Browsing by Author "Damme, Patrick Van"

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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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    Deworming efficacy of Albizia anthelmintica in Uganda: preliminary findings
    (African Journal of Ecology, 2007) Grade, Jeanne T.; Tabuti, John R. S.; Damme, Patrick Van; Arble, Bennett L.
    This study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic effectiveness of Albizia anthelmintica, as a first step in investigating the hypothesis that livestock self-medicate. In July 2006, an observational study was conducted with 56 young female lambs, to validate A. anthelmintica efficacy. Faecal egg per gram for Coccidia, Strongyle-type, Monezia, Strongyloides and Dicrocoelia eggs were counted and analysed. Results indicate that A. anthelmintica is effective in controlling infection with a variety of internal parasites in lambs, Monezia was the most sensitive. Furthermore, treatment of Strongyle-type worms requires a biweekly dose of A. anthelmintica as an effective deworming protocol.
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    Ethnoveterinary knowledge in pastoral Karamoja, Uganda
    (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009) Gradé, J.T.; Tabuti, John R.S.; Damme, Patrick Van
    Ethnopharmacological relevance: The people of Karamoja of northern Uganda chiefly rely on ethnoveterinary knowledge (EVK) to control common livestock health problems. In spite of cattle’s central role in Karamojong culture and livelihoods, there has been no systematic recording of their ethnoveterinary plant-based cures to date. Aim of study: To document the remedies used to treat livestock diseases, their preparation and administration. Methods: Datawere collected using semi-structured interviews, guided questionnaires, group discussions, direct observations and collection trips. Results: We present information on 209 plant species and 18 non-plant materials. Plant species are distributed over 116 genera and 54 families. The most common medicinal use was treatment against anaplasmosis. Balanites aegyptiacus, Carissa spinarum, Warburgia salutaris and Harrisonia abyssinica had themost uses of all species. All different plant partswere used; bark and underground partswere exploited more frequently than other plant parts. Most remedies listed used a single ingredient, typically soaked in water; only 12.8% remedies used multiple plants. The route of administrationwas primarily oral followed by topical applications. Almost all plants are collected from the wild; none of the few cultivated plants used had been planted for medicinal purposes. Conclusions: The pastoralists in the study site possess a wealth of EVK which they use to maintain animal health. Their rich knowledge and high diversity of plants were recorded here for the first time.
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    Four Footed Pharmacists: Indications of Self-Medicating Livestock in Karamoja, Uganda
    (Economic Botany, 2009) Gradé, J. T.; Tabuti, John R. S.; Damme, Patrick Van
    Following observations of goats’ possible self-medication browsing the anti-parasitic plant, Albizia anthelmintica, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to examine whether livestock engage in other self-medicating behaviors, and if people also use the same medications. Information was gathered over a five-month period from 147 Karamojong pastoralists and healers using a checklist of questions. There were 124 observations for 50 proposed self-medicating behaviors, primarily eating plants, to treat a total of 35 disease conditions. Of the plant species, 72% were also prepared by informants to treat human or veterinary diseases. Species importance was estimated by four factors: >3 user citations, informant consensus factor >0.4, fidelity level >40% and presence in the local pharmacopoeia. Eight species fulfilled all of these factors, and 12 had at least three. These results provide support for the hypothesis that animals graze specific plants when ill and suggest that people have developed some of their knowledge through animal observation.
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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.