AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF PINEAPLE GROWING TOWARDS

POVERTY REDUCTION IN KAMIRA SUB-COUNTY

LUWERO DISTRICT

BY

LYDIA NAJJITA

REG. No: 16A/KUL/BPA/0677

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO KAMPALA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF A BACHELORS DEGREE

IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

OCTOBER, 2018
 DECLARATION

I Najjita Lydia hereby declare that this research report is my original work and has never been
submitted to any institution of learning for the award of any qualification.

Signature: ..................................... Date: .........................

Najjita Lydia
(Student)

i
 APPROVAL

This research report has been submited for the award a bachelors degree in Public
Administration in Kampala University Institution’s Supervisor .

Signature:............................................. Date:.................................
Name. Mr. Bwire Steven
(SUPERVISOR)

ii
 ACKNOWLGEMENT

I acknowledge my dear fellow staff members of Kikyusa Sub-County Technical Team to wards
my struggle and completion of this course, the district of Luwero and the Government of Uganda
for having given me employment.

I would like also to take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God who has enabled me to
become who I am. Also appreciation to my family members for all the support they provide to
me.

Special thanks to Mr. Lugoloobi Muhammad of Kikyusa (My brother), my dad Mr.Lugoloobi
Rapheal and my Mummy Nambooze Winfred of Mawokota who have played a big role towards
my success in this course financially, morally and spiritually.

iii
 ACRONYMS

CBFs - Community Based Facilitators.

CBOs - Community Based Organisations.

CM - Centimeters.

FAO - Food Agricultural Organization.

KG - Kilogram.

LG - Local Government.

M - Meter.

NAADS - National Agricultural Advisory Services.

NARO - National Agricultural Research Organisation.

NEMA - National Enviroment Management Authority.

NGOs - Non Government Organisations.

NPKs - Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium.

NRA - National Resistance Army.

% - Percentage.

SACCO - Saving and Credit Cooperation Society.

TDS - Technology Development Sites.

UBOs - Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

iv
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this report to my parents, my brothers, sisters, lecturers and all my friends. May the
Almighty God reward them abundantly.

v
 ABSTRACT

This study was carried out in Kamira Sub-County Luwero District. The general objective was to establish
the benefits of pineapple growing to the local people in line with minimising poverty in Kamira Sub-
County. The fact is that poverty has been in Kamira Sub-County. The specific objectives were to find out
the benefits of pineapple growing to the local communities, the problems faced by the local farmers in
implementing pineapple growing activities as well as find out the possible remedies to the problem above.
The research was a descriptive survey which involved data collection by use of questionnairs, group
interviews and field observations. The limitations found in the study were respondents demanded for
money and unwillingness of the the respondents to give information on their property .But however, the
problems were overcomed by thoroughly explaining to them the importance of the research study on their
livelihood through appropriately addressing poverty issues in Kamira Sub-county.

Data was grouped and analysed using computer programmes of Micro soft and Excel and data presented
in tables.In the study , an observation was made that there is improved lives amongst people involved in
pineapple growing evidenced by the ability to pay school fees for schildren , construct permanent and
semi- permanent houses, access to other human needs and increased food security for families. This has
been possible through efforts of NAADS by offering free planting materials to organised farmer groups
and spray pumps to farmers. In addition, farmers have been given ceral and grain crops fro intercroping
with pineapple such as maize , beans and soya beans.

Pineapple growing has offered employment opportunities to a cross section of people and making it
possible for previously less fertile land to be under pineapple production as well as facilitating the
emerging of towns and trading centres. The problems faced by pineapple farmers included pineapple
pests and diseases, inadquate market and less man power, over exploitation of the pineapple farmers,
scarce and costly planting materials, poor transport net work, inadequate land for pineapple production,
climate change and over pricing and poor quality of the technology inputs. The study concluded pineapple
growing is moving towards the right direction and farmers have abandoned the traditional way of using
wild pineapple varieties. In addition, technology Development sites were established near places where
pineapple farmers can access. Also organisations should cooperate and facilitate the enforcement of
favourable policies that further promote pineapple marketing for hiegher income pays to the farmers and
as well as other income generating activities as well as sensitizing the communities on sustainable use and
management of land resources.

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication......................................................................................................................................i

Declaration.....................................................................................................................................ii

Acknowledgement.........................................................................................................................iii

Acrynoms.......................................................................................................................................iv

List of Tables...................................................................................................................................v

Abstract..........................................................................................................................................vi

Table of Content............................................................................................................................vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................1

1.1 Back ground of pineapple growing in Luwero....................................................................1

1.2 Definition of poverty............................................................................................................2
1.3 Problem Statement...............................................................................................................3
1.4 Significance of the study......................................................................................................3
1.5 Objectives of the study........................................................................................................4
1.5.1 General objective.................................................................................................................4
1.5.2 Specific objectives...............................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................5

2.1 Poverty situation in Uganda.................................................................................................5

2.2 Causes of poverty.................................................................................................................5

2.3 Strategies for addressing poverty.........................................................................................6

2.4 Classification of pineapple...................................................................................................6

2.5 Botany..............................................................................................................................6,7

CHAPTER THREE: STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY.............................................8

3.1 Study Area..........................................................................................................................8

3.1.1 Location ..........................................................................................................................8,9

3.1 Climate...............................................................................................................................10

3.1.2.1 Rainfall..............................................................................................................................10

vii
3.1.2.2 Temperature.......................................................................................................................10

3.3.1 Topography........................................................................................................................10

3.1.4 Vegetation..........................................................................................................................10

3.1.5 Hydrology..........................................................................................................................11

3.1.6 Soils...................................................................................................................................11

3.1.7 Population..........................................................................................................................11

3.1.8 Infrastructure......................................................................................................................11

3.2 Research Methodology......................................................................................................12

3.2.1 Sampling design.................................................................................................................12

3.2.2 Sampling............................................................................................................................12

3.2.3 Data collection methods and tools................................................................................12,13

3.2.4 Data analysis......................................................................................................................14

3.3 Assumptions and limitations in the study..........................................................................14

3.4.1 Assumptions.......................................................................................................................14

3.4.1 Limitations.........................................................................................................................14

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS..............................................................15

4.1 Age groups of respondents.................................................................................................15

4.2 Methods land acquisition of the respondents.....................................................................16

4.2.1 Land size under pineapple production..........................................................................16,18

4.3 Pineapple management practices.......................................................................................18

4.3.1 Double row spacing...........................................................................................................18

4.3.2 Use of coffee husks a mulches...........................................................................................18

4.3.3 Spraying at planting...........................................................................................................18

4.3.4 Stripping............................................................................................................................18

4.3.5 Use of herbicides...............................................................................................................19

4.3.6 Proper spacing...................................................................................................................19

viii
4.3.7 Inter croping with other agricultural crops........................................................................19

4.4 Maintenance of soil fertility on pineapple gardens...........................................................19

4.4.1 Manuring.......................................................................................................................19,20

4.4.2 Fertilizer application.........................................................................................................20

4.5 Other income generating activities....................................................................................20

4.5.1 Coffee production..............................................................................................................20

4.5.2 Charcoal production......................................................................................................20,21

4.5.3 Maize production...............................................................................................................21

4.5.4 Local brewing....................................................................................................................21

4.5.5 Trade..................................................................................................................................21

4.5.6 Piggery...............................................................................................................................21

4.5.7 Cattle rearing......................................................................................................................22

4.5.8 Commercial tree planting...................................................................................................22

4.6 Source of labour on pineapple farms.................................................................................22

4.7 Marketing of pineapple fruits............................................................................................23

4.8 Benefits from pineapple growing to the local communities..............................................23

4.8.1 Provision of employment opportunities.............................................................................23

4.8.2 improved food security.....................................................................................................24

4.8.3 Development of towns and trade centres...........................................................................24

4.8.4 Rural transformation..........................................................................................................24

