Evaluation of horticultural practices for tropical squash production and marketing among smallholder youth farmers in Kamuli, Uganda
Date
2022-08
Authors
Kwikiiriza, Shillah
Major Professor
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Nonnecke, Gail
Acker, David
Burras, Lee C
Nair, Ajay
Retallick, Michael S
Committee Member
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Abstract
Consumption of nutrient-rich vegetables in sufficient amounts is recommended to meet vitamin and mineral needs in the diets of rural communities of sub-Saharan Africa. Access to more locally available nutritious foods in Uganda is critical in ensuring thriving local communities that are food and financially secure through improved food production and market access. Smallholder farmers in the rural communities of Kamuli, Uganda rely on subsistence agriculture for production of crops for home consumption and opportunity to sell surplus. Supporting farmers by providing them with information on vegetable production and marketing practices is important so they may produce quality and quantities of vegetables demanded by the markets and minimize the risks of losses in the value chain. An increased demand and market opportunity for horticultural produce in rural regions and urban centers of Uganda and East Africa is due to awareness about the potential benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. Like other vegetables, tropical squash has great potential for contributing to the nutrition, income, and food security for rural livelihoods. Studies regarding its sustainable production and marketing practices are needed for the rural communities to increase availability and consumption of tropical squash. The studies in this thesis were aimed at improving the production and marketing of tropical squash among smallholder youth farmers in Kamuli, Uganda.
The first study, presented in Chapter 2, assessed the production and marketing practices of tropical squash by smallholder youth farmers in Kamuli, Uganda. The study included face-to-face surveys with adult (18-35 years) and young (15-17.9 years) smallholder farmers, all considered to be “youth” in Africa. Farmers included those who had grown tropical squash in Kamuli district and market vendors who sell tropical squash in Jinja and Kamuli districts, Uganda. The study indicated that tropical squash production and marketing among all study respondents is female-dominated with local growers as the primary producers of the tropical squash sold in Kamuli and Jinja markets. Results also indicated that tropical squash was produced on small and marginal areas of agricultural land. Most farmers relied on saved seed or seed given from other farmers and stated challenges of prolonged dry spells, pests, and minimal market access during its production. Most study respondents grew tropical squash for home consumption, and few (45%) sold the surplus produce. Market vendors faced challenges of poor-quality produce, seasonal supply and demand of tropical squash, and high transportation costs to the markets. Smallholder farmers and market vendors were able to differentiate four cultivars presented to them based on the color of the fruit skin and pulp, rind texture, and appearance of seeds. The most grown local cultivars of tropical squash were named in the Lusoga language spoken in the Kamuli district. Most participants were not involved in record keeping but indicated that they would be interested in learning how to maintain records. Most youth farmers would be willing to join farmer group associations to be able to learn about vegetable production and marketing, develop together as a community, and get access to quality agricultural inputs (agro-inputs) and potential markets.
The second study, which is presented in Chapter 3, evaluated the effect of straw mulching and improved cultivars on the production of tropical squash in Kamuli, Uganda and Iowa. The study treatments included straw mulching (±) using dried plant mulch as main plots and cultivars of tropical squash as subplots in two different soil types in a randomized complete block design with a split arrangement of treatments in one temperate (May-Sept. 2021) in Ames, Iowa and two tropical growing seasons (Oct. 2020 to Feb. 2021 and Oct. 2021 to Feb. 2022) in Kamuli, Uganda. In Uganda, two hybrid cultivars, Arjuna F1 and Pujinta F1 (C. moschata Duch.) and two open-pollinated cultivars, Orange Flesh, and Flat White Boer Ford (C. maxima Duch.), were used in the study, while in Iowa, one open-pollinated, Squash Sweet Meat, (C. maxima), and one hybrid, Winter Sweet (C. maxima) were evaluated. Yield (total and marketable numbers and weights), gross margins, above ground weed biomass (kg), and soil temperature (oC) were measured in Kamuli, Uganda. Additionally in Iowa, gravimetric soil water content and percent total soluble solids of harvested and stored fruit were measured.
In Kamuli Uganda, the interacting effects of seasons and straw mulching affected the total fruit number and marketable fruit number and weight of tropical squash. Interactions between season and cultivars and location affected the total and marketable fruit number and weight of tropical squash in Kamuli and gross margin of tropical squash produced in Uganda. Gross margins from tropical squash were affected by the interacting effects of subcounty location and cultivars and straw mulching in different seasons. Gross margins were higher in mulched plots than in the non-mulched plots during season two. Hybrid cultivars; Arjuna F1 and Pujinta F1 had higher gross margins in season one and two at Namasagali subcounty location and season two at Butansi subcounty location.
Results in Ames, Iowa indicated cultivars affected the total and marketable fruit number and weights of kabocha squash. The interacting effects of straw mulching and location affected the total and marketable weight of kabocha squash. Straw mulching lowered soil temperature and increased soil moisture at soil depth of 0.15 m but did not differ at a deeper depth of 0.3 m. The study revealed that straw mulching and use of hybrid cultivars could improve yield and gross margins obtained from tropical squash production by smallholder youth farmers in Kamuli, Uganda.
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