EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

OF SUKUMAWIKI (COLLARD GREENS) IN BUGEMA

A field report submitted to the school of Natural Sciences, Bugema University, in partial
fulfillment for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with Plant
Breeding

JANAURY, 2022
 CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

“Sukuma wiki” a Kiswahili name for kales is one of the most nutritious vegetable.

The health benefits of Sukuma wiki (collard greens) have been known for a long time. Kales are

also filled with so many nutrients such as Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese,

Magnesium, Iron, Fiber, Folate, Magnesium, Vitamin E etc.(Carolina,2015).

According Hashimoto (2017) kale is known to have attracted more attention due to its

multifarious use and great nutritional value. Sukumawiki is very easy to grow in a variety of

climates. Sukumawiki (collard greens) are one of Uganda’s most demanded green vegetables

especially due to their nutritional value. The sukumawiki business is extremely vibrant both in

urban areas and rural areas. The leaves are widely utilized mainly alone or in mixture with other

vegetables, meat and pulses. Overall sukumawiki have the potential to transform African

economies and contribute to poverty reduction.

In Uganda it is grown by 90% of small holder farmers thus providing employment mostly

for women and youth who are involved in their production. Sukuma prefers well-drained, fertile

soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5 however, it can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Akula et

al., (2017) found out that sukumawiki can withstand drought and temperature of -100 C to150C.

In addition, sukumawiki prefers plentiful, consistent moisture. Can tolerate drought, but

quality and flavor of leaves suffer. As plants mature and lower leaves are harvested for personal

consumption or for marketing.

Problem statement

Sukumawiki production in Uganda is faced with a number of challenges. Examples

include lower yields, pest and disease attack, lower quality of the yield, high expense of
inorganic fertilizer input and much more. Sukuma wiki production in Uganda is also limited by

poor soil fertility (Walberg et al., 2016).Alternative sources of soil nutrients have been expensive

for the small-scale farmers to purchase and the poor timing of application for improved kale

productivity (Onyango et al., 2015).But sukumawiki do not have many pest and disease

problems so the main issue is soil degradation. There is widespread of soil degradation which is

brought about by loss of organic matter, which consequently results in soil acidity, nutrient

imbalance and low crop yields (Dickens et al., 2018)

While rich farmers in progressive areas will continue to make efforts to increase kale

production through modern technologies and innovative inputs developed in the private sector

such use of hydroponics and chemical fertilizers, small scale farmers depending on rain-fed

production and organic techniques will depend on the public sector research and development

institutions to help them to improve agricultural productivity, with low investment in agricultural

(Walberg et al., 2016).

Most of these small-scale farmers are driven mainly on kales production for self-

sufficiency as opposed to commercialization. Some farmers with an appetite for more cash gain

from kale sales are opting for use of excessive inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, use of raw sewage

sludge and other industrial wastes to boost the kale production. The inorganic fertilizers are

making the soil more acidic for the survival of many microorganisms that are very crucial in the

soil. The raw sewage and industrial products contain chemicals such as heavy metals and other

organic wastes that are harmful to the human health when consumed
 The Problem Objectives

General Objective

To improve sukumawiki growth, development and yield through the application of organic

manure

Specific Objectives

i. To determine the effect of cow manure on the growth and development of sukumawiki

ii. To determine the effect of chicken manure on the growth and development of

sukumawiki

The reason for choosing the project

In my project, I chose to produce SukumaWiki which is aslo known as Collard Greens.

SukumaWiki is a form of a cabbage where green leaves do not form a head. SukumaWiki is rich

in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, roughage, iron and calcium.

Farming Collard Greens is profitable because it is consumed by nearly every household

in Uganda, at least once a week. It takes a short time to mature and most varieties can be

harvested several times before the need to plant again. 

There is need for more safe Sukumawiki production in Uganda. The use of the locally

available resources poses to be a cheaper and environmentally friendly solution. The production

of unsafe sukumawiki from the farms occurs mainly in urban areas and also in companies that
practice large scale production of sukumawiki and this negatively impacts the health of the

sukumawiki consumers(Podsedek, 2017)..

The problems related to kales mainly occur during the plantation period and they need to

be solved soon through the use of organic farming methods in order to improve the soil fertility

and produce safer and healthier sukuma.

