Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
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Item Using an intersectionality framework toassess gender inequities in food security:A case study from Uganda(Wiley, 2023-12-04) Farzaneh Barak;; Peace Musiimenta;; Hugo Melgar‐QuiñonezPrior research in health equity, including food security, indicates that disadvantaged groups, such as women with limited resources, face many obstacles in achieving food security. One of the first of its kind to draw on intersectionality and the social determinants of health frameworks, this study identified and tested gender differences in experiencing food security inequities using nationally representative data from the Gallup World Poll, Uganda 2019 (N = 951). Binary logit models disaggregated by gender were estimated to identify gender differences in food security. Three points of intersection were categorized: individual characteristics (gender, age, region, marital status, household number of children and adults); available resources (education, income, employment, shelter, social support); and the socio‐political context (community infrastructures, corruption within the business). Testing the moderation effect of gender with each variable (difference‐in‐difference) showed that although most variables correlated with a difference in experiencing food security by gender, only two—marital status, and social support—presented a statistically significant difference. Accounting for this moderation effect, the final model showed that lacking shelter and residing in Eastern Uganda decreased food security. More adults in the household, higher education, higher income, available social support, and satisfaction with community infrastructures enhanced the odds of food security. Results suggest that (a) conventional food security quantitative approaches may not suffice to model inequities when gender is a control variable rather than a foundation to explain inequities; and (b) gendered‐centered analysis helps better identify disadvantaged groups and inform policies that target associated inequities.Item Integrating Small-Scale Tree Farmers Into Wood Markets: A Case of Tree Farmers in Central Uganda(wiley, 2025-12-31) Justine Namaalwa,; Antonny Tugaineyo,; Scovia Akello,; Patrick ByakagabaSmall-scale tree farmers are increasingly recognized as important producers of wood resources, yet their integration into woodmarkets remains limited in many developing countries. Integration is conceptualized as farmers’ ability to access target markets,participate in price-setting, and compete favorably for fair prices. In sub-Saharan Africa, tree growing has often been promoted forconservation or subsistence, with little emphasis on commercialization. This study was motivated by the underrepresentation ofsmall-scale farmers in wood markets despite their potential to supply signifcant wood resources and by the lack of empiricalevidence on their degree of integration into markets. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how small-scale treefarmers are integrated into wood markets by addressing two questions. (i) Which sociodemographic and tree farm attributesinfuence access to target and fnal selling points? (ii) What factors infuence participation in price-setting? The research wasconducted in Mubende District, Central Uganda, using a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through participant andkey informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests,and binary logistic regression, while qualitative data were processed using thematic content analysis. Findings showed that mostfarmers failed to sell from their target markets due to high transport costs, limited market information, and reliance onintermediaries. Participation in price-setting was also limited, with many farmers accepting prices ofered by buyers, especially incases of distress sales linked to urgent household needs. The study recommends that governments and development partnersstrengthen business support services, including technical training, value addition, and improved market information systems, toenable small-scales’ transition from subsistence-oriented production to efective participation in wood marketsItem Soil properties and phytochemical analysis of spleen amaranth (Amaranthus dubius Mart. Ex Thell.) from Ankole and Teso sub-regions of Uganda: Implications for management and prevention of hyperglycemia(wiley, 2025-08-12) Caroline Asekenye,; Paul E. Alele,; Patrick E. Ogwang,; Eunice A. OletBackground The current authors reported a remarkably higher prevalence of hyperglycemia in Ankole than in the Teso sub-region of Uganda, and Amaranthus dubius was documented among the frequently eaten leafy vegetables in both sub-regions. In an attempt to investigate this remarkable variance in the prevalence of hyperglycemia and find alternative therapies for hyperglycemia, we assessed the influence of soil properties on phytochemical quantity in spleen amaranth (A. dubius) from the two sub-regions. The soil properties and vegetable phytochemicals were quantified using spectrophotometric methods. Results Soil pH, organic matter (OM), and nitrogen (N) were higher in soil samples from the Teso sub-region than those from the Ankole sub-region. The Teso sub-region had sandy loam soils that were relatively low in exchangeable cations, whereas Ankole had clay loam soils. Total tannin content (TTC) and total saponin content (TSC) were significantly higher in A. dubius samples from the Teso sub-region, and total alkaloid content (TAC) was higher in vegetable samples from Ankole. The Pearson's correlation results showed a significant relationship between pH and TTC, N, and TAC. Total flavonoid content (TFC) was correlated with exchangeable cations. Conclusion High soil pH, N, cations, and sand percentage found in soil samples from the Teso sub-region supported the biosynthesis of polyphenolic compounds in the vegetable samples. By implication, this consequently benefited its consumers by reducing blood glucose levels ultimately reducing the prevalence of hyperglycemia in the region.Item Food prices and food crises since 2020: evidence from Mali, northeast Nigeria, Sudan, and northern Uganda(wiley, 2026-01-21) Steve Wiggins,; Bilkisu Yayaji Ahmed,; Betty Akullo,; Boukary Barry,; Johnson Dudu,; Job Eronmhonsele,; Yusuf Kiwala,; Dicta Ogisi,; Andrew Onokerhoraye,; Jimmy Opio,; Neema Patel,; Hussein SuliemanWhen world prices of maize and wheat doubled betweenearly 2020 and mid-2022, it was feared the increases wouldtransmit to markets in the Global South, threatening the foodsecurity of vulnerable people. We report studies conductedin Mali, northeast Nigeria, Sudan, and northern Uganda toexamine changes in the prices of cereals, their consequences,and public responses. From early 2020, the prices of staplesin the four countries rose strongly, doubling or more, andremained high up to the time of writing (mid-2025). Priceincreases resulted largely from domestic factors, above allfailed harvests and, in Mali and Sudan, conflict: world pricesplayed only a minor role. People on low incomes economisedon food, cut spending on health and education, and tried tocope by finding extra work, selling off assets, and borrowingmoney—but not always successfully. Public support has beenscant: most people have had to manage using the resourcesof family, neighbours, and local communitiesItem Women's agency in nutrition in the association between women's empowerment in agriculture and food security: A case study from Uganda(Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Policy Studies Organization, 2023-09-15) Farzaneh Barak;; Jackson Efitre;; Robinson Odong;; , Hugo Melgar-QuiñonezThis study examined the relationship between women’s empowerment in agriculture (WEA), women’s agency in nutrition, and their food security. It aimed to quantify the moderating effect of women’s agency in nutrition on the association between WEA and food security. Data from the NutriFish project, a genderand nutrition-sensitive agricultural intervention in fishing villages in Uganda, were utilized. The study included 380 primary Ugandan female decision makers in dual adult households. WEA was measured using the Project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI). Women’s agency in nutrition was assessed through measures of agency in regular diet, pregnancy diet, breastfeeding diet, and food purchase. Binary logit regression models were employed to estimate differential associations between WEA and food security, testing three-way interactions between WEA, agency in regular diet, and food purchase. Results showed that WEA was associated with a 0.18increase in the predicted probability of food security (p < .01). Women’s participation in food purchase decisions strengthened the WEA-food security association by 0.33 (p < .05). The results suggested that promoting women’s food purchase agency can enhance the positive link between WEA and food security. Prioritizing interventions empowering women in food purchase decisions improves food security in gender- and nutrition-sensitive programs.Item Policy and performance in Uganda's seed sector: Opportunities and challenges(John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2022-07-29) Fredrick Bagamba,; Proscovia R. Ntakyo,; Geoffrey Otim,; David J. Spielman,; Bjorn Van CampenhoutMotivation Efforts to increase smallholder access to improved varieties and quality seed is often central to agricultural development, economic growth, and poverty reduction in low-income countries. Yet many governments and development partners grow impatient with slow progress in their seed sectors. Uganda stands out for its recent policy innovations, regulatory reforms, and market experiments for seed, and for the extensive analysis of its experience. Purpose This article reviews the changing landscape of Uganda's seed system and assesses recent policy, regulatory, and institutional changes. Methods and approach We draw on a wide range of documents, studies, and statistics. Findings The low uptake of improved varieties and quality seed in Uganda has encouraged innovation to overcome failures in the country's seed market. These innovations include regulatory changes to allow the production of quality declared seed (QDS) by smallholder seed producers; labelling to allow text message verification of seed; and crowd-sourcing information on seed quality by farmers. All have promise, but it remains to be seen just how effective they will be. In the meantime, vested interests may resist moves to a more innovative seed sector, instead preferring to maintain the incumbent approach designed to use seed to secure political support from smallholders. This is at variance with the spirit of the 2018 legislation and subsequent regulatory reforms. Policy implications Uganda has a policy framework that could make a real