Understanding intra-community disparity in food and nutrition security in a generally food insecure part of eastern Africa

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of the major development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions of the world. Karamoja sub-region, located in northern Uganda, is one of the poorest and most food insecure part of Eastern Africa. Previous studies have generalized the sub-region as food insecure. However, limited attention has been paid to locational differences in the food and nutrition security situation within this culturally and ecologically diverse part of the country. A crosssectional study design was used to examine at a community level, disparity in food and nutrition security situation among communities in Kotido and Moroto districts of the Karamoja sub-region. The study investigated the status of agricultural production, dietary habits and food security situation using individual household survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) and food insecurity coping strategy index (CSI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlation and regression methods, at 5 % level of significance. The results showed that irrespective of ethnic differences, majority of households (78.8%) consumed less than 3 meals 24 hours preceding the interview. Generally, agricultural production was inadequate to support household food security and less than 30% of the households had adequate calorie intake. However, calorie intake adequacy was at least three (3) times higher in Kotido than in Moroto district. Plant foods were more frequently consumed than animal-source foods. At least 57% and 73% of households in Kotido and Moroto districts, respectively, never consumed fish. Food security was generally predicted by household size, ownership of food stores, occupation of household caregivers, number of livestock (especially goats) owned by households, time taken to fetch water (related to distance to water source) and sorghum production. Whereas it is generally known that Karamoja sub-region is highly food insecure, this study has demonstrated that communities in Moroto district are worse-off than those in Kotido district. Therefore, community-level characteristics ought to be an essential baseline consideration in designing food and nutrition interventions in Karamoja, and indeed in food insecure localities in general.Keywords: Karamoja, Eastern Africa, dietary practices, coping strategies, animal source food

Seasonal variability in food and nutrition security among children 0-3 years in Karamoja sub-region of Uganda

Optimal nutrition and good feeding of infants and young children are among the most important determinants of their health, growth and development. Due to unimodal climate in Karamoja sub-region, north eastern Uganda, achieving food security remains a development challenge in the area impacting negatively on the nutrition and health status of infants and young children. The current study, therefore, is important in providing the basis for season-based interventions to improve food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region. A longitudinal study involving 267 lactating mothers during harvesting season and 380 during planting season was conducted. Data were collected using Individual level Dietary Diversity questionnaire, 24-Hour Dietary Recall, and Anthropometry and were analyzed statistically. The findings indicated that except Abim district, 77.8-97.8%of the lactating mothers never attended school; 75- 100% depend on subsistence farming. Lactating mothers (29.9-41.9%) introduced complementary foods to their infants at 6 months, while the age at first introduction of any food to the infant was mostly between 4-6 months. Dietary quality of complementary foods was low across all the districts; 6.7-38.9% of the children ate foods from four or more of the seven food groups in the previous day (Minimum Dietary Diversity) in both seasons. Complementary foods were characterized by plant food sources. With exception of milk and milk products, proportion of children who consumed animal-sourced foods was low, ranging from 0% in meats to 8.9% in fish and sea foods. Energy and nutrient intakes varied according to age groups of the children across districts and season. The proportion of children below -2 Z-score also varied according to districts and it is generally higher during the planting season than the harvesting season. The median of the z-scores for height-for age and Mid Upper Arm Circumference for age ranged from -1 to -2.5. In conclusion, there were variations and disparities in dietary diversity, energy and nutrient intake as well as nutrition status of infants and young children across season and districts in Karamoja sub-region of Uganda. Therefore, interventions to combat malnutrition among children 0-3 years need to take into account seasonal variations for each of the geographical locations in Karamoja sub-region

EFFECT OF CEREAL BASED TRADITIONAL MALTING TECHNOLOGY ON NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF IRON-RICH BEAN FLOUR

