Impact of Alternative Land Management Options on Soil Fertility and Erosion in Uganda

Using a data set collected in eight districts of Uganda, this study investigates how investment in soil fertility management (SFM) and conservation practices may affect natural resource outcomes, particularly the extent and level of soil erosion and soil nutrient loss. The study used ordered probit models and the results suggest that investment in SFM and conservation practices greatly improves soil fertility and reduces soil erosion. From a policy perspective, public investment to encourage use of SFM and conservation technologies would help the country achieve sustainable agricultural production.Land Management, Soil Fertility, Ordered Probit, Erosion, Land Economics/Use,

Poverty, property rights and land management in Uganda

This study investigates the impact of poverty, social capital and land tenure on the adoption of soil fertility management (SFM) and conservation technologies in Uganda. Considering four land management technologies (fallowing, terracing and inorganic and organic fertilizers), the study estimates a multinomial logit model to link farmers’ characteristics to the choice of technologies. The findings show that investments in land management are driven by factors such as land tenure security, level of poverty and participation in community organizations (social capital), and, most importantly, that household level poverty reduces the probability of adoption of most of the technologies, while social capital and land tenure security increase it. The findings suggest that more efficient government efforts to reduce poverty would enhance the adoption of SFM technologies. Other policies that would enhance the adoption of sustainable land management practices are infrastructure development, tenure security through a more efficient system of land registration, and investment in and use of social capital institutions.poverty, social capital, property rights, soil fertility management, Uganda, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use,

Traditional processing, microbial and physicochemical changes during fermentation of malwa

A survey was conducted to characterise production methods of malwa; a Ugandan traditional fermented millet beverage, in four divisions of Kampala district using a questionnaire. Lactobacillus and Lactococcus spp and coliforms were enumerated in the raw materials and during fermentation using standard microbiological methods. Changes in chemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Similarities in production methods were observed among the malwa producers. All producers germinated millet grains (2-3 days) to make green malt. The germinated grains were sun-dried for 2-3 days. Moistened millet flour was subjected to solid state pit fermentation for one week to produce acidified fermented dough. The acidified fermented dough was roasted over an open fire to produce roasted acidified dough. The duration of fermentation of malwa varied between 2 and 4 days. Only 5% of the producers practiced back slopping. Producers (90%) reported that consumers preferred sour malwa. Lactobacillus and Lactococcus spp numbers in the sour dough, roasted sour dough and green malt varied between 3.48 and 5.38, 2.02 and 2.60, and 4.45 and 6.25 log cfug–1 respectively. Coliforms in sour dough, roasted sour dough and green malt varied between 1.36 and 5.53 log cfug–1. Lactobacillus spp increased from 2.73 to 6.60 log cfu mL–1 whereas Lactococcus spp increased from 2.67 to 6.22 log cfu mL–1 during 72 h of fermentation. The greatest increase in numbers was observed during the first 24 h. Coliforms decreased from 2.80 to 1.19 log cfu mL–1after 24 h with a slight increase to 1.26 log cfu mL–1 after 48 h due to further addition of green malt. Coliforms were still detectable after 72 h. The pH decreased from 4.3 to 3.65 as titratable acidity increased from 0.69 to 1.47% lactic acid after 72 h of fermentation. Total soluble solids decreased from 17.7 to 7.7 oBrix during 72 h fermentation. Ethanol increased from 1.07 to 12% v\v. Carbohydrates and tannins decreased during germination and fermentation. Apparent increase in protein contentwas observed. The high numbers of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus spp and coliforms in the sour dough suggest their involvement in the solid state pit fermentation of millet flour. Higher numbers of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus spp in the green malt indicates that these organisms play a big role in the fermentation process of malwa.Key words: Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Millet, Fermentation, Malw

