Estimating the potential of beekeeping to alleviate household poverty in rural Uganda

<div><p>Robust evidence underpinning the role of beekeeping in poverty alleviation is currently lacking. This study estimated the production potential for beekeepers in Northern Uganda by quantifying current production assets (equipment and knowledge) and impact on rural income streams range of proposed interventions. Intervention scenarios evaluated the economic benefits to be derived from different hive types combined with year-round provision of a nectar source (<i>Calliandra calothyrsus</i>) planted at varying density. Findings show that the type and number of beehive combinations used influenced the amount of revenue streams generated by the beekeepers. Addition of 20 log hives increased incomes 10 times, 20 KTBs increased revenues 16 times and Langstroth 18 times. Adding <i>Calliandra</i> trees as a forage source to the baseline scenario yielded revenues up to 17.6 times higher than the baseline. Implying that good management plus the introduction of a reliable nectar source, to off-set dry season challenges (absconding), could improve beekeeping productivity in Northern Uganda. Further research is required to validate <i>in situ</i> the impact of modelled scenarios on both honey yield and other ecosystem service benefits.</p></div

Descriptive analyses of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies transmission and prevention in rural communities near wildlife reserves in Uganda: a One Health cross-sectional study

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Strategies for increased utilisation of new propolis products in Uganda

Over 80% of Ugandan beekeepers harvest honey and beeswax but only 1% venture into commercialising propolis. Propolis has been documented to have antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and immune boosting properties. This study reveals beekeepers have the potential to produce between 325 to 870 tons of crude propolis annually earning up to US$1.3-3.5 million. This income is currently lost due to poor sector organisation. Further research on chemical composition and pharmacological benefit of the two types of Ugandan propolis is recommended

Retrospective study on cattle and poultry diseases in Uganda

Cattle and poultry enterprises are among the major contributors to food security and socioeconomic empowerment of households in Uganda. However, various diseases constrain their productivity. A two-year retrospective study between April 2012 and March 2014 was conducted using records for cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) to determine prevalent diseases in Uganda. The laboratory received 836 samples from poultry (36.3%) and cattle (63.7%). Of the 836 samples, 47.5% had a definitive diagnosis of disease causation. Most of the cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed were protozoan diseases (39.3%) followed by bacterial (21.4%), viral (17.1%), helminthiasis (11.1%), nutritional diseases (4%) and others (7.1%). For poultry, viral diseases (29.5%) and protozoan diseases (27.1%) especially newcastle disease (44.3%) and coccidiosis (100%) respectively, were the most diagnosed. While for cattle, hemo-protozoan parasites (52.1%) were the most prevalent, of which 92.9% were east coast fever infection. Bacterial infection (20.5%) in cattle were the second most diagnosed diseases and mastitis was the most diagnosed (46.2%). In summary, coccidioisis, collibacillosis, newcastle disease, gumboro disease, and avian helminthiasis were the most prevalent poultry diseases while in cattle, east coast fever, helminthiasis, mastitis, brucellosis and rabies were the most frequently diagnosed diseases. This study has identified the major diseases that hinder poultry and cattle production in Uganda. The data generated by CDL could be used for surveillance, monitoring and designing strategic interventions for control of poultry and cattle diseases in Uganda. Keywords: Coccidiosis, Collibacillosis, East coast fever, Mastitis, Newcastle disease, Rabie

Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Emergence of multi-acaricide resistant Rhipicephalus ticks and its implication on chemical tick control in Uganda

Map of Uganda showing the various districts from which tick samples were collected. A, Map of Africa showing Uganda. B, Map of Uganda showing the areas from which ticks were collected (depicted by ticks). (PPTX 656 kb