4.8.5 Accommodation............................................................................................................24,25

4.8.6 Improved family income....................................................................................................25

4.8.7 Education...........................................................................................................................25

4.8.8 Nutritional value................................................................................................................25

4.9. Propblems to pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-county..................................................25

4.9.1 Pineapple pests and diseases.........................................................................................25,26

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4.9.2 Inadequate market.............................................................................................................26

4.9.3 Inadequate man power......................................................................................................26

4.9.4 Over exploitation of pineapple farmers.............................................................................26

4.9.5 Scare and costly planting materials...............................................................................26,27

4.9.6 High hiring costs for land..................................................................................................27

4.9.7 Poor transport net work.....................................................................................................27

4.9.8 Inadequate land for pineapple cultivation.........................................................................27

4.9.9 Climate change..................................................................................................................27

4.9.10 Over pricing and poor quality of the technology inputs...................................................28

4.13 Possible remedies to the pests and diseases......................................................................28

4.13.1 Control measures for pests and diseases...........................................................................28

4.13.2 Supply of tree planting materials.......................................................................................29

4.13.3 Rural – Urbban Migration.................................................................................................29

4.13.4 Formation of financial institutions.....................................................................................29

4.13.5 Planned contruction of pineapple processing plant...........................................................29

CHAPTER FIVE : CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................30

5.1 Conclusions........................................................................................................................30

5.2 Recommendations..............................................................................................................30

References .....................................................................................................................................31

Appendix 1 Table showing the population distribution in Kamiral Sub-County.................32,33

Appendix 11 Research questionnaiers.........................................................................................34

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.

1.1 General Back ground.

Luwero district being a victim of 1980 – 1986 liberation,bush war by the LRA which left people;
this created room for poverty hence less advantageed farmers had to adopt other economic
activities for survival. People started growing coffee again and cotton for their livilihoods. But as
time went on, cotton lost market after the break down of leather factory in Jinja town after the
order by then President of Uganda Idi Amin Dada sent away the Asians who invested and
technical know how for running these clothing factories. Thereafter, coffee remained the only
cash crop for Uganda which could be grown in only few Uganda areas that had deep fertile soils
especially central including; Mukono, Luwero and Kayunga plus Eastern Region around
Mt.Elgon covering Mbale, Sironko and Palisa districts. In 2000, pineapple growing became the
major cash crop in Kayunga district which boarders Luwero in the west, the farmers started
acquiring extension services on pineapple growing from the neighboring farmers in the district
and also acquired pineapple planting materials such as suckers, slips and crowns. Pineapple
growing as the first started in the southern part of the Kamira Sub-County covering areas of
Kaswa.

Luwero district experienced high poverty levels after the liberation bush war of 1980 – 1986 yet
the population growth rate is high at 2.7%. This therefore forced people to actively engage in
farming to uplift themselves from the poverty situation hence adoption of pineapple production.

This is due to various advantages the pineapple fruits have over other crops and fruits that
including quick returns from planting to harvesting, low maintenance costs, provide
employments to a cross section of people including causual labourers, pineapple vendors,
pineaple farmers and transporters, can be eaten as snacks thus improving nutritional diet and
requires moderate fertile soils hence making it easy to convert less productive soils into use
thereby improving land production.

Pineapple growing is among the booming enterprises that need to improve for poverty
eradication. Pineapple growing can be done on both small and large scale. The art and science of
pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County is at an increasing rate evident by the increased
pineapple output and supplies along Bombo-Gulu high way in the busy towns such as Bombo,
Luwero and Kasana. These supplies are from various plantations in parishes such as Mazzi,
Mabuye and Kaswa.
1.2 Definitions of poverty.

1.2 Definitions of poverty.

The term poverty is defined differently. According to Mc Namara, (1978) defined it as a

conditioned life characterised by malnutrition, illitracy, diseases, squalid surroundings, high
infant mortality rate and low life as to be beneath any reasonable definition of human decency.
Then , poverty is further explained in terms of social , economic and political aspect which is the
positive fractioned pole attracts and sustains those whol explain it in physical and ecological
terms. Poverty is an economic phenomenon where by resources available to the society are used
to satisfy wants of the few people, poverty is essentially a social phenomenon and only
secondarily meaterial or physical phenomenon (C.T Kurien ,1978 ) while Poverty in rural areas
of Europe, the poor are often inconspicuous, inacticulate and unorganised and their voices may
not be heard in the public meetings and only those the big men can be heard (Chambers 1977).

In developing countries , many people live peasantry life, even below the poverty line that is
living on less than a dollar per day. Peasantry life a situation where households deliver their
livelihoods mainly from agriculture utilizing mainly family labour in farm production and
chracterised by partial engagement input and output market which is often incomplete. In most
parts of Uganda, people live a peasantly life having misearable livelihoods comprising of lack of
access to capability assets (Including material and social resource) and activities required for
means of living (NARO analysis for forestry development planning , 1997).

Poverty is a stronger determination of other constraints of the community. Poverty contributes to

physical weaknessthrough lack of food, malnutrition leading to low immune response to
infection and inability to pay the costs of schooling to afford to travel to look for work (Seckler
,1980). Isolation (lack of education, remoteness, being out of contact) sustain poverty, services
do not reach those who are remote illiterate can not read the information of economic values and
find it difficult to obtain loans (C.T Kurien, 1978). Vulnerability is part of many of the links it
relates to poverty through the sale or mortgage of productive assets due to physical weakness to
handle consequences, time and energy to have to be substituted for money. Poverty contributes
to powerless in many ways not least through exploitation by the power full, it prevents or limits
access to resources from the state legal redress for abuses and ability to dispute wages or interest
rates (Seckler, 1980).

1.3 Background of pineapple growing in Luwero District.

Pineapple growing is among the booming enterprises that need to improve for poverty
eradication. Pineapple growing can be done on both small and large scale.The art and science of
pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County is at an increasing rate evident by the increased
pineapple output and supplies along Bombo- Gulu high way in the busy towns such as Bombo,
Luwero and Kasana. These supplies are from various plantations in parishes such as Mazzi,
Mabuye and Kaswa.

1.4 Problem statement.

In Kamira Sub-County , there is high poverty levels characterised by poor nutrition, illiteracy,
remoteness, poor housing and limited access to basic health and social needs and also the
population growth is increasing at a fast rate. It forces people to extend their human efforts
towards pineapple growing as an attempt to alleviate poverty. As a result, the pineapple crop has
become the leading crop in the area to improve on people’s incomes. Increasing on household
incomes thus making it easy to access the basic human needs, improved accommodation,
accessible roads, improved education system and improved hum nutrition.

1.5 Significance of the study.

This research is to establish the role of pineapple crop towards poverty eruduction through
enabling farmers to apply appropriate pineapple production technologies and improve on the
existing farming systems in order to minimize poverty. This research is also to focus on
providing possible solutions to the problems faced by the pineapple farmers so as to increase
earnings from the enterprise. Extension workers and local government in the area are to base on
this informantion provided in this study to teach and train farmers about the proper use of land
for improving pineapple productivity through conserving practices that benefits the present and
future generations’. This will also train the farmers on the other human activities that are
integrated with pineapple growing for increased yields and imcome gains.

1.6.0 Objectives of the study.

1.6.1 General objective.

The general objective of the study is to find out the benefits of pineapple growing to pineapple
farmers, Sub-County , district and country wide at large in line with minimising poverty. Further
still to provide possibble remeddies to the problems encountered in pineapple growing by the
pineapple farmers in Kamira Sub-County.

1.6.2 Specific objectives.

The study is expected to achieve the following objectives;

1. To find out the benefits of pineapple growing to the people in Kamira Sub-County.
2. To find out the major problems faced in pineapple growing by the local people.
3. To find out the possible remedies to the problems.
 CHAPTER TWO : LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Poverty situation in Uganda.

