Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

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8-Year Follow-up of a Maternal Education Trial in a Low-Resource Setting
(Pediatrics, 2024-04) Kakwangire, Paul; Muhoozi, K. M. Grace; Ngari, Moses; Matovu, Nicholas; Westerberg, Cecilie Ane; Iversen, Ole Per; Atukunda, Prudence
OBJECTIVES: Nutrition and stimulation interventions promote early childhood development, but little is known about their long-term benefits in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a follow-up study of a cluster-randomized maternal education trial performed in children aged 6 to 8 months to assess the sustainability of developmental benefits after 8 years. METHODS: The education intervention lasted 6 months and consisted of nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and child stimulation aspects. We assessed child processing and cognitive abilities using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition (KABC-II) and attention and inhibitory control using the Test of Variables of Attention after 8 years. The original trial included 511 mother-child pairs (intervention, n 5 263; control, n 5 248), whereas in the current study, 361 (71%; intervention, n 5 185; control, n 5 176) pairs were available for analyses. RESULTS: The intervention group scored higher than the controls (all P < .001) on all 5 KABC-II subscales and on the KABC-II global score (mean difference: 14; 95% confidence interval, 12–16; P < .001). For all 5 Test of Variables of Attention variables, the intervention group scored higher than the controls on both the visual and auditory tasks (all P < .05). Because the intervention was delivered as a package, a limitation is that we cannot pinpoint the individual contribution of each component (nutrition, hygiene, and stimulation) to the developmental benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention group consistently scored markedly higher on both neuropsychological tests. Thus, even 8 years after the original maternal education intervention, the developmental benefits that we observed at child age of 1, 2, and 3 years, were sustained.
A food‐based approach could improve dietary adequacy for 12–23‐month‐old Eastern Ugandan children
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2022) Kimere, C. Njeri; Nambooze, Joweria; Lim, Haeun; Bulungu, L.S. Andrea; Wellard, Kate; Ferguson, L. Elaine.
Little is known about dietary adequacy, for young Ugandan children, or context‐ specific food choices to improve it. This study estimated the percentage of breastfed 12–23‐month‐old rural Eastern Ugandan children (n = 114) at risk of inadequate intakes of 12 nutrients; and identified realistic food choices for improving it. In this cross‐sectional survey, dietary (weighed food records), anthropometric and socioeconomic data were collected. The percentages of children at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes were estimated, assuming 541 g/day of breast milk was consumed. The median nutrient densities of their complementary feeding diets were also compared with desired levels. Linear programming analyses were used to identify ‘problem nutrients’ (where requirements will be difficult to meet given dietary practices) and model food choices to improve dietary adequacy. Overall, 21.2% of children were stunted and 3.8% were wasted. A high percentage (>45%) of children were at risk of inadequate intakes, for nine of the 12 nutrients assessed, and dietary nutrient densities were below desired levels for seven of the 12 nutrients. Iron, calcium, thiamine and niacin were ‘problem nutrients’. Through careful selection of foods, modelling indicates that population level dietary adequacy can be achieved for eight of the 12 nutrients modelled. These choices include cows' milk, legumes, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and fruits. Overall results suggest these high percentages of children at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes can be reduced through behaviour change interventions, although additional interventions may be required to ensure population‐level dietary adequacy for iron, thiamine and niacin. KEYWORDS: dietary adequacy, food choice, food‐based recommendations, nutrients, nutrition, Uganda, young children
A machine learning-based exploration of resilience and food security
(Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2024-12) Villacis, Alexis H.;; Badruddoza, Syed;; Mishra, Ashok K.
Leveraging advancements in remote data collection and using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) as a proxy measure of resilience, we show that machine learning models (such as Gradient Boosting Classifier, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and Artificial Neural Networks), can predict resilience with relatively high accuracy (up to 81%). Key household‐level predictors include access to financial institutions, asset ownership, the adoption of agricultural mechanization as evidenced by the use of tractors, the number of crops cultivated, and ownership of nonfarm enterprises. Our analysis offers insights to researchers and policymakers interested in the development of targeted interventions to bolster household resilience.
A participatory appraisal of the farming business environment, gender issues and service delivery by veterinary para-professionals in Uganda
(International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 2023-10) Baluka, S. A.; Mugisha, A.; Ofungi, J.; Tukahirwa, L.; Mugabi, K.