Iron deficiency is a major public health challenge affecting the health of about 18 and 13.8% of children and women globally, respectively. About 43% children and 29% women in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from Iron Deficiency Anemia. In Uganda, recent demographic health statistics indicate that the prevalence of anaemia among children of 6-59 months stands at 53%; while that for women of child bearing age stands at 32%. Biofortified iron-rich bean varieties have been developed and adopted in Uganda to contribute to alleviation of iron deficiency challenges. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of traditional malting technology on nutritional quality of biofortified iron-rich beans ( Phaseoulus vulgaris L.). The study examined the effect of the traditional malting technology on: (i) the contents of anti-nutritional factors (phytates, oxalates, polyphenols, tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity); (ii) digestibility of protein and bioavailability of iron and zinc; and (iii) retention of proximate constituents and mineral micronutrient contents in bean varieties. We used three bean varieties, namely NAROBEAN 1, hereafter referred to as NB1, NAROBEAN 2 (NB2), and NAROBEAN 3 (NB3), all of which are widely produced and consumed in Acholi sub-region. Application of paired t-test revealed that the traditional malting technology reduced only the content of oxalates by 42.3-54.8 % and trypsin inhibitor activity by 6.2-34.6 %, from the three varieties. The content of total phenols was reduced by 22.3 % only in NB 1 (P< 0.05). The traditional malting technology improved protein digestibility for the three varieties by 38-43.6 % (P< 0.05). Bioavailability of iron improved from in NB1 by 26.7 % and NB2 by 11.5 %; while that of zinc improved for only NB2 by 51.5 % (P<0.05). The contents of micronutrients and proximate constituents were not adversely affected by the traditional malting technology, except for phosphorus in NB1 and magnesium in NB3. Overall, traditional malting technology is effective at reducing trypsin inhibitors and oxalates, and improving protein digestibility and iron bioavailability.La carence en fer est un d\ue9fi majeur de sant\ue9 publique affectant la sant\ue9 d\u2019environ 18 et 13,8 % des enfants et des femmes dans le monde respectivement. Environ 43 % des enfants et 29 % des femmes en Afrique subsaharienne souffrent d\u2019an\ue9mie ferriprive. En Ouganda, des statistiques d\ue9mographiques r\ue9centes sur la sant\ue9 indiquent que la pr\ue9valence de l\u2019an\ue9mie chez les enfants de 6 \ue0 59 mois est de 53 % ; tandis que celui des femmes en \ue2ge de procr\ue9er est de 32 %. Des vari\ue9t\ue9s de haricots biofortifi\ue9es riches en fer ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9velopp\ue9es et adopt\ue9es en Ouganda pour contribuer \ue0 att\ue9nuer les probl\ue8mes de carence en fer. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9tudier l\u2019effet de la technologie de maltage traditionnel sur la qualit\ue9 nutritionnelle des haricots (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.) biofortifi\ue9es riches en fer. L\u2019\ue9tude a examin\ue9 l\u2019effet de la technologie de maltage traditionnel sur : (i) la teneur en facteurs anti-nutritionnels (phytates, oxalates, polyph\ue9nols, tanins, activit\ue9 inhibitrice de la trypsine) ; (ii) digestibilit\ue9 des prot\ue9ines et biodisponibilit\ue9 du fer et du zinc ; et (iii) la r\ue9tention des constituants proches et des teneurs en micronutriments min\ue9raux dans les vari\ue9t\ue9s de haricots. Nous avons utilis\ue9 trois vari\ue9t\ue9s de haricots, \ue0 savoir NAROBEAN 1, ci-apr\ue8s d\ue9nomm\ue9es NB1, NAROBEAN 2 (NB2) et NAROBEAN 3 (NB3), qui sont toutes largement produites et consomm\ue9es dans la sous-r\ue9gion Acholi. L\u2019application du test t appari\ue9 a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que la technologie de maltage traditionnelle ne r\ue9duisait que la teneur en oxalates de 42,3 \ue0 54,8 % et l\u2019activit\ue9 inhibitrice de la trypsine de 6,2 \ue0 34,6 %, pour les trois vari\ue9t\ue9s. La teneur en ph\ue9nols totaux a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9duite de 22,3 % uniquement dans le NB 1 (P< 0,05). La technologie de maltage traditionnel a am\ue9lior\ue9 la digestibilit\ue9 des prot\ue9ines pour les trois vari\ue9t\ue9s de 38 \ue0 43,6 % (P< 0,05). La biodisponibilit\ue9 du fer s\u2019est am\ue9lior\ue9e de 26,7\ua0% dans NB1 et de 11,5\ua0% dans NB2\ua0; tandis que celle du zinc s\u2019est am\ue9lior\ue9e pour seulement NB2 de 51,5 % (P<0,05). La teneur en micronutriments et en constituants proches n\u2019a pas \ue9t\ue9 affect\ue9e par la technologie de maltage traditionnelle, \ue0 l\u2019exception du phosphore dans NB1 et du magn\ue9sium dans NB3. Dans l\u2019ensemble, la technologie de maltage traditionnelle est efficace pour r\ue9duire les inhibiteurs de la trypsine et les oxalates et am\ue9liorer la digestibilit\ue9 des prot\ue9ines et la biodisponibilit\ue9 du fer

