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This study examined the knowledge and perceptions as well as factors that influence the knowledge and perceptions of pineapple farmers towards organic farming in Uganda. Through multi-stage sampling procedures, purposive and random techniques were applied at different stages to select participants from both Luwero and Kayunga districts in central Uganda. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A composite index for knowledge and perceptions was computed for each respondent and subjected to descriptive statistics while the censored Tobit regression model was used to determine factors that influenced farmers' knowledge and perceptions of organic farming. Results showed that both organic and non-organic farmers had a high level of knowledge and favorable perceptions towards organic farming with no significant difference. Perceived environmental and economic benefits of organic farming did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) among organic and non-organic farmers. However, mean scores for perceived health and nutritional (4.30 vs. 3.94) benefits, and access to markets (4.10 vs. 3.89) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between organic and non-organic farmers. There was a positive and significant relationship between knowledge and perception of organic farming among non-organic farmers while for organic farmers, a significant and negative relationship was observed. Factors that significantly influenced farmers' knowledge were information sources and farmers' experiences. Farmer perceptions were influenced by education, information sources, group membership and extension services. Therefore, to enhance the adoption and growth of organic pineapple production in Uganda, policymakers and promoters should consider these factors when designing policy documents and sustainability strategies for the development of organic agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted in 2013 to assess opportunities and challenges of integrating dairy cattle into organic pineapple production in Uganda. Thirty organic pineapple farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The main dairy cattle management systems were tethering (73%) and zero grazing (27%). Average landholding was 1.74 ± 1.06 and 3.75 ± 2.70 ha for zero grazing and tethering systems, respectively. All farms were diversified with various livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens and crops including pineapples, maize, coffee, bananas, beans, sweet potatoes, and cassava. The level of integration of dairy cattle into pineapple production depended on the distance of crop fields from the livestock enterprises. More farms (83%) with pineapple fields closer (< 0.5 km) to the homesteads were able to use cattle manure as fertilizer compared to homesteads (50%) with more distant fields (> 0.5 km). The distance to the homestead did not influence 30% of the farmers who used crop residues for feeding dairy cattle. Farmers perceived cattle diseases and feed scarcity to be the major challenges in dairy farming. The sources of risk on the farms were perceived to be erratic rainfall, limited knowledge, and market for organic products. Majority of farmers (77%) expressed willingness to convert to organic dairy production. Availability of markets for organic dairy products (36%) and reduction of external input use (26%) were the main reasons for farmers' willingness to convert. Integrating dairy cattle with pineapple production is an opportunity for closed nutrient cycles and income diversification. However, knowledge, access to inputs, and organized markets are needed as incentive for conversion to organic dairy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study to assess animal management practices and milk production was conducted for a period of 12 months on 30 smallholder farms keeping dairy cattle and certified organic pineapple production in Luwero and Kayunga districts, based on questionnaire and on-farm collected data. Farm sizes were 9.3 ± 6.7 acres in tethering system and 4.3 ± 2.6 acres in zero-grazing. Fifty-four percent of the zero-grazing herds had animal housing facilities. All farmers in tethering system kept cows on earthen floors and calves without bedding. Hygiene level in existing farms was low. Majority of calves were fed once a day by restricted suckling (77 %). Seventy-four percent of tethered cows were only fed on natural grass, while cows under zero-grazing system had a more diversified diet but with 82 % feeding mainly Napier grass. Most farms (87 %) used bulls for breeding. Milk production was higher ( P < 0.05) in zero-grazing (6.5 L/cow/day) than tethering system, and higher ( P < 0.05) for Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows (5.2 L/cow/day) than local breed cows (2.6 L/cow/day). Less than 1 L of milk per farm per day on average was sold. Disease treatments were exclusively for helminths, East Coast fever, and trypanasomiasis. Spraying of ticks and deworming were important control measures of vector-borne diseases. There is potential to develop alternative feed resources for dairy cattle and biorational pesticides for control and treatment of vector-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]