Market valuation of processed fruit juice attributes in Uganda: what do market prices of processed fruit juice reflect?

The demand for processed fruit juice is rising in Uganda due to growth in urbanization, incomes and middle class. Though locally-processed fruit juice is available, much of the domestic demand is being satisfied through imports mainly from South Africa and Kenya, leading to a variety of products in the market. Since processed fruit juice is a heterogenous product, this study assessed the implicit market values of its quality attributes for enhancement of nutrition security in Uganda. By fitting market data to the hedonic price model, size of package was slightly discounted in processed fruit juice per 100 ml serving. For a unit (ml) increase in size of package of fruit juice, the price per serving decreased by Ush0.11 (< US$0.01). Further, fruit juices in transparent packages were significantly cheaper per serving than those in non-transparent packages by Ush23 (US$0.01). Besides packaging, the influence of important quality attributes on its market price was weak. Only fruit juices with added sugar and preservatives were discounted on the market. Fruit juice concentration and flavour did not have any effect on the market price of processed fruit juice, probably because market prices of fruit juices were relatively uniform per serving irrespective of the fruit juice concentration and flavour. Informal interview with one of the local fruit juice processors revealed that the price of fruit juice reflected the cost of packaging material that constituted about 70% of total production costs. Results from this study have far reaching implications for agribusinesses and policy makers for promotion of nutrition security in Uganda. Local fruit juice processors and distributors could opt for the market-oriented pricing and segmentation strategies to offer a wide range of products including premium fruit juice products for high-end, nutrition and health conscious consumers. Moreover, any government efforts to lower the cost of fruit juice packaging material will promote local fruit juice production and consumption in Uganda.Keywords: processed fruit juice, hedonic price model, attributes, convenience, nutritio

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING APPLE PRODUCTION IN SOUTH-WESTERN UGANDA

Apple ( Malus domestica ) accounts for 50% of the world\u2019s deciduous fruit tree production. Apple, commonly known as a temperate crop, has become a gainful cash crop for the people in south-western Uganda. The objective of the study was to determine the various costs involved and how different socio-economic factors influence production in south-western Uganda. The analysis was based on data from a research institute orchard and a survey of 136 farm households. There was positive net cash flow (US 2,398.5) after the fourth year. Labour was the highest cost accounting for 41.8 percent of total production costs. Organic fertiliser, farmers experience and labour were the most critical factors of production. They had a positive and significant effect, explaining 63.6 percent of the variation in apple production. Organic fertiliser had the highest elasticity (0.77), followed by labour and land with 0.28 and 0.01, respectively.La pomme ( Malus domestica ) compte pour 50% d\u2019arbres de production mondiale de fruits caduques. Commun\ue9ment connu comme \ue9tant une culture \ue0 regions temp\ue9r\ue9es, la pommee est devenue une culture de rente b\ue9n\ue9fique pour le people du sud ouest de l\u2019Uganda. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude\ue9tait de d\ue9terminer divers co\ufbts impliqu\ue9s et la mani\ue8re dont diff\ue9rents facteurs socio\ue9conomiques influencent sa production au Sud Ouest de l\u2019Uganda. L\u2019analyse \ue9tait bas\ue9e sur des donn\ue9es d\u2019un institut de recherche sur le verger et des donn\ue9es d\u2019enqu\ueate sur 136 m\ue9nages des fermiers. Apr\ue8s la quatri\ue8me ann\ue9e, il n\u2019y avait pas de cash flow positif (US 2,398.5). La main d\u2019oeuvre faisait le co\ufbt le plus \ue9lev\ue9 avec 41.8 % du co\ufbt total de production. La fumure organique, l\u2019exp\ue9rience de fermiers et la main d\u2019oeuvre des facteurs critiques de production. Ils ont manifest\ue9 un effet positif et significatif, explicant 63.6 % de la variation dans la production de la pommee. La fumure organique avait l\u2019\ue9lasticit\ue9 la plus \ue9lev\ue9e (0.77), suivi de la main d\u2019oeuvre et la terre avec 0.28 et 0.01, respectivemen

How Climate Variability Influence Rain-Fed Rice Production Frontier: Northern Agro-Ecology of Uganda

This study examined the impact of climate variability on rain-fed rice production in the northern agro-ecological zone (NAEZ) of Uganda. We used stochastic frontier model to analyse a four year (2013-2016) farm-level data. The results of the maximum likelihood estimates revealed negative effects of mean rainfall and coefficient of variation in rainfall on rice output but coefficient of variations in mean temperature was positive. The production frontier exhibited increasing returns to scale technology, low level of efficiency was exhibited and inefficiencies were driven by location, age, plot size and number of crops. We therefore conclude that rice farmers are producing inefficiently and increased variability in climate has adverse effects on rice production frontier but inefficiencies are being propelled by farmers’ characteristics. Based on the findings, we recommend promoting awareness about climate variability and potential response alternatives for rice production and further research into coping strategies being used by rice farmers. Keywords: Production frontier, Rainfall, Rain-fed rice, Temperature DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-14-09 Publication date:July 31st 2019

