Browsing by Author "Kiggundu, Muhammad"

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    Animal husbandary practices of smallholder organic farmers in Uganda: Challenges and future prospects
    (Building Organic Bridges, 2014) Nalubwama, Sylvia; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Vaarst, Mette
    Organic agriculture development in Uganda has been mainly in crop production. Currently certified organic livestock production is non-existent. However, some of the existing animal husbandry practices of smallholder organic farmers are similar to those recommended in organic animal husbandry. A survey to understand these practices and challenges was conducted among ninety certified organic pineapple farmers in two districts using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results indicated that organic farmers kept a diversity of livestock species. Most organic farm (81%) had cattle. Other species owned were goats, pigs and chicken. Farmers mainly kept indigenous livestock breeds and majority (90%) used natural mating as a form of animal breeding. Farmers in Luwero district kept a significantly higher (P< 0.001) number of cattle (mean 2.3) than in Kayunga district (mean 1.6). Sixty four percent of farmers had no housing for their livestock. Natural pastures and crop residues formed bulk of feed for ruminants and pigs. Tethering was the commonest form of management system in ruminants (90%). Pigs (60%) and chicken (95%) were under free range system. There was a significant relationship (P= 0.047) between breed of cattle and grazing system. Major challenges of livestock production were inadequate feeds, pests and diseases. Selection of tolerant breeds and use of herbal concoctions were the adopted coping strategies. Majority of farmers (100%) resorted to use of synthetic chemical drugs in case of failure of these strategies. The future development of organic animal husbandry among smallholder organic farmers lies in developing sustainable research based technologies/ solutions to tackle existing and future challenges, investing in infrastructural development as well as improving farmer’s knowledge.
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    Farmers’ perception of calf housing and factors influencing its adoption on dairy cattle farms in Uganda
    (Scientific African, 2021) Kiggundu, Muhammad; Kigozi, Abasi; Walusimbi, Hussein K.; Mugerwa, Swidiq
    Calf housing is a significant challenge affecting calf performance. Despite its importance in ensuring optimal calf performance, inadequate housing facilities cause morbidity and mortalities on many dairy farms. This study explores farmer perception of calf housing and factors influencing its adoption on dairy cattle farms in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data across four regions of Uganda. Data analysis was through descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square), and a binary logit model was estimated. Results revealed that 70.8% of farmers provided housing for their calves. Of these, 59.2% constructed permanent while 40.8% constructed temporary structures. Of the farmers who provided calf housing, 54.6% were dissatisfied with the structures' appropriateness in protecting the calves on their farms. Among the variables included in the model, education level, region, and cattle breeding method positively influenced calf housing adoption. On the other side, the number of cattle owned, cattle grazing system, and land tenure system negatively influenced calf housing adoption. Subsequently, increasing literacy levels, possession of a small cattle herd, and private ownership of land with a title deed increase the likelihood of adopting calf housing. In light of these results, we recommend that the promotion of calf housing needs to be sensitive to farmers' demographic and socio-economic characteristics and farm characteristics. Additionally, the provision of farmer education and training should be enhanced to ensure the adoption of calf housing on dairy farms across the country.
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    Genome-wide diversity and structure variation among lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] accessions and their implication in a Forage breeding program
    (Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2021) Sserumaga, Julius Pyton; Kayondo, Siraj Ismail; Kigozi, Abasi; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Namazzi, Clementine; Walusimbi, Kato; Bugeza, James; Molly, Allen; Mugerwa, Swidiq
    Most orphan crops have not been fully sequenced, hence we rely on genome sequences of related species to align markers to different chromosomes. This hinders their utilisation in plant population improvement programs. Utilising the advances in the science of sequencing technologies, the population structure, relatedness, and genetic diversity among accessions can be assessed quickly for better exploitation in forage breeding programs. Using DArTseq technology, we studied the genetic and structural variation in 65 Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet conserved gene-bank accessions using 9320 DArTseqbased SNPs and 15,719 SilicoDart markers. These markers had a low discriminating ability with mean polymorphic information content (P.I.C.) of 0.14 with DArTseq-based SNPs and 0.13 with SilicoDart markers. However, the markers had a high mean call rate of 73% with DArTseq-based SNPs and 97% with SilicoDart markers. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a high within populations variance (99.4%), indicating a high gene exchange or low genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.0057) among the populations. Structure analysis showed three allelic pools in variable clusters of DK = 3 and 6. Phylogenetic tree of lablab accessions showed three main groups with variable membership coefficients. Most pairs of accessions (40.3%) had genetic distances between 0.10 and 0.15 for SilicoDart markers, while for DArTseq-based SNPs, (46.5%) had genetic distances between 0.20 and 0.25. Phylogenetic clustering and minimum spanning analysis divided the 65 accessions into three groups, irrespective of their origin. For the first time, this study produced high-density markers with good genom coverage. The utilisation of these accessions in a forage program will base on the information from molecular-based grouping. The outcomes uncovered the presence of noteworthy measure of variety in Uganda, CIAT and ILRI accessions, thus demonstrating an opportunity for further marker-trait-association studies.
