As part of the ENDURE project exit strategy, and in line with the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) adopted by the project, a two days project's final event was organized at Zebra hotel in Masaka on 25-26 November, 2016 whose objectives were: To share research findings of the project activities with a wider audience and To exhibit and launch the successful innovations to the market. ; European Union ; International Fund for Agricultural Development
This report presents results of RTB-ENDURE sub-output 1.3; 'Determining appropriate harvest time for the cooking bananas with intrinsic long shelf-life using physical, chemical and sensory attributes' of the cooking banana business case's Output 1, entitled "Increased access of farmers to cooking banana varieties with preferred quality attributes and intrinsic long shelf life traits". The worked aimed at reducing postharvest losses for cooking banana while modulating harvest stage for green life extension. The originality of this investigation was to evaluate the putative impact of fruit stage of harvest onto its potential storage life and eating quality. The optimal harvest stage was evaluated by coupling three antagonist parameters, namely fruit diameter, green life, and eating quality, to optimize harvest stage of the variety Kibuzi in specific edapho-climatic conditions of Rakai and Isingiro districts in southwestern Uganda. A temperature record was considered in both sites between flowering and harvest. The interval between flowering and harvest (IFH) of Kibuzi banana variety was used as a quantitative explanatory variable, and the site location (Rakai at 1270 masl vs Isingiro at 1440 masl) was used as a qualitative one. Since the sites were at different altitudes, two Tynitag temperature data loggers were installed to record temperatures. Fruits size, dry matter, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and sensory attributes were recorded at four harvest stages: 112, 126, 138, 152 days and 111, 125, 137, 151 days after flowering. The evolution of three parameters; diameter of fruit, green life and overall acceptability of the end-product - Matooke - were simulated for 110 to 155 days range, leading to the identification of a range of optimal harvest ages for variety Kibuzi in Rakai at between 133 to 142 days and 133 to 150 days for Isingiro. The prediction of the optimal harvest stage will remain only valid for the two locations without taking into account thermal sum for establishing a strong relationship between fruit age in degree.days and green life. Given the respective altitudes at Rakai and Isingiro, it implies that the two edapho-climatic conditions were not so different in terms of on field temperature. With some more diverse thermal conditions in the experimental sites (lowland vs highland with at least 3°C needed between sites), the thermal sum concept will be even more precise for the prediction of the optimal harvest stage for bananas, regardless the location site (lowland, highland, with hot or cool local conditions). Such original multi-criteria approach (agro-morphological, physiological traits, and end-product sensory attributes) was relevant for the prediction of the optimal harvest stage, in order to reduce banana postharvest losses during transport and until Matooke preparation by end-users. Such innovative methodology can be applied to some other banana culinary recipes and end-uses. ; European Union ; International Fund for Agricultural Development
AbstractFood labelling is costly. Food labelling is often demanded with the introduction of new food products such as genetically modified (GM) food. If consumers do not have trust in the label, scarce resources are wasted. This paper investigates factors affecting the trust in food labels among Ugandan consumers. The results suggest that older, less-educated individuals of smaller household sizes and with trust in government institutions have more trust in food labels. Other factors were also found to be important. The government has to consider those differences in consumer trust when designing a GM labelling policy.
Food labelling is costly. Food labelling is often demanded with the introduction of new food products such as genetically modified (GM) food. If consumers do not have trust in the label, scarce resources are wasted. This paper investigates factors affecting the trust in food labels among Ugandan consumers. The results suggest that older, less-educated individuals of smaller household sizes and with trust in government institutions have more trust in food labels. Other factors were also found to be important. The government has to consider those differences in consumer trust when designing a GM labelling policy. ; peerReviewed
The new EU proposal (IP/10/921) states that bans on genetically modified (GM) crops should not be based on environmental and health grounds, and it proposes a set of alternative reasons -- including public order and morals -- that can be cited by member states. This reveals the increasing importance of stakeholders' attitudes in GM crops' release decisions. This article analyzes farmers' attitudes and perceptions toward GM maize based on a survey of large-area Greek farmers in Northeastern Greece. A considerable number of respondents (61%) would adopt GM maize if Greece lifts the ban on GM maize cultivation. This result opposes recent findings from countries strongly opposing GM crops (such as France and Hungary), where bans are in line with the majority view of farmers. The ban is against what the majority of large-area farmers in Greece would choose if allowed.