Contextual determinants of learning behaviour differentials amongst host-farmers of University-student outreach in Uganda

Published online: 14 Jan 2019; Open Access JournalIn Sub-Saharan Africa, a knowledge void still exists on two contextual questions of university-community outreach: 1) how social demographics differences are related to farmer learning behaviour towards student outreach, and 2) how student outreach models compare with public and non-public extension services. A cross-section survey was used to obtain data from a sample of 283 respondents purposively selected from previous hosts of student outreach of Gulu University in Uganda. Results from Kruskal-Wallis method revealed that there were significant differences among host-farmers with respect to farmstead distance to the university for knowledge sharing (?2 (2) = 8.5; P < 0.05) and giving feedback (?2 (2) = 7.6; P < 0.05). Regarding the experience of participating in outreach program, significant differences among host-farmers were found in seeking information (?2 (2) = 12.3; P < 0.01); knowledge sharing (?2 (2) = 10.4; P < 0.01); seeking feedback (?2 (2) = 16.4; P < 0.01) and giving feedback (?2 (2) = 8.1; P < 0.05). Further, Friedman test results showed that host-farmers perceived the university-student outreach to be superior and significantly different from public and non-public agricultural extension. We conclude that university outreach is a useful service to farmer. However, its success in facilitating farmer learning is dependent on farmstead distance to the university and farmers’ level of experience of participating in university activities. We recommend more logistical support from governments to university outreach programs so that outreach services can efficiently complement public and non-public interventions in delivering community-based training and learning approaches

Role of power in supply chain performance: Evidence from agribusiness SMEs in Uganda

Purpose: This paper examined the role of power on supply chain performance in the context of small and medium sized agribusiness enterprises (SMEs). Contrary to most of previous studies, which collect and analyze data from one side of a relationship dyad using a focal firm approach, a matched triad approach was employed in data collection and analysis in this study. Methodology: Empirical data was collected from 150 agribusiness supply chain members from the maize supply chain in Uganda. Analysis was done using multi-group analysis and structural equations modelling. Findings: Results highlights the differences in the perception of power use and how it influences supply chain performance. The differences in perception suggest the existence of power asymmetry amongst supply chain members. This work contributes to the ongoing debate concerning the use of triad as a unit of analysis as opposed to a firm or a dyad. Limitations: This study only focused on one commodity chain in one country, which can limit the broad application of the findings. Managerial implications: A practical implication of the finding is that managers of agribusiness supply chains should be aware of their power positions and appropriately influence the supply chain based on their relative power positions. Originality: The novelty of this work lies in fact that we assess perception of power amongst supply chain members in a triadic context, a perspective that has not been adequately tested in agribusiness supply chain management studies before

Determinants of market participation for smallholder cassava processors in north and north-eastern Uganda

Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) is a crop of global significance especially in the tropics where it is a source of food, animal feeds and industrial starch. However, the rapid Post- Harvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD), bulkiness of fresh cassava roots and high toxicity of some cassava varieties prohibits prolonged marketing and market participation of smallholder farmers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in north and north-eastern Uganda to ascertain the drivers of market participation for smallholder cassava farmers. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires administered to 185 randomly selected respondents and using STATA package, a two stage Heckman’s model was fitted involving a Probit model and OLS regression in the first and second stages, respectively. Results of the first stage Probit model revealed that farm land size, market distance, size of household, transport cost and off-farm annual income significantly (P<0.05) influenced the market participation decisions of smallholder cassava processors. In the OLS regression of the outcomes model, gender, market distance, contract marketing, marketing experience, education level, and land allocated to cassava production and group marketing significantly increased the sales revenues of processed cassava products. Our findings indicate that socio-economic and institutional factors are important in stimulating smallholder cassava farmers’ market participation. Therefore, policy support is needed in the areas of contract marketing, processing to prolong cassava shelf-life, strengthen market access conditions and lift smallholder farmers from income poverty

Determinants of market participation for smallholder cassava processors in north and north-eastern Uganda

Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) is a crop of global significance especially in the tropics where it is a source of food, animal feeds and industrial starch. However, the rapid Post- Harvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD), bulkiness of fresh cassava roots and high toxicity of some cassava varieties prohibits prolonged marketing and market participation of smallholder farmers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in north and north-eastern Uganda to ascertain the drivers of market participation for smallholder cassava farmers. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires administered to 185 randomly selected respondents and using STATA package, a two stage Heckman’s model was fitted involving a Probit model and OLS regression in the first and second stages, respectively. Results of the first stage Probit model revealed that farm land size, market distance, size of household, transport cost and off-farm annual income significantly (P<0.05) influenced the market participation decisions of smallholder cassava processors. In the OLS regression of the outcomes model, gender, market distance, contract marketing, marketing experience, education level, and land allocated to cassava production and group marketing significantly increased the sales revenues of processed cassava products. Our findings indicate that socio-economic and institutional factors are important in stimulating smallholder cassava farmers’ market participation. Therefore, policy support is needed in the areas of contract marketing, processing to prolong cassava shelf-life, strengthen market access conditions and lift smallholder farmers from income poverty

Facilitating conditions for farmer learning behaviour in the student-to-farmer university outreach

Published online: 12 April 2019Purpose: This study elucidates on how faculty supervision support to students during farm placements and other facilitating conditions influence farmer learning in the student-centred university outreach. Methodology/Design/Approach: Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 283 farmers who had previously hosted students of Gulu University in the student-to-farmer university outreach. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse how faculty supervision support to students in combination with other facilitating conditions affect the formation of intentions for learning and actual farmer learning behaviour. Findings: Faculty supervision support in the student-to-farmer outreach was found to significantly influence formation of intentions for learning (β = 0.380; t = 5.263; P < .01) and actual farmer learning behaviour (β = 0.182; t = 2.081; P < .05). Practical implications: Faculty supervision support to students is critical to fostering lasting learning relationships in university outreach. Thus, it needs to be a part of the transformation agenda of the higher education sector for improved community linkages and innovation. Theoretical implications: Empirical data obtained from the context of student-centred university outreach is used to extend the model of facilitating conditions. Originality/Value: The study addresses how faculty supervision support together with farmers’ perception of student attitudes and the value of the learning content influence farmers’ learning behaviour during university outreach

Social cognitive drivers of farmer learning behaviour in the student-to-farmer university outreach in Uganda

Published online: 23 April 2019Globally, universities are repositioning themselves for community outreach although with difficulty in responding to the unpredictable social features of host communities. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the role of social cognitive factors in farmer learning behaviour during university outreach. Structural equation modelling was conducted on the data obtained from a sample of 283 host participants of the student outreach programme of Gulu University, Uganda. The results indicate that social outcome expectations (β = 0.227, t = 1.978, P < 0.05), social influence (β = .372, t = 4.448, P < 0.01) and farmers’ formation of intentions (β = .214, t = 3.254, P < 0.01) significantly predict farmer learning behaviour. It is also established that social influence combine with formation of intentions to mediate social outcome expectations in predicting farmer learning behaviour. We highlight that tapping into the social setting of host farmers is critical for the success of university outreach in the sense that it generates the social reinforcements for effective farmer participation and learning. We recommend that the managers of university outreach programmes should devote efforts to prepare students to be sensitive to the concerns and needs of the community as a whole rather than just the host farmers