Browsing by Author "Nankya, Rose"

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    Comparative Evaluation of Agronomic Performance of Selected Landraces And Improved Groundnuts Cultivars In Central Uganda
    (research square, 2021) Mulumba, John W.; Kakeeto, Ronald; Nankya, Rose; Lwandasa, Hannington; Isabirye, Brian; Jarvis, Devra
    Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is important for providing food, income, livestock fodder for smallholder farmers, and improving soil fertility. However, groundnut yields on farmers’ fields in SubSaharan Africa are still very low due to various constraints. Several groundnut cultivars are available within the farmer’s domain but the adoption of these varieties favours landraces as opposed to improved varieties. Limited information is available on performance of commonly grown cultivars for guiding selection by different user groups (farmers, breeders and other users). This study was thus designed to determine the performance of selected landraces and improved groundnut varieties in Uganda. 23 groundnut lines with varying degrees of tolerance to a range of stresses were evaluated at two sites. Results showed significant (P ≤ 0.05 to P≤ 0.001) differences among genotypes for yield. Significant (P≤0.05 to P≤0.001) varietal differences were also observed between landraces and improved varieties for growth and physiological traits but not for pest and disease reaction. Clustering was not evident on the basis of either landraces or improved cultivars for pests and diseases incidences. However, associations of a mix of both groundnut classes of with particular diseases and/or pests were observed. Varieties such as India, Serenut 10, Kabonge, and DOK Tan associated with diseases such as rosette virus disease and its vector pest, the aphids. The results reported in this study shall be useful for driving the development of new cultivars owing to their good adaptability and acceptance thus the need to conserve and ensure sustainable use of these germplasm.
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    Diversity in Nutrient Content and Consumer Preferences of Sensory Attributes of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties in Ugandan Agroecosystems
    (Sustainability, 2021) Nankya, Rose; Mulumba, John W.; Lwandasa, Hannington; Matovu, Moses; Isabirye, Brian
    The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most widely consumed legumes globally due to its nutrient content, taste, and affordability. Nutrient composition and consumer preference were determined for twenty local farmer (landrace) and commercial peanut varieties grown in the Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts of the central wooded savanna of Uganda through sensory and laboratory evaluation. Significant differences in nutrient content (p < 0.05) among peanut varieties were found within and across sites. A significant relationship between nutrient content and consumer preference for varieties within and across sites was also realized (Wilk’s lambda = 0.05, p = 0.00). The differences in nutrient content influenced key organoleptic characteristics, including taste, crunchiness, appearance, and soup aroma, which contributed to why consumers may prefer certain varieties to others. Gender differences in variety selection were significantly related to consumer preference for the crunchiness of roasted peanut varieties (F = 5.7, p = 0.016). The results imply that selecting different varieties of peanuts enables consumers to receive different nutrient amounts, while experiencing variety uniqueness. The promotion of peanut intraspecific diversity is crucial for improved nutrition, organoleptic appreciation and the livelihood of those engaged in peanut value chains, especially for the actors who specialize in different peanut products. The conservation of peanut diversity will ensure that the present and future generations benefit from the nutritional content and organoleptic enjoyment that is linked to unique peanut varieties.
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    Heterogeneity in Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Cassava Varieties in Uganda
    (Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 2022) Matovu, Moses; Nankya, Rose; Lwandasa, Hannington; Isabirye, Brian E.; Santis, Paola De; Jarvis, Devra I.; Mulumba, John Wasswa
    Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been prioritized by the New Partnership for African Development to spur development in Africa. However, the nutritional and biochemical composition of the cassava diversity has not been adequately assessed to inform the various user needs. Comparative analysis of macro, micro nutrients and biochemical composition of sixteen varieties of cassava in Uganda was undertaken following standard analytical techniques. Results showed significant differences in macro nutrients (p ≤0.000) except carbohydrate, starch and amylose contents. With the exception of Calcium and Iron, the varieties were significantly different (p ≤0.000) in micronutrient composition. The Cyanide and dry matter content were also significantly different (p ≤0.000) among the varieties. Overall, Mukibi, Juguja, Bao, Nigeria, ranked highest in dry matter, cyanide, macro and micronutrients content, respectively. Therefore varieties differ in nutritional and biochemical composition; information crucial in the development of new varieities and deployment of cassava diversity in various value chains.
