Dissertations

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14270/944

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    ANALYSIS OF COFFEE VALUE CHAIN UPGRADING OPPORTUNITIES IN ZOMBO AND NEBBI DISTRICTS, UGANDA
    (Gulu University, 2025) ORACH OCHAYA VINCENT
    The coffee value chain in the Zombo and Nebbi districts of Uganda faces significant socioeconomic challenges that impact the productivity and economic status of smallholder coffee farmers. This study set out to analyze coffee value chain upgrading opportunities in these districts. Specifically, the study characterized smallholder coffee farmers, determined the extent of value chain upgrading, and examined factors affecting upgrading choices. A cross-sectional study design was employed to obtain responses from 288 smallholder coffee farmers. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize smallholder coffee farmers and to determine the extent of value chain upgrading among smallholder coffee farmers and probit regression was used to examine the factors affecting value chain upgrading choice among smallholder coffee farmers. Study findings revealed male dominance in coffee farming, low educational attainment among farmers, and heavy reliance on agriculture for livelihoods. The study also highlights limited access to market information and credit, which impedes farmers' ability to scale operations and invest in necessary inputs. The results indicate that while most farmers are engaged in the initial stages of value chain upgrading, such as producing red cherries and parchment coffee, there is a significant drop in involvement beyond these stages. Factors such as farm size, access to extension services, and market information positively influence upgrading, whereas poverty and high costs pose significant barriers. The study recommends that there is a need for targeted interventions to improve access to affordable credit, extension services, and market information.
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    ASSESSING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER CONTROL ALONG THE PIG VALUE CHAIN
    (Gulu University, 2025) Aliro Tonny
    ABSTRACT Pig production recommended as key for poverty alleviation strategies in Uganda’s 2040 Vision, contributes to livelihood income and employment for many people. The potential of pig value chain to support the livelihood of people are impacted economically by factors related with African swine fever (ASF). The endemic ASF has no effective vaccine and medicine, prevention and control rely on biosecurity measures, and restrictions of trade and pig movements. The overall goal of this study was to advance knowledge of perceived existing ASF biosecurity measures and associated implementation cost in the pig value chain. Four studies were conducted in six districts across northern, and central Uganda. The studies used focus group discussions, disease outbreak investigations, and participatory group model building of system dynamic (SD). Data analysis included semi-qualitative and quantitative methods. This study classified the perceived biosecurity implementation in smallholder into enablers – positive perception and knowledge; and hindrances – investment and feeding costs. Anthropogenic activities introduced ASFV contaminated commercial feeds into and facilitated spread within and across pig houses of a large-scale modern farm. During quarantine imposition, value chain actors shifted trade activities from formal to informal markets, and the perceived economic loss was higher among farmers. Farmers forgone pig sales worth $160,000, which is $14,000 lower than what traders would sell as pork during trade ban. In SD simulation scenarios when consumer demand remains unchanged, adult pig numbers rose as sales were restricted, hence pig and pork inventory reduce, causing an increase in prices as less is available on the market. On the other hand, when consumer demand falls, pig inventories rise and this causes a decline in the pig price. Combining a trade ban with enhanced biosecurity cost when consumer demand falls resulted in a further increase in adult pigs and pig inventories due to reduced pig death rates. As trade bans induce an increased herd size on farm, this leads to a fall in farmer and trader profit margins. In conclusion, the exiting biosecurity measures have failed to prevent and control ASF as hinderances outweigh enablers of biosecurity implementations. Contaminated commercial feeds was a potential source for ASFV introduction into large scale farmer. Reducing the pig mortality rates through enhanced biosecurity can improve outcomes from ASF outbreaks during trade ban, but there is a tradeoff with greater incurred costs.
