Browsing by Author "Ssemakula, E"

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The Effect Peri- Urban Farming on Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Mbarara Municipality
(Bishop Stuart University, 2020) Kyembabazi, L; Ssemakula, E
The study determined the effect peri- urban farming on food security among smallholder farmers in Mbarara Municipality. The specific objectives included to; identify and document the different kinds of agro-enterprises owned by urban farmers; assess the extent of adaptation by farmers to the limited spaces in the peri-urban areas, assess the contribution of peri-urban agriculture towards household food demand and food security, and analyze the challenges faced by peri urban farmers of Mbarara Municipality. A cross-sectional design using both quantitative and qualitative methods was used for data collection and analysis. Data was captured from 174 respondents using questionnaire and interviews. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The crop enterprises owned by farmers in the peri-urban areas of Mbarara municipality included maize, vegetables, bananas, fruits and beans. More so livestock enterprises included poultry, cattle, pigs and goats. Farmers of Mbarara municipality used the limited land spaces by carrying out intensive crop production in backyards (compound gardens), along roadsides, tins, pots, sacks and polythene bags or renting land. They had also adjusted to space-constrained livestock systems like small piggery units, zero-grazing, tethering in home compounds, and the keeping of poultry, both in cages and free range, on verandas. Peri-urban farming had a significant role on household food demand and food security by improving food access, stability, availability, food use and utilization, access to diversified and notorious food varieties. Peri-urban farmers of the area were constrained by significant challenges like space, pests and diseases, limited access to credit, seasonality, un-availability of labour, water scarcity, shortage of feeds and pastures as well as lack of market. The study concluded that peri- urban farming had an effect on food security of smallholder farmers though still hampered by different challenges. It was recommended that farmers be trained on aspects of pests and disease control, use of household organic waste as manure, use of high yielding varieties, irrigation, and marketing aspects of commercially viable crops, particularly vegetables. This would help in doubling production which is usually constrained by different factors. In addition, improving access to credit would help farmers establish critical infrastructures such as water reservoirs and agro-inputs, which would facilitate urban farming.
Factors Affecting Bean Production and Marketing in Nyakitunda Sub-county, Isingiro District
(Bishop Stuart University, 2019) Tumwesigye, P; David, O; Ssemakula, E
Bean production plays a critical role in enhancing household food security and income. Despite the role of the crop, farmers of Nyakitunda Sub-county still encounter different constraints during production and marketing of the crop. The study was to investigate the factors affecting bean production and marketing in Nyakitunda Sub-county, Isingiro district. It was specifically conducted to; (i) to identify the production constraints of beans, (ii) identify the marketing constraints of beans, and (iii) identify the challenges faced by specific gender categories in accessing and utilization of resources in bean production. A cross sectional research design applying both qualitative and quantitative techniques was used to collect data from 190 farmers using questionnaires, interview guide and focus group discussions. Data was analyzed using SPSS software to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found out significant bean production constrains in Nyakitunda Sub-county as; poor quality seeds (p = .000), lack of access to production assets (p = .001), pests and diseases (p = .004), access to extension (p = .004), shortage of production land (p = .003) and having access to other off-farm income generating activities (p = .000). The study also found out the significant bean marketing constraints in Nyakitunda Sub-county as: poor roads (p = .001), high transport costs (p = .004), low bean prices (p = .000), lack of market information (p = .014), poor storage facilities (p = .002) and long distance to the market (p = .003). The study further established that there are gender specific challenges experienced in access and utilization of bean production resources including: labour shortage, inadequate access to credit services, limited land for production, limited access to information, lack of technical production knowledge, lack of capital discrimination, sexual harassment, strict cultural values and beliefs. The study concluded that there are factors affecting bean production and marketing in Nyakitunda Sub-county and recommended the need for sensitizing farmers on the benefits of adopting soil enhancing technologies to restore soil fertility since poor soils were cited among the challenging factors of production in the area. The study further recommended MAAIF and NARO interventions in providing more extension services and training about correct input application as well as supply farmers with improved pests and disease bean seed varieties and high yielding traits