difference to farmer access to better varieties and seed. Market innovations can help the vision to become reality. But the seed sector needs sufficient public investment to generate new varieties and foundation seed, and capacity to manage the seed market to the benefit of producers, dealers and farmers. Having come so far, it would be counter-productive for political economy factors to displace the efforts of private provision which is far more sustainable in the medium and long run.Item Intrahousehold empowerment patterns, gender power relations, and food security in Uganda(Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Policy Studies Organization., 2024-06-07) Farzaneh Barak,; Jackson Efitre,; Robinson Odong,; Hugo Melgar-QuiñonezThis study examined (a) the relationship between women’s empowerment, men’s empowerment, and food security within households and (b) the effect of gender power in households on the food security status of women and men in Uganda’s fishing villages using NutriFish project data (N = 762). An inaugural intersectional gender analysis approach applied the project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI), categorizing indicators into five domains: decision making, labor sharing, resource access, norms and beliefs, and gender parity within households. Binary logit models were computed, including interactions between the empowerment of women and men, controlling for individual- and household-level characteristics, and stratified by gender and occupation (i.e., fishing vs. non-fishing) to account for context differences. Results showed that empowering women in nonfishing groups enhanced food security for both genders, regardless of men’s empowerment. In fishing groups, women’s food security improved most when their partners were already empowered, while men’s empowerment remained relatively unaffected. Notably, the norms and beliefs domain was strongly linked to food security, except for non-fishing men. Context-specificgender interventions and analyses are vital to address food security disparities and critical to informing project implementers and policymakers in gender- and nutrition-sensitive development projects to target the most vulnerable groups.Item Food and nutrition security support groups A safety net strategy for sustaining gains from a livelihood program in Uganda(Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems, 2026-03-03) Moureen Mbeiza;; Caroline Nambafu;; David Banige ;; Samuel Ikendi;; Dorothy Masinde;; Lee Burras;; Gideon Nadiope;; Francis OwusuIntroduction In 2015, world leaders set the target to achieve zero hunger by 2030 through the launch and operationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015). However, progress reports show that the world is still off track, with projections indicating persistent hunger and malnutrition (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] et al., 2024; 2025). These reports are synonymous with the global hunger index, which has consistently marked Uganda as serious in hunger severity (Scherer et al., 2025). Moreover, the 2024 national census also showed that 46% of Ugandans were experiencing food insecurity (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2024), and trend studies and models indicated increasing levels of food and nutrition insecurity in the country (Akumu et al., 2023; Maniragaba et al., 2023; Ogenrwoth et al., 2022). The government of Uganda has directly invested in interventions to improve food and nutrition security (FAO, 2024, p. 180; Office of the President, 2025) and through public-private partnerships (Office of the Prime Minister, 2020) to ensure consistent food production to nourish the population and sustain the gains. These partnerships are consistent with the sustainable livelihood programs of our study between Uganda and the U.S. (Butler & Acker, 2015; Ikendi & Retallick, 2025; Ikendi, Mwenyi & Retallick, 2025; Thurow, 2024).Item Cutaneous anthrax outbreak associated with use of cattle hides and handling carcasses, Amudat District, Uganda, 2023–2024(Public Library of Science, 2025-11) Kwizera, Patrick;; Migisha, Richard;; Katumba, Hannington ;; Nabatta, Esther;; Gidudu, Samuel;; Kwesiga, Benon;; Morukileng, Job;; Bulage, Lilian;; Ario, Alex RiolexusAnthrax is a zoonotic disease that remains endemic in Uganda, particularly in cattle-keeping areas. On December 28, 2023, the first suspected human case of anthrax was detected in Amudat District. We investigated to determine the outbreak's magnitude, identify risk factors, and recommend prevention and control measures. We defined a suspected cutaneous anthrax case as acute onset of [greater than or equal to]2 of the following: skin lesions (papule, vesicle, or eschar) on exposed areas such as the hands, forearms, shoulders, back, thighs or face, localized itching, redness, swelling, or regional lymphadenopathy, in Amudat residents from December 2023-June 2024. We identified 102 cutaneous anthrax cases, including 7 confirmed cases; none died. The outbreak lasted 7 months, peaking in March 2024, with an overall attack rate of 169/100,000 (males: 196/100,000; females: 138/100,000). Use of cattle hides as bedding (OR=12; 95% CI:2.7-52) and butchering cattle carcasses (OR=6; 95% CI:1.8-19) were significantly associated with anthrax. The highest infection risk was observed among individuals with multiple exposures: butchered only (OR = 6.9, 95% CI:2.6-18), butchered and carried cattle