Gender equitable pig business hubs in Uganda

Peer Revie

The gender dimensions of a pig disease: African swine fever in Uganda

Peer Revie

Poverty, property rights and land management in Uganda

This study investigates the impact of poverty, social capital and land tenure on the adoption of soil fertility management (SFM) and conservation technologies in Uganda. Considering four land management technologies (fallowing, terracing and inorganic and organic fertilizers), the study estimates a multinomial logit model to link farmers’ characteristics to the choice of technologies. The findings show that investments in land management are driven by factors such as land tenure security, level of poverty and participation in community organizations (social capital), and, most importantly, that household level poverty reduces the probability of adoption of most of the technologies, while social capital and land tenure security increase it. The findings suggest that more efficient government efforts to reduce poverty would enhance the adoption of SFM technologies. Other policies that would enhance the adoption of sustainable land management practices are infrastructure development, tenure security through a more efficient system of land registration, and investment in and use of social capital institutions.Cette étude examine l’impact de la pauvreté, du capital social et du régime foncier dans l’adoption d’une gestion de la fertilité du sol (SFM, en anglais) et les technologies de conservation en Ouganda. Prenant en considération quatre technologies de la gestion foncière (jachère, étagement, engrais biologiques et inorganiques), l’étude évalue le modèle logit multinomial pour relier les caractéristiques des fermiers au choix des technologies. Les conclusions montrent que les investissements en gestion foncière sont guidés par des facteurs comme la sécurité du régime foncier, le degré de pauvreté, la participation au sein des organisations communautaires (capital social) et, d’abord et avant tout, que le degré de pauvreté des ménages réduit la probabilité de l’adoption de la plupart des technologies, alors que le capital social et la sécurité du régime foncier l’augmentent. Les conclusions suggèrent que de plus amples efforts de la part du gouvernement, efficaces et destinés à réduire la pauvreté, encourageraient l’adoption de technologies SFM. D’autres politiques sont capables d’inciter l’adoption de pratiques en matière de gestion foncière durable, à noter le développement de l’infrastructure, la sécurité foncière, grâce à un système plus efficace d’enregistrement des terres, et l’investissement dans et l’utilisation des institutions du capital social

Implementing integrated care clinics for HIV-infection, diabetes and hypertension in Uganda (INTE-AFRICA): process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a dual burden of chronic human immunodeficiency virus and non-communicable diseases. A pragmatic parallel arm cluster randomised trial (INTE-AFRICA) scaled up ‘one-stop’ integrated care clinics for HIV-infection, diabetes and hypertension at selected facilities in Uganda. These clinics operated integrated health education and concurrent management of HIV, hypertension and diabetes. A process evaluation (PE) aimed to explore the experiences, attitudes and practices of a wide variety of stakeholders during implementation and to develop an understanding of the impact of broader structural and contextual factors on the process of service integration. METHODS: The PE was conducted in one integrated care clinic, and consisted of 48 in-depth interviews with stakeholders (patients, healthcare providers, policy-makers, international organisation, and clinical researchers); three focus group discussions with community leaders and members (n = 15); and 8 h of clinic-based observation. An inductive analytical approach collected and analysed the data using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological five-step method. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework was subsequently used to conceptualise integrated care across multiple contextual levels (macro, meso, micro). RESULTS: Four main themes emerged; Implementing the integrated care model within healthcare facilities enhances detection of NCDs and comprehensive co-morbid care; Challenges of NCD drug supply chains; HIV stigma reduction over time, and Health education talks as a mechanism for change. Positive aspects of integrated care centred on the avoidance of duplication of care processes; increased capacity for screening, diagnosis and treatment of previously undiagnosed comorbid conditions; and broadening of skills of health workers to manage multiple conditions. Patients were motivated to continue receiving integrated care, despite frequent NCD drug stock-outs; and development of peer initiatives to purchase NCD drugs. Initial concerns about potential disruption of HIV care were overcome, leading to staff motivation to continue delivering integrated care. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing integrated care has the potential to sustainably reduce duplication of services, improve retention in care and treatment adherence for co/multi-morbid patients, encourage knowledge-sharing between patients and providers, and reduce HIV stigma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN43896688