Design of waste stabilization ponds for dairy processing plants in Uganda

Waste stabilization ponds (WSP) were designed to treat 287.5 m3 day-1 of wastewater generated from processing of 100 m3 of milk per day.  The design involved use of existing models including those developed by Mara to size the anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds.  The design temperature was 250C.  The anaerobic pond was designed based on volumetric organic loading rate while facultative pond was designed based on surface loading rate.  On the other hand, the maturation pond was designed based on the number of coliform bacteria removed per 100 mL of wastewater.  The anaerobic pond was designed to remove 70% BOD, facultative pond-75% and maturation pond-25% BOD.  In addition, the maturation pond was designed to have a coliform bacteria removal efficiency of at least 99%.  The total land requirement for anaerobic pond was estimated at 945.19 m2, facultative pond-6361.54 m2 and three maturation ponds-2709.06 m2.  To cater for pond operation and maintenance, an additional 25% land was incorporated resulting into 1.25 hectares as the total land area required for pond construction, operation and maintenance.  Besides treatment of wastewater to reduce BOD, remove pathogens and other pollutants, the use of WSP can result into high economic benefits through recycling of wastewater for agriculture and aquaculture. As a result, the payback period for the investment cost may also be shortened.   Keywords: milk, waste stabilization ponds, BOD, anaerobic, facultative, maturatio

Misdiagnosis and clinical significance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Western Kenya in the era of human immunodeficiency virus epidemic

Objectives: To determine and document the role of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in TB-like disease morbidity and demonstrate the confusion they cause in the diagnosis of TB in western Kenya.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: One provincial and nine District hospitals in western Kenya.Subjects: Tuberculosis suspects.Interventions: Sputa from 872 tuberculosis suspects underwent microscopy and culture on solid and liquid media. The growth was identified using the Hain’s GenoType® Mycobacterium CM and GenoType® Mycobacterium AS kits. Consenting clients were screened for HIV infection using Trinity Biotech Uni-GoldTM test and positive cases were confirmed with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data.Main outcome measures: ZN smear positivity / negativity; Culture positivity or negativity; Mycobacterium species isolates (tuberculous or non-tuberculous); HIV status.                                                      Results: Sputa from 39.1% (341/872) of the participants were ZN smear positive, of these 53.1% (181/341) were culture positive. Only 3.8% (20/531) of the ZN smear negatives were culture positive. In total 41.4% (361/872) participants were infected with mycobacteria, of which 44.3% (160/361) were culture negative and 55.7% (201/361) were culture positive. The culture positives yielded 92.5% M. tuberculosis complexand 7.5% NTM. The overall prevalence of the NTM disease was 1.72% (15/872).                                                                            Conclusion: A low prevalence of NT M pulmonary disease in western Kenya is reported in this study, but some the NTM disease cases could have been misdiagnosed as TB cases

Training report: capacity building in entrepreneurial and business skills for operationalizing fresh cassava roots packhouse.

This report describes the capacity building process and activities that were done to enhance the business and entrepreneurial skills of packhouse operators

Technical report: Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD) tolerance of selected Ugandan cassava varieties. Extending the shelf-life of fresh cassava roots for increased incomes and postharvest losses reduction

The purpose of this study is to screen cassava varieties for their level of tolerance or susceptibility to Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD). Specifically, it aims at collecting varieties of fresh cassava roots preferred by consumers in Ugandan. The study targets the two major fresh cassava supply axes, i.e., Masindi/Kiryandongo and Kyenjojo/Kabarole. Fresh cassava roots were screened for tolerance or susceptibility to PPD. The study also aims at determining the effect of pruning on the deterioration of cassava roots over time and the changes in root biochemistry during storage of both pruned and non-pruned cassava varieties

Training report: capacity building in agronomic practices, waxing and relative humidity storage technologies for shelf-life extension of fresh cassava roots.

This report describes the capacity building process and activities that were done to enable the value chain actors adopt and adapt the pre-and post-harvest practices, and waxing and high relative humidity storage technologies in order to run a successful business enterprise

Technical report: efficacy of pruning, waxing and relative humidity storage in extending shelf-life of fresh cassava roots. Extending the shelf-life of fresh cassava roots for increased incomes and postharvest losses reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate waxing and high relative humidity treatments for efficacy on Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD) reduction. Specifically, it aimed at evaluating effect of waxing and relative humidity storage on PPD, reducing sugars, dry matter content, cyanide content and starch yield as well as acceptability of treated roots

Technical Report: Market opportunities and value chain analysis of fresh cassava roots in Uganda.

European UnionInternational Fund for Agricultural Developmen

Manual: setting up a packhouse for waxing and relative humidity storage of fresh cassava roots

European UnionPeer Revie

Adaptability and phenotypic stability of resistance to two viral diseases and yields traits in Cassava

Cassava productivity is hampered by pests and diseases including cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). The main objective of this study was to identify stable superior genotypes that combine disease re-sistance and high yield. Sixteen cassava genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications for six planting seasons (years) at five sites in Tanzania. The genotypes were assessed using the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis, and highly significant