Poverty level have reduced since the governement throgu its policies has managed to reduce it
from 56% in 1988 /1989 to 34% in 2000 to 31% in 2006 and this is a good progress. (UBOS
report ,2007). About 68% of the households in Uganda are still in substance farmimg.
Governemtn intervention is to ensure that all households have food and income security,
currently the realities on ground are many households do not get adequate quantities and quality
of food and live in grass thatched houses and fail to meet the neccessary basic needs (Household
and population census,2002).

2.1 Causes of poverty.

Many people think that the poor are responsible for their peasantry that they are poor because
they are poor, lazy, ignorant and stupid. Others think it is God’s arrangements. All these views
are wrong. Studies have shown that poor people are actually very hard working and are always
struggling to save their families. They are unable to sell and invest, many of them depend on
some sort of the patron for example rich neigbour relatives or friends they survive by selling
property, begging for work or food, getting loans, being crafty or even stealing. (Gender analysis
for forestry development planning).

Poverty at community level may a result of having very few assets and property, being
physically weak for example with ratio of dependents, sick, old and disabled , being isolated
from outside world for example being far from trading centres, place of social service and having
no communication means very few buffers against contingents like accidents, sickness and crop
failure and being ingnorant of the law and living at the mercy of the rich.

On the other hand, poverty may a result of social obligations and conversions for example bride
price, unnecessary ceremonies like circumcision all of which are financially demanding , natural
or manmade disasters like floods, wars, epidemics, physics destruction of resources , hat burning
and unproductive expenditure by the people in terms of time and money or even wanting to
appear expensive (FAO,1997).
2.2 Strategies for addressing poverty.

According to FAO, the following strategies were formulated to address poverty that involves
encouraging family planning, natural conservation practices like use of energy saving technology
practices, peace and security in the family, diversification of economic activities and improving
marketing arrangement, fair taxation, encouraging people to get involved in profitable income
generating activities, sensitizing and creating hope profitable income generating activities ,
sensitizing and creating hope in the people that things can be made better. For example, by
promoting education, building faith among the people such that they can work together like in
groups.

2.3 Classification of pineaple.

Scientific name of pineapples is Nanas Comsus belonging to Bromeliceae family of plantae

kindom. It is an angiosperm of a mono cot plant. It belongs to the order of poales belonging to
genus Ananas.

2.4 Botany.

Pineapple is a herbaceous perennial crop which grows to 1.1-1.5m (3.3 to 4.9 feet) tall, although
sometimes it can be taller. In a appearance , the plant itself has a short , stocky stem with tough
and waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some
large fruited cultivars can exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruit of the flowers join
together to create what is commonly referred to as a pineapple. After the first fruit is produced,
side shoots (called ,suckers by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main
stem. These may , be removed for propagation , or left to produce additional fruits on the original
plant. Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated.it has 30 or more long ,
narrow , fleshy, tough shaped leaves with sharp spines along the margins that are 30 to 100cm
(1.0 to 3.3 feet) long, surrounding a thick stem. In the 1st year of growth, the axis lengthens and
thickens bearing numberous leaves in close spirals.

After 12 to 20 months the stem grows into a spike like inlorenscence up to 15cm long with over
100 spirally arranged trimerous flowers, each subtended by brack. Flower color vary depending
on variety each being Fibonacci number. Pineapples carry out CAM photosynthesis, fixing
carbon dioxide at night and storing it as the acid malate and then releasing it during day aiding
photosythesis. There are many pineapple varieties and cultivars. The most commonly grown is
smooth cayenne a grown world wide and Uganda. Many cultivars have become distributed from
its origins in Paraguay and the southern part Brazil and later improved stocks were introduced in
the Americas, the Azores, India, Malaysia, Australia and Africa and later in Uganda. These
varieties include;

‘Hilo’: A compact: 1-1-5kg. Hawalian variant of smooth cayenne; the fruit is more cylindrical
and produces many suckers , but no slips.

‘Kona sugar loaf’: 2.5-3. This is white flesh with no woodiness in the centre, cylindrical in
shape, it has high sugar content but no acid, and usually sweet fruit.

‘Natal queen’: 1-5.5kg. Golden yellow flesh , crisp texture and delicate mild flavour, well
adapted to fresh consumption, keeps well after rippening, spiny leaves grown in Australia ,
Malaysia and South Africa.

‘Pernambuli’ (Eleuthera): 1-2kg with pale yellow to white flesh, sweet melting and excellent for
eating fresh but poorly adapted for shipping, spiny leaves, grown in Latin America.

‘Red Spanish’: 1-2kg. This is a pale yellow flesh with pleasant aroma, squarish in shape, well
adapted for shipping as fresh fruit to distant markets, spinny leaves, grown in Latin America.

‘Smooth Cayenne: 2-5kg, Pale to yellow flesh , cylindrical in shape , high sugar and acid content
well –adapted to canning and processing, leaves without spines, this is the variety from Hawaii,
and the most easily obtainable in U.S grocery stores.
 CHAPTER THREE: STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 .0 Study area.

3.1.1 Location.

Kamira Sub-County is located in the Central Region of Uganda , in Luwero District. It is

located along a Murram road of Kikyusa- Nakasongola . Luwero District has ten (10) Sub-
Counties and three (3) Town Councils. The Sub-Counties includ; Zirobwe, Bamunanika,
Kalagala, Kikyusa, Kamira , Katikamu, Luwero, Butuntumula ,Makulubita and Nyimbwa
and the town councils include; Luwero, Bombo and Wobulenzi. Kamira Sub-County is
boarded by Kikyusa Sub-County in the South , Nakasongola district in the north , Kayunga
district in the west and Buntumula sub-county in the East.

3.1.2 Climate.
3.1.3 Rainfall.

Kamira Sub-County experience an equatorial type of climate which has two rainfall seasons in a
year. The first season starts in the March in the late march and ends in late may, the second
season in September and ends in the Novermber . The first season is the one which covers four
months ( it is in this season that farmers most concentrate in real farming). The remaining
month’s experiences dry spells and isolated showers. The annual mean rainfall of 1000 –
1800mm per annum recieved in the area.

3.1.4 Temperature.

The daily minimum temperature ranges from 220 c to 260 and the maximum ranges from 280c to
330c.

3.1.5 Topography.

Luwero District has a relative flat terrain, with small undulating hills. Kamira Sub-county in
particularly, is flat with a top hill known as Walusi located in Mabuye parish other hilly areas are
quarried for stones used for construction and building industry. In the valleys, there are streams
from which they originate and for water points in down streams.
 3.1.6 Vegetation.

Kamira Sub-County has a vegetation cover of equatorial rain forest with fertile soils. Due to
human activities such as charcoal burning , cattle grazing and need for land for agriculture over a
long period of time, the vegetation changed to savannah (NEMA report, 200). The vegetation
now comprises of shrub, grasses and few tall trees with the heigt ranging from 20 to 25m. The
tree species include; Terminalia Ivorensis ,Acacia specia and Melica excelsa. The domesticated
tree species are; Mangifera indica, maesopsis eminii, per sea Americana and Autocarpous
heterophyllus and other fruit tree species. The vegetation cover is scanty due to the constant
harvest for charcoal production, poles for building , clearance of bushes for agriculture and fire
wood for commercial and domestic use.

3.1.7 Hydrology.

Kamira Sub-County has seasonal swamps that include Katagwe. The sub-county is supplied with
pumped water by by the local government in all rural and emerging centres such as Kamira,
Mazzi , Kiwanula and Kabukunga. There is a permanent stream; Namirembe and a seasonal one
known as Kiyitta. The are also has deep water dams and ground wells drilled by the government
to supply water for the pastoral communites in the area.

3.1.8 Soils.

Soils of Kamira Sub-County are predominantly loamy with some clay and sand soils. Soils
appear to be depleted of Nutrients and productivity (department of agriculture,2002).

3.1.9 Population.

Kamira Sub-County is one of the least populated Sub-counties in Luwero district. According to
2002 population census, population stood at 29973 persons with the population growth rate of
2%. The females were 14,841 (49.5%) and males were 151,321 (50.4) persons. Dense populatin
distribution is in emerging centres such as Kamira,Watuba and Kiwanula. The population
distribution in typical villages is sparse with scattered homesteads and in cattle rearing areas such
as Kabunyatta and Kitenderi parish, homesteads are scatetted in clusters.

3.1.10 Infrastructure.

Kamira Sub-County is crossed by a main murram road of Kikyusa – Nakasongola. In addition to

the main road, there are feeder roads joining village to village and emerging used for transporting
goods to and from the markets. The sub-county has government health care centres such as
Kamira Health centre III ,Mazzi Health Centre II and others purposely to provide medical
services to the residents. It has three markets, one on the main road known as Kamira livestock
market where farmers sell and buy animals. The most commodities sold in this market include
cattle, goats , sheep and poultry and the other two operates on Saturday only.

Kamira has fifteen (15) primary schools of which five are privately owned and the rest are
government aided. It has one secondary school known as Mazzi vocational Senior Secondary
School in Mazzi parish aided by government with Universal Secondary Education schemes.

3.2 .0 Research methodology

3.2.1 Sampling design.

Kamira Sub-County Sub-County level

Kaswa Mazzi Nambeere

Parish level

Village level

Teema Kamira Nabinaka Kabukunga Kiwanula Nanteeko

a
household

3.2.2 Sampling.

The sample size for this study was 30 (0.14%) respondents out of 29973. This was because all
the people can not be reached during data collection and therefore used the sample size above to
act as a representative for them in terms of social, economic and cultural status and also to ease
data collection during the study. The respondents were chosen from six (6) sellected villages that
were from three (3) parishes. All the respondents , villages and parishes were sellected randomly
by writing the names of the parishes. All the respondents, villages and Parishes were selected
randomly by writing the names of the parishes on small pieces of paper, folded,mixed in a bucket
and 3 folded papers were picked to as representative parishes. In the same way, villages were
selected, names of different villages in each parish were written on papers, folded, mixed in 3
buckets for each parish and then 2 papers were picked from each bucket to make 6 villages. The
selected parishes were Mazzi, Nambeere and Kaswa the villages were Kabukunga,
Mazzi,Kiwanula,Nanteeko, Kamira and Teema respectively as shown in the figure.

3.2.3 Data and collection methods and tools.

The methods used in this study to collect data were descriptive. The tools and materials used in
collecting data included; questionnaires, pens, pencils and calculators and methods included
direct observations, semi-structured interviews/ group interviews and reviewing of secondary
data. The purposes of the tools that were used in field data collection are discussed as below,
calculators, it was used in solving mathematical problems especially during percentage
conversions.The note book for writing down additional out of that in the questionnaires.A pen ;
this was used for writing down the generated information by the respondents into the notebooks
and the questionnaires.

Questions were printed in questionnaire form and answered by respondents through a face to
face interview in their sample villages. The time was given enough for them to answer them. The
interviewer wrote down the answers given by the respondents on the questionnaires. Households,
farmer groups and local leaders such as L.C3 chairperson were conducted to generate
information related with pineapple farming; pineapple traders and other local people were
conducted with the help of the respective L.C1 Chairpersons in different villages to create trust
among the interviewer and respondents. This motivated people to actively involve themselves in
the interviews.

The questionnaires contained questions related to information about how pineapple plants are
being managed, its association with other crops and how it has reduced poverty in Kamira Sub-
County. Direct observations were carried out to observe the management practices, pests and
diseases, pineapple varieties and cultivars. The pineapple practices such as weeding, desuckering
and stripping, the symptoms for pineapple diseases and pests and these were noted down in the
notebooks group interviews were carried out in order to cater for view of farmers. Here , check
lists containing various topics in relation to the objectives of the study was developed and used
as guidelines to interview the farmers on pineapple fruits in selected parishes. The respondents
were interviewed either individually in their convinient places or in groups whereby group
interviews were held in villages and NAADs meetings. Their views were obtained and noted
down. The check list contained questions about pineapple varieties grown, people’s attitudes
towards pineapple growing, benefits and success obtained, poverty indicators in their areas,
problems and challanges faced, solutions to the problems, extension services obtained for further
improvement interventions by other organisations towards promotion of pineapples growing. In
addition to the above methods,secondary data was obtained from various text books, pamphlets
and manuals from various book libraries, local government offics, News papers in order to obtain
relevant information related to the obejectives of the study.

3.2.4 Data analysis.

Data was analysed by use of a computer puting to microsoft werd and excel to dermine the
percentage of land under pineapple cultivation, the pineapple variety types and management
practices, the quantity, quality and value of the yield, help and advisory services delivered the
extent to whoch local pineapple variety production has been adopted , constraints and challenges
encountered and their solution, the benefits attained by the fruits farmer and other agro-based
activity being carried out in the area.

3.3.0 Assumptions and limitations in the study.

3.3.1 Assumptions.

1. The respondents’ information. Here , proper explanation was made on how to reduce
poverty in the area and the respondents understood why the interview was conducted
gave genine information.
2. All the information given by the respondents for the study was corrected and valid. Here,
if properly formulated, clear and specific questions were used.

3.3.2 Limitations.

Some respondents expected some incentives such as money to give answers at the end of data
collection. However, the challenge was solved by the proper explaining to the respondents on
how beneficial the study was on reducing poverty through active involvement in pineapple
growing and other related activities to improve their livelihood and county development.

Some respondents were not willing to give information especially about their monthly and yearly
earnings from pineapple sales and other activities that are carried out for income generation.
However, this was solved throug use of sub-county NAADS report on pineapple to establishe
how much pineapple farmers earn from pineapple per monthly and yearly.
 CHAPTER FOUR:

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS.

4.1 Age groups of the respondents in relation to pineapple growing.

During data collection, different age groups were interviewed. Each respondent gave his / her
view according to the questions asked to them by the responsdents and this is showed in the table
below.

Percentage 5% 20% 30% 35%

Age limit Below 20 20 - 30 31- 40 41 - 50
Table.1 The table showing age group involvement in pineapple growing.

The table above shows that almost all age groups were involved in pineapple growing and
related activities. It was revealed that age group 30 – 40 takes the biggest part in pineapple. This
is because the age group is composed of people with very many responsibilties in the family.
Such domestic responsibilities includes raising school fees for their children, building family
houses and acquiring basic necessities for their family and this makes such age group to actively
involved in pineapple growing to generate income to cater for the above needs.

The results revealed that age 40-50 does active participation in pineapple growing activities. This
is because they have a lot of responsibilties for the families and they are mature enough to think
more on ways of generating incomes to cater for their family needs. They also have enough land
for pineapple growing and most do it on commercial basis, this enables them to earn a living
after the sale of pineapple fruits.

Age group 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 were found to be involving themselves in pineapple growing
and other related activities because in pineapple growing, systems such as agrosilvipastoral
where farmers can plant trees along the garden boundaries, also trees can be scattered around
within the pinaaple garden and also animal rearing can be done on the same land management
unit, trees provide shade for the animals especially poultry such as hens, ducks, turkeys and pigs
can also graze within the plantation. Pineapple growing increases food security in homes since
pineapples can be interplanted with other crops such as bananas, water melons, soya beans and
beans as well as trees. Pineapple fruits are said to be very important in diseas prevention in
young children as well as mature people. Such diseases include scurvy, rickets and constipation.
Also according to the respondents, it was revealed that pineapple growing helps to conserve soil
and water due to the emphasis to use conserving methods in establishing pineapple plantations
and the various crops that can be interplant with them. In addition , pineapples act as cover crops
to the soil surface hence preventing surface run off and evaporation. The results revealed that,
age group below 20 and 50-60 were less involved in pineapple growing simply because 20 years
they are mainly pupils and students in schools and other learning institutions. According to the
respondents interviewed it was shown that these young people spend most of their time at school
hence they have little time to attend to pineapple growing activities.