This study assessed the farming business environment and gender issues and their effect on service delivery by the veterinary para-professionals (VPPs) in Sembabule and Soroti districts. The study employed Participatory Rural Appraisal research method. The study found that treatment of animals (39%), vaccination (20%), and farmer advisory service (19.5%) were the services most demanded by smallholder livestock farmers. On the other hand, the production system of the study area was of low input low output system. Tethering and communal grazing were the most practiced livestock production systems in the study areas. Majority of farmers preferred Male VPPs to female VPPs. The reason given was that women extension agents are very few in the field and they slow in responding to case calls. This could be affecting opportunities for women small holder farmers to access veterinary services since it has been proven in most cases, women farmers prefer female extension agents.
A pragmatic randomized trial to examine the effect of combining healthy diet with mindfulness cognitive therapy to reduce depressive symptoms among university students in a low-resource setting:
(BMC Psychiatry, 2024) Karde, Reimers Kristin; Iversen, O. Per; Kaaya, Natigo Archileo; Muhoozi, K. M. Grace; Veierød, B. Marit; Wangen, Reidar Knut; Børøsund, Elin; Atukunda, Friberg Prudence
Background: Mental health disorders still rank as leading causes of morbidity worldwide despite increasing awareness and improvements in treatment. Notably, low- and middle-income countries like Uganda, are disproportionately affected by such disorders. The burden of depressive symptoms in these countries is particularly high among students, aggravated by poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate public health governance, yet it is clearly under-researched, making it hard to achieve several of UN Sustainability Development Goals. Current treatment options are insufficient to tackle the increased burden of depressive disease. This is more challenging for low-resource regions especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting the need for alternative treatments that can swiftly be applied if proven effective. The main aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is therefore to examine if a low-cost healthy diet (based on local Ugandan foods) combined with easy-to access mindfulness cognitive therapy can reduce depressive symptoms among university students in Uganda. Methods: We will recruit female and male students at Makerere University, the largest public university in Uganda, to an open, intention-to-treat, two-armed RCT. Those who score above a predefined threshold on a self-reported assessment of depressive symptoms, measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression score (CES-D) are eligible for study inclusion and will be randomized to either an intervention (n=125) or a control (n=125) group. The intervention group will receive educational group-based sessions on how to prepare a Mediterranean-type of healthy diet and how to adhere to the principles of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Outcome measures include self-reported depression symptoms, quality of life, and dietary intakes. In addition we will perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. The RCT intervention will last 9 months, followed by additional 15 months with regular data collections. Discussion: We here describe a novel approach to treat depressive symptoms among university students living in resource constraint settings, by combining a healthy diet with low threshold psychotherapy. If this intervention succeeds, our project can be viewed as a step towards evidence-based behavior practices for young adults with a common mental disorder (depression) that are beneficial to public mental health initiatives and management. Trial registration: The RCT is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05848973). The date of registration was August 14, 2023. Keywords: Depression, Diet, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), Mental health, Randomized trial, Uganda, University students
A retrospective analysis of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolates from poultry in Uganda
(International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 2021-05) Kakooza, Steven; Muwonge, Adrian; Nabatta, Esther; Eneku, Wilfred; Dickson, Dickson; Wampande, Eddie; Munyiirwa, Damian; Kayaga, Edrine; Tumwebaze, Maria Agnes; Afayoa, Mathias; Ssajjakambwe, Paul; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Sayaka, Tsuchida; Okubo, Torahiko; Kazunari, Ushida; Sakurai, Ken’ichi; Mutebi, Francis
There are increasing reports of antimicrobial treatment failures for bacterial diseases of poultry in Uganda. The paucity of data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogenic bacteria in Uganda is a major setback to AMR control. This study investigated the occurrence of fowl typhoid, colibacillosis, and AMR in associated pathogens from 2012 to 2018. Laboratory records from the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL), a National Veterinary Diagnostic Facility located at Makerere University, were reviewed. Archived isolates of the causative bacteria for the two diseases were also evaluated for AMR. The frequencies of the two disease conditions, their clinical and necropsy presentations and the demographic data of the diagnostic samples were summarized from the records. Archived bacterial isolates were revived before antimicrobial susceptibility testing. This was done on Mueller Hinton agar using the disk diffusion method, against 16 antimicrobials of medical and veterinary importance according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. A total of 697 poultry cases were presented for bacteriological investigations in the review period. Colibacillosis and salmonellosis had prevalence rates of 39.7% (277/697) and 16.2% (113/697), respectively. A total of 63 and 92 isolates of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., respectively, were archived but 43 (68.3%) E. coli and 47 (51.1%) Salmonella spp. isolates were recovered and evaluated for AMR. Multidrug resistance was more frequent in E. coli (38; 88.4%) than salmonellae (25; 53.2%), (p < 0.001). The high prevalence of colibacillosis, salmonellosis and the AMR of associated pathogens warrants immediate institution of appropriate disease control measures.