Organic manure when properly applied has the potential of improving soil infiltration

capacity, as well as impact beneficial effects on the structure of the soil (Podsedek, 2017). To

improve kales production, use of organic inputs is an important recommendation. This study

assessed the effectiveness of chicken and cow manure on the growth and development of

sukumawiki in Bugema.
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Origin and botanical origin

Sukumawiki (collard greens) originated in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor,

where it was cultivated for food beginning by 2000 B.C. at the latest (Thompson ,2017).With its

origins in the Eastern Mediterranean, kales (Brassica oleracea acephala group) are a vegetable

related to wild cabbage with green or purple leaves that do not form a head (Yanmaz,2015).

Early European settlers introduced the crop into Kenya highlands as a fodder crop from

European the first decade of the 20th Century (Winston, 2012).There are different varieties of

sukumawiki that are grown in Uganda .One may differentiate between sukumawiki varieties

according to the low, intermediate, or high length of the stem, along with the variety of leaf

types. The leaf colors range from light green to green, to dark green and violet-green, to violet-

brown.According to farmer’s trend, the varieties include;

o Sukuma Siku Hybrid – Curled leaves, soft texture. Has good tolerance to Diamond Back

Moth. Leaves have a good cooking flavor. Longer harvesting period (6-9 months).

o Marrow stem – Dark green leaves. Prefers cool climate with moderate to fairly heavy and

Well-distributed rainfall.
 o Thousand headed – Smaller leaves than Collard. It is slow growing compared to other

varieties. Very branching and frequently produces many heads hence requires frequent

pruning. Has long harvesting period.

o Collards southern Georgia ( sukuma wild) – Drought tolerant variety that withstands high

temperatures. It is a shorter variety with large, tender, bluish green leaves that spread

widely. Tolerant to Soft and Black Rot. Collard kales

o Collard Mfalme Fl – A hybrid with short internodes and many leaves per internode hence

more yield per unit area. It is tolerant to a wide range of diseases. Have tender Leaves.

Sukumawiki production and challenges facing its production in Uganda

Sukumawiki is grown by 90% of small holder farmers in Uganda thus providing

employment mostly for women and youth who are involved in their production. They also

provide a positive spillover effect upon a range of other industries like transport and trade.

Sukumawiki is also popular because it is rich in numerous health benefiting polyphenolic

flavonoid compounds such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, and vitamins than found in

any other green leafy 9 vegetables (Hobbs, 2017).

In general, kales productions have the potential to transform Uganda’s economy and

contribute to poverty reduction and it is for this reason that its production should be increased.

Kale’s production however, is limited by several factors including poor soil fertility especially P

and N, pests, diseases and weed interference (Onyango, 2015). Deficiency of Phosphorus, an

important macronutrient for plant growth, is common in several areas of East Africa. The

deficiency is aggravated by rising costs of inorganic P fertilizer (Hobbs, 2017).

Similarly, (N) is one of the most yield-limiting nutrients for crop production in the world

and a nutrient element applied in the largest quantity for most annual crops (Thompson,
2017).These challenges especially those related to soil fertility need to be solved soon in order to

boost the vegetable production.

Importance of sukumawiki (collard greens)

The Consumption of brassica vegetables such as kale improves human health and reduces

the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases (Francisco et al., 2019). Numerous studies

have indicated that a high intake of plant products such as kale results in a reduced risk of a

number of chronic diseases and cancer (Chen, 2017)

Their nutritional value exceeds that of other known vegetables such as cabbage. 100

grams of kales contains 83% water, 5.3% calories energy and other minerals such as 6 grams of

proteins, 0.8%of fat, 9% carbohydrates, 93mg phosphorus, 247mg calcium, 7mg iron, 73mg

sodium, 378mg Potassium, 10000IU vitamins; 0.2mg thiamin, 0.3mg sibeflarin, 2.1mg

niacin,186mg Ascorbic acid (Lorenz, 2016).

According to Green life, other benefits include; High in iron which is essential for good

health, e.g. in formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, cell growth, proper functioning of the

liver, among others. Rich in vitamin K which helps in protecting the body against various

cancers and is also necessary for a wide range of bodily functions. High in fiber, low in calorie

and zero fat. Rich in vitamin A and C. Good source of calcium which helps in preventing

osteoporosis, bone loss and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Apart from domestic use it can be chopped, steamed, dried and packaged for export

purposes. According to the Ministry of Agriculture report of 2019, sukumawiki occupied

21723ha yielding 271381 metric tons of kales which earned the growers 1.9B Ugandan shillings.

Sukumawiki nutrient uptake

 The amount of nutrient taken up by kale has a major impact on overall kale growth rate.