parts (OR = 11, 95% CI:1.2-96), butchered and skinned (OR = 14, 95% CI:3.5-56), and butchered, carried, and skinned (OR = 17, 95% CI:1.6-219). No livestock had been vaccinated prior to the outbreak. The outbreak was associated to use of cattle hides as bedding and the butchering of cattle carcasses. We recommended community education, livestock vaccination, and safe carcass handling to prevent future outbreaks. Gale OneFile: ScienceItem Human health risk from dietary exposure to heavy metals through poultry eggs: Evidence from commercial farms in Wakiso District, Uganda(Elsevier, 2026-03) Shadad Mugabi;; Sylvia Angubua Baluka;; Andrew Tamale ;; Antony NyombiUganda’s projected annual egg consumption of 1.9 kg per capita by 2025 raises concerns over heavy metal contamination in poultry products. Wakiso District, a peri‑urban hub supplying Kampala, faces potential exposure risks due to inconsistent feed quality. This study sampled 53 poultry farms in Wakiso District. Egg and feed samples were analyzed for chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) using ICP-MS. Weekly intake estimates were derived from FAO consumption data and compared against WHO/JECFA and Codex thresholds. Spatial variation was assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test. Cr levels peaked at 6.72 ± 4.91 mg/kg in Kajansi, with intake of 237.6 μg/week, below the JECFA limit of 2100 μg. As reached 1.36 ± 0.48 mg/kg, with intake up to 42.3 μg/week, under the WHO threshold of 1050 μg. Cd exposure peaked at 0.15 ± 0.10 mg/kg, translating to 2.69 μg/week, below the FAO limit of 2695 μg. Significant spatial differences were observed for Cr (H = 41.77), As (H = 49.82), and Cd (H = 31.94), all p < 0.001. While overall intake remains within safety limits, localized contamination in Kajansi and Katabi suggests cumulative risk, hence need for regulations and feed and residue monitoring.Item Soybean Rust Resistance and Yield Performance of Elite Soybean Genotypes Across Diverse Environments in Uganda(wiley, 2026-02) Tonny Obua;; Julius Pyton Sserumaga;; Godfree Chigeza ;; Alex Malaala;; Mercy Namara;; Bruno Awio;; Solomon Okello;; Phinehas TukamuhabwaABSTRACT Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the important legumes globally, serving as an affordable and valuable protein source for humans and livestock. However, selecting the most suitable genotype across diverse environmental conditions remains a major challenge due to significant genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI). In addition, the quantitative inheritance of resistance to soybean rust and grain yield further complicates breeding efforts. This study aimed to assess the performance and stability of newly developed soybean genotypes regarding resistance to soybean rust and grain yield. Twenty‐two newly developed genotypes and two check varieties were evaluated using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during five consecutive cropping seasons in six distinct locations in Uganda. GEI patterns were examined, and stable, high‐performing genotypes were found using genotype and genotype‐by‐environment (GGE) biplot analysis. The effects of genotype, environment, and genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI) on soybean rust resistance, hundred‐seed weight (HSW), and grain yield were all highly significant (p ≤ 0.01). The study revealed that genotypes 6N × SG‐P‐3‐2, 6N × SG‐P‐2, and 6N × SQ‐7 consistently performed better than all the other genotypes for soybean rust resistance, hundred seed weight, and grain yield across the six locations and five cropping seasons. Notably, these genotypes also demonstrated high stability for the three critical traits, making them strong candidates for varietal release. The results of this study provide valuable and new insights for soybean breeding programs in Uganda and the broader Sub‐Saharan Africa, offering a pathway for the development and release of rust‐resistant, high‐yielding soybean varieties adapted to varying agro‐ecological zones.Item Prediction of maize yield in Uganda using CNN-LSTM architecture on a multimodal climate and remote sensing dataset(Springer, 2026-01) Danison Taremwa;; Emmanuel Ahishakiye;; Aggrey Obbo ;; Paul Kategaya Kisozi;; Fred KaggwaMaize is a staple crop in Uganda, underpinning both food security and rural livelihoods. Accurate forecasting of maize yields is therefore crucial for guiding agricultural planning, resource allocation, and policy design. Yet traditional statistical methods are often limited by low accuracy, poor scalability, and weak integration of diverse inputs, leaving them unable to capture complex, nonlinear, and spatiotemporal dynamics of crop growth. To overcome these constraints, we developed a hybrid convolutional neural network and long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) model. This model integrates remotely sensed climatic variables and vegetation indices with biannual maize yield records from Uganda’s Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ZARDI) zones for the period 2018–2020. Due to the scarcity of high-quality yield data, we applied the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique for Regression (SMOGN) alongside feature selection to balance the dataset and improve predictive robustness. The CNN-LSTM model’s ability to select features and perform extensive hyperparameter tuning enabled it to outperform baseline models. It achieved