Aboveground Species Diversity and Carbon Stocks in Smallholder Coffee Agroforestry in the Highlands of Uganda
(Springer, Cham, 2019) Namaalwa, Justine; Tumwebaze, Balaba Susan; Kigonya, Ritah; Nabanoga, Gorettie
Types of agroforestry systems and their capacity to sequester carbon vary globally, and the extent of carbon sequestered greatly depends on environmental conditions and system management. This study aimed at investigating the species composition and determining the aboveground carbon stocks of coffee agroforests at low (1240–1320 m a.s.l.) and medium (1321–1504 m a.s.l.) elevations of Manafwa District in Uganda. For each elevation, the agroforest structures were described and the aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks estimated using allometric models for all measured shade and coffee trees. Two coffee varieties were cultivated with SL-14 extending up to 40 years, while LWIL-11, a more recently introduced variety, extended up to 7 years only. Therefore, the estimated AGC stocks were significantly greater for the SL-14 (0.250–2.317 tons ha−1) than LWIL-11 (1.044–2.099 tons ha−1) and were significantly higher at the medium versus the low elevation. The analysis for shade trees indicated no significant differences in the species diversity for the elevation sites, but with significant variations in mean DBH and thus AGC stocks. Farms at low elevation were characterized by smaller (2.037 ± 0.131 tCO2e ha−1) and significantly high (2.037 ± 0.131 tCO2e ha−1) mean AGC stocks per unit area for coffee and shade trees, respectively, as compared to the medium elevation farms. While the variation in the coffee trees within the elevation sites could be attributed to the uneven distribution within the age groups, the AGC stocks in the shade trees were attributed to the generally large sizes of the trees that dominated. Irrespective of the differences in elevation attributes, coffee agroforests can potentially provide carbon sinks and thus contribute to climate change mitigation.
The Abundance of Birds in Uganda’s inhabited Areas and the Importance of Pastoral Areas
(African Journal of Ecology, 2008) Asasira, J.; Pomeroy, D.
The Uganda bird-monitoring programme has so far generated more than 18,600 observations from the 37 sites where land birds are monitored annually. Ten of the sites are in farmed area (agroecosystems), thirteen in semi-natural pastoral ecosystems and fourteen in natural ecosystems (mainly national parks). The farms are almost entirely small-scale and very diverse in their land use systems. Monitoring is by Timed Species Counts from which the frequency of recording of each species at each site can be generated (with over 460 species recorded so far, the overall spread sheet contains many zero values). The species numbers overall were the highest at natural sites (375 species), which also had the highest numbers of birds that often use trees, and those which are specialist grassland or aerial species or Palearctic visitors; but numbers of Red Data species are the highest in semi-natural sites. As one would expect, formerly forested areas and moist savannas support most tree birds, whilst Red Data species were most frequently recorded in areas of impeded drainage – typically, these are periodically flooded. Grassland specialists are more common in dry than in moist savannas. Palearctic migrants are nowhere common. Uganda’s pastoral areas, on which domestic livestock graze and browse on predominant natural vegetation, are rich in birds and deserve a much more detailed study.