Maximizing the nutrients uptake by kales is of paramount importance in organic systems. The

amount of nutrients taken up by the crop of choice requires synchrony of the nutrients release

from incorporated plant material with crop nutrients demand. The concept of synchrony as

described above and coined by Thompson, (2017), was proposed to describe the linking of

nutrient demand with nutrient release from mineralization of organic matter. But organic

fertilizers break down according to nature’s rules, so they may not release nutrients as soon as

the kales need them.

An important kale nutrient, Nitrogen is not stable in soil and becomes less available for

crop uptake over time; application timing is important (Chu et al., 2004). It is shown that much

of the N uptake occurs in a relatively short time period. If nitrogen is insufficient during this

period, yield loss will occur. Application of nitrogen immediately before or during this period

will result in higher uptake by the crop and less nitrate lost to leaching or transformation to

unavailable forms and ultimately in greater yields. Sukumawiki is known to have high

concentrations of nutrients between days 25 to 60 of development; therefore, it is necessary to

supply organic manure early enough so that between those days of development, nutrients are

readily released to the plant.

Organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal matter, animal excreta (manure),

human excreta, and vegetable matter e.g. compost and crop residues. Low soil fertility is a major

challenge facing kale production in many different parts of Uganda, use of organic fertilizers is a

cheaper source of nutrients compared to the inorganic fertilizers, and its use also leads to

improved soil nutrient status and improved kale yield.

 Chicken litter, which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust, is an organic

fertilizer that has been proposed to be superior for conditioning soil for harvest than synthetic

fertilizers ("Researchers study value of chicken litter in cotton production". 23 July 2019).

Chicken manure is the feces of chickens used as an organic fertilizer, especially for soil low in

nitrogen. “The straight poop on using chicken manure as fertilizer"). Of all animal manures, it

has the highest amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (Deborah L. Martin, 2015).

Organic matter improves soil structure, increases the water holding capacity and

promotes biological transformations such as N-mineralization (Evanylo, 2016). Soil and water

environmental effects of fertilizer-, manure-, and compost-based fertility practices in an organic

vegetable cropping system. With regard to the application of organic fertilizer on cabbage crops,

after conducting some specific research, concluded that in the variants using poultry manure

there occur differences in plant height and number of leaves per plant. Amongst the variants

fertilized with semi-fermented cattle manure, only the version with 2 kg manure /m2 gave

significantly distinct results. Fresh chicken manure contains 0.8% potassium

Cow dung, which is usually a dark brown color is often used as manure (agricultural

fertilizer) although it has a low phosphorus content. Manure offers a natural means to cycle plant

nutrients. As such, animal manure forms an important part of organic soil fertility programs.

Manure, either on its own or blended with crop residues, makes up much of the raw material for

the compost used on organic farms (Baker et al., 2018).The quantity of nutrients in manures

varies with type of animal, feed composition, quality and quantity of bedding material, length of

storage and storage conditions (Shepherd et al., 2019).

Fresh manure may have an effect on the occurrence of diseases such as root knot

nematodes. However, some studies report that adding fresh organic matter such as poultry
manure, cattle manure and different kinds of green manure greatly reduced infestations of root

knot nematodes (FAO, 2015).The use of organic soil amendments has been associated with

desirable soil properties including improved plant available nutrients, higher water holding

capacity, cation exchange capacity and low bulk density besides fostering beneficial

microorganisms (Dickens et al., 2015).

Summary of the Literature Gap

Performance of Sukuma wiki is reported to be affected by different ecological, biotic

and abiotic factors which have presented major constraints to increased sukumawiki production

and high yields in Uganda (Derrick et al., 2016). The major abiotic factors include; low soil

fertility and acidity. On the other hand, large yield losses have been experienced due to biotic

factors like pest and diseases (Derrick et al., 2016). All these significantly impact on the growth

and yield of sukumawiki (collard greens). Several solutions have been suggested to overcome

these biotic and abiotic problems like use of fertilizers, irrigation, application of pesticides and

insecticides.

However, the expenses involved does not allow the local farmer to adopt those (Meye et

al., 2017). Therefore, use of organic fertilizers (cow dung and chicken droppings) provides the

cost-effective approach to increase sukuma wiki production in Uganda (Akula et al., 2017).

This provided the reason for this field study

 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

This chapter gives detailed procedures that were used to realize the research

objectives.This includes; locale of the study, the research design, materials and tools and the

methods used in the study

Locale of the Study

The study was carried out at Bugema University farm located in Kalagala Sub-County.

