Agriculture & Environment

Unmasking the Gendered Impact of COVID-19 Guidelines on Market Vendors

Published

2 months ago

November 23, 2020

Mark Wamai

The Research Team: PI-Dr. Losira Nasirumbi Sanya (2nd L), Co-PI-Prof. Johnny Mugisha (R) and EPRC Research Analyst-Ms. Florence Nakazi (L) chat with Ag. DVCAA and Principal CoBAMS-Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali (2nd R) after the Dissemination on 18th November 2020, Conference Room, SFEGS, CAES, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Over 100 participants from academia, business, private sector, research and Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies convened physically and virtually to discuss the findings of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Special study on the gendered impact of COVID-19 on market vendors of the perishable goods in urban and peri-urban areas of Uganda.

The workshop held on Wednesday 18^th November 2020 attracted 40 participants physically at the Conference Room, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences while over 60 participants attended via zoom.

The School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University conducted a study on food markets following the distortions caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The study titled “The Gendered Impact of COVID-19 Guidelines on Market Vendors of Perishable goods in Urban and Peri-Urban areas of Uganda” was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF) COVID-19 Special Grant.

The research team comprised Dr. Losira Nasirumbi Sanya, Principal Investigator (PI) and Lecturer, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies (DEIS); Professor Johnny Mugisha, Co-PI and Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences and; Ms. Florence Nakazi, a Research Analyst, Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC).

The dissemination workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Principal CAES who is also a gender expert-Assoc. Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga as Guest Speaker. It was closed by Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA) represented by Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali, who is also the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

The function was also graced by officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives led by Dr. Joshua Mutambi, Commissioner in charge of Processing and Marketing; representatives from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) and Kampala City Capital Authority (KCCA).

Other invited guests were the Makerere University Director, Directorate of Graduate Research and Training Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Principal CAES-Professor Bernard Bashaasha. Dr. Hellen N. Nkabala representing the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee also, doubling as Council member, Mrs. Phoebe Lutaya, Deputy Coordinator Mak-RIF and Ms. Carol Kamugira from the Mak-RIF Secretariat. Other special guest were representatives of market vendors, members from civil society organizations and the private sector.

The Head, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, Prof. Nelson Turyahabwe welcomed the virtual and physical participants describing the project dissemination workshop as timely.

He said, in March 2020 markets and businesses in Uganda were closed and guidelines put in place to ensure that market vendors operate safely. Some of the guidelines included instruction of market vendors to sleep in markets while others commuted and followed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These, the professor said, did not go well with especially vendors trading in vegetables and other perishable goods.

Much as this guidelines were put in place, Prof. Turyahabwe asserted that their impact was not evaluated and thus, when a call for the Special Mak-RIF COVID-19 funding was made, a team of researchers led by Dr. Losira Nasirumbi Sanya in collaboration with other researchers from the School of Agricultural Sciences tendered in the proposal that was accepted and funded by the Government of Uganda.

“Today they are here to share with us some of the findings on how the COVID-19 SOPs impacted on the men, women and youth that are involved in marketing of vegetables. They are here to share with us the innovations that were put in place and how the guidelines have impacted on their livelihoods.” Prof. Turyahabwe said.

He appreciated the participants for honoring the invitation saying, their presence was of great importance given that they are practitioners, academics, vendors and policy makers whose input into the study findings will find possible solutions to challenges of vegetable vending and also inform policy on better strategies in case a similar pandemic occurs.

Related Topics:COVID-19 featured Gender Mak-RIF Market Vendors SOPs Uganda

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Agriculture & Environment

EfD-Mak Policy Dialogue Calls for Conservation in Line With SDGs

Published

1 week ago

January 13, 2021

Mark Wamai

Stakeholders that took part in the EfD-Mak Policy Dialogue on changes in Lake Victoria’s Hydrology, Water quality and Livelihoods pose for a group photo outside the Senate Building, Makerere University, on 16th December 2020.

Makerere University Centre for Environment Development Initiative (EfD-Mak Centre) has held yet another Policy Dialogue on the changes in Lake Victoria’s Hydrology, Water quality and livelihoods.

The dialogue held at the Senate building on the 16^th of December, 2020 was graced by the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali and presided over by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya.

Among the discussants of the topic were Dr. Sseruyange from Makerere University, Ms. Harriet Nankya the Wakiso District Environmental focal person, ACP Simon Peter Okoshi the Assistant Commissioner of Police also the Deputy Commandant of Environmental Protection Unit, Dr. Tom Bukenya the Commissioner Fisheries Control Regulation and Quality Assurance Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Dr. Edward Rukunya also from MAAIF.