Access to Land for Urban Agriculture in Kampala
(Urban agriculture magazine, 2003) Kiguli, Lillian N.; Nuwagaba, Augustus; Mwesigwa, David; Kiguli, Juliet
Agriculture in Kampala is practised mainly in valley slums where the poor live in informal settlements. Although urban agriculture offers easy access to services and markets, gaining access to land to grow food and rear animals is a challenge for the urban poor
Access to Veterinary Services and Expenditure on Pig Health Management: The Case of Smallholder Pig Farmers in Northern Uganda
(Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2020) Okello, Daniel Micheal; Odongo, Walter; Aliro, Tonny; Ndyomugyenyi, Elly Kurobuza
Pig farming has gained momentum for most smallholder farmers in developing countries as a means of livelihood and household incomes. However, prospects of the pig enterprises are constrained by pig health management issues which affect both its productivity and profitability. Using a cross-sectional survey of 240 smallholder pig farmers, we assessed factors influencing farmers’ access to veterinary services and expenditure on pig health management in northern Uganda. Data was analysed using the binary logit and censored tobit regression models. Access to veterinary services was significantly influenced by pig herd size (p < 0.05), Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) membership (p < 0.1), breed (p < 0.05), production system (p < 0.05) and number of health issues recorded on farm (p < 0.01). Education level (p < 0.01), farming household members (p < 0.05), pig herd size (p < 0.01), breed (p < 0.05), previous disease incidences (p < 0.05), household labour available (p < 0.1) and access to veterinary services (p < 0.01) significantly influenced pig health expenditure. Efforts to improve access to veterinary services and improve pig health management should focus on promoting more intensive production systems and improved breeds that are associated with better access to veterinary services and reduced cost of pig health management.
Acclimatization and performance evaluations of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) on yield and yield components in different agro-ecologies of Northern Ethiopia
(Journal of Dryland Agriculture, 2020) Lamaro, Gloria Peace
The study is aimed at evaluating the genotype by environment interactions (GEI) on acclimatization of sweetpotato genotypes to the farmers’ field conditions. A field evaluation was done on six sweetpotato genotypes planted in RCBD, three replications in three different agro-ecologies. These genotypes were previously (2012, 2014) tested for yield performance in the same environment. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA. Genetic merit and GEI for total storage root tuber yield (TSRTY) was tested using BLUPs and GGE biplot, respectively. Clustering of genotypes was done using Ward’s linkage method in the Squared Euclidean distance. Breeding significance and distance among clusters was determined using Mahalanobis’s distance. Environment played significant (P<0.01) role in determining the genotypes’ maturity days; and genotypes in lowland matured earlier than those on higher altitudes. TSRTY ranged from 7.5 to 59.5 t/ha, and total fresh biomass (TFB) 21.6 to 36.0 t/ha. Genotypes with high harvest index produced high TSRTY, TFB and NNPP hence well acclimatized. GEI was responsible for the genotypes acclimatization in the studied agro-ecologies; Tulla and Kulfo demonstrated wide acclimatization while Berkume was specific. Cluster II with very high dry matter content may be explored for crossbreeding cluster I and III to produce OFSP transgressive segregants for Ethiopia.
Active optical sensor measurements and weather variables for predicting winter wheat yield
(Agronomy Journal, 2021) Aula, Lawrence; Omara, Peter; Nambi, Eva; Oyebiyi, Fikayo B.; Dhillon, Jagmandeep; Eickhoff, Elizabeth; Carpenter, Jonathan; Raun, William R.
Accurate winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield prediction is vital for improving N management decisions. Currently, most N optimization algorithms use in-season estimated yield (INSEY) as a sole variable for predicting grain yield potential (YP). Although evidence suggests that this works, the yield prediction accuracy could be further improved by including other predictors in the model. The objective of this work was to evaluate INSEY, pre-plant N rate, total rainfall, and average air temperature from September to December as predictors of winter wheat YP. An 8- yr (2012–2019) data set for grain yield was obtained from Experiment 502, Lahoma, OK. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four replications and N applied at 0, 45, 67, 90, and 112 kg ha–1.Weather data was obtained from the OklahomaMesonet (http://mesonet.org). The data were analyzed using R statistical computing platform. The best model was selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Root mean square error (RMSE) was obtained using k-fold cross-validation. The model selection algorithm produced the full model as the best model for yield prediction with an R2 of .79 and RMSE of 0.54 Mg ha–1. The best one-variable model – as expected – used INSEY as the predictor and had the highest RMSE of 0.72 Mg ha–1 and an R2 of .62. Mid-season YP prediction accuracy could be improved by including pre-plant N rate, mean air temperature, and total rainfall from September to December in a model already containing INSEY.