Age group 30 – 40 was seen to be the most actively involved in pineapple growing activity
because they were still energetic and can learn and practice what they have learnt on their farm.
Besides that, they had a responsibility of buying enough basic needs and necessities for their
families and also for their old parents who can not manage to cultivate and grow crops as well as
raising some income for themeselves. The pineapple grown are sold to get income for paying
school fees for their children and buy basic needs and necessities in their homes. Results shows
that all age groups do participate in pineapple growing apart from the age group limit of 70 and
above this is because at this age group, people are very old and some being supported by their
sons, daughters and relatives to the extent that they can not in any way participate in pineapple
growing activities.

4.2 Methods of land acquisition by the respondents.

Land tenure refers to the way in which land is owned distributed, accessed and acquired by
people in a given locality. In Kamira Sub-County , there are four many other ways in which land
is owned, acquired and accessed by people as seen below.

Buying.

This is where the interested person in a given land pays a certain amount of money to the land
owner for the land under sale. Here there must be a representative of the L.C.I person or any
other local council chairperson and some village members, an agreement is signed between the
land buyer and the land lord backed by the signatories of the local council chairperson, the land
buyer and the land seller and other representatives of the village.

Renting.

This is a system where the land owner (land lord) enters into agreement with the tenants for a
given land over a specified period of time. Land is rented by the land owner to the tenant and
some money is paid to the land lord as rent for an agreed period. Rent may be paid monthly,
quarterly or yearly depending on the agreement between the two parties.

Lease hold.

This is system where the land owner leases the land to a tenant on contract. The lease can be
more than 100 years and payment agreements are discussed between the tenant and the land lord.

Inheritance.

This is where somebody acquires land from his or her parents for, example a son or daughter can
be given land by his or her father or mother. This land is not paif for, generally it is acquired
free.

4.2.1 Land sizes under pineapple production.

Different farmers have varying pineapple garden sizes and this is according to; someone’s
interest in pineapple growing, resources available for investing in pineapple growing and
available land.

Table 2 Showing different land sizes under pineapple production.

Acres No of respondents Percentage (%)

1-2 12 40
3-4 9 30
5-6 2 6.6
7-8 1 3.3
9-10 1 3.3
11-12 2 6.6
13-14 1 3.3
15-16 1 3.3
17-18 0 0
19-20 1 3.3
Total 30 100

In table above, 40% of the respondents interviewed had 1-2 acres planted with pineapples and
constituted the biggest percentage. This was due to the fact; these people had appositive attitude
13 towards are pinaaple growing, small land available and limited resources to invest pineapple
growing.

The study revealed that 30% had 3-4 acres of land under pineapple, this was because people’s
attitude pineapple farming had grown up, increased family responsibilities that required money
to accomplish and availability of initial resources required for establishment of pineapple
gardens such as capital for buying planting materials such as suckers.

The results revealed that from 5-7, 7-8,9-10,11-12 in pineaple spacing rowing was at a low rate.
This was linked to people enough resources such as money to rent , lease and buy land for
farming activities, lacked enough human resources for carrying out pineapple agronomic
practicies on the farm such as weeding, stripping and harvesting and enough money for
purchasing pineapple suckers and frustrating prices for pineapple fruits especially peak periods.

4.3 Pineapple management practices.

4.3.1 Double row spacing between the suckers.

Two suckers are planted, each parallel to another in a double row planting system using a
spacing of 60 by 60 by 150cm. This practice minimises spaces, eases weeding, spraying and
harvesting of pineapple fruits and stripping.

4.3.2 Use of coffee husks as mulches.

Coffee husks are importantly used as mulching materials in pineapple fields as they suppress
weeds, act as a spongy – like through allowing rainy water to freely seep into the soil and
increases soil productivity which leads to high quality pineapple fruits as well as suckers. The
husks are placed in betwwen rows of pineapple plants.

4.3.3 Spraying at planting.

Pineapples have to be sprayed Glophosate pesticide to destroy and kill any carried pest from the
field where suckers were obtained. Pest free garden enables fast growth and early maturity of the
crop. The near-by anti-hills also have to be sprayed to inactivate them; the commonly used
chemicals are Furadan 5G and Saipa insecticides by pouring the chemical into an opening stand.
This increases the second harvest.
4.3.5 Use of herbicides.

Herbicide application is necessary in weed control in pineapple gardens. The commonly used
herbicide is spray mist and within 2-3 days, the weeds wilt and lie. Use of herbicide chemicals
saves labour costs and time. However, the us of chemicals has been condemned by organic
markets in the country and outside where pineapple fruits have got a high demand.

4.3.6 Proper spacing.

Pineapple plants need to be planted in their recommended spacing of a double row and single
row spacing as this helps the pineapple plants to yeild bigger and quality fruits as compared to
poorly spaced pineapple plants. Double row spacing has advantages that include easy
accessibility during operations such as weeding, spacing , harvesting, stripping and minimising
spaces within the plantation field hence increasing the number of pineapple plants in the field.
On the other hand, single row spacing ensures proper utilization of nutrients by plants and helps
to control soil erosion.

4.3.7 Intercroping with other agricultural crops.

There are various crops that can be intercropped with pineapples; these intrecrops should be less
comprative with the major crop for basic resources such as sunlight ,nutrients and water. Most of
the crops usually planted with pineapples mature before pineapples start fruiting except, the
perennials such as Bananas. Annual crops especially legumes sucha as beans, Soya beans, grains
including maize and sorghum, others are fruits for example water melons and any of the above
can be inter cropped. Bananas are intercroped at spacing of 5m and above from one pineapple
plant to another and all crops are planted in between rows. Intercrops give quick returns to the
farmer before the host crop reach maturity; others fix nitrogen hence adding nutrients to the soil
the pineapple to use in the long run in field.

4.4 Maintenance of soil fertility on pineapple gardens.

4.4.1 Manuring.

This is a management practice which involves use of local organic materials to improve on soil
fertility. In most pineapple gardens, the common used manures are; farm yard manure, compost
of crop remains of cereals and grains and coffe husks, manures are usually applied in between
rows and thus helps to suppress weeds, maintains moisture content in the soil and hence
increasing soil fertility leading to increased crop yields, high quality pineapple fruits and
prolonged production.

4.4.2 Fertilizer application.

Fertilizers are inorganic compounds that enrich soils by releasing nutrients in the required
amounts; the commonly used fertilizers are ; NPK and liquid fertilizers such as super grow, this
increases on the soil ability to release nutrients as required by the pineapple plant which in turn
improves yield and quality. Super grow is applied by foliar method through applying onto the
pineapple leaves and for NPK is applied at a rate of 125kg per hectare in crystal form near the
plant; 30cm away from the plant, all the above fertilizers require adequate soil moisture.
However, in Kamira Sub-county , 1% can use NPK and super grow to maintain fertility as they
are expensive and the land used for agriculture is still fertile. In that, it does not require
fertilizers.

4.5.0 Other income generating activities carried out in Kamira Sub-County.

4.5.1 Coffee production.

This covers the biggest percentage depending on it as their livelihood. About 80% of the people
in the Sub-county have coffee gardens on their land. Rousta coffee is the common variety grown,
but also coronal coffee cultivars are grown on small scale, coffee can be interplanted with crops
such as Bananas at early stage of establishment and they co-exist for period of 3 years before
Bananas are wiped out or totally removed from the garden to create space for coffee reduced
competitution. It is perennial crop as well as a seasonal crop, if flowers in January up to march,
they at intervals and harvested once in a year . i.e from the month of September to late December
with October and November as the peak period. This activity has greatly improved people,s
income.