a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.107 tonnes2 , a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.267 tonnes, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.327 tonnes, and an R2 score of 0.783. A comparative analysis revealed that the CNN+Random Forest (RF) model achieved an MSE of 0.137 tonnes2 , a MAE of 0.281 tonnes, an RMSE of 0.370 tonnes, and an R2 score of 0.722. These results outperformed the standalone CNN (MSE=0.216, R2=0.562) and RF (MSE=0.211, R2=0.573) models, underscoring the advantage of combining spatial–temporal learning for improved predictive accuracy. Residual analysis further confirmed the model's stability, showing minimal bias and close agreement between observed and predicted yields. These findings highlight the potential for integrating spatial– temporal deep learning and ensemble methods to deliver accurate crop yield forecasts in data-limited smallholder systems. By offering a scalable framework for evidence-based farm planning and food security policy, our study demonstrated that advanced machine learning can directly support sustainable development in subSaharan Africa. Future research will extend the framework to incorporate Transformer architectures, high-resolution satellite imagery, and explainable AI, further enhancing accuracy, interpretability, and decision-support capacity. Article highlights • Developed a hybrid CNN-LSTM model that integrates remotely sensed climatic and vegetation indices to predict maize yields across Uganda’s ZARDI zones (2018–2020). • Achieved high predictive accuracy (MSE=0.107, explaining 78% of yield variation), outperforming standalone CNN, ensemble models such as RF, and CNN-RF. • Introduced SMOGN-based data augmentation and feature selection techniques to overcome data sparsity, a novel approach for yield forecasting in smallholder, data-limited systems. • Demonstrated that hybrid DL frameworks can inform scalable, data-driven agricultural planning, with potential to guide policymakers and strengthen food security strategies in SSA. • Future work will focus on integrating Transformer architectures for improved sequence modelling alongside high-resolution imagery and explainable AI to enhance accuracy, interpretability, and practical decision support.Item Consumer risk perception towards pesticide-stained tomatoes in Uganda(Public Library of Science, 2023-12) Sekabojja, Daniel;; Atuhaire, Aggrey;; Nabankema, Victoria ;; Sekimpi, Deogratias;; Jórs, ErikTomatoes are consumed daily. Unfortunately, abuse of pesticide application by vegetable growers in Uganda increases risks of pesticide residue exposure among consumers, as they may be above Maximum Residue Limits (European Union Maximum Residue Limits used as a standard in Uganda). This study aimed to determine consumer attitudes and risk perceptions towards pesticide-stained tomatoes in Uganda to support interventions that could be used to reduce pesticide residue exposures in food. A mixed methods cross-sectional study sampled 468 household consumers in four regions of Uganda, selecting one district (interventional project area) per region. In each district, about 60 household members were randomly selected from a total of three Sub Counties and interviewed. In addition, 9 tomato handlers (three tomato farmers, three tomato retailers, and three tomato wholesalers) participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) per district. Collected data were entered into MS-Excel 13 and exported into Stata version 14.0 for cleaning and analysis at a 5% level of significance and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). The proportion of risk perceptions and attitudes were computed and presented as percentages, while factors associated with risk perception were determined using Fisher exact test. Qualitative data collected under a traditional theory were analyzed using thematic content analysis. More than half, 54.2% (253/468), of the respondents were females, mean age was 37 years (SD = 13.13, ranging from 18 to 88 years). Half of the respondents, 50.9% (238/467), were farmers by occupation, and 40.3% (188/468) had completed upper primary education. Only 5.0% (20/396) of consumers reported a high-risk perception towards tomatoes stained with pesticide residues, the rest, 95.0% (376/396), were buying pesticide-stained tomatoes despite their awareness of the possible health effects. The main reason for buying the pesticide-stained tomatoes was that a majority, 59.0% (230/390), lacked an alternative to stained tomatoes like organically grown tomatoes. However, consumers generally had a negative attitude towards pesticide-stained tomatoes, with 67.0% (313/468) of the consumers disagreeing with the statement that tomatoes sold on the market are safe. Consumer risk perception was significantly associated with their awareness about residues in the tomatoes; where the proportion of consumers who were aware of the risk of pesticide-stained tomatoes was 42.8 times more likely not to buy stained tomatoes compared to the proportion of those who were not aware. OR, 42.8 (95% CI: 10.76-170.28). However, after Fisher-Exact tests analysis, level of education P(0.975), gender P(0.581), and age group P(0.680) were not associated with consumer risk perception (95% CI and 5% level of significance). Although the consumers had a negative attitude towards the pesticide-stained tomatoes, their risk perception towards them ranked low, with most consumers buying tomatoes stained with pesticide residues due to a lack of an alternative. Ministry of Agriculture extension service efforts should promote and emphasize community to start household-based organic kitchen gardens as the efforts for the establishment of a national pesticide residue monitoring center awaits.Item Comparative Phytochemical Profiles of Medicinal Plants Used for Wound Treatment: Insights From Wild and Hydroponically Cultivated Species in Lugazi Diocese, Uganda(Wiley Subscription Services, Inc, 2025-12-18) Kahwa, Ivan;; Seel, Christina;; Ikiriza, Hilda ;; Kulosa, Maria;; Billig, Susan;; Wiesner, Claudia;; Weisheit, Anke;; Makumbi, Olivia Harriet;; Gerth, André;; Kaysser, LeonardMedicinal plants such as Centella asiatica, Conyza sumatrensis, and Justicia betonica are widely used in Uganda for traditional wound healing. However, the impact of cultivation conditions on their therapeutic potential remains poorly understood. This study compared the phytochemical profiles and bioactivities of hydroponically cultivated and wild-collected material of these species from Lugazi Diocese, Uganda. Extracts were prepared using ethanol, methanol, and water, and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). TLC and HPLC-UV indicated terpenoids, flavonoids, and steroids, while HS-GC-MS revealed predominantly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. LC-MS/MS annotated flavonoids, including quercetin-3-O-glucuronoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol, as well as triterpenoids such as asiatic acid and katononic acid. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the agar well diffusion method. Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by IL-6 and IL-8 secretion, and cytotoxicity by MTT assay. Ethanol and methanol extracts exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, while aqueous extracts of wild C. asiatica and hydroponic C. sumatrensis significantly reduced IL-6 secretion. No cytotoxic effects were detected. These findings suggest hydroponic cultivation preserves essential phytochemicals and bioactivities, supporting sustainable production of medicinal plants for therapeutic applications.Item Gendered sweetpotato trait preferences and implications for improved variety acceptance in Uganda(Wiley Periodicals LLC, 2023-10-03) Mulwa, Chalmers K.;; Campos, Hugo;; Bayiyana, Irene ;; Rajendran, Srinivasulu;; Ssali, Reuben;; McEwan, Margaret;; Heck, SimonThe principal selection objective in crop breeding has for a long time been driven by agronomic gains like yield maximization and climate resilience. Nevertheless, the continued low adoption of new varieties and documented gender technology adoption gap has triggered re‐thinking of this strategy, with end‐user acceptability of released varieties a key strategy in breeding objectives. Using a mixed‐methods approach with a survey of 122 producers and focus group discussions with 200 male and female producers in two major sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] producing districts in Uganda, this study set out to understand gender‐disaggregated traits that drive acceptance for improved sweetpotato varieties as a guide to development of new varieties in the region. A generalized structural equation model approach is used to analyze how interrelated trait preferences shape acceptance for improved varieties, while in‐depth insights from a qualitative approach are used to further ground observed results. Traits such as high root yields, drought tolerance, and vitamin A are shown to be key drivers to acceptance of improved varieties, while good taste and dry matter content dampen acceptance of improved varieties in favor of landraces. Male farmers are also shown to mainly prefer agronomic traits such as high yields and stress tolerance, while women mostly prefer quality traits such as good taste, vitamin A, and high dry matter content. To achieve higher acceptability and adoption of improved varieties across the gender divide, new varieties need to not only consider agronomic gains, but also quality‐related traits such as taste and dry matter content. AGRICOLAItem Selection of parents in a population hybrid breeding scheme forsweetpotato in Uganda(Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2024-05) Swanckaert, Jolien;; Ssali, Reuben;; Mwanga, Robert ;; Andrade, Maria;; De Boeck, Bert;; Eyzaguirre, Raul;; Campos, Hugo;; Grüneberg, Wolfgang J.Sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam. [2 n = 6 x = 90]) is a highly heterozygous, clonally propagated crop for which population hybrid breeding is expected to result in yield jumps and large genetic gain increases. The main objective of this study was to select parents for a heterosis exploiting breeding scheme in Uganda using general combining ability and index selection aggregating yield and biotic stress traits. Two large and very diverse breeding populations established in Uganda (UGA A, 50 parents; UGA B, 80 parents) were recombined for this study into a hybrid population comprising 8097 genotypes from 1097 interpopulation families. Parents and offspring clones were evaluated in unreplicated trials across five environments during 2018/2019, together with two commercial checks (Ejumula and NASPOT 8). Using mixed model analysis, breeding values (BVs) were estimated across traits (i.e., storage root yield, commercial roots per plant, foliage yield, and resistance to sweetpotato virus disease [SPVD] and