Browsing by Author "Ochago, Robert"

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    Gendered perceptions of biosecurity and the gender division of labor in pig farming in Uganda
    (Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security, 2020) Dioney, Michel; Ochago, Robert; Birungi, Rosemirta; Ouma, Emily; Lule, Peter; Kakinda, Mary Jo; Nyapendi, Robinah; Birungi, Rosemirta; Pyburnx, Rhiannon
    African swine fever (ASF) is a highly infectious and lethal transboundary swine disease, which has devastating effects on the industry, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment, on-farm biosecurity measures are the only means of controlling it. Women and men are both involved in pig farming but the implications of the gender division of labor in relation to ASF biosecurity measures have, until now, been unexplored. We use the Gender Dimension Framework to investigate the gender division of labor in pig farming, as well as gendered perceptions of biosecurity. Findings include that typical gender roles and the perceptions of men and women towards biosecurity undermine effective implementation of biosecurity measures. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the gendered dimension of ASF control. This knowledge will serve to improve ASF control measures and support better management of the disease, both during outbreaks and to effectively prevent them.
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    Guideline for participatory training on African swine fever control for smallholder pig farmers in Uganda
    (ILRI Manual, 2018) Dione, Michel M.; Ochago, Robert; Lule, Peter; Mayega, Lawrence
    African swine fever (ASF) is among the major production constraints for smallholder pig farmers in Uganda (Atuhaire et al. 2013; Dione et al. 2014). There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease. The only way to control the disease is proper application of biosecurity along the pig value chain. However, adoption and implementation of biosecurity measures is challenging in the context of the smallholder pig production, because of the nature of the production systems which is characterized by poor housing and husbandry practices; poor hygiene during slaughtering and pork handling; and low level of knowledge and awareness of value chain actors about the disease. Also there is lack of incentive and capacities of value chain actors for reporting outbreaks of ASF to authorities, as well as observing movement control during outbreak seasons (Dione et al. 2014). Hence, farmers operate ‘panic sales’ and slaughters to avoid financial losses attributed to the death of the pigs, with most farmers ignoring the implication of such practice in spreading the disease. Proper application of biosecurity measures require that farmers be well equipped with knowledge of their principles, when and how to apply them and why? To address this gap in knowledge, ILRI and partners developed a training guide for smallholder farmers on biosecurity and control of ASF. This guide will be delivered through participatory training. Here, the authors are describing the process for an effective training of farmers using participatory training methods, step by step.