Aflatoxin Contamination and Rancidity in Locally Processed Commercial Fish Feeds and Ingredients along the Value Chain in Wakiso and Kampala Districts, Uganda

Aflatoxin contamination and rancidity in locally processed commercial fish feeds and ingredients along value chains is a Public and Animal health hazard. The study established the level of aflatoxin contamination, peroxide value (PV), Anisidine value (AnV), and their associated factors at storage areas among farmers, processors, traders, factories, and landing sites in the Wakiso and Kampala districts. The value chain actors were purposively selected in a cross-sectional study based on access to the feed store and the use of locally processed commercial fish feeds on farms. Data collected were statistically analyzed in SPSS version 20. All the samples (45) were positive for aflatoxin contamination and PV with 51% (23/45) of samples being contaminated with “above acceptable” aflatoxin levels and 66.6% (30/45) of samples with “above acceptable” PV. The overall percentage of “above acceptable” AnV was 11/29 (37.9%). Samples from factories were within acceptable contamination levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed no significant difference between aflatoxin contamination, peroxide, and Anisidine value with storage factors for locally processed commercial fish feeds and ingredients. The study recommended the purchase of fish feeds from factories and a larger study on storage factors responsible for aflatoxin contamination and rancidity in fish feeds in Uganda.

Utilisation of Non-Conventional Animal Waste as Feeds by Multiple Livestock Species Farmers in Lake Victoria Crescent of Central Uganda

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to establish the utilisation of non-conventional animal waste in multiple livestock species systems. Farmers (150) were selected from four out of ten districts of Central Uganda in Lake Victoria Crescent. A structured questionnaire was used and descriptive analysis showed that over 80% are smallholder farmers on 3.0) years. Household husbands (80%) significantly (P 1.0) as they cause poor livestock health due to pathogens, parasites and toxins which are associated (OD > 1.0) with poor growth, mortality and condemnation of livestock products. The remedy to unsafe non-conventional feeds is to apply effective solar-heating (75%), chemical and ensiling treatment methods. The study showed that there are no significant (P < 0.001) public health risks associated with utilising treated non-conventional feeds instead it improves production and sustainability of multiple livestock species systems.

Characterisation of Smallholder Multiple Livestock Species Production Systems in Parts of Lake