Alternaria blight). For storage root yield, the BVs ranged from 3.5 to 10 t ha −1 and from 2 to 12 t ha −1 for parents in UGA A and B, respectively. For SPVD resistance, scored one month before harvest, the BVs ranged from 3.3 to 4.3 and from 3.1 to 4.7 for parents in UGA A and B, respectively. Out of 130 parental candidates, 40 parents were selected (20 for each parental group). The plan is to use in the future GCA values combined by a modified Pesek‐Baker index using standardized desired genetic gains to select parents together with other information such as flesh color of parental material. High SPVD pressure environments might not be appropriate to estimate genetic parameters for yield traits. The determination of GCA appears to be extremely important for the selection of sweetpotato parents. The proposed modified Pesek‐Baker index resulted in satisfactory prediction of responses across all key traits. CrossRefItem Assessing food security among young farmers in Africa: evidence from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda(Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2023-02-23) Adeyanju, Dolapo;; Mburu, John;; Gituro, Wainaina ;; Chumo, Chepchumba;; Mignouna, Djana;; Ogunniyi, Adebayo;; Akomolafe, John Kehinde;; Ejima, JosephFood insecurity remains a serious challenge for many households in Africa and the situation is even more prevalent among young people. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on youth food security status in Africa. We assessed the level and determinants of food security among young farmers in Africa. We adopted a multi-stage sampling technique to select 400, 429, and 606 young farmers in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, respectively. Individual food consumption was assessed following a 7 days recall method. The Food Consumption Score, which combines dietary diversity and consumption frequency was used to assess food security status while the determinants of food security were identified using a logistic regression model. Results suggest low dietary diversity across the three countries. Also, the majority of the respondents had an unacceptable food consumption score, suggesting that despite being food producers, young farmers are still food insecure. The odds of being food secure was positively determined by access to extension services, participation in the ENABLE TAAT business incubation programme, and access to market information but, negatively by access to credit, number of employees, Covid-19 pandemic, and location. Additionally, the food security status of young female farmers was positively influenced by age, suggesting that younger youths are less food secure compared to older ones. These results suggest that more efforts should be directed towards improving the food security of young African farmers and that policy- and programme-level interventions should support access to extension services, market information, and land. Additionally, more investments should be directed towards developing need-based agribusiness incubation programmes with an effort to scale existing programmes beyond the regular one-time period.Food insecurity remains a serious challenge for many households in Africa and the situation is even more prevalent among young people. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on youth food security status in Africa. We assessed the level and determinants of food security among young farmers in Africa. We adopted a multi-stage sampling technique to select 400, 429, and 606 young farmers in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, respectively. Individual food consumption was assessed following a 7 days recall method. The Food Consumption Score, which combines dietary diversity and consumption frequency was used to assess food security status while the determinants of food security were identified using a logistic regression model. Results suggest low dietary diversity across the three countries. Also, the majority of the respondents had an unacceptable food consumption score, suggesting that despite being food producers, young farmers are still food insecure. The odds of being food secure was positively determined by access to extension services, participation in the ENABLE TAAT business incubation programme, and access to market information but, negatively by access to credit, number of employees, Covid-19 pandemic, and location. Additionally, the food security status of young female farmers was positively influenced by age, suggesting that younger youths are less food secure compared to older ones. These results suggest that more efforts should be directed towards improving the food security of young African farmers and that policy- and programme-level interventions should support access to extension services, market information, and land. Additionally, more investments should be directed towards developing need-based agribusiness incubation programmes with an effort to scale existing programmes beyond the regular one-time period. MEDLINE - AcademicItem Promising Parental Cowpea Genotypes With Resistance to Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) Biotypes in Uganda(wiley, 2025-12-06) Selma Ndapewa Nghituwamhata;; Ephraim Nuwamanya;; Richard Edema ;; Faizo Kasule;; Chepkoech Evalyne Rono;; Arfang Badji;; Albert Chiteka;; Isaac Onziga DramadriCowpea aphids remain a major production constraint affecting productivity on smallholder farms in