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    Report of the International Workshop on Registration of Farmers’ Varieties
    (Bioversity International, Rome, Oxfam Novib, The Hague, National Agricultural Research Organisation, 2019) Recha, Tobias; Muwanika, Chris; Bram de Jonge; Mulumba, John Wasswa; Nankya, Rose; Otieno, Gloria
    The registration of farmers’ varieties in national and regional seed catalogues – as objects of seed regulation -- has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years, at local, national and international levels. Farmers have contributed immensely to the development, management and conservation of a wide range of crop varieties, but national seed regulations generally only focus on crop varieties that are the products of so-called ‘formal sector’ plant breeding. Article 9 of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) recognizes the contribution farmers have made to the conservation and development of plant genetic resources and stipulates that the responsibility of protection of farmers’ rights rests with national governments in accordance with their needs and priorities. In addressing these challenges, an international workshop on registration of farmers’ varieties was held at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda, in order to advance the understanding of farmers’ varieties and the gains from establishing mechanisms for their registration at both the global and national level. During the workshop, the participants were able to share global experiences from countries where farmers’ varieties and evolutionary populations have been registered and have an active supportive legal system. After reflecting on experiences from a range of countries and regions around the world, the participants narrowed their collective focus to the situation in Uganda, and Ugandan seed policies and laws in particular. The current legal and policy framework in Uganda comprises the National Seed Policy (2018), the Seeds and Plant Act (2006), and the Seeds and Plant Regulations (2017). However, they only focus on the so-called formal seed system, which produces only 20% of the nation’s seed on an annual basis. This legal framework does not provide policy support for the production and distribution by small-scale farmers of quality seed of farmers’ varieties. However, the National Seed Policy (2018) recognizes that the informal seed system is strategic in conserving the biodiversity of landraces and meets 80 percent of the seed requirements in Uganda. It also allows the exchange of farm-saved seeds and recognizes quality-declared seeds (QDS). This is encouraging, but the existing legislation does not have provisions that support registration and commercialization of farmers’ varieties. This lack of a supportive policy environment denies farmers the right to produce and sell varieties they have helped to create and conserve for generations. Also, the draft policy on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), which provides a legal framework for registration of farmers’ varieties, is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. Through participatory engagement of participants from national and international agricultural research institutions, academia, the private sector, farmers’ organizations, seed regulatory authorities, politicians and civil society organizations (CSOs), a roadmap for registration of farmers’ varieties in Uganda was developed to address the gaps in the current seed laws. One of the critical actions was to push for Cabinet approval of a draft PGRFA policy that has recently been developed through a process of consultation. In addition, the participants discussed other variety registration and seed-certification standards that may hinder or help small-scale seed producers and/or participatory plant breeding. From the sessions, it was observed that most participants had varied understanding of what farmers’ varieties are. This is due to a lack of a universally recognized taxonomic or legal definition of farmers’ varieties to refer to for clarity. However, the common characteristics of a farmers’ variety were identified as the following: having a historical origin, high genetic diversity, local adaptation, recognizable identity, no formal-sector genetic improvement, and association with traditional farming systems. These characteristics were found to be key in defining farmers’ varieties. Countries that have set up systems for registering farmers’ varieties have introduced relaxed standards. The workshop participants also considered the issue of ownership of farmers’ varieties, which in many (perhaps most?) countries is dealt with through separate intellectual property laws. Participants appeared to agree that farmers who have contributed to the development and conservation of farmers’ varieties should enjoy rights of control (which could be called property rights) over those varieties, either as groups or individuals. For the case of group ownership, the participants considered the possibility of legal entities in which rights could be collectively vested (e.g. cooperatives, associations, community-based organizations, etc.). It was further noted that a range of different organizations (nongovernmental organizations, local governments, companies) could usefully offer technical support to farmers as collaborators in the variety evaluation and registration process and, subsequently, in seed production activities. Therefore, there is a need for champions and commitment from stakeholders, as well as resources to address gaps in the registration of farmers’ varieties. It is also necessary to clearly justify the key benefits of registering farmers’ varieties and, most importantly, put in place a flexible and relaxed regulatory framework for such registration.
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    Yield Perceptions, Determinants and Adoption Impact of on Farm Varietal Mixtures for Common Bean and Banana in Uganda
    (Sustainability, 2017) Nankya, Rose; Mulumba, John W.; Raimondo, Maria; Gotor, Elisabetta; Kikulwe, Enoch; Jarvis, Devra I.
    Crop variety mixtures (different varieties of a crop grown together in a single plot) have been successfully deployed in pathogen and pest management for several crops including wheat, common bean and rice. Despite the available evidence, promotion of this approach has remained limited in many countries, including Uganda. The factors that influence farmers’ adoption of varietal mixtures for common bean and banana were assessed, as well as the perceptions of farmers on the effects of mixtures on yields, through household surveys and statistical modelling. A three-year yield increase in both common bean and banana varietal mixtures in farmer fields, of 5.2% and 28.6%, respectively, is realized using robust OLS estimates. The study reveals that accessing knowledge on the importance of crop varietal mixtures and the skills relating to the approach are crucial for their adoption. Location of the farm significantly determined the perceived yield change, which calls for more research into mixtures’ suitability under particular contexts in respect to compatibility of genotypes, management practices and appropriate acreage for maximum impact. The positive effects of mixtures on yields make it an effective bioeconomy strategy. Policies that minimize the adoption barriers could improve the adoption of crop varietal mixtures on a wider scale.