Bugema University is located on 0°43'12.0"N, 32°31'48.0"E (Latitude: 0.7200; Longitude:

32.5300). The area has unimodal rainfall distributed from March to May and September to

November. The average temperature of the area is 28.3oC.

Research Design and treatments

Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The

experiment covered a total area of 100m2 (10m × 10m). The area was be sub- divided into three

blocks separated by 0.5m. Then each block was further be divided into three experimental

units. The plots were planted with sukumawiki at a spacing of 1m by 1m giving a plant

population of 20 plants per plot. Viable seeds of the sukumawiki raised in nursery bed for three

weeks were transplanted (one plant per hole) into unfertilized soil (control) and soils fertilized

with 1kg of cow dung and chicken droppings arranged in randomized complete block design
Materials and tools

Table 1: Showing the Materials that were used

Item Description Total

Land Flat & cultivated 100m2
Hoe 1 1
Seeds of spinach 50g (1 sachet) 50g
Cow dung and chicken manure Poultry manure 100Kg
Book 1 1
Panga 1 1
Pencil 1 1
Sisal string 1 rolls 1 rolls
Tape measure 1 1
Wood pegs 48 48
Land preparation

The field was ploughed to fine tilth 2 weeks in advance to a depth of at least 20cm in

order to expose pests to sunlight and birds. Aggressive perennial weeds were removed. The top

soil was mixed with manure (chicken and cow) in accordance with the plot before planting

Field practices

Six week old seedlings were bought. The seedlings were wetted for an hour in order to

maintain their turgidity before transplanting them and planted to a depth of 2cm late in the

evening.

Spacing used was 30cm by 30cm.

Mulching

Mulching was done at week three to help in conservation of soil moisture, prevention of

soil erosion, increasing of organic matter into the soil after decomposition and suppression of the

splashing of rain or irrigation water and spread of diseases.

Weeding
 Weeding was conducted after every two weeks. Weeds cause significant losses as they

compete for growth factors like nutrients and water and harbor pathogens which could attack the

crop

Irrigation

Irrigation was done every day early in the morning because it was a dry season and the

crop requires adequate water supply for optimal production.

One leaf onion was planted on each plot to act as a pest repellant especially to the

cabbage looper and small white pests.

Data collection

Data collection was done at week eight. Three plants from each plot were sampled,

uprooted and taken to Bugema university soil physics lab from which data on the vegetative

attributes of leaf length, stem girth, number and length of roots, leaf breadth, and number of

leaves per plant, also fresh and dry weight of each leaf was obtained. The number of roots and

leaves were counted by hand.

The length of roots was measured using a meter rule and the average for each plot

recorded. Three leaves were selected from each plant and were used to determine leaf height

(cm) and leaf breadth (cm) using a meter rule, the average for each plot was recorded.

Three leaves from each plot were weighed using a weighing machine both when fresh

and dry (After oven drying for 72hours at a temperature of 65 0 c), with the weight obtained

averaged in order to give the fresh and dry weights in grams of each leaf per plot
 CHAPTER FOUR

FINDINGS AND INNOVATIONS FROM MY PERSONAL PROJECT

The fertilizers used in this experiment recorded significant differences on the various

characteristics of sukumawiki (collard greens) with the highest differences being recorded on

leaf length and dry weight.

Stem girth

From the obtained results, there was a significant increase on the stem girth on plots that

were supplied with organic fertilizers. Comparing the two fertilizers with control, chicken

manure had the highest average diameter; this can be attributed to the fact that chicken manure

has the highest concentration of phosphorus which when supplied by the fertilizer in high

quantities leads to all the plant parts being well developed and also growing quickly

Leaf breadth

There were no significant results on leaf breadth, when the results from the two fertilizers

are compared with the control; the explanation that can be given to this is that the Bugema soils

have low level of `available' phosphorus and their normally low base status. So the two fertilizers

had to first cater for the inadequate phosphorus in the soil before supplying it to the plants in

sufficient amounts
Number of leaves

The number of leaves increased significantly, with chicken manure having the highest

number when compared with control this can be attributed to the phosphorus and potassium

nutrients which when supplied by the two fertilizers stimulates development of the plant parts

such as the leaves

Number and length of roots

The number of roots increased significantly. Chicken manure had the highest number of

roots followed by cow manure and then control. The two fertilizers contain phosphorus which

stimulates root development necessary for the plant to get nutrients from the soil; chicken

manure has higher phosphorus content than cow manure hence having higher number of roots.

