Browsing by Author "Osiru, David"

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    Contribution of Compassion International to the Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Bushenyi District
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2022-12-27) Muhumuza, Aryamanya Wycliffe; Ssemakula, Edward; Osiru, David
    The study was to assess the contributions of Compassion International to the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Bushenyi district of western Uganda. The specific objectives were to; (i) assess the household livelihood changes resulting from smallholder participation in Compassion International programs; (ii) assess the level of beneficiary participation in Compassion programs, (iii) analyse the contribution of Compassion International to food production and security, and (iv) examine the challenges being faced by Compassion International that hinder their operations in rural settings of Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive survey design that applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches for data collection. Data was captured from 206 respondents using both a questionnaire and an interview schedule. Data was analysed using SPSS version 16 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that smallholder participation in Compassion International programs has resulted in livelihood changes such as; enhanced child education, household economic and spiritual empowerment, increased access to agricultural inputs, income-generating projects, and enhanced household capacities. The study also found that beneficiaries participated in compassion programs by attending organisation outreaches, seminars, and annual meetings, mobilising local resources towards the cause, participating in project activities, paying annual membership fees, and giving feedback on project activities and operations. Compassion International has contributed towards household food production and security of the household across the district by setting up agricultural support projects, mobilising farmers, providing agro-inputs, and facilitating extension service delivery. The study further established that; poor funding, corruption and misuse of funds, competition and poor power relations with the local government are the key challenges hindering Compassion International’s operations in the Bushenyi district. The study concluded that though smallholder farmer participation in compassion programs has resulted in improved livelihood changes for member households, there remains a huge socio-economic gap in the Bushenyi district. The organisations’ operations are still hampered by a number of challenges. The NGO needs to tackle poverty reduction dynamically, strategically, and comprehensively. This is because poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that needs a multidimensional approach. There is a need to look at other categories of needy people in society such as the elderly, widows, and disabled persons, rather than placing emphasis on a category.
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    Effect of Different Seedbed Preparation Methods on Potato Yields in Kabarole District, Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2023-07-13) Aharinta, Faith Kenneth; Osiru, David; Arinaitwe, Abel Byarugaba; Kamugisha, Francis
    Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is one of the most important tuber crops produced in Uganda. However, the production and productivity of the crop are far below the world average due to poor crop seedbed preparation. An experiment for accessing the response of potato yields under different Seedbed preparation methods was conducted. Treatments consisted of two levels of seedbed preparation: Zero tillage and conventional tillage with and without NPK, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data was collected on growth parameters: average number of stems, estimated average plant height, estimated average plant width, and yield parameters: number of greened tubers, the weight of greened tubers, number of good tubers, and yield of potatoes. It was analysed using GenStat software. Results revealed that the proper seedbed preparation method was of paramount importance. Higher yields were observed in conventional tillage (14,744 Kg/ha) compared to zero-tillage (14,519 Kg/h). It was recommended that industrious seedbed preparation be encouraged among the farmers
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    Effectiveness of Chia Seed Plant Powder in Comparison with Malathion in the Control of Bean Weevils
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2023-06-22) Kamugisha, Francis; Opio, Fina; Osiru, David; Aharinta, Kenneth Faith
    The primary objective of the research was to contribute to the control of storage pests in beans through the use of chia seed plant powder—an organic control method. The study adopted both descriptive and correlational research designs for data collection and analysis. It comprised: a survey of the chia farmers in Kyabugimbi sub-county, Uganda, for the purpose of assessing their perception concerning control of storage pests in beans through the use of chia seed plant powder; and an experiment for assessing the susceptibility of a variety of beans and pesticide application. The experiment had three bean varieties: NAROBEAN3, NABE16, and KAHURA. The type of pesticide had two treatments and control, that is, chia seed plant powder and malathion, and each had three levels. A control consisted of dishes with bean varieties infested with weevils without any pesticide added. Each set was comprised of control without any treatment. A total of 54 samples were used. These were laid out in a completely randomised design (CRD) and replicated three times. Pesticides were applied at 0%, 50%, and 100% rates of application. Data were collected on the following measurements: Number of infested seeds, number of adult bruchids that emerged, and weight of seeds at the end of the experiment. The ANOVA test results found that the effect of pesticide application on the number of infested seeds, number of weevils that emerged, and weight of bean seeds was significant (P< 0.01), while the variety of beans was not significant. Although malathion had the lowest bean weevil figures and is therefore more effective in controlling bean weevils, it is a synthetic product, and chia seed would be promoted because it is an organic product because of being more friendly to the human body and the environment than malathion, a synthetic pesticide
