emerging Early Actions to Bend the Curve in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Nutrition Transition

BACKGROUND : Sub-Saharan Africa is the last region to undergo nutrition transition and can still avoid its adverse health outcomes. OBJECTIVE : The paper explores emerging responses to ―bend the curve‖ in sub-Saharan Africa‘s nutrition transition to steer public health outcomes onto a healthier trajectory. METHODS : Early responses in three countries at different stages in food system transformation are examined: South Africa -advanced, Ghana –intermediate, and Uganda -early. By comparing these with international experience, actions are proposed to influence nutrition and public health trajectories as Africa‘s food systems undergo rapid structural change. RESULTS : Arising from rapid urbanization and diet change, major public health problems associated with overweight are taking place, particularly in South Africa and among adult women. However, public health responses are generally tepid in sub-Saharan Africa. Only in South Africa have policy makers instituted extensive actions to combat overweight and associated non-communicable diseases through regulation, education and public health programmes. Elsewhere, in countries in the early and middle stages of transition, public health systems continue to focus their limited resources primarily on under-nutrition. Related pressures on the supply side of Africa‘s food systems are emerging that also need to be addressed. CONCLUSIONS :Three types of intervention appear most feasible: Maternal and child health programmes to simultaneously address short-term undernutrition problems while at the same time helping to reduce future tendencies towards overweigh; Regulatory and fiscal actions to limit access to unhealthy foods; Modernization of Africa‘s agrifood food system, through job skills training, marketing reforms and food industry entrepreneurship.http://www.elsevier.com /locate/compind2017-06-30hb2016Food Scienc