Activists as Strategic Science Communicators on the Adoption of GMOs in Uganda
(Journal of Science Communication, 2020) Lukanda, Ivan Nathanael
This commentary uses a case study of Uganda and the country's attempts to adopt genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to demonstrate how activists have become communicators of scientific knowledge in the digital age. The digital age allows activists to share their information and collaborate with those who can push their agenda. I argue that anti-GMO activists have positioned themselves as influencers in a debate where weight-of-scientific evidence seems to have been overshadowed by perceptions, largely driven by socio-democratic considerations that require participation in technological uptake.
Actor social networks as knowledge sharing mechanisms in multi-stakeholder processes: a case of coffee innovation platforms of Uganda
(Informa UK Limited, 2019-06-23) Magala, Damalie Babirye; Mangheni, Margaret Najjingo; Miiro, Richard Fred
Purpose: This study examined knowledge sharing mechanisms in coffee IPs and their effect on actor linkages in four districts of Uganda. Design/methodology/approach: Thirty one respondents from the public and private sector were interviewed using a qualitative approach. Data were analyzed using the Atlas ti qualitative software version 7.5.18 to generate themes for information sources, types and channels. Social network analysis was used to measure the actor centrality positions and influence in the IP network. Findings: Results revealed seven main categories of actors in the Coffee IPs who shared information on coffee inputs, agronomic practices, processing and markets through three main channels. Level of cohesion was less than 10% which had negative implications on the knowledge flow, trust and collaboration among the actors. Influential positions were occupied by the processors and farmer leaders in IPs in the southern districts of Luwero and Rakai, while nursery operators were most influential in IPs of the western districts of Ntungamo and Bushenyi. Weak linkages within the social networks indicated that initiatives of the actors were fragmented, as each actor acted as an individual detached from the platform activities limiting inter-actor knowledge sharing. Practical implications: Innovation intermediaries should focus on integrated systemic and innovative approaches to strengthen actor social linkages for knowledge sharing and better platform performance. Theoretical implications: Actor positions and relationships in innovation networks are critical tenets for fostering knowledge exchange and performance. In an innovation platform, diverse actors are multiple sources for accessing information within a given social and institutional context. Originality/value: The study contributes to existing debate and knowledge on institutional change in agricultural innovation systems.
Acute Toxicity, Antipyretic and Antinociceptive Study of the Crude Saponin from an Edible Vegetable: Vernonia Amygdalina Leaf
(International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 2012) Adiukwu, Paul Chukwuemeka; Agaba, Amon; Nambatya, Grace; Adzu, Bulus; Imanirampa, Lawrence; Twinomujuni, Silvano; Twikirize, Osbert; Amanya, Martin; Ezeonwumelu, Joseph Obiezuchukwujekwu; Oloro, Joseph; Okoruwa, Godwin Aiyabalu; Katusiime, Barbra
Vernonia amygdalina is commonly used for food and health purposes. Processing of the leaf for food is aimed at removing bitter tasting antinutritional principles like saponins. This study was designed to determine the antipyretic and antinociceptive property of the crude saponin from Vernonia amygdalina leaf. Standard procedure for antipyretic study using Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced pyrexia in rats; and acetic acid induced writhe, hot plate and cold tail flick tests for antinociceptive study in mice were used. Data for the crude saponin showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) dose dependent anal temperature decrease. The antinociceptive data in mice was significant (P ≤ 0.05) in the writhing test contrary to the cold tail flick test. In acute toxicity study, an LD50 of 5.1523 g/kg using oral route indicated it was practically non-toxic. Finding suggests that Vernonia amygdalina leaf prepared as diet could be of potential benefit to ailing persons with fever and/or pains, if processing technique adopts minimal loss of principles like saponins.