The length of roots was not significantly different; this can be attributed to a hardpan formed in

the study area due to drought hence hindering root elongation

Fresh and dry weight

Fresh weight significantly increased, while dry weight had the highest significant

difference. The increase in both the fresh and dry weight can be attributed to the increase in leaf

length and breadth on the leaves of plants that were supplied with either chicken or cow manure.

Chicken had the highest fresh and dry weight because the nutrients in it are highest and caused

highest leaf development.

Challenges encountered

The following are the challenges I faced and how I managed to overcome them;

 Sunlight duration and quality, weeds, deficiency of nutrients, heavy winds, carbon

dioxide and host of diseases light, water, temperature and nutrients were a big challenge.

This caused the plant stress to some sukumawiki plants making them stunted
  In some cases, water deficiencies or excesses, atmospheric moisture (relative humidity)

caused damage to some of the sukumawiki plant.

 Weakening of sukumawiki plants due to the poor environmental conditions made them to

be it more susceptible to disease or insect attack. The Environmental conditions that were

a major threat included; light, temperature, water and humidity

 On the other hand, there was a challenge of an imbalance of nutrients yet all of the macro

and micronutrients need to be present in order for plants to grow.

 Using fertilizer is not the same as providing the plant with nutrients. In fact, most

fertilizers will only contain phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen and will not have the

other micro and macronutrients that promote plant growth. Therefore this was a challenge

I encountered

Other challenges include;

o Lack of capital and credit to purchase the materials and tools

o Lack of planting materials and inputs (e.g. seeds, fertilizer)

o High cost of inputs (e.g. fertilizer, seeds)

o Limited knowledge of how to use fertilizer

How I overcame the challenges encountered on the Bugema farm

 The challenges of changes in light intensity and temperature were overcomed by

manipulating light quantity to achieve different plant growth patterns of sukumawiki.

Light and temperature were manipulated by keeping the seedlings of sukumawiki under a

greenhouse increased by surrounding plants with reflective materials, a white

background, or supplemental lights.

  One of the best ways I employed to ensure proper plant growth was the use natural

organic fertilizers (cow dung and chicken droppings)  in the soil. These aided in adding

add the missing nutrients to the soil as well as provide new nutrients for the plants

 Good crop hygiene was also ensured to eliminate dead leaf matter and prevent the spread

of disease and insect pressure

CHAPTER FIVE

NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND ACTION PLAN

Needs assessment and action plan for the demonstration farm, university farm, and the

community.

Needs assessment and action plan for the demonstration farm, University Farm, and the

community

 Needs assessment for the and action plan for the demonstration farm, University

Farm and the community

 Techniques used

To conduct a needs assessment for the community, I applied individual techniques which

involved collecting data from people one at a time. The people from whom the needs assessment

data were collected were the farmers who deal in the production of vegetable crops in Bugema

region. Individual techniques used included face-to-face interviews, key informant interviews,

questionnaires and formal personal observations.

o Face-to-Face Interviews. This technique was used when dealing with less literate

farmers. Structured questions were asked depending on the issues involved and the time
 available for the interviews. For example, asking small-scale farmers on how they budget

their resources.

o Key Informant Interviews. Key informants are people who are considered experts in a

given area because of their professional knowledge or their position of influence in the

community or organization. The key informants that were interviewed included; grass-

roots workers, and traditional and political leaders.

 Agricultural activities

Farmers were asked to indicate the agricultural activities they engage in and the main

purpose of these activities i.e. for self-consumption, for selling or for both. Participants were then

asked about the main problems they face with regard to their agricultural activities.

Interestingly, vast majority 80 % of farmers report producing vegetable crops such as

sukumawiki, carrots, cabbages, spinach and eggplants ,which is largely for self-consumption.

40% of the farmers are engaged in growing maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and other crops

whereas few farmers (1.7%) are engaged in mushroom growing, mostly for self-consumption.

Almost all farmers have chickens, which they raise largely for their own consumption

and selling, while more than two thirds of households have at least one cow, which are

generally used for work in the fields and as a form of saving.

Almost half of households raise ducks and pigs. Ducks tend to be raised for both self-

consumption and selling, while the majority of pigs (10%) are raised for selling.

Only 12 % cent of farmers have cows and goats, which tend to be used for milk and

meat and as a form of saving. More than half of participants practice open water fishing, while

just over a third grow fish in their own fish ponds.

  Engagement of surveyed farmers in agricultural activities and the main purpose of

their agricultural activities

A large number of farmers engage in some sort of food-processing mainly for the purpose

of self-consumption. Contrary to widely held views that it is women who tend to be engaged

more in food processing, this study found that a similar percentage of men and women engage in

food processing 73 per cent of males compared to 79 % of females.