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

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

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

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING APPLE PRODUCTION IN SOUTH-WESTERN UGANDA

Apple ( Malus domestica ) accounts for 50% of the world’s deciduous fruit tree production. Apple, commonly known as a temperate crop, has become a gainful cash crop for the people in south-western Uganda. The objective of the study was to determine the various costs involved and how different socio-economic factors influence production in south-western Uganda. The analysis was based on data from a research institute orchard and a survey of 136 farm households. There was positive net cash flow (US$2,398.5) after the fourth year. Labour was the highest cost accounting for 41.8 percent of total production costs. Organic fertiliser, farmers experience and labour were the most critical factors of production. They had a positive and significant effect, explaining 63.6 percent of the variation in apple production. Organic fertiliser had the highest elasticity (0.77), followed by labour and land with 0.28 and 0.01, respectively.La pomme ( Malus domestica ) compte pour 50production mondiale de fruits caduques. Communément connu comme étant une culture à regions tempérées, la pommee est devenue une culture de rente bénéfique pour le people du sud ouest de l’Uganda. L’objectif de cette étudeétait de déterminer divers coûts impliqués et la manière dont différents facteurs socioéconomiques influencent sa production au Sud Ouest de l’Uganda. L’analyse était basée sur des données d’un institut de recherche sur le verger et des données d’enquête sur 136 ménages des fermiers. Après la quatrième année, il n’y avait pas de cash flow positif (US$ 2,398.5). La main d’oeuvre faisait le coût le plus élevé avec 41.8 % du coût total de production. La fumure organique, l’expérience de fermiers et la main d’oeuvre des facteurs critiques de production. Ils ont manifesté un effet positif et significatif, explicant 63.6 % de la variation dans la production de la pommee. La fumure organique avait l’élasticité la plus élevée (0.77), suivi de la main d’oeuvre et la terre avec 0.28 et 0.01, respectivemen

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

FARMERS\u2019 PREFERENCES FOR MAIZE ATTRIBUTES IN EASTERN AND WESTERN UGANDA

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is an important staple food crop in Uganda and is emerging as a cash crop for smallholder farmers. Maize has, therefore, been prioritised by the Government of Uganda for continuous improvement through the national agricultural research system, resulting in the release of several improved varieties. However, adoption rates of the improved varieties among farmers remains low possibly due to non-inclusion of important non-yield productive and consumptive attributes in the new maize varieties. This study was conducted to identify and economically evaluate non-yield productive and consumptive attributes that are important to farmers and their influence on the price farmers are willing to pay for seed of varieties that embody those attributes. A survey of 325 randomly selected farmers was conducted in Iganga and Masindi districts in Uganda to identify productive and consumptive attributes they preferred when purchasing seed. Results showed that maize farmers were willing to pay more for seed of short-medium height, short-medium maturity period, and high yielding maize varieties. However, the price farmers were willing to pay for maize seed not only depended on quality attributes, but also on seed market prices and land resource endowment. These results have important implications for policy makers to streamline production, multiplication and distribution of high quality maize seeds in Uganda.Le ma\uefs ( Zea mays L.) est une culture importante servant d\u2019aliment de base en Ouganda et constitute une culture de rente pour les petits producteurs. Le ma\uefs a, toutefois, \ue9t\ue9 choisi comme une culture prioritaire par le Gouvernement Ougandais pour une am\ue9lioration continue \ue0 travers le syst\ue8me national de recherhes agricoles, produisant une lib\ue9ration de plusieurs varieties am\ue9lior\ue9es. Neanmoins, les taux d\u2019adoption de ces vari\ue9t\ue9s par les producteurs demeurent faibles probablement \ue0 cause de la non prise en compte d\u2019importants facteurs non-productifs et de pr\ue9f\ue9rences des consommateurs dans le d\ue9veloppement des nouvelles vari\ue9t\ue9s. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 conduite pour identifier et \ue9valuer \ue9conomiquement les attributs non-productifs et de consommatiion qui sont importants aux producteurs et leurs influences sur les prix que les producteurs sont dispos\ue9s \ue0 payer pour les grains des vari\ue9t\ue9s comportant ces attributs. Une enqu\ueate a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9\ue9 sur 325 producteurs s\ue9lectionn\ue9s de fa\ue7on al\ue9atoire dans les districts de Iganga et Masindi pour identifier les attributs de production et de consommation que les producteurs ont pr\ue9f\ue9r\ue9 quand ils ach\ue8tent les semences. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que les producteurs de ma\uefs sont plus dispos\ue9s \ue0 payer des semences de vari\ue9t\ue9s de ma\uefs de taille courte \ue0 moyenne, d\u2019une p\ue9riode de maturit\ue9 courte \ue0 moyenne, et de haut rendement. N\ue9anmoins, le prix que les producteurs \ue9taient dispos\ue9s \ue0 payer pour acheter les semences du ma\uefs d\ue9pendait non seulement de la qualit\ue9 des attributs, mais aussi du prix du march\ue9 des semences et de dotation en ressources en terres. Ces r\ue9sultats ont d\u2019importantes implications pour les d\ue9cideurs politiques leur permettant de rationaliser la production, la multiplication et la distribution des semences de ma\uefs de haute qualit\ue9 en Ouganda