4.5.2 Charcoal production.

Charcoal is a residue of solid organic matter of plant or animal origin resulting from
carbonization by heat in abasence of air. Charcoal as a human activity plays an important role in
both the energy sector and Uganda’s economy, this sector employs about 40% of the people in
Kamira Sub-County and therefore it provides a livelihood for a large number of people who
produce ,distribute and sell it to urban centres such as Kampala, Kawempe, and /Entebbe.
However, influencies inherent to charcoal production and its use, rapid urbanization and the
preference of urban centres and its prefered because it produces little compact and portable
stoves, no storage losesses can occure because unlikde firewood it does not rot and termites do
not attack it.

4.5.3 Maize production.

The growing of maize is aimed at ensuring food security as maize is a grain crop which can be
stored for long if good storage procedures are followed , maize are grown twice in a year i.e,
from February – July in the first sean and September – December in the second season. About
75% people grow maize in Kamira Sub-county and this is attributed to the reason such as very
fast as compared to other food crops, can be stored for a long period of time if properly dried,
left over residues after milling; maize bran can be fed to poultry birds and this saves money
which would have been used for buying feeds, supplements farmer’s income from other
activities such as pineapple and coffee production.

4.5.4 Local brewing:

Brewing involves making beers mainly from Bananas beer crops such as Kayinja and Kisubi and
local beer from millet,sorghum , yeast and maize and cassava flour. Pure alcohol (waragi) can be
made from Kayinja and Kisubi banana types through distillation method. This covers 15% of the
people involved in this activity.

4.5.5 Trade.

This covers a small percentage of people of 20% engaged in trade business mostly on small scale
, trade is in activities such as charcoal, shop merchandise, textile , agricultural crops such as
bananas, maize and coffee when their harvest seasons approaches.

4.5.6 Piggery.

Due to the fact that pigs eat feed on a variety of food sources, it becomes easy for farmers to rear
them. About 65% of the people in Kamira Sub-county do it mainly for commercial, this venture
has improved farmers livelihood due to the following advantages pigs posses over other grow
very enterpirses including fast growth rate compared to other domestic animals such as goats
and, eat on a variety of food sources and more prolific producing many young piglets per farrow.

4.5.7 Cattle rearing.

Kamira sub county being within the cattle corridor has utilized the chance for animal rearing
mostly cattle’s on both small and large herds on rangelands, communual and around homelands.
The common cattle breed reared is East – Africa Zebu cattle , however, NAADS, emphasis is on
improved exotic diary breeds, people’s attention and towards it is still very low as most farmers
lack enough resources to rear exotic cattle breeds. Cattles are more in Kabunyatta ,Mazzi
,Kitenderi and Katagwe parished . 40% of the people in Kamira Sub-county are engaged in cattle
rearing.

4.5.8 Commercial tree planting.

Tree planting programmes have been started by potential tree growers in areas that had
redundant and intertile land for good production. Two (2) big plantations have been established
in Mazzi and katagwe parish, people are employed in land clearing , tree planting, weeding and
others are employed as forest supervisors.

4.6 Source of labour on Pineapple farms.

The labour force commonly used is usually family members including men , women , children
and relatives , casual and permanent labourers. Family labour contributes the biggest percentage
of the labour force, this is because there is no initial payment required to be paid to them to work
on the farms, the family sizes are always big about seven (7) members and united to work
together. The children are also involved in pineapple management activities because they are full
time students and work in the school holidays, weekends and public days. The men participated
more in pineapple management operations contributing 40% due to the fact that they are
responsible for the right procurement of planting materials up to budgeting for the received
finances, women labour efforts contribute 25% because of combined responsibilities both at
home and growing enough food for feeding the family members along participating in pineapple
fields operations.

Casual labourers contributes 20% of the labour force on pineapple farm because ; they are part
time workers who are permanently employed on the farm but temporarilly and for spot payments
(raja raja). Contract workers contribute 5% on pineapple farms because most for high payments
and therefore farmers try to avoid them for work.

4.7.0 Marketing of pineapple fruits.

Pineapple fruit is among the horticultural crops grown mainly for sale. It is currently being
exported to other countries in the regional and international markets. It has supplemented the
earnings from coffee which is the main cash crop in Uganda more than 10000 small holders;
usually with less than 0.2 hectares grown pineapples. They pick pineapple fruits in two seasons
per year and sell them to local traders, consumers and other exported. Currently pineapple
farmers are paid 1500 – 2000shillings for a good quality pineapple fruit, making it the highest
value crop in Kamiea Sub-County. Less than 3000 small scale farmers who sell regularly or
intermittently to opportunistic export traders, grow fresh fruits for export and entirely depend on
weather the conditions as the sole water supply. The traders operate with minimum facilities and
sell to price driven fringe importers usually located in the wholesale markets of United Kingdom
and united states , these are exported when fresh and well packed in labeled boxes. IN 2001, the
toral free on board value of these high value horticulture export products was conservatively
estimated at US dollars of 30 million (IDEA project ,2002). In Uganda, pineapple fruits are sold
in small quantities and sell them in bigger markets in urban areas such as Nakasero, Nakawa
,Kibuye and Kalerwe markets and within the tax and bus parks in the country. Regionally, the
fruits are mostly transported for export in South Sudan especially Juba , Rwanda and DR.Congo ,
South Sudan has the highest deman for the pineapple fruits.

4.8 Benefits from pineapple growing to the local communities and the country.

4.8.1 Provision of employment Opportunities.

A large cross section of people are employed in agriculture sector in pineapple related activities,
pineapple growing has contributed 20% in provision of employement opportunities to the people
within Kamira and other involved in related activities. People are employed in different field;
some are in processing and packing in fruit factories, marketing of the produce such as marketing
personnel’s and transport for example those employed by century bottling company which
manufacture Novida Soda processed from the pineapple fruit, and Mirinda pineapple processed
by Crown Beverages bottling Company , others are working as weeding , striping , harvesting
and others field operations thus helping in closing unemployment.

4.8.2 Improved food security.

The growing of pineapple has supplemented on the existing food types that are inner cropped
with pineapple plants. Most of the food crops grown were carbon hydrate value such as cassava ,
sweet potatoes as their staple foods, pineapple fruits are eaten as supplement to blunt stapple
foods. In addition, incomes obtained the sale of pineapples can be used to other foods to attain
balanced diet. Pineapple fruits are sources of Vitamin C essentials in children and adults for
maintaining a good immune system and all this ensures food at poeple’s families.
4.8.3 Development of towns and trade centres.

Since the start of pineapple growing in 2001 in the area, many towns and trade centres have
emerged in various parishes as a sign of great achievement people after the sale of the produce,
they invested the recieved money by setting up residential houses in developing towns and
centres, the limited land in rural areas as where production takes place has forced people to leave
rural areas for pineapple production and decide to settle in trade centres. Such emerging centres
include Kiwanula, Mazzi and Kamira.

4.8.4 Rural transformation.

The emphasis of NAADS on promoting pineapple growing has transformed rural areas and
others emerging into towns before the start of pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County, a lot of
land was redundant without any productive activity, but now such land is under production thus
and this increases land productivity. All rural transformation through pineapple farming has
increased the value of land in money terms. Some of the transformed rural areas include Misallal
and Nanteeko in Mazzi and also Nambeere parish respectively.

4.8.5 Accommodation.

People have used the income gained from pineapple sales to contract permanent and semi-
permanent houses for their families and for residential. The study showed that 60% of the people
had permanent houses, 35% semi-permanent and 5% grass thatched houses and this ensure
security at their homes during day and night especially when they are away for garden work.

4.8.6 Improved family income.

People have benefited from pineapple growing, thus have been able to widen their family income
source in addition to other income generating activities in the family. This income has been used
to buying family needs and luxurious wants ranging from clothes, food, mobile phones and
installing solar panels on their houses. The extra income has been invested in other income
generating activities for the families, some families have bought trucks to transport their
pineapple produce to far markets in urban centres in Wobulenzi and Bombo town and others
have contructed residential houses in Luwero town and around Kampala City suburb.
4.8.7 Education.