While delivering her message, Assoc. Prof. Nabukenya applauded the EfD-Mak Director, Assoc. Prof. Edward Bbaale for organizing such a wonderful function despite the challenging situation occasioned by COVID-19.

She explained that water bodies as part of natural resources in our country are crucial sources of ecosystem service provision and are potential drivers of development through a multiplicity of economic activities.

“This can be highly achieved if research-based policies are put in place to manage these resources within appropriate boundaries.

Initiatives like this are essential in countries where a majority of people depend directly on soil, water, forests and fisheries for their livelihood, “she said.

The Acting DVCFA said that Makerere University appreciates the relevance of natural resources and the environment in fostering economic development.

Agriculture & Environment

Mak Launches Book on Agriculture and Ecosystem Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa

Published

1 week ago

January 13, 2021

Mark Wamai

The DVCAA-Dr. Umar Kakumba assisted by CAPSNAC PI-Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa (L) and CAES Deputy Principal-Dr. Gorettie Nabanoga (R) cuts the ribbon to signify the book launch on 4th December 2020, Kampala Uganda.

Makerere University on 4th December 2020, launched a book titled, “Agriculture and Ecosystem Resilience in Sub Saharan Africa”. The book is one of the outputs of the project titled “Regional Capacity Building for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Productivity under Changing Climate” (CAPSNAC).

CAPSNAC is Collaborative Project involving four institutions, one in the North and three in the South. These included: Makerere University-Uganda, Addis Ababa University-Ethiopia; University of Juba-South Sudan, Norwegian University of Life Sciences-Norway.

Makerere University is the lead institution of the project based in CAES, with Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, as the Principal Investigator (PI). It was funded by NORAD through the NORHED program to a tune of NOK 20 million.

The book was edited by Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze as the Lead editor, and had Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa and Assoc. Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga as Co-editors. Others from partnering institutions were Prof. Bal Ram Singh and Rattan Lal.

Giving the citation the lead editor Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze said the volume discusses emerging contexts of agricultural and ecosystem resilience in Sub Saharan Africa, as well as contemporary technological advances that have influenced African Livelihoods.

In six sections, he said the book addresses the sustainable development goals to mitigate the negative impacts on agricultural productivity brought about by climate change in Africa while some of the challenges assessed include soil degradation, land use changes, natural resource mismanagement, declining crop productivity, and economic stagnation.

The book, Dr. Bamutaze said, will be of interest to researchers, NGOs, and development organizations. Section 1 focuses on climate risk management in tropical Africa. Section 2 addresses the water-ecosystem-agriculture nexus, and identifies the best strategies for sustainable water use.

Agriculture & Environment

Mak Holds 2nd Policy Seminar on Rural Development

Published

3 weeks ago

January 4, 2021

Mark Wamai

L-R: Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha and Dr. Sebaggala chat during the 2nd Policy Seminar on Agro-Industrialisation and Rural Development, 15th December 2020, Conference Hall, SFTNB, CAES, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

With support from the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) on 15th December 2020 held the 2^nd policy seminar on Rural Development.

The seminar held at the school of Food Technology Nutrition and Bio-engineering was conducted under the topic; Agro Industrialisation in the context of Rural Development in Uganda.

Presided over by the former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, the seminar was attended by Researchers, policy makers and advisors across the country. It was moderated by the Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, with participants attending both physically and virtually.

The presenters included Martin Fowler the Senior Agricultural Adviser USAID Uganda and Jacob Rauschendorfer the Country economist Bank of Uganda also at the International Growth Centre.

While Making a presentation titled, The current status, future prospects and possible solutions to pressing challenges both Martin Fowler and Jacob Rauschendorfer observed that COVID-19 had had a great impact on Uganda despite the fact that agriculture was declared an essential service with so much uninterrupted.

According to the presentation, during the period, there has been a reduction in turnover and sales of 30% for seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals, veterinary drugs, whereas raw materials’ supply to processors from out-growers were negatively affected.

The presentation also indicated that Lack of data on COVID-19’s impacted on SMEs, “they are more generally clear that they are a critical force in the economy but remain vulnerable”

The presentation also recommended focus on value chain observing an Urgent need to rationalise and prioritise the value-chains that are to form the focus of future national agro-industrialization efforts.

They also recommended that governments’ role in fostering agro-industrial sector growth needs to be defined and respected to ensure increased budgetary support required for a more enabling environment including, electricity grid expansion, land tenure security among others.

While officiating at the seminar, the former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa called for coordination of all the policies related to Agriculture along the value chain. He observed the need to increase production, marketing and processing noting that increasing productivity requires concentrated areas of production in order to ease marketing.

“We need to invest in research, extension, water for production, marketing and processing, “he said.