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) poses a serious threat to livelihoods and food security for millions of households in Africa. Despite considerable investments in Uganda by the Government and other national and international stakeholders, the disease persists in the country after periods of significant resurgence. Building on the Agricultural Innovation Systems framework, this paper reviews the role of the major stakeholders involved in controlling the disease in Uganda. Next, using household survey data, it analyzes economic costs and benefits of adopting an integrated BXW control package for the Ugandan smallholder farmers. After 2015, there has been a significant reduction in both public and private investments in BXW management, which may contribute to future disease resurgence. Our analysis reveals a high level of partial adoption of BXW recommended practices, and just a third of farmers adopting a full control package. This means significant economic losses for non- adopters, as indicated by our findings that households adopting the full package registered a net balance of US$65 per acre higher than non-adopters. We find that disproportionally large costs need to be borne at the beginning of the process, while the benefits are distributed over time, which may present a barrier to adoption by resource-poor smallholders. ; Peer Review
The Government of Uganda has implemented programs and policies to improve the agricultural sector's recent underperformance. Uganda's two main food security crops, bananas and cassava, have been critically affected by two diseases: Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD). The effectiveness of agronomic and cultural practices to control these diseases has been limited, requiring better alternatives. The Ugandan R&D sector in collaboration with international partners have developed genetically engineered innovations that can control both diseases. To examine the potential benefits to consumers and producers from the adoption of genetically engineered banana and cassava with resistance to BXW and CBSD, we use a set of economic impact assessment methods. These include an economic surplus model implemented via IFPRI's DREAMpy framework, a real options model and a limited gender assessment. Results from the economic surplus approach suggest that the adoption of both technologies can benefit Uganda. These results were confirmed for the case of bananas and partially for the case of cassava using the real options and the gender assessment performed. Results from this assessment are predicated on Uganda maintaining an enabling environment that will ensure the deployment and use of both innovations. Looking forward, continuing to improve enabling environment for innovation in Uganda will require addressing current R&D, regulatory, technology deployment and product stewardship processes constraints.
The Government of Uganda has implemented programs and policies to improve the agricultural sector's recent underperformance. Uganda's two main food security crops, bananas and cassava, have been critically affected by two diseases: Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD). The effectiveness of agronomic and cultural practices to control these diseases has been limited, requiring better alternatives. The Ugandan R&D sector in collaboration with international partners have developed genetically engineered innovations that can control both diseases. To examine the potential benefits to consumers and producers from the adoption of genetically engineered banana and cassava with resistance to BXW and CBSD, we use a set of economic impact assessment methods. These include an economic surplus model implemented via IFPRI's DREAMpy framework, a real options model and a limited gender assessment. Results from the economic surplus approach suggest that the adoption of both technologies can benefit Uganda. These results were confirmed for the case of bananas and partially for the case of cassava using the real options and the gender assessment performed. Results from this assessment are predicated on Uganda maintaining an enabling environment that will ensure the deployment and use of both innovations. Looking forward, continuing to improve enabling environment for innovation in Uganda will require addressing current R&D, regulatory, technology deployment and product stewardship processes constraints. ; Non-PR ; IFPRI1; CRP2; DCA; 1 Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Supply; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for all; Capacity Strengthening; BioRAPP ; EPTD; PIM ; CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)
This 26th dossier d'Agropolis is devoted to research and partnerships in agroecology. The French Commission for International Agricultural Research (CRAI) and Agropolis International, on behalf of CIRAD, INRAE and IRD and in partnership with CGIAR, has produced this new issue in the 'Les dossiers d'Agropolis international' series devoted to agroecology. This publication has been produced within the framework of the Action Plan signed by CGIAR and the French government on February 4th 2021 to strengthen French collaboration with CGIAR, where agroecology is highlighted as one of the three key priorities (alongside climate change, nutrition and food systems).