Browsing by Author "Barirega, Akankwasah"

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    Commercialization of underutilized plants in Uganda: An analysis of the market chains of Cyphomandra betacea L. in Uganda
    (Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 2014) Barirega, Akankwasah; Damme, Patrick Van
    Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem. (Cucurbitaceae) is an important plant with numerous domestic and industrial applications. In Uganda, mature fruits of this plant are sold in many markets as bathing sponges. The species has recently been identified as a priority plant for commercialization in Uganda. However, little is known about the structure and functioning of its value chain, demand and supply dynamics, and economic viability of its trade. The objectives of this study were therefore to document and characerize bluffa’s value chain, assess its demand and supply, and to evaluate economic viability of the plant’s trade in Uganda. Primary and secondary data were collected through market surveys and focus group discussions covering the seven major markets in Kampala City, Uganda. A total of 112 value chain actors were interviewed and two focus group discussions conducted with luffa traders. This study mapped and characterized the value chain of luffa in Uganda. The plant value chain was found to be fairly elaborate with farmers, primary processors, transporters, secondary processors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers recorded as major actors. Lack of market information, competition from alternative products, and lack of awareness about alternative uses of luffa products were found to be the major bottlenecks in the luffa value chain. Despite luffa’s several domestic and industrial potential alternative uses, the study reveals that in Uganda, luffa is dominantly utilized as a bathing sponge. The supply of luffa to the market was found to be high as compared to the available demand. The luffa sponge traders were found to be economically benefiting from the trade with up to 30% net profit margins recorded in this study. While luffa is still underutilized relevant to its potential value, commercialization of the plant is slowly emerging in Uganda.
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    The Effects of Crop Raiding on Household Food Security in the Albertine Rift: A Case Study of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda
    (Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2010) Barirega, Akankwasah; Buyinza, Mukadasi; Kansiime, Frank; Isabirye, Gilbert Basuta
    We examined the effects of crop raiding by wild animals on household food security of the people in two sub counties adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. Data were collected from 541 households using a questionnaire and focus group discussions in a controlled and blocked household survey in Kichwamba and Nyakiyumbu sub counties in the Districts of Bushenyi and Kasese, respectively. Food security was examined by using dietary diversity indices. Crop raiding dominated by elephants resulted in 14% annual reduction in household food security of park-adjacent communities. It is recommended that a crop raiding mitigation fund be established to maintain elephant trenches and building capacity for local people to manage crop raiding and a multidisciplinary agriculture extension be started in the area to increase agricultural production and household incomes in order to prevent heavy dependency on protected area resources.
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    Potential for Commercialization and Value Chain Improvement of Wild Food and Medicinal Plants for Livelihood Enhancement in Uganda
    (Current Research Journal Biological Sciences, 2012) Barirega, Akankwasah; Tabuti, John R. S.; Damme, Patrick Van
    Uganda is endowed with a wide diversity of wild plant species that can be commercialized for livelihood enhancement and poverty reduction. These wild plants are increasingly becoming a valuable source of livelihoods for many people through household use as well as trading as medicine, food and craft materials. However existing literature on commercialization of wild food and medicinal plants in Uganda is largely anecdotal and disjointed. In this review, we analyze available literature on importance of wild plants in sustaining people’s livelihoods, value chains as production and marketing approaches in commercialization of wild plants, the demand and supply for wild plants products and its implication for commercialization of wild food and medicinal plants, ecological implications for commercializing wild plants and the potential for wild plant commercialization to contribute to household income. The literature points to gaps in literature, which necessitate further studies to assess the importance of wild plants in the daily life of households, market potential of the wild plants and their contribution to the local people’s livelihoods.