Browsing by Author "Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace"

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    Causes of losses and the economic loss estimates at post-harvest handling points along the beef value chain in Uganda
    (Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 2019) Kyayesimira, Juliet; Wangalwa, Rapheal; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Lejju, Julius Bunny; Matofari, Joseph W.; Andama, Morgan
    Uganda’s beef industry has been growing slowly and requires sustained monitoring of actors at postharvest handling points in order to decrease public health risks and losses. This study documented causes of losses and estimated economic values at post-harvest handling points along the beef value chain. It was carried out at slaughter houses, transporters and butcher shops in the districts of Western, Central and Eastern Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted among meat handlers who were interviewed to find out the losses incurred in the value chain. Microbial load from carcass swabs were collected and evaluated using standard microbiological methods to determine microbial contamination of beef. The causes of losses varied at different handling points. The actors at slaughter houses indicated the major losses were due to low beef demand (15.3%), insecurity (13.4%) and poor weight estimation methods (11.03%). Losses at the butchery included, beef waste (22.4%), drip loss (19.7%) and beef spoilage (18.4%). Microbial analysis showed the highest microbial prevalence at the butchery (70-100%) followed by slaughter (50-80%) and lastly transport (30-50%). Microbial contamination on carcass leads to spoilage and hence market loss because exportation does not admit contaminated foods. Actors reported beef waste and drip loss as the major causes of losses at the butchery. To reduce losses, public health care education for meat handlers and adherence to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are a key.
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    Exploring the genetic diversity of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) grown in Uganda based on SSR markers
    (Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2019) Nakintu, Justine; Albrecht, Christian; Müller, Christina M.; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Andama, Morgan; Olet, Eunice A.; Lejju, Julius B.; Gemeinholzer, Birgit
    Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is an economically important tree crop that is widely cultivated in Uganda for its fruit. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the genetic diversity of jackfruit in the country. This puts the crop’s genetic resource at risk as farmers selectively grow varieties based on market demand. The study analyzed the genetic diversity of A. heterophyllus trees from 12 districts belonging to three agro-ecological zones and three political regions of Uganda. Ten SSR loci were used to assess the genetic relationship among 200 trees, 197 from Uganda and 3 out-group individuals. All SSR loci were polymorphic with an average of 10.9 alleles per locus. STRUCTURE analysis proposed two genetic clusters: Cluster 1 was composed of samples from Eastern and neighboring Central districts, and Cluster 2 which constituted out-groups and samples from Western and neighboring Central districts. Results of STRUCTURE analysis were confirmed by PCoA. Mbarara District exhibited the highest genetic diversity (He = 0.79, I = 1.71), while Kamuli (He = 0.61, I = 1.08 and Pallisa (He = 0.59, I = 1.12) displayed the lowest genetic diversity despite high abundances of jackfruit trees. Molecular variation was higher within populations than among populations. Moderate and significant genetic differentiation was registered among geographical zones, while varietal differences displayed little insignificant genetic differentiation. Soft and white pulped varieties, considered inferior on the market, harbored private alleles which may be genetically valuable resources. Therefore, sustainable utilization and conservation efforts of the jackfruit genetic resource should consider preserving inferior varieties for future crop improvement.