Nevertheless, given that a large percentage of women engage in this activity, there is an

opportunity to develop training and provide advice that allows them to produce and sell their

processed food.

 The main problems farmers face in carrying out their agricultural activities

The main problems farmers face in carrying out their agricultural activities are lack of

capital and credit, pests and diseases, low prices fetched for their agricultural products and the

high cost and lack of inputs

Although the proportion of farmers that express these concerns vary between

provinces, these constraints tend to be the most important in all provinces.

Interestingly, poor or insufficient training, which is one of the main reasons why

farmers do not know how to deal with pests and diseases, for example, is only considered a

problem by around 10 %. This suggests that farmers have little understanding of the potential

benefits of good quality training. It may also indicate that farmers have limited hope of

receiving adequate extension advice or training

 Training needs

The needs assessment revealed numerous topics in agricultural production which

farmers expressed a need for training. Respondents were asked to self-select, from a pre-
designed list, all areas in which they require training and were then asked to indicate their

perceived current knowledge and the importance of the area for them. The training needs were

then ranked according to participant responses

Analysis of sub-groups revealed that women present a greater need than men for

livestock training, while men show a greater need than women (by almost 10%) for fisheries

training, reflecting the way in which gender roles are usually distributed in these productive

activities.

Farmers with one hectare of land or more (84%) express a need for more training in

vegetable and fruit growing compared to those with less land (75 %). Likewise, 64 % of

farmers with one hectare of land or more express a greater need for training in other activities

such as growing of maize, potatoes and bananas with less land (50 %).

This may indicate that having more lands also means that farmers are able to get

involved in other more profitable (but also more risky) agricultural activities, and depend less

on other sources of income, such as remittances.

In addition households whose income from agricultural activities represents more than

50% of their total household income require more training in raising livestock than those

whose income from agricultural activities is less than 50% of their total income.

Analysis of data on training status shows that all respondents express the greatest need

for training in crop production and raising livestock. Respondents pipelined to start training also

express a high need for training in vegetable production and fruit growing compared to those

who are currently receiving training and those who have completed wet season training.

It is therefore noted that the single most important training need according to farmers is

control of pests and diseases. This may be because they perceive pests and diseases as the
single most important issue that affects profitability of agricultural activities or the most cost-

effective way to increase productivity (i.e. potential investments in irrigation or technology are

much more expensive).

However, farmers may also focus on pests and diseases as the main challenge to

agricultural production as its effect on crops is clearly visible. Farmers may lack awareness of

other potential issues that can positively or negatively impact agricultural production.

This is important because fear of crop loss through pests and diseases may be a major

deterrent to investment as farmers tend to invest what they calculate they can lose without

falling (further) into poverty.

o Training needs of respondents in crop production

Looking in more detail at the training needs of farmers in crop production, the survey

showed that training on controlling pests and diseases is the most sought after by respondents

in the five provinces, followed by selecting and buying inputs and fertilizer use

Training on methods of planting and marketing also followed closely. This is reflected

on how farmers self-assess their knowledge in these areas and the importance that they think it

has for crop production.

It is also interesting to note how low crop diversification, water management and post-

harvesting activities (key activities to increase income) rank. This may reflect the cultural and

social important that growing rice still has, and may also indicate a need to show farmers the

potential income increases in crop diversification, in using new technologies and in better

water management, given the environmental challenges they now face.

In the analysis by sub-groups, findings revealed that women require significantly more

training than men in irrigation for all crops, including rice, vegetables and fruits.
 With regard to education, respondents with primary school education or higher

express a need for more training in preparing land for planting than those who have less

education. This is also the case for training in fertilizer use and control of pests and diseases.

Farmers with five or more household members expressed a need for more training on

control of pests and diseases than those with less than five household members. This suggests

that farmers with more family members may consider investing in farming more viable given

their access to labour.

Furthermore, households whose income from agricultural activities represents 50 % or

more of their total income require more training in water management and irrigation than those

whose income from agricultural activities represents less than 50 % of total income.

Regarding training status, it is interesting to note that those who have completed wet

season training express a greater need for more training in preparing land for planting,

fertilizer use, water management, using new technologies and marketing.

o Training needs of respondents in vegetable production

On the topic of vegetable production, the findings show a high need among respondents

for training on control of pests and diseases and selecting and buying inputs .Fertilizer use and

planting methods also rank high among farmers’ training demands. Again, key activities for

successful vegetable planting such as irrigation and preparing land ranked low.