Adaptation of RUSLE to Model Erosion Risk in a Watershed with Terrain Heterogeneity
(International Journal of Advanced Earth Science and Engineering, 2013) Luliro, Nadhomi Daniel; Tenywa, John Stephen; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo
The modeling capability of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) on a heterogeneous landscape is usually limited due to computational challenges of slope length and slope steepness (LS) factor. RUSLE can be adapted to Arc-Macro (C++) executable programs to obtain LS values even for highly variable landscapes based on Digital Elevation Models (DEMs); and then predict erosion risk. The objective of this study was to compute LS factor from DEM using C++; and predict soil erosion risk in a banana-coffee watershed of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) of Uganda. DEM data of Nabajuzi watershed were used as an input file for running the (C++) executable program to obtain LS factor. The predicted LS values were calibrated against tabulated LS values; and a strong linear relationship (R = 0.998) was observed between them. The LS factor increased with slope length and slope gradient. Erosion risk across landuse were predicted as follows: small scale farmland (38 t ha-1 yr-1 ), built up area (35 t ha-1 yr-1 ), grassland (25 t ha-1 yr-1 ), woodland (11 t ha1 yr-1 ), shrub land and seasonal wetland (2.5 t ha-1 yr-1 ), permanent wetland (0 t ha-1 yr-1 ). While across soil units erosion risk was highest on Lixic Ferralsols (50 t ha-1 yr-1 ), followed by Acric Ferralsols (20 t ha-1 yr-1 ), Arenosols (15 t ha-1 yr-1 ), Gleyic Arenosols (2.5 t ha-1 yr-1 ), and Planosols (0 t ha-1 yr-1 ). The risk of erosion increased linearly with slope gradient in the site (R = 0.96). On the steepest slopes (15-18) %, the loss ranged from (38–68) t ha-1 yr-1 and on lowest slopes (0-5) %, the loss was (0–2.5) t ha-1 yr-1 . We conclude that embedding C++ with GIS data derives LS factor from DEMs. It provides a bench mark for understanding slope morphology; hence making erosion risk prediction on nonuniform slopes much easier.
Adding soil sampling to household surveys: Information for sample design from pilot data
(Elsevier B.V, 2025-01) Lark, R.M; Mlambo, L; Pswarayi, H; Zardetto, D; Gourlay, S.
Large sample surveys with households, or individuals within households, as the basic sampled units, are important sources of information on variables related to household income, economic activity, food security and nutritional status. In many circumstances the advantages of supplementing these surveys with sampling of the soil from fields or other land units which the households cultivate may seem obvious, as a source of information on the quality of the soil on which households depend, and potential limitations on their food security such as soil pH or nutrient status. However, it is not certain that household surveys, designed to examine social and economic variables, will be efficient for collecting soil information, or will provide adequate estimates of soil property means at scales of interest. Additional sampling might be necessary, so an attendant question is whether this is feasible. In this paper we use data on soil pH and soil carbon inferred by spectral measurements on soil specimens collected from land cultivated by households in Uganda and Ethiopia to estimate variance components for these properties, and from these the standard errors for mean values at District (Uganda) or Zone (Ethiopia) level by household surveys with different designs. Similar calculations were done for direct measurement of soil carbon and soil pH from a spatial sample in Malawi from which variograms were used to infer the variance components corresponding to the levels of a household survey. The results allow the calculation of sample sizes at different levels of the design, required to allow estimates of particular quantities to be obtained with specified precision. The numbers of sampled enumeration areas required to obtain estimates of district or zone-level means with the arbitrary specified precision were large, but the feasibility of such sampling must be judged for a particular application, and the precision appropriate for that. The presented method makes that possible. •We used data on soil sampled in pilot household surveys of Ethiopia and Uganda.•We computed standard errors for estimates of regional means from contrasting designs.•We did a comparable analysis using data from a spatial coverage survey of Malawi.•Precise mean soil pH or organic carbon for districts or zones required large samples.•The method can evaluate sa
Addition of beans four and Mukene (Rastrineobola argentea) powder improves the nutritional, sensory and functional properties of maize four for porridge
(Springer International Publishing, 2025-02-11) Tumuhimbise, Gaston Ampek;; Tumwine, Gerald;; Nabubuya, Agnes ;; Mutatina, Boniface;; Rwebiita, Atucungwiire;; Basaza, Robert
Malnutrition is a burden among young children in Uganda due to inadequate intake of the required nutrients. Inadequate nutrient intake is partly caused by the use of plant based foods to wean infants. The plant based foods are high in calories but limited in other essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. This study aimed to develop maize-based composite flour enriched with locally available legumes namely; beans and soybeans and Rastrineobola argentea powder. Two formulations of maize-based composite flours with beans, soybeans and Rastrineobola argentea were made with one containing roasted beans and the other with unroasted beans. Flour blends were produced by mixing 55:20:20:5 (Maize: beans: soybeans: Mukene ( Rastrineobola argentea ) powder, w/w) while 100% maize flour was used as the control. The proximate composition results were: moisture content (5.03 to 5.32%), crude protein (10.11 to 19.00%), carbohydrate (63.17 to 79.60%), crude fat (3.96 to 4.52%) and crude fiber (2.10 to 4.40%). Energy content was between 332 and 377 kcal/100 g. Mineral content were: Calcium (14.80 to 1869.12 mg/100 g), Iron (1.45 to 58.97 mg/100 g). Functional properties results obtained were: water absorption capacity (150.71 to 305.00%), oil absorption capacity (86.01 to 200.00%), bulk density (0.63 to 0.83 g/ml), swelling power (2.6 to 7.8%), and solubility (0.5 to 19.0%). The substitution of maize flour with beans, soybean and Rastrineobola argentea had significant reduction in the overall sensory acceptability of porridge. Addition of beans, soy and Rastrineobola argentea powder flour resulted into maize based composite flour with high peak (490.33 to 839.33 cP), trough viscosity (467.00 to 803.33cP), set back (1124.00 to 1721.33cP) and final viscosities (1591.00 to 2524.67cP). Peak time (5.93 min) and pasting temperature (86.40 to 89.867 °C) of the composite flour were lower than those of maize flour (peak time; 6.93 min, pasting temperature; 93.67 °C). It was concluded that the addition of beans, soybeans flour and Rastrineobola argentea powder to maize flour enhanced the nutritional and functional properties of the composite flours. Therefore, the developed composite flour can be used in the management of undernutrition in developing countries.
Addition of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato and Iron-Rich Beans Improves Sensory, Nutritional and Physical Properties But Reduces Microbial Shelf Life of Cassava-Based Pancake (Kabalagala) Designed for Children 2-5 Years Old
(Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 2021) Adoko, Melas Cayrol; Olum, Solomon; Elolu, Samuel; Ongeng, Duncan
Innovative use of locally available food resources to develop products of enhanced nutritional quality is one of the strategies believed to alleviate deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as vitamin A and iron that are endemic among children 2–5 years in developing countries such as Uganda. New cassava-based pancake (kabalagala) formulae composed of orange-fleshed sweet potato, iron-rich beans, cassava and sweet banana were developed to target vitamin A and iron needs of children 2–5 years in Uganda. The new products had better sensory appeal and nutrient density, had better physical properties during storage, were stable to oxidative rancidity but had lower microbial shelf-life compared to the original pancake formula (composed of cassava and sweet banana). Notwithstanding bioavailability constraints, theoretical nutritional computation revealed that serving 100 g (approximately four pieces) of the new products would contribute approximately 99–102% of vitamin A and 110–119% of iron requirements of the targeted children.
Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interactions Analysis of Yield Performances in Cowpea Genotypes under Ugandan Environments
(International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR), 2017) Agbahoungba, Symphorien; Karungi, Jeninah; Talwana, Herbert; Badji, Arfang; Kumi, Frank; Mwila, Natasha; Edema, Richard; Gibson, Paul; Rubaihayo, Patrick
Yield in legumes is the result of many plant processes, which are usually expressed in yield and have been shown to be affected by management, genotype and environment. The objectives of this study were to assess the extent of genotype x environment interaction and to select the stable cowpea genotypes in Ugandan environments over seasons. Seventy-two cowpea genotypes were evaluated for yield in three locations and two seasons in Uganda. The yield data were subjected to analysis of variance and additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) analysis. The results showed a highly significant (P<0.001) genotype by location and by year (season) interaction effects for grain yield, with 69.16% of the total variation attributable to environmental effects, 5.36% to genotypic effects and 12.74% to G x E interactions effects. Genotype MU9 had the highest yield (854.68 kgha-1) but was only adapted to specific environments (Arua 2015B and 2016A). Hence, genotypes WC 30, NE 45, NE 31, NE 51 which were equally high yielding, stable and adapted to the tested environments, and should be recommended for genetic improvement of cowpea germplasm in Uganda.

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