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    DRIVERS OF BORROWING DECSIONS AND CHOICE OF SOURCE OF CREDIT AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NORTHERN UGANDA
    (Gulu University, 2025) OCEN JASPER
    Access to credit plays a critical role in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by enabling them to invest in agricultural inputs, expand production, and enhance food security. However,smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda continue to face challenges in accessing agricultural credit due to socio-economic and institutional barriers. This study examined the influence of socio-economic factors and credit attributes on borrowing decisions and choice of agricultural credit source among smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 223 smallholder farmers in Amuru and Nwoya districts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logit regression models. The study findings revealed that 65% of the farmers had borrowed credit. Additionally, borrowing decisions were significantly influenced by the sex of household head, one-off repayment schedule, collateral requirement, number of farm labourers, credit approval history, marital status, and interaction between sex of household head and interest amount. Furthermore, the choice of credit source was significantly influenced by sex of household head, credit approval history, interest amount, collateral requirement, credit amount, and participation of female spouse in credit application. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were the most common source of borrowing, followed by microfinance institutions. The study concludes that both socio-economic factors and credit attributes jointly determine smallholder farmers’ borrowing decisions and their choice of credit sources. Enhancing access to agricultural credit therefore requires addressing gender disparities, reducing collateral constraints, and aligning repayment schedules with agricultural income cycles. The study recommends that financial institutions should develop gender-sensitive and farmer-friendly credit products, including flexible repayment schedules and group-based collateral systems. Government and development partners should strengthen financial literacy and promote inclusive agricultural credit policies to ensure equitable access to credit among smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda.
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    GENDER PARTICIPATION IN THE FISH VALUE CHAIN IN AMOLATAR DISTRICT
    (Gulu University, 2025) LAKER VIOLA
    ABSTRACT This study was set out to contribute to an understanding of gender participation in the fish value chain in Amolatar District. Specifically, the study assessed the relationship between socioeconomic factors and gendered participation in the fish value chain, determined the drivers of value shares earned at the various nodes of the fish value chain and determined the factors influencing vertical integration in the fish value chain. Using a cross-sectional survey of 355 randomly selected fish value chain actors. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Tobit regression model and Multinomial regression. Findings revealed that value shares earned at the various nodes of the fish value chain was driven by sex of household head, participation of boys, participation of male spouse, participation of HH member in fish processing, dealing in tilapia, dealing in Nile perch, dealing in silver fish, quantity of fish sold, access to buyer information, distance to market, group membership and education. Vertical integration was influenced by sex of household head, dealing in silver fish, dealing in Nile perch, fish price, tax costs, transport costs, engagement in other farming activities, engagement in trading activities, distance to market and group membership. This study recommends diversification and inclusion in decision-making, strengthening support for value addition, market access, promoting group formation, and strengthening institutional support for value chain actors to overcome barriers to upgrading and enhance the overall efficiency of the fish value chain.
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    URBAN RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR PUBLIC GREEN SPACES IN LIRA CITY.
    (Gulu University, 2025) Eper Ceasor
    ABSTRACT Urban public green spaces play an essential role in enhancing environmental sustainability, social well-being, and economic vibrancy within cities. However, rapid urbanization across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, has placed increasing pressure on these spaces, leading to their degradation and conversion for other uses. This study examined urban residents’ perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP) for public green spaces in Lira City, and further analyzed how proximity to these spaces influences surrounding land values. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Data were collected from 397 households, 60 property owners, and key informants, including city officials, planners, and green space managers. Structured questionnaires and contingent valuation methods were applied to capture quantitative insights, while interviews provided qualitative depth. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, as well as binary and multinomial logistic regression in SPSS and STATA. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that awareness of public green spaces was high (97.5%), though frequent usage was limited. Residents valued green spaces highly, especially for environmental (M=4.32) and recreational (M=4.11) benefits, with a composite perception index mean of 4.01. Socio-demographic factors had a limited influence on perceptions, with education showing a modest effect. Willingness-to-pay analysis indicated that 67.5% of respondents were prepared to contribute financially, with income being a strong predictor of WTP. Reasons for unwillingness included mistrust in fund management and economic constraints. Regarding property dynamics, respondents living closer to Mayor’s Garden and Akii-Bua Stadium reported positive impacts on land values, a finding confirmed through multinomial logistic regression, which showed that proximity significantly increased the likelihood of perceived property value appreciation. The study concludes that public green spaces are highly valued by residents, both socially and economically, but their sustainability depends on adequate financing, inclusive planning, and effective governance. It recommends strengthening institutional commitment, promoting community participation, and adopting innovative financing mechanisms such as publicprivate partnerships to support maintenance and enhancement. These insights contribute to evidence-based urban planning and policy, reinforcing the role of green spaces in achieving sustainable city development in Uganda and other rapidly urbanizing contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa.