Masters Degree Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12504/204

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Effectiveness of group extension methods in promoting high quality cassava flour production among smallholder farmers in Apac district, Uganda
(Kyambogo university (unpublished work), 2018-11) Gobo, Denis
Smallholder farmers of Apac District received advice from extension agents on the production of high quality cassava flour from 2009 to 2015. Despite training, production remained low at 4000kg ha·1 compared to the expected output of 8000kg ha· 1 , which called for an investigation conceived to establish the effectiveness of the group extension methods used in training for high output. A cross sectional survey design was used. Interviews, questionnaires, observations and focused group discussions were used to collect data from a total of 133 respondents consisting of 126 farmers randomly selected from 185 farmers trained. Additionally, seven extension agents completed questionnaires and were interviewed. Using SPSS version 16.0, the data collected was processed to determine frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations and chi-square test. Results show 64% of the famers participated in demonstrations, 73% in field days and 75% in exchange visits. Cross tabulations showed that demonstrations benefited 59% of the farmers in using clean water for processing; field days benefited 65% of the farmers in practicing timely harvesting and exchange visits benefited only 19% in using recommended varieties at planting. The framers whose flour was rejected at sale were: 20% for lack of follow up after training, 14% for reduced training hours and 13% for high speed content delivery. Chi-square showed significant association at O.Ola between farmers participation in demonstrations and knowledge in site selection for cassava production. Most farmers acquired more knowledge from group demonstrations, followed by field days and exchange visits respectively. Methods were effective in practices such as site selection, timely harvesting, use of clean water but not effective in post-harvest handling. Trainers of farmers should keep group size to 6 while combining methods for chipping and post-harvest handling. Time duration and frequency of training should be optimum farmers to produce high quality cassava flour.
Influence of microbial inoculants on water use efficiency and yield in a watermelon in rain-fed cropping
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-10) Mpisa, Isaac
Smallholder rain fed systems in Uganda are often characterized by low productivity of watermelon crop caused by soil moisture deficits, leading to reduced water use efficiency and lower yields, which threaten food security and farmer’s livelihood. The use of microbial inoculants like Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi could serve as a tool to improve crop tolerance to water stress. This study was set to determine the influence of microbial inoculants on Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and yield in a watermelon in rain-fed cropping. The study was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with four factorial treatments; PGPR, AMF, PGPR+AMF and a Control, where no amendments were added. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons (Aug-Dec/2022 and Marc-Jul/2023). Application of PGPR significantly (P<0.001) increased WUE compared to control. Also AMF significantly increased WUE. However, watermelon crops treated with combined (AMF& PGPR), recorded the highest mean WUE compared with plots treated with rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi only. There are significant differences in the interactions between the season, soil moisture, WUE and PGPR treatments on yield of watermelon crop under rain fed conditions. However, watermelon crop plots treated with PGPR only, demonstrated the highest significant increase on watermelon mean yield compared to control, and plots treated with AMF only and combined (AMF+PGPR). For water use efficiency farmers are recommended to use a combined application of (AMF+PGPR.). Because their application produced the highest mean water use efficiency compared with watermelon plots treated with AMF and PGPR only. For yield, farmers are recommended to use PGPR inoculants at 10kgs per hectare. Because its treatment produced the highest mean yield of watermelon (fruit weight (tons/ha) compared with watermelon plots treated with AMF only and combined (AMF+PGPR). Further research should focus on investigating dosage rates of AMF which is most effective in rain fed watermelon conditions in Uganda.
Potential of using indigenous microorganisms for decomposing coffee and rice crop waste into bio-fertilizer
(Kyambogo University (Unpublised work), 2025-11) Akampa, Caroline
Agricultural waste contributes approximately 140 billion tonnes to global waste annually, much of it rich in nutrients originally absorbed from the soil. Managing this waste sustainably while replenishing soil fertility is critical for long-term agricultural productivity. In Uganda, coffee and rice husks are abundant crop residues but decompose slowly due to their high lignin and cellulose content. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs) in accelerating the decomposition of coffee and rice husks and improving compost quality. The experiment was conducted at Kyambogo University Farm, Central Uganda, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatment combinations replicated five times. The treatments were; i i) Coffee husks + goat manure (CH+GM), ii ii) Coffee husks + goat manure + IMOs (CH+GM+IMO), iii iii) Rice husks + goat manure (RH+GM), and iv iv) Rice husks + goat manure + IMOs (RH+GM+IMO). Each composting pit contained 25 kg of material mixed at a ratio of 1:0.5 (husks to goat manure) on a dry-weight basis. A culture of beneficial anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms was prepared from leaf litter collected from a forested area adjacent to Kyambogo University Farm so as to ensure the microbes originated from a natural (indigenous) soil ecosystem conducive for microbial diversity and proliferation. Treatments with IMOs received 1 liter of IMO solution, while controls received plain water. Data on temperature, pH, moisture content, organic matter, macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micronutrients, and C/N ratio were collected over a 12-week composting period.
The effect of Nile perch bait fishery on the reproductive and biometric parameters of Mormyrus Kannume along the upper Victoria Nile
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-09) Mbaho, Eunith
The increased exploitation of Mormyrus Kannume using illegal fishing gear, used as bait to capture Nile perch, poses a threat to its population and could ultimately lead to its extinction. Monitoring of fish reproductive metrics is crucial for assessing population health, informing sustainable management practices, and ensuring the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems. This study was carried out to; identify the socio-economic factors promoting the use of M. Kannume as a bait in the Nile perch fishery, determine its size at sexual maturity (L50) and sex ratios, and examine its biometric parameters (body length and body weight relationship) along the Upper Victoria Nile. The study was both qualitative and descriptive, where questionnaires were administered to respondents in person along selected landing sites on the Upper Victoria Nile and Lake Victoria. The sex ratio was calculated after identifying the sex of each sample following dissection. The L50 was determined by the maturity logistic ogive curve. The Total Length and body weight were measured using a measuring board and a calibrated weighing scale respectively. The results generated showed that the key socio-economic factors that influence the use of this bait were fishing experience, bait cost, selling price of Nile perch, bait type, and size of the bait. The chi-square test on sex ratio (females: males) showed no significant deviations from the normal indicating a healthy population structure. Size at sexual maturity L50, for males and females was 23 cm and 21 cm respectively indicating that the fish are maturing at a small length probably due to increased fishing pressure. The TL of the fish caught ranged from 10.5 cm to 67.5 cm (mean of 17.62 ± 0.11 cm), and the body weight ranged from 10.84 g to 2548.8 g (mean of 57.54 ± 2.52 g). The b value (LWR exponent) was 2.9 (Male) and 2.8 (female) indicating a negative allometric growth, implying that the fish are in a healthy condition but slightly underweight probably due to stress from fishing pressure. These results demonstrate that M. Kannume is facing reduced size at sexual maturity, and slight decline in the relationship between body length and body weight. These changes are probably due to fishing pressure and use of inappropriate fishing gear which may catch fish before they reach maturity. Captive breeding of M. Kannume is recommended to ease pressure on wild populations and ensure sustainable bait supply. Therefore, this study has highlighted the socio-economic driving factors in the use of M. Kannume as bait. Understanding M. Kannume’s biological data is important in the development of management strategies to address the already caused effects and preserve M. Kannume from extinction in the long run.

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