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    Evaluation of Ugandan cassava germplasm for drought tolerance
    (2013) Turyagyenda, F. Laban; Kizito, Elizabeth B.; Baguma, Yona; Osiru, David
    Increased pressure on prime arable land for agriculture to meet food demand for global population has resulted in shifting agriculture to marginal areas where drought is frequent. Focusing research towards development of drought tolerant varieties is thus necessary. Replicated field trials for farmer preferred cassava genotypes were established to evaluate their morphological and yield trait responses and adaptability to moisture stress. Results showed significant (P<0.05) differences among genotypes for all the parameters evaluated. Moisture stress resulted in a decline in Harvest Index by 22.34%, Fresh Root Yield by 37.04%, Number of Roots by 19.43%, Dry matter content by 16.58%, Root starch content of 20.81%, Leaf Retention by 25.72% and Plant height by 16.62%. Results therefore, evidently showed that water stress has significant devastating effects on vegetative and yield parameters of cassava. Breeding strategies to develop drought tolerant cassava varieties to cope up with increased water scarcity and semi-arid conditions are thus paramount. Varietal variability in response to water stress reported is a cornerstone in the breeding process. Besides genetic effects were dominant indicating breeding objectives would be easily achieved. Genotypes MH96/0686, Magana, Yellow, TME 204, Nyamutukura, MH97/2961, NASE 1, NASE 2 and NASE 12 were least affected by drought and may provide gene sources for cassava improvement. Genotype x Location was significant (P<0.05) suggesting that rational distribution of genotypes to agro-ecological zones with different levels of drought stress is possible. Some genotypes had stable yield and its components suggesting that cassava can easily adapt to dry environments.
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    Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Uptake of Coffee Production Recommended Practices in Kichwamba and Kirugu Sub-Counties Rubirizi District, Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2023-02-01) Ahimbisibwe, Jerome Ronalds; Osiru, David; Opio, Fina
    The study was on socioeconomic factors influencing the uptake of coffee production recommended practices in the Kichwamba and Kirugu Sub-counties of the Rubirizi district and was conducted in February 2021. Objectives were to identify the coffee production systems and practices used, identify the socioeconomic challenges associated with the uptake of recommended practices for coffee production, and identify the policy interventions to address the challenges associated with the use of recommended coffee practices. Farmers continue to register low coffee yields hence affecting their livelihoods and incomes and achieving maximum coffee production requires that farmers apply recommended practices since the quantity and quality of the crop rely on the practices used. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using simple random sampling and a total of 376 coffee farmers were sampled. Results indicated that Arabica coffee commonly grown has two major systems intercropping and mono-cropping. The coffee-recommended practices used were weeds control (23.7%), shading (21.5%), pruning (15.5%), fertiliser application (14.1%), pest and disease management (12.2%), water drainage management (6.6%), transplanting (4.0%), and seedbed preparation (2.7%). Statistically significant socioeconomic factors affecting the uptake of recommended practices for coffee were age [p=0.014], education level [p=0.002], labour [p=0.005], Farm size [p=0.001], farming experience [p=0.031], gender [p=0.031], land slope [p=0.048], un-accessibility to credit services [p=0.032], and plot ownership [p=0.049]. Policy interventions were farmer capacity building (35.1%), strengthening agricultural extension (23.7%), credit extension to the farmers (15.7%), re-visiting land reform policies (13.6%), and group formation (11.9%). The study concluded that coffee in the study area was grown under two production systems; intercropping and mono-cropping; the major coffee recommended practices used were; seedbed management, transplanting, pruning, shading, fertiliser application, weeds control, pest and disease management, and water drainage management. Socioeconomic factors like Education level, shortage of labour, farm size, experience in farming, gender, the slope of the land, un-accessibility of credit services, farmer age and plot ownership type were significant socioeconomic factors affecting uptake of recommended practices. Suggested policy interventions were re-visiting land reform policies, credit extension, capacity building, strengthening agricultural extension, and farmer group formation. More education and training for farmers, revisiting land policies, groups, associations and cooperative formation, and credit services extension are recommended.