Analysis by subgroups showed that farmers whose household income from agriculture

is at least 50 per cent understandably require more training in water management and

irrigation as they are more reliant on agricultural activities for their livelihood.
 Furthermore, farmers with a higher education expressed a greater demand for training

in preparing land, fertilizer use and control of pests and diseases than those with less than

primary education.

It is also interesting to note that only eight per cent of farmers in Takeo express a need for

advice on postharvest activities for vegetables, reflecting the low importance adhered to

vegetable production. This suggests that farmers in Takeo still struggle to understand the

potential market opportunities of good post-harvesting activities.

With regard to training status, groups going through late wet season training at the time

of the survey showed less need for training in post-harvest training than those who have either

completed the training or are in the pipe line for training.

 Fruit growing

With regard to fruit growing farmers request training and advice on control of pests and

diseases, followed by selecting and buying inputs for growing fruit and knowledge and

techniques in fertilizer use .Farmers expressed a limited need for training in harvesting and

assigned little importance to it.This may be because in many cases farmers sell the fruit on the

tree and collectors are in charge of harvesting it, hence farmers are less interested in learning

how to do it.

 Livestock

With regard to livestock, training needs on disease management emerged as the most

important issue, with 95% of respondents expressed interest in training in this area .This was

followed by an expressed need to receive training in chickens, pigs and animal feeding.

Few respondents showed interest in receiving training on cattle, which may reflect the

declining importance of cattle as a savings mechanisms

 Chickens and pigs which are usually raised and sold by women, and which can be an

important source of income for women, were ranked as very important. This clearly shows an

area where more emphasis can be placed to help empower women economically.

Analysis of data by sub-groups reveals that men need more training in pig raising and

cattle raising, while women require more training in animal feeding. Furthermore, younger

farmers need consistently more training in livestock, particularly in raising chickens, pigs and

cows, disease management and floods/disaster management.

Farmers in Bugema and the community at large expressed a need for more training in

animal raising, in particular in pig and duck raising, and animal housing compared to other

provinces.

Farmers with higher levels of education (completed primary school or higher) require

more training in pig and duck raising. Data indicates that this is largely because they attach

more importance to training in these areas than farmers with lower education. However, it may

also be due to perceived obstacles that less educated farmers attribute to learning about animal

raising.

Finally, households with one hectare or more of land express a higher need for training

in pig, duck and buffalo raising than those with less than one hectare. This may be because their

larger amount of land (and presumably higher production and/or income) allows them to take

more risks with other agricultural activities.

PLAN FOR THE PROJECT

Figure 1: showing the project plan for the establishment of a sukumawiki production

project
 Project Project Project
Project Scope
Planning Objectives Budget

Division of Land Land

Site Selection
the land Preparation Demarcation

Seed bed Deciding what

Deciding what to grow Transplanting
preparation to grow

Mulching Weeding Thinning Watering Spacing

Fertiliser
Pest Cotrol Harvesting Marketing
Aplication

BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT

Table 2: Showing the budget for the project

Item Quantity Cost (shs)

Panga/slasher 2 20,000
Hoe 1 15,000
Book, pencil, 2 2500
Tape measure ,sisal string, 2 30,000
Wood pegs 15 5000
Cow dung and chicken manure 2kg @ 3000
Seeds of sukumawiki I sachet(50g) 15000
Pesticides 20000
Needs assessment activities 2 weeks 100,000
Total =21,0500
Projected output and income

Expected production from the crop: The expected production from the sukuumawiki that I

planted is 100kg

Cost of vegetables if purchased: The total cost of the vegetables if purchased will be 1000 Ug shs

each kilogram meaning that 100kg obtained from the produce (sukumawiki) will cost 100000 Ug

shs

List of activities of activities I have participated in on the demonstration farm, university

farm and the community

The following are the activities I have participated in on the demonstration farm, university farm

and the community

 Training farmers on pest and disease management

 Training on fertilizer use

 In the area of livestock, training was conducted for both women and men in small

livestock rearing.

 Regular field surveys to assess and monitor changes in the agricultural training needs of

farmers

Note: Other activities I participated are included in the Needs assessment as indicated above

My Contribution to the existing projects and the lessons learnt

 Farmers would benefit from exposure to new technologies and practices that are being

tested/used by other farmers with similar physical conditions. This can include farmers in

other districts or provinces.

  Agricultural extension services and training for farmers should emphasize practical

training and observation rather than theoretical training. The use of graphical material

with limited text is also highly recommended. Furthermore, reflection sessions in follow

up to initial practical training could help to ensure that new learning is properly absorbed

by farmers.

 Farmers are keen to learn from each other, but they require tools to do so. Farmer to

farmer training should therefore be facilitated to ensure there is a proper exchange of

accurate information.

 Training would be more appropriate if delivered to farmers late in the dry season or early

in the wet season so they can immediately put their new knowledge into practice.

Training times and frequency should also be adjusted so that farmers receive training for

an average of one or two hours once a week, immediately after lunch.

 Agricultural extension services could be strengthened by obtaining feedback from

farmers using different methods, and responding to that feedback to ensure that the

services are tailored to the needs of farmers and that farmers are comfortable and satisfied

with the type and quality of training they receive.

 Conduct an evaluation of farmers’ knowledge in key areas before designing new training

materials and modules in order to match their level of knowledge to their self-assessment

and ascribed importance to each topic. Such an evaluation would aid further prioritization

of extension services and training.

Sources of inputs and details of inputs purchased e.g. the moisture content, germination

rate etc.
Figure 2: Sources of inputs and details of inputs purchased

Tin containing sukumawiki seeds Farm inputs (Seeds of sukumawiki) and

organic fertilizer
Sukuma Wiki Seeds (Collards)

(50gm)

 Seed rate: 500gm per acre

 Spacing: 45cm*30cm

 Germination rate: 98% 

 Moisture content:95%

 Maturity period: 60 days

 CHAPTER SIX

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

Analyzing the results regarding the influence of organic fertilizers on plant development

of Brassica oleracea var. acephala, we can draw the following conclusions: The application of

organic fertilizer on the sukumawiki crop, has been shown to have a positive influence on the

crop’s growth and development; Of the two types of organic fertilizers used, cow manure and

chicken manure, the latter showed the best results in terms of plant growth and development of

sukumawiki plants.

Given the positive influence of the organic fertilizers on kale plants development and

especially the number of leaves per plant, it is assumed that the fertilization can lead to increased

production of leaves and hence the kale plant in general

Recommendations

Therefore, the use organic fertilizers is recommended for farmers because they are

affordable options for increasing sukumawiki yields with improving soil fertility in the small-

scale farming systems

Given the positive influence of the organic fertilizers on sukumawiki plants growth and

development especially with chicken manure, its use is recommended to improve soil fertility

and kale yield, especially in soils with low availability phosphorus

More research is also recommended to compare the growth and development of

sukumawiki with inorganic manure; also, to determine the nutrient content of each leaf in

relation to the different fertilizers

References

Derrick, A. (2018). Effect of cow manure and inorganic fertilizers on growth and performance of

collard green leafy vegetables

Josphat, O. (2019). Effect of organic fertilizers on the growth and development of kales

(sukumawiki) in Kabete, Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Onyango, M. A., & Onyango, J. C. (2015). Conservation and seed production of African leafy

vegetables at Maseno University botanic garden, Uganda.

Walter (2017). Principles of organic agriculture as formulated by the International Federation of

Organic Agriculture Movements. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 54(4):

347360.

Akula US, Baijahth H, Beekrum S, Odhav B (2017). Preliminary assessment of nutritional value

of traditional leafy vegetables in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Journal of Food

Composition Analysis., 20: 430-435.

Dickens (2016). Effects of farmyard manure and tillage systems on soil physical properties and

corn yield in central Iran. Soil and tillage research, 68(2): 101-108.

Podsędek, A. (2017). Natural antioxidants and antioxidant capacity of Brassica vegetables: A

review. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 40(1): 1-11.

Hashimoto, H., Furukawa, Y., & Kimura, S. D. (2015). On-farm assessment of organic

amendments effects on nutrient status and nutrient use efficiency of organic rice fields in

Northeastern Japan. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 108(4); 350-362.

Thompson, K., & Anyika, J.U (2017). Proximate and mineral composition of kale (Brassica

oleracea) grown in Delta State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 10(2):190-194.

Caroline, C. 2015. Effect of legume integration and application of organic fertilizers on soil

nutrient status and kale yield in Kalagala, Uganda.

Hobbs, Jane-Anne (12 July 2017). "15 of Africa's favorite dishes". CNN Travel. Retrieved  18

December 2018.

APPENDIXES

Appendix I: Photos taken on the demonstration farm, University farm and the community

Appendix II: Attendance list containing your name and signed by the field technician.