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    Management and use of dairy cattle feed resources on smallholder certified organic pineapple farms in Central Uganda
    (Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 2014) Kiggundu, Muhammad; Kabi, Fred; Mette, Vaarst; Nalubwama, Sylvia; Odhong, Charles
    Formulation of exclusively organic diets that meet maintenance and production requirements of dairy cattle is a major limitation to production of premium organic products of animal origin. This study was therefore carried out to assess the use and availability of feed resources and the coping strategies used by farmers to overcome dry season feed shortages on 64 smallholder certified organic pineapple farms. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and two focus group discussions. Majority of households were headed by males (62.9%) while average age of respondents was 42.5 years. Farmers allocated more land (P<0.05) to organic pineapple production compared to livestock. Beside dairy cattle, farmers also kept chickens, goats and pigs. Tethering was the commonest cattle management system. Fifty three percent of respondents reported using both natural pastures and crop residues as major dairy cattle feed resources while only 19% reported using elephant grass. Banana peels (25.1%) and sweet potato vines (24.7%) were the most important crop residues fed to cattle. Farmers reported high cost of concentrates and scarcity of feeds as their biggest challenges in dairy cattle production. Of the respondents, 51.4% conserved feed for their cattle as fodder banks. As a coping strategy to feed shortages, majority (42.9%) of farmer scavenged for feed resources from both organic certified and nonorganic neighbouring farms which is contrary to organic livestock farming standards. It was, therefore, concluded that management of livestock feeding in the study area fell short of the requirements for organic livestock feeding standards. Research to develop strategies that can use alternative on-farm feed resources through ensiling organic pineapple wastes during the dry season is recommended as a long term strategy to address feed challenges for organic livestock farmers.
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    Opportunities and Challenges for Reinforcing Organic Agriculture Research Capacity in East African Universities: Experience of Makerere University
    (African Organic Conference, 2015) Kabi, Fred; Nalubwama, Sylvia; Kabi, Samuel; Kwikiriza, Norman; Anecho, Stephen; Kiggundu, Muhammad
    There is a need for generation of new knowledge and skills to reinforce organic agriculture capacity to answer a variety of lingering questions about production, product quality, marketing, social economic implications on livelihoods and sustainable development through research. Generated knowledge is also needed to inform development and institutionalization of national policies on organic agriculture. Support to universities in collaboration with the private sector to popularize and commercialize organic agriculture through curriculum review and regional harmonization will help to produce a critical mass of competent graduates to promote organic agriculture. At Makerere University we believe great success in the subsector will only come from great support.
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    Options and challenges for organic milk production in East African smallholder farms under certified organic crop production
    (Livestock Science, 2019) Vaarst, Mette; Smolders, Gidi; Wahome, Raphael; Odhong, Charles; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Kabi, Fred; Nalubwama, Sylvia; Halberg, Niels
    Many East African smallholder farms with certified organic crop production, also rear animals. Although farming systems are mixed, there is often very little integration and synergy between the different enterprises. The aim of this article is to suggest and discuss different development scenarios for organic dairy production, based on data from three East African studies of dairy production at certified organic cash crop farms. The following questions are explored for two categories of ‘model farms’ in Kenya and Uganda, respectively: 1) Can smallholder farmers benefit from keeping organic dairy cattle, and under which conditions can it be viable, given the current challenges? 2) How can the dairy production be integrated into the farm and create synergy with the different farm elements? 3) What would need to change if their milk was to become certified organic and farmers had to comply with organic principles and standards for dairy farming? Based on data and estimates from on-farm case studies at Kenyan and Ugandan smallholder dairy farms, in combination with literature, potential development scenarios are outlined. The study concludes that there are good possibilities for more local recirculation of feed and manure, although with limited benefits when there are only few animals with short lactations on the farm. Involvement of local communities in feed production and use of grazing areas seems to be a good option to the mutual benefit of both. If certified organic smallholder farms should diversify their income through sale of organic milk, they would need a secure market. Depending on the cost of certification, these farms will only benefit from sale of organic milk if they can produce milk year round at a scale, which allow them to benefit from the effort to give animals organic feed, an effort including establishment of grazing and local feed production that comply with organic standards. Outdoor stay and grazing continue to challenge many smallholder milk producers especially with Holstein Friesian types of cows, and more robust breeds are needed. In addition, many smallholders do not have sufficient land to permit grazing around their homesteads, where the animals live. Organic standards regarding animals need improvement and precision, especially requirements for grazing areas and feed. Certification comprising whole farms including the animals, and not only crops for export, will enhance crop-animal integration.