Farmers have been able to pay school fees and buy scholastic requirements for their children
using money gained from pineapple growing. Farmers have taken children to private schools and
institutins of high standards , for primary level ,some of the farmers’s children are studying from
Wobulenzi parents’ school and Mulusa Academy for Secondary level. All these are recognized
non – government aided schools.

4.8.8 Nutritional Value.

Through the study it was revealed that a big percentage of people have access to good foods, this
showed an improvement in the family diet as compared to the past years before pineapple
growing started, this is due to increased family incomes earned from pineapple sales which is
worth to buy foods of good nutritional values. Also pineapple growing allows intercropping of
other crops together with pineapples such crops includ; beans, soya beans, bananas and water
melons these have improved the nutritional status of people in Kamira Sub-County.

4.9.0 Problems to pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County.

4.9.1 Pineapple pests and diseases.

Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants include scales, strips, mites, mealy bugs, ants,
symphylids, termites and monkeys. Termites are the common pests that attack pineapple plants.
They are social insects living in anti-hills as their home base, they can destroy pineapples at any
stage of development by either cutting stem down or the roots as they suck sap from the plant
making it to loose a lot of water and after it may wilt. Termites are more active and destructive in
the morning and night hours. In addition pineapple are also subjected to a variety of diseases ,the
most serious of which is pineapple wilt vectored by mealy bugs typically found on the surface of
pineapples , but possibly in the closed blossom crops. Other diseases include Pink disease,
bacteria heart rot, anthracnose, fungal heart rot , root rot, black, butt rot, fruit let core rot, and
yellow spot virus. Pink disease is characterised by the fruit developing a brownish to black
discoloration whrn heated during the canning process. The casual agent of pink disease are the
bacteria; acetobacter aceti, glucobacter oxydans and pantoea citrea.
4.9.2 Limited market.

In peak periods, farmers find it difficult to sell off fruits to the market due to the fact that peak
periods are always in rainy season when the demand for pineapple frutis is low and the muddy
condition of rural roads limits movement of trucks to villages to load the fruits. This disrupts
likeness of farmers towards pineapple growing.

4.9.3 Inadequate man power.

The biggest population percentage is composed of the youths who rarely attend to garden work
because they are full time students and those who are not at school have a poor attitude towards
farming, in that they prefer easy jobs rather than actual farming although it is the back borne of
Uganda’s economy. This also accounts for small plots of land under pineapple production. The
over dependence on family makes it difficult to increase human force. In that, labour has to be
divided between the wife and the husband; the wife spends some time cultivating food crops for
home consumption and the husband does most of the work at the farm in otherwise, they are
loaded with work as pineapple growing is hectic activity involving many management practices
such as weeding , stripping, mulching and maturing.

4.9.4 Over exploitation of pineapple farmers.

Tehre are few certified personnel’s and companies that buy pineapple fruits from farmers and
very few farmers have access to sell off their produce at a reasonably higher price. Most farmer’s
fruits are bought by middle men who over exploit the farmers by offering low prices for their
produce.

4.9.5 Scarce and costly planting materials.

Pineapple suckers are the mostly used planting material. The slips and crowns are rarely used for
propagation, the suckers are scarce and therefore farmers are charged highly about 100 shillings
per pineapple sucker. This limits establishment of bigger pineapple gardens. In addition, newly
established pineapple plantation by Indians has bought most of the pineapple suckers that
farmers were offering for market at a higher price greater than the normal price which were paid.

4.9.6 High hiring costs for land.

Land being a valuable natural essential pineapple and many other farm operations, the landlords
claim for very high costs for renting , buying and leasing. For example, the cost for renting land
for pineapple farming increased from 150,000 to 350,000 shilling per acre of land and also
buying an acre of land increased from 800,000 shilings to 1,500,000 shillings.

4.9.7 Poor transport network.

The transportation of pineapple fruits from villages where they are grown to urban area for
market has been greatly affected by poor road network. The feeder roads connecting villages and
murram roads connecting to urban areas are impassible especially during the period of heavy rain
pour of rain thus making it difficult to transport pineapple fruits from vilages where production
occurs to the towns for big market.

4.9.8 Inadequate land for pineaple cultivation.

Due to the fact that 85% of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their
livelihood. The agriculture sector contributes about 80% of the Gross Domestic product in 2000;
and 48% of the export earnings (UBOS,2001) . This therefore implies that a lot of land has been
put under used and the fact that land is a fixed production factor that cannot be increased as other
production factors has greatly hindered expansion of pineapple gardens to attain comemrcial
large scale producation for ready market and higher prices. In addition, land is fragmented
especially in heavily settled areas. For instance in case of fixed tenures especially in free hold
and mailo systems, land inheritance means sub-division of existing land holdings and decreasing
farm holdings per household may not be able to support pineapple production in rural areas.
Parishes with high levels of land fragmentation include; Mazzi, Mabuye and Kaswa.

4.9.9 Climate change.

Climate change is certainly inevitable out of control of a single country or even region. Although
Uganda is still a net sink for green house gases, releasing than it absorbs, an increased warning
of earth’s surface will mean that the country will become drier with direct consequences for
pineapple farming. This has caused worry to farmers are worse with agriculture production.

4.9.10 Over pricing and poor quality of the technology imputs.

NAADS coordinators and extension workers give out poor quality pineapple suckers and at
times over charge them in form of co-funding fee. These pineapple suckers take long to mature
thereby increasing the maintenance costs for the farmers as well as lowering marketability
potential for the fruits to large markets that only prefer good quality pineapple fruits.
4.10.0 Possible remedies to the problems.

4.10.1 Control measures for pests and diseases.

 Planting good quality ,pest and disease free planting materials. Good quality suckers free
from pests and diseases are recommended for planting, before planting them out in the
field ,first dip them in a disinfectant such as neem extract or lindane dust to kill any
pathogen that may be carried with the sucker that hinders fast growth and establihiment.
 Uprooting the infested pineapple suckers. Once a pineapple fruit has been indentified
infested with a rotting disease, it should be uprooted, piled together and then burnt or
burried . Care should be taken not to expose the burried debris in the pit as the disease
may attack other pineapple plants in the field.
 Killing the surrounding anti- hills. For any incidence where termites cut and destroy the
pineapple suckers or any interplanted crop in the field , Furdan 5G and Saipa chemicals
can be used to kill the surrounding anti-hills. These chemicals are aloo milky when mixed
with water in their required mixtures. The mixing procedures depend on the size of the
anti-hill to spray . For bigger anti hills , they always recommend 2 littres of water are
mixed in 2cc of the chemical used in control.
 Use of Rocket pestcide.
Rocket pestcides is sprayed to control pests within the pineapple field to avoid other
pineapple plants from being infested . Follar method of application is used involving
spraying the leaves. The govrnemtn through NAADS suppleid knap sack sprayer of 20
litres to farmers at a relatively fair prices of 30,000 shillings per pump, this has eased
control or pineapple pests and diseases in pineapple fields.

4.10.2 Supply of free planting materials.

The government through NAADS programs has given out free pineapple suckers to recognized
and registered farmers groups in various fainacial years. This has solved the problem of costly
pineapple suckers.

4.10.3 Rural – Urban migration.

People have moved from villages / rural areas where production takes place to towns and to
urban centres to construct permanent houses for their families to live there. This has reduced
pressure on land thus increasing land availability for pineapple growing farmers as well as
expansion of pineapple gardens. This has turned villages to pineapple production areas and
making establiment of towns.

4.10.4 Formation of financial Institutions.

Agricultural financial institutions help farmers to access loans at a reduced interest rates
compared to other business commercial banks. Farmers have formed financial institutions
lending to fellow farmers inform of loans. Such institutions include SACCOa formed at Sub-
County level to cater for financial demands of pineapple farmers, and also farmers can keep their
money after the sale of their produce with these SACCOs thus encouraging saving on the
farmers side.

