The food production systems in Kabale district are mainly subsistence with an average land holding of approximately 2 acres per household. The land is highly fragmented and each household has approximately 6-7 plots in different locations. The major crops grown include potatoes, sweet potatoes, sorghum, bananas, beans, pumpkins and green vegetables. The main livestock kept include cattle, poultry, goats, pigs
Food production is mainly subsistence in nature and majority of the households hire land for food production. The major foods produced in Kiryandongo district include sweet potatoes, cassava, maize, beans, groundnuts, amaranth, pumpkins. There is an increasing tendency for households to focus on production of maize alone since it serves as both food and cash crop. This practice has been reported to compromise food security at household level since most of the maize harvested is sold off for cash. The major livestock kept include cattle, poultry, pigs.
Majority of the farmers are small scale and engaged in substance farming. The major crops produced include cassava, sweet potatoes, maize, millet, beans, groundnuts, amaranth. There are medium to large scale commercial farmers of fruits especially pineapples, mangoes and citrus. Main livestock kept include cattle, poultry, goats, pigs. Productivity for both crops and livestock was reported to be low due to poor production practices and poor animal breeds.
Majority of the households lacked appropriate storage facilities especially for potatoes that are usually produced in bulk. High cost of transportation of agricultural produce due to the hilly nature of most parts and poor road infrastructure.
There was limited storage of produce due to lack of appropriate storage facilities. Most households sold their produce immediately after harvest to avoid quality deterioration and post harvest losses Transportation costs are very high due to high fuel prices and long distances from areas of production to markets
Majority of the households lacked appropriate storage structures. High cost of transportation of produce from rural areas to markets.
Cereals (mainly sorghum) and legumes are dried using energy from the sun. Drying is mainly done on bare ground The dried sorghum was milled using locally fabricated hammer mills to produce flour that was used in processing of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages There are milk coolers in the peri-urban areas A few factories were involved in processing potatoes, milk and bakery products Polypylene bags, baskets and plastic containers were the major materials used for packaging dried produce
Processing is limited to drying and milling of grain. Drying was mainly done on bare ground Polypylene bags, baskets and plastic containers were the major materials used for packaging dried produce.
Main crop processing technologies in the district were drying and milling of cereals, roots, tubers and legumes Drying was mainly done on bare ground using energy from the sun Polypylene bags, baskets and plastic containers were the major materials used for packaging dried produce The district has milk coolers and also boosts of a modern fruit processing facility located in Kakoge sub-county which processes mainly pineapples and mangoes
The food produced was mainly marketed through middlemen Several retail/grocery shops and open markets selling both locally produced foods and those sourced from other districts Some of the foods such as potatoes and cabbages are taken to markets outside the district such Kampala or exported to neighbouring countries like Rwanda and DR Congo
The district has direct access to markets in Kampala, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda and DR Congo due its location on the Kampala-Gulu Highway Retail/grocery shops and open markets with all forms of food were available across the district Mobile trucks, motorcycles and bicycles move around villages and trading centres selling fresh foods such as bananas, potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish
The food produced was mainly sold to middlemen who eventually sell to bulking agents. Several retail/grocery shops and markets for dried produce and fresh food items especially in trading centres and alongside the roads (especially fresh fruits and vegetables).
The Food Value Chains module focuses on enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and sustainability of the entire food value chain, which includes agricultural production, distribution and storage, processing and packaging, as well as markets and modern retail. This module aims to optimize each stage of the value chain to ensure the smooth flow of food from farm to fork.
Agricultural Production Management:
● Crop Planning and Management: Assists farmers in planning and managing their crop production activities, including planting schedules, inputs management, and pest control.
● Yield Monitoring: Monitors and tracks crop yields to assess productivity and identify areas for improvement.
● Soil and Nutrient Management: Provides recommendations for soil health improvement and optimal nutrient management to maximize agricultural output.
● Weather Forecast Integration: Integrates weather forecast data to help farmers make informed decisions regarding planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
Distribution and Storage Optimization:
● Supply Chain Management: Streamlines the distribution process, including inventory management, logistics planning, and transportation optimization.
● Warehouse Management: Tracks and manages inventory in warehouses, ensuring efficient storage and retrieval of food products.
● Cold Chain Monitoring: Monitors and maintains the temperature and quality of perishable goods during transportation and storage.
● Traceability and Quality Control: Enables end-to-end traceability of food products, ensuring quality control and adherence to safety standards.
Processing and Packaging Management:
● Production Planning: Helps food processors plan and schedule their production activities to meet market demands.
● Quality Assurance: Implements quality control measures throughout the processing and packaging stages to maintain product integrity.
● Packaging Optimization: Optimizes packaging materials and designs to minimize waste and enhance product presentation and shelf life.
● Batch Tracking: Tracks and records the movement of products through each processing stage for better traceability.
Market and Retail Integration:
● Market Intelligence: Provides real-time market information, including prices, demand trends, and consumer preferences, to support informed decision-making.
● Retail Inventory Management: Assists retailers in managing their inventory, ensuring the availability of products and reducing stockouts.
● Online Marketplace Integration: Enables food producers and processors to connect with online marketplaces and expand their customer reach.
● Point-of-Sale Integration: Integrates with retail point-of-sale systems for seamless transaction processing and inventory synchronization.
Food Waste Reduction and Management:
● Waste Monitoring and Analysis: Tracks and analyzes food waste at various stages of the value chain to identify opportunities for waste reduction.
● Donation and Redistribution: Facilitates the donation or redistribution of surplus food to minimize waste and support food security initiatives.
● Composting and Recycling: Promotes sustainable waste management practices, such as composting or recycling food waste.
Sustainability and Certification:
● Sustainable Sourcing: Assists food producers in sourcing ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
● Certification Compliance: Helps businesses navigate certification requirements (e.g., organic, fair trade) and ensure compliance throughout the value chain.
● Environmental Impact Assessment: Assesses and measures the environmental impact of food production, processing, and distribution to drive sustainability improvements.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:
● Collaboration Platform: Facilitates communication and collaboration among stakeholders within the food value chain, including farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers.
● Feedback and Rating System: Enables consumers to provide feedback and ratings on food products, promoting transparency and accountability.
● Supply Chain Visibility: Enhances transparency by providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into the movement and status of food products.