A study conducted by researchers at the EfD Mak Center Uganda has shown that Chapati vendors could only afford to use the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cook stoves at their households. The study findings indicated that LPG cook stoves were more costly for such small businesses.
The study also revealed that Chapati vendors demonstrated considerable credibility on settling instalments and that given appropriate terms and access to hire-purchase schemes can support adoption of cleaner and modern cook stoves by food vendors.
The study titled, “Purchase and Learning Schemes and Adoption of LPG Cook stoves: Experimental Evidence from Uganda”, was funded by Sida under the auspices of the EfD network at an estimated budget of US$ 55,747.
The project was launched on 18th August 2021 under the leadership of Dr. Aisha Nanyiti assisted by three Co-PI’s Prof Fred Matovu, Dr. Suzan Kavuma and Richard Ssebagala , School of Economics, Makerere University.
Disseminating the study findings, on 13th October 2022, Dr. Nanyiti said, Biomass is predominantly the energy used for cooking by households and food vendors in Africa. In Uganda for instance Biomass constitutes 94% of energy used with Fuel wood forming 64% and Charcoal for 30%/.
Nanyiti reported that reliance on biomass increases the deforestation rate and contributes to climate change noting that 44 million tonnes of tree biomass is used per year in Uganda posing negative health effects with respiratory infections accounting for 18% of all illnesses in Uganda with women facing higher risk of illness. .
She said various interventions have been undertaken to promote use of cleaner cooking technologies. Earlier studies focused on improved cookstoves while some studies asses LPG cookstoves.
These studies Nanyiti said, focus on adoption of and attitude towards LPG and identify barriers in high initial cost, limited supplies and perceptions. High initial cost she said, is relevant especially to adoption by the low income groups where subsidization is not sustainable.
“Hire purchase schemes are relevant to easing the high initial cost. These have not been assessed before. Most studies focus on households. This study assesses the impact of Hire purchase schemes, Learning schemes, on adoption of LPG cookstoves by chapati vendors.”, Dr. Nanyiti said.
To achieve the objective Dr. Nanyiti said the study employed a Randomised Control Trial with chapati vendors in the capital Kampala in 3 divisions of Kampala, Constructed 3 clusters of parishes in each division and implemented 3 treatment arms in each division (Treatment 1 information only, Treatment 2-information + hire purchase and Treatment 3-information + grace period learning+ hire-purchase)
Treatments were administered to individual owners at their chapati stalls. From each cluster; 100 chapatti vendors were randomly selected. 5 surveys; Baseline, intervention, first follow-up, second follow-up and endline. Intervention conducted at stall in teams of two and vendors always carried the full kit of LPG cookstove to the stall.
“In Treatment 1 (Information) the research team offered verbal information on the benefits of using LPG cookstoves and offered opportunity to buy the LPG cookstove by paying at once the full cost of UGX 210,000 ($60). This opportunity lasted for two weeks where the vendors refilled gas cylinders themselves at a nearby refill station.
In Treatment 2(Hire purchase) the research team provided Verbal information on the benefits of using LPG cookstoves. Vendors were offered opportunity to buy the LPG cookstove on a hire-purchase in 3 instalments (70,000 @) or 4 instalments (50,000 @). The vendors had opportunity to instead pay at once. The opportunity lasted for two weeks and vendors had to refill the cylinders by themselves at a nearby refill station”, Dr.Nanyiti explained.
In Treatment 3 (Learning) the team provided Verbal information on the benefits of using LPG cookstoves, offered opportunity to use the LPG cookstove for two weeks then decide to buy the LPG cookstove on a hire purchase basis or to pay at once.. The opportunity lasted for two weeks and refill done by the vendors themselves at a nearby refill station. But on returning, vendors would pay 49000 for the gas used.
University management applauds Dr. Nanyiti
The study findings were disseminated during the two in one event of the EfD- Mak center disseminating the outputs from the study funded through the EfD Network but also getting to launch and start the journey for other studies at centres’ conference room on 13th October 2022.
The event presided over by the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences brought together members of staff and students from the School of Economics and Agricultural sciences and the EfD members.
The Principal Prof. Eria Hisali congratulated Dr. Aisha Nanyiti and the team upon delivering the research output calling for more involvement of other stakeholders during the dissemination activities.
“Dr. Nanyiti and your team, we congratulate you and thank you for delivering and for not disappointing the network. From the questions that were coming up, it clearly seems to be a very interesting study and with a lot of potential to contribute to policy.
Let us get closer involvement of the policy makers, implementers, and key actors from the private sector both in the course of our research but also in the dissemination activities. This is very important for purposes of uptake because you take care of their concerns, insights and that way the findings became immediately useful”, Hisali said.
Hisali also thanked the EfD Global hub for sponsoring the study and the participatory model used in the partnership.
“I thank colleagues from the EfD Global hub for the continued support and for the very healthy partnership. The EfD over the past few years is that kind of partner that does not stop at sending resources and waits for reports but these are colleagues who we are working with along the way .Many of the activities we run, you take off time and participate and urged you keep at that.
Piggery farming in Uganda is on the rise more especially due to the ready market both within and outside the country. Just like any other business, farmers require a lot of input if they are to reap big from the business. Reproductive assistance techniques, such as Artificial Insemination (AI), have proved to be very effective in enhancing the quality of breeds leading to improved production and productivity. Implementing AI reproductive techniques allows optimizing production conditions, reducing their costs, and increasing their efficiency. With support from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Makerere University in collaboration with a number of partners, including district veterinary officers has conducted countrywide trainings in AI in a bid to increase the pool of pig artificial insemination service practitioners.
From 28th February-3rd March 2024, Makerere University in collaboration with ILRI, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC & DB) conducted a training of over 20 animal health practitioners from Central Uganda. The training held at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) was organized by Dr Donald Kugonza, an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, also coordinator of ILRI’s More Pork projects in Uganda.
During the five days of the training, the farmers were exposed to knowledge on a number of aspects including; i) the merits and demerits of pig artificial insemination; ii) the Uganda pig value chain- key actors, opportunities, challenges; iii) pig breeds and their characteristics- farmers preferences, straight breeding and terminal crossing, selection and culling; iv) hormonal regulation of female heat cycle, signs of heat and methods for heat detection; v) boar spray/smell, pregnancy diagnosis methods, gestation and weaning, growth and selection; vi) records management; vii) the role of NAGRC in pig breeding – Animal Breeding Act and breeds available at NAGRC stations; as well as viii) Animal Breeding Regulations. The farmers also acquired skills on semen collection, evaluation, extension, packaging, labeling and storage; reproductive diseases and management; animal hygiene; catheterization on tracts and live sows, sow stimulation, semen deposition; and biosecurity protocols. The farmers were also trained on care and maintenance of AI equipment.
Facilitators included; Dr Donald Kugonza from CAES, Makerere University (handled genetics and breeding); Dr Gerald Kirembe from AFIRD (animal health); Dr Gerald Nizeyimana from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University (animal health); Dr Godfrey Bamundaga Kyobe, Wakiso District Veterinary Officer (artificial insemination in pigs); Dr. Leonard Kawuule from Vetline Services (pig technologies); Ms. Esther Nakajubi from NAGRC&DB (animal production); Mr. Robert Natumanya from the CAES, Makerere University (animal production); Mr. Eric Semwezi, private AI practitioner; Dr. Alex Mukasa from MAAIF (animal production); and Mr. Isaac Kasoro from Makerere University (pig technologies).
The training was supported through the One CGIAR initiative for Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING), that aims to transform livestock sectors in seven countries including Uganda, through a pipeline of existing and new innovations. SAPLING is being implemented by the ILRI, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (ABC). SAPLING Uganda is geared towards improving the livelihoods of livestock producers and other actors in the pig, dairy and beef value chains. Uganda is one of focus countries for this initiative given the importance of livestock in the livelihoods of its people and the commitment of public and private actors to transform food systems through sustainable livestock development.
On behalf of the Country Director, ILRI, Mr. Ronnie Ahumuza appreciated the partners including MAAIF, NAGRC, Makerere University and district local governments for supporting the programme. Delivering a presentation on the pig value chain in Uganda, Mr. Ahumuza noted that the sector was highly neglected yet the demand for pork was on the rise. He informed participants that ILRI had piloted a number of innovations to improve the sector including interventions under the MorePork 1 and MorePork II projects that targeted diagnostic studies to identify constraints and opportunities in the pork value chains, testing of interventions to address the identified constraints, market systems development, and introduction of PigSmart Innovations (gross margin calculator, digital extension, feed calculator). The organization is currently implementing a project on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) geared towards improving the livelihoods of livestock producers and other actors in the pig, dairy and beef value chains.
Explaining the mandate of his sector that mainly focuses on improving production and productivity of livestock, the Commissioner, Animal Production at MAAIF, Dr Theophilus Mwesige said piggery production was still low in country, proposing a number of interventions to boost the sector.
The meeting was graced by the Technical Manager, Breeding at NAGRC, Dr Helen Nakimbugwe and Wakiso District Veterinary Officer Dr Bamundaga Kyobe Godfrey who shared experiences on AI in livestock.
The primary objective of this training initiative is to promote knowledge exchange and learning about innovative systems, methods, tools, and best practices in nutrition surveillance.
The training
The School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-systems Engineering (SFTNB), College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University has held a four-day training for its staff and students on Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for Acute Malnutrition (IPC-AMN). The training held from 26th-29th February 2024 has been conducted at the School premises at the University.
The training initiative emerged from the collaborative efforts of the “Learning Network on Nutrition Surveillance.” The implementation of this initiative is led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). This network, fostering connections between policymakers, research institutions, and universities, spans across the countries of Djibouti, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda.
The primary objective of this initiative is to promote knowledge exchange and learning about innovative systems, methods, tools, and best practices in nutrition surveillance. The initiative fosters knowledge exchange on innovative systems, methods, tools, and practices in nutrition surveillance, with a special emphasis on the East, Central, and Southern Africa region, and the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) for Food Security and Nutrition stands as a crucial element within this network.
FAO’s contribution
One of the key contributors to this training initiative is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), leveraging its two decades of experience. FAO has meticulously designed face-to-face training sessions for professionals in food security and nutrition. Furthermore, they have developed a comprehensive curriculum for graduate and post-graduate students focusing on the IPC for Acute Malnutrition scale (AMN).
This AMN course is crafted to equip graduates with the essential skills for IPC, but also serve as a pathway for IPC certification, enhancing their professional credentials as they embark on their careers. Notably, a similar curriculum addressing acute food insecurity has been successfully implemented at the University of Pretoria, and has worked successfully.
As a significant stride towards expanding the reach of this valuable curriculum, FAO has played a pivotal role in training the academic staff at Makerere University (Department of Food Technology and Nutrition) on both the structure and content of the AMN course curriculum. This strategic partnership aims to facilitate the eventual incorporation of this curriculum into the institution’s offerings.
Facilitating this training was Dr Jannie Armstrong, Integrated Phase Classification’s Learning and Research Coordinator. Dr Armstrong brings a wealth of experience to the table, overseeing the academic liaison portfolio and ensuring that IPC remains informed of developments in food security and nutrition research globally. His commitment is evident through co-developing IPC training materials and contributing as a member of the Technical Development Team.
Over the past 25 years, Dr Armstrong has contributed significantly to food security policy across Asia, Africa, and Europe, working with esteemed organizations such as FAO, WFP, and others. His enduring research interest in food security policy in the Global South reflects his dedication to making a positive impact in this field.
Appreciation
“As educators, we recognize the paramount importance of preparing our students for the evolving workforce, and FAO’s initiative is a testament of our commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning, aligning perfectly with our objectives. We express our sincere appreciation for this collaborative effort and are confident that together, we shall rise to meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders both within and outside Uganda,” remarked Dr Hedwig Acham, Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Technology & Nutrition, Makerere University.
Sub-Saharan Africa, February 29, 2024 – A landmark collaboration between the American Oil Chemist’s Society (AOCS), Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL), Makerere University (School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB), and the National Agriculture Research Laboratory (NARL) of Uganda has culminated in a transformative oilseed processing course, enriching regional expertise and capabilities. Designed to elevate Sub-Saharan Africa’s oilseed processing industry, the course leveraged AOCS content from industry and academic members, delivering world-class expertise to a cadre of regional processors. Held over 2.5 intensive days at the NARL and Makerere University SFTNB – Food Technology and Business Incubation Center, the course welcomed a capacity-filled cohort comprising participants from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and the host country, Uganda.
Supported by the Processor-to-Processor (P2P) program, AOCS volunteers Grant Mitchell, P.E., Bruce Patsey led the facilitator team together with Dr. Robert Mugabi (Makerere University) and Dr. David Bamwirire (NARL). P2P is an initiative with AOCS, CNFA, and SIL that brings one-on-one technical expertise to SSA processors under the umbrella of USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program, implemented by CNFA in Southern Africa. The course’s impact was amplified by a preceding Training of Trainers (TOT) session, where AOCS and Ugandan facilitating teams collaborated to sustainably disseminate the latest industry technical expertise while addressing the unique challenges encountered by many Sub-Saharan African processors.
The success of the course stands as a testament to the transformative potential of collaborative initiatives in addressing critical industry challenges and driving meaningful progress across Sub-Saharan Africa.