Uganda. This study aimed to identify cowpea genotypes with resistance to aphid biotypes in Uganda for developing improved cowpea varieties. Forty-eight cowpea genotypes were initially screened using aphids collected at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK), and 10 tolerant genotypes were further screened using three aphid biotypes collected from the three experimental stations, namely, MUARIK, NgettaZARDI, and NaSARRI, representing the major cowpea production regions. All experiments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the screen house at MUARIK under free-choice conditions in the screen house at MUARIK (25°C–28°C, 65%–80% relative humidity) and a natural 12:12 h light–dark regime. Significant differences were observed among the cowpea genotypes for aphid infestation and damage (aphid counts, colony scores, and leaf damage) and growth response (days to 50% flowering). There were no significant differences in the response of genotypes to aphids collected from the three locations representing Uganda’s diverse agroecologies. Sanzi, TVNu 1158 (wild relative), and NE 51 showed high levels of resistance to the aphid biotypes and can be used as parents for developing aphid-resistant cowpea varieties in Uganda. However, genotype Tvu 310, the resistant check from IITA, was found to be susceptible, while IT97K-556-6 was moderately resistant to aphid biotypes from Uganda. The results from this study provide an understanding of resistance to aphid biotypes, and resistant cowpea genotypes can be used as a source for resistance to aphids in Uganda.Item Gendered sweetpotato trait preferences and implications forimproved variety acceptance in Uganda(Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2024-05) Mulwa, Chalmers K.;; Campos, Hugo;; Bayiyana, Irene ;; Rajendran, Srinivasulu;; Ssali, Reuben;; McEwan, Margaret;; Heck, SimonThe principal selection objective in crop breeding has for a long time been driven by agronomic gains like yield maximization and climate resilience. Nevertheless, the continued low adoption of new varieties and documented gender technology adoption gap has triggered re‐thinking of this strategy, with end‐user acceptability of released varieties a key strategy in breeding objectives. Using a mixed‐methods approach with a survey of 122 producers and focus group discussions with 200 male and female producers in two major sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] producing districts in Uganda, this study set out to understand gender‐disaggregated traits that drive acceptance for improved sweetpotato varieties as a guide to development of new varieties in the region. A generalized structural equation model approach is used to analyze how interrelated trait preferences shape acceptance for improved varieties, while in‐depth insights from a qualitative approach are used to further ground observed results. Traits such as high root yields, drought tolerance, and vitamin A are shown to be key drivers to acceptance of improved varieties, while good taste and dry matter content dampen acceptance of improved varieties in favor of landraces. Male farmers are also shown to mainly prefer agronomic traits such as high yields and stress tolerance, while women mostly prefer quality traits such as good taste, vitamin A, and high dry matter content. To achieve higher acceptability and adoption of improved varieties across the gender divide, new varieties need to not only consider agronomic gains, but also quality‐related traits such as taste and dry matter content. AGRICOLAItem Gender disparities in agricultural extension among smallholders in Western Uganda(Taylor & Francis, 2024-08-20) Midamba, Dick Chune;; Ouko, Kevin OkothIn this study, we aimed to assess gender disparities in access to agricultural extension services and the determinants of access to extension among male and female-headed households in Western Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to extract primary data from 200 farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Binary Logit model. Our findings revealed that majority of the male-headed households had access to extension compared to their female-headed household counterparts. This was also evident in the sources of agricultural extension. The socio-demographic characteristics of farmers also indicated that male-headed households were better off in many areas, for example, male-headed households boasted 498.83 kg/ha maize productivity, while households headed by females produced 405.36 kg/ha, indicating a 94 kg/ha yield gap. Similarly, adoption of agricultural practices was high among the male-headed households than their fellow female-headed counterparts. Finally, the estimates from the Binary Logit revealed that male-headed households’ access to extension was influenced by age, education, farm size, crop diversity, and group membership. The predictor variables that significantly influenced female-headed households’ access to extension include age, education, experience, household size, farm size, distance to extension, crop diversity, non-farm income, and credit access. The study concluded that there are gender disparities in agricultural extension as evident in the access to, sources and determinants of access to agricultural extension. To bridge the gender gap, the study advocates for more training and extension services to female-headed households regarding access to and sources of extension services.