4.10.5 Planned construction of Pineapple processing plants.

Agricultural investors from Idians have bought 1 (one) mailo of land ( about 600 acres) on which
the planned pineapple processing plant is to be established on a large scale. This is aimed to add
value to pineapple products after processing them into other prodcuts such as pineapple juice ,
Safi and powedered pineapple. This will solve a combination of problems; including inadequate
market , over exploitation of the farmers as the will be sell directly to the processing company as
pineapple out growers to feed the factory .This plant is to be sited in Mazzi parish which is one
of the major pineapple producing area in Kamira Sub-County.
 CHAPTER FIVE :

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion.

Pineapple growing in the Kamira Sub-County is moving towards the right direction because
many farmers have abandoned most of the traditional ways of farming which they used to
practice such as monocropping , shifting cultivation and use of wild pineapple varieties. These
practices resulted into poor quality pineapple fruits and low yields. The availability of improved
technologies has made pineapple growing and this fetches them high prices. The TDS were
established near the farmers where they can get spot training on pineapple growing and even
non-registered farmerss are authorized to attend the training. The establishment of committees
and the presence of CBFs have made this project sustainable. The amount of money spent on the
establishment of TDs and advisory services shows the importance of government attachment to
pineapple growing has an enterprise that can cause change on rural farmers by way of poverty
reduction and at the same time improving nutrition.

5.2 Recommendations.

For the pineapple farmers in Kamira Sub-County to realize high yields and good quality
pineapple products which will fetch them better price, the following are the recommendations.

 Pineapple growers should organise themselves into a bigger group which can link them
fo financial assistance and NGOs can come to assist such groups.
 Farmers should grow more pineapples and maintain the present ones so that more fruits
are produced as well as improving quality and output.
 Farmers should consult extension workers in case of any pest and disease attack in their
pineapple farm and also traditional extension staff should be on operation since their
regular extension services are of great help to the farmers.
 Government should carry out market research for pineapple products so that the
enterprise exists and progress as production can not continue without market.
 The governement should establish small scale industries producing juice in Kikyusa so as
to boost the farmer’s production and also create employment for the community.
 The government should also offer loans to these farmers at freindly interest rate so as to
increase on their production.
 The government should help these farmers buy supplying them with big farm equipment
like tractors so that they can practice pineapple growing on a very large scale which can
supply the product world wide hence creating more source of revenue to the government
and rising the people’s standards of living.
 The government should improve on the infrastructure in that area so that farmers can
easily access the market of pineapples at a favourable selling price.
 Government should organise for these farmers study tours in other countries like
Bangaladeshi which grow the same products so that they can learn more near ideas and
even get high quality bread of pineapples for high production to compete favourably.
REFERENCES:
1. Mc Namara R.S , 1978.
2. National Agricultural Research Organisation, 1997. Analysis for forestry
development planning.
3. Uganda Bureau of Statistics , 2007 ,Population Report . Entebbe – Uganda.
4. BRAC,1979. Peasant perceptions; Famine , Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee , page No.66.
5. Mohakhali Commercial Area , Decca 12 , Gangladesh; July.
6. Bulier .D, 1999. NARO Analysis Development , putting the last first.
7. Chambers , 1974. Managing Rural Development.
8. Chambers , R, 1977. Health , Agriculture and Rural Poverty.
9. FAO, 1997. Gender Analysis for forestry Development Planning.
10. FAO,2008. Gender Analysis for forestry Development Planning.
11. Kurien, C.T , 1978. Poverty , Planning and Social Transformation.
12. National Enviroment management Authority, 2000. 1 State of Enviroment Report
for Uganda . Kampala – Uganda.
13. Seckler et al, 1980a . Small but health , Ford Foundation.
14. Seckler et al, 1980b . Malnutrition: an intelectual Odyssey ; Western Journal of
Agriculture Economics.
APPENDIX .1

Table .1 Population Distribution in Kamira Sub-county.

S/No PARISHES MALE FEMALE

1 Kabunyatta 1067 1582
2 Mazzi 2867 2640
3 Nambeere 2006 1807
4 Kaswa 2014 1994
5 Kitenderi 1204 1400
6 Katagwe 3154 2673
7 Mabuye 2820 2745
TOTAL 15132 14841

Sourc : (Sub-County office report ,2002).

 APPENDICES.
APPENDIX II. CONSENT FORM.

I am Najjita Lydia a student from Kampala University conducting a research study to assess the
role of pineapple growing and poverty eradication in Kamira. The study shall be beneficial in
generating baseline information that shall be used in future planning by the district and the town
of Kamira where they’ll come up with measures so as to improve and enhance performance in
pineapple growing as one of the agricultural practice to cub poverty. You have a free choice
whether to participate or not in the study but I promise all information got from you shall be kept
confidential without disclosing your identity as a participant and for that case. This study is
purely for study purpose, I will therefore request you to respond to questions regarding this topic
being studied if you accept to participate.

I have fully, understood the purpose and nature of this study and also understood that my
participation is voluntary and no consequences will result if I refuse to participate

Name of the Respondent ………………………………………..

Date……………………….. Signature........................

Thank you so much for your participation.

ASSESMENT OF THE ROLE OF PINEAPPLE GROWING TOWARDS POVERTY
REDUCTION IN KAMIRA SUB-COUNTY , LUWERO DISTRICT.

QUESTIONNAIRES FOR DATA COLLECTION ON PINEAPPLE GROWING IN

KAMIRA SUB-COUNTY.

Questionnair Number..........................................................................Date....................................

BIO – DATA.

1.1 Name :...................................................................................................................................

1.2 Village:.................................................................................................................................
1.3 Sex:......................................................................................................................................
1.4 Marital status; Single Married Separated Others
1.5 Age; Below 20 21-30 31 – 40 41- 50 51 – 60
2.0 Pineapple growing:

2.1 How did you acquire land used for pineapple growing.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

2.2 How many acres of land are under pineapple production?

............................................................................................................................................................
2.3 What pineapple variety(s) do you grow on your pineapple farm?

Smooth Cayenne Red Spanish Sugar loaf Others

2.4 For any variety ticked , What method do you use?

Monocropping Mixed cropping

2.5 Why do you use the above method on your farm land?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

2.6 What management practices do you carry out on your pineapple farm to ensure high and
good quality pineapples?
............................................................................................................................................................
2.7. Why do you carry out the above practices on your farm?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

2.8 How do you maintain soil fertility on your pineapple garden?

............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

2.9 Is there any pest and or disease attack your pineapple crops?
..........................................................................................................................................................
3.0 If any, mention them.
............................................................................................................................................................
3.1 How do you manage pests and diseases on your pineapple farm?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

3.2 What other economic activities do you carry out rather than pineapple growing for a living in
the area?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

3.3 What age bracket or gender is frequently involved in pineapple management operation?
............................................................................................................................................................
3.4 Are women actively involved and benefiting from pineapple growing?
............................................................................................................................................................
3.5 If yes, in which way do women benefit from pineapple?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

3.6 What is the main source of labour on your pineapple farms?

............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

3.7 How do you pay those workers?

............................................................................................................................................................
3.8 Who buys your pineapple fruits?
...........................................................................................................................................................
3.9 What is the price for a good quality pineapple fruit?
............................................................................................................................................................
4.0 Where do you expect these buyers to sell the bought pineapple fruits?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.1 What means of transport do you use to transport the pineapple fruit from the farms to the
market?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.2 Is there any developmental organisation(s) or government initiative which is helping in

promoting pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.3 If any, what are they?

............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.4 How is NAADS helping you in promoting pineapple as well as poverty reduction?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.5 What are some of the benefits obtained from pineapple to the people around and country
wide?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

4.6 What problems are faced in promoting pineapple growing in Kamira Sub-County?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
4.7 What possible solutions have been suggested to combat the above problems in (4.4) above?
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................