Browsing by Author "Odongo, W."
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Item Conceptualizing the Student-Centered Outreach Model for experiential learning and community transformation(African Journal of Rural Development, 2016-12) Kalule, S.W.; Odongo, W.; Kule, E.; Ndyomugyenyi, E.K.; Omara, P.; Ongeng, D.A dominant discourse in higher education has widely called for reviewing, redesigning and alignment of the curricula to suit the current and future skills demands in the labour market. In response, universities have over time been repositioning themselves to develop practical approaches to produce graduates with skills relevant to the job market. One such approach is the Student-Centered Outreach (S-C-O) model conceived and run at Gulu University in Uganda. However, little is known about the S-C-O model and thus this paper sought to develop and present a conceptual framework that underpins the functioning of the model. The structural set-up of the framework shows that students are centrally positioned between the faculty and the community. A key resource connecting the actors in the S-C-O model is knowledge which is gained through learning that takes place from either the top or bottom side of the S-C-O model and integrating feedback to close the learning loop. Examination of the implementation of the S-C-O model reveals that the model realizes three important outcomes: (i) enhancing experiential learning, (ii) promoting university linkage with the community, and (iii) enhancing transformation of the farming practices. The need for further studies as part of a process to develop an empirical methodology for examining the impacts of this outreach model remains apparent.Item Enhancing pig production and marketing for smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda(The RUFORUM Sixth Biennial Regional Conference, 2018-10-22) Ndyomugyenyi, E. K.; Odongo, W.; Okello, D. M.; Mutetikka, D.; Ouma, E.; Okot, M. W.Pig production is suited to smallholder production because pigs have unique characteristics such as faster growth rates, ability to be kept on small pieces of land, high multiplication rates, ability to feed on many feedstuffs, and pig products have ready market. However, pig production is constrained by unavailability of quality feeds and unsustainable use of local feed resources; poor breeds; ready markets for pig products are not reliable; inadequate extension services; and odour in pig houses. This study aims to address key constraints in pig production and marketing by promoting sustainable breeding, management and marketing practices. The objective is being achieved using: (1) multistakeholder platform comprising of farmers, TVET and University students; private sector, CBO, traders, pork joint operators and input dealers; (2) collaborative community action research and dissemination; (3) communication to enhance community engagement and joint learning; (4) experiential learning and sharing experiences. Before the project started, a baseline survey was conducted in the districts of Kitgum, Gulu and Omoro. The baseline survey showed that 87.5% of pig farmers were married; 72.9% were males, and average age was 33 years. Apart from pigs, farmers grew mainly simsim, cassava, maize, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes, and reared chickens, and goats and 95.8% of them had limited access to extension services. Most (93.8%) farmers sold live pigs, and 22.9% of them sold the pigs to roasters and butchers. All farmers used natural mating for breeding compared to only 2% who used Artificial insemination. Few (2%) farmers used Indigenous microorganisms to control smell from pig houses. Most farmers reported that diseases (89.6%) and feed scarcity (43.8%) were the major limitations to pig production. In order to increase smallholder pig production in northern Uganda, there is need to improve pig value chain through feeding, nsorthern Uganda, value addition, and marketing.Item Local knowledge and practices on use and management of edible insects in lake Victoria basin, E. Africa(Wagengeningen Academic Publisher, 2017-06-16) Okia, C.A; Odongo, W.; Nzabamwita, P.; Ndimubandi, J; Nalika, N.; Nyeko, P.Edible insects (EIs) provide an important food source in Africa, but their potential to improve livelihoods and environmental conservation is yet to be fully exploited. This study contributes towards enhancing the use of EIs in the Lake Victoria basin (LVB), with particular attention to local perspectives of the catalogue, ecology, management, collection, processing and consumption. The study was conducted along the LVB in Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda between 2012 and 2013 using a household survey and focus group discussions. Results revealed that up to 20 insect species were eaten in Uganda, 13 in Burundi, and six in Rwanda. In Uganda, the most consumed insects were a katydid grasshopper (Ruspolia differens), palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) larvae and termites (Macrotermes), while in Rwanda and Burundi, Macrotermes species were the most consumed. The most common source of EIs in households was their own collection from the wild, although a number of insects were also bought from markets. Local communities reported various ways of collecting, processing and storing insects. Overall, most of these activities require technological interventions. Despite the high consumption of EIs, no deliberate efforts were reported on conservation and rearing of any of the insects consumed in the three countries. This raises serious questions pertaining to the sustainable consumption of EIs, especially in the face of climate change in this region.Item Performance perceptions among food supply chain members(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2016-03-03) Odongo, W.; Dora, M.; Molnar, A.; Ongeng, D.; Gellynck, X.Purpose – A good supply chain relationship quality (RQ) is a crucial precursor for any stable exchange relationship which ensures relationship continuity. Although empirical research suggests that strengthening RQ improves supply chain performance (SCP), most studies have focused on dyadic business relationships. To fully understand the relational behaviour of a firm embedded in a supply chain, we need to look beyond the dyad into triads. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how SCP is influenced by RQ in a triadic agribusiness supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – Evidence is drawn from a quantitative survey of 150 agribusiness firms in the maize supply chain in Uganda. Data were collected in triadic context from 50 direct supply chains each composing of a supplier, focal firm and customer. Multi-group structuralItem Role of power in supply chain performance: evidence from agribusiness SMEs in Uganda(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2017-03-03) Odongo, W.; Dora, M. K; Molnar, A; Ongeng, D.; & Gellynck, X.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of power on supply chain performance (SCP) in the context of small and medium sized agribusiness enterprises(SMEs). Contrary to most of previous studies, which collect and analyze data from one side of a relationship dyad using a focal firm approach, a matched triad approach was employed in data collection and analysis. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data was collected from 150 agribusiness supply chain members from the maize supply chain in Uganda. Analysis was done using multi-group analysis and structural equations modeling. Findings – Results highlight the differences in the perception of power use and how it influences SCP. The differences in perception suggest the existence of power asymmetry amongst supply chain members. This work contributes to the ongoing debate concerning the use of triad as a unit of analysis as opposed to a firm or a dyad. Research limitations/implications – This study only focused on one commodity chain in one country, which can limit the broad application of the findings. Originality/value – The novelty of this work lies in fact that the authors assess perception of power amongst supply chain members in a triadic context, a perspective that has not been adequately tested in agribusiness supply chain management studies before.Item Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Agronomic Iodine Biofortification: A SWOT-AHP Analysis in Northern Uganda(MDPI journal of Nutrients, 2018-03-24) Olum, S.; Gellynck, X.; Okello, C.; Webale, D.; Odongo, W.Agronomic biofortification (i.e., the application of fertilizer to elevate micronutrient concentrations in staple crops) is a recent strategy recommended for controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs). However, its success inevitably depends on stakeholders’ appreciation and acceptance of it. By taking Northern Uganda as a case, this study aimed to capture and compare the perceptions of seven key stakeholder groups with respect to agronomic iodine biofortification. Therefore, we employed a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis in combination with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings show that stakeholders (n = 56) are generally positive about agronomic iodine biofortification in Uganda, as its strengths and opportunities outweighed weaknesses and threats. Cultural acceptance and effectiveness are considered the most important strengths while the high IDD prevalence rate and the availability of iodine deficient soils are key opportunities for further developing agronomic iodine biofortification. Environmental concerns about synthetic fertilizers as well as the time needed to supply iodine were consideredcrucialweaknesses. ThelimiteduseoffertilizerinUgandawasthemainthreat. Whilethis study provides insight into important issues and priorities for iodine biofortification technology in Uganda, including differences in stakeholder views, the application of the SWOT-AHP method will guide future researchers and health planners conducting stakeholder analysis in similar domains.Item University-BTVET-Community Convergence in promoting pig production amongst smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda(RUFORUM Working Document Series, 2018-10-22) Tebere, L.; Aliro, T.; Ndyomugyenyi, E. K.; Odongo, W.Business, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) has the potential of increasing productivity and incomes. In an education system whose curricula favours white collar jobs over blue collar jobs, technical and vocational training has long been seen as a path for failures and school dropouts from the academic path. This attitude diminished the importance of BTVETs as the engine to drive workforce productivity and employment. However, recent transformations have re-emphasized the importance of BTVETs to economic development. Current challenges to BTVETs relate to the mismatch between the training curricula and the labour market needs, limited financing and limited access to BTVET education by the poor and vulnerable groups. These limitations has meant that most BTVETs delivers poor quality training that ultimately generates under-trained technicians that do not meet the market needs for the graduates. To address some of these limitations, Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre (NUYDC) was established to offer quality, and subsidised technical and vocational training to vulnerable youths in Northern Uganda. Further, NUYDC is collaborating with the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at Gulu University to provide the link between knowledge generation, dissemination and uptake by farmers. The collaboration with Gulu University also involves the design and implementation of targeted agricultural trainings that meet the needs of smallholder farmers. The expected outcome is a trained workforce with relevant skills to contribute to community development.Item University-induced innovations for nurturing farm based micro-enterprises: Experiences from engaging with refugee hosting contexts(African Journal of Rural Development,, 2023-03) Odongo, W.; Elolu, S.; Akite, I.; Ongeng, D.; Kalule, S.W.ABSTRACT The linear approach of technology transfer is widely criticized for being non-responsive to the development needs of the marginalized and vulnerable communities. As such, universities have been urged to play an active role, within their community engagement mandate, in facilitating inclusive innovation. Accordingly, this papers uses experiences gained while facilitating the development of farm based micro-enterprises in refugee and host communities of West Nile in Uganda to show how university community engagement can be harnessed to facilitate an inclusive innovation system. An analysis in this paper reveals that the interface structures of community engagement models namely: The Student-Centered Outreach and the Student Enterprise Scheme with supervision from faculty-staff, and together with community leadership, facilitate successful university-community interactions, learning and innovation. We highlight that stimulating sustainable innovations in marginalized communities is dependent on how the interventions are packaged. Further, active engagement of marginalized communities in decision-making does not only give beneficiaries opportunity to contribute and own the development process but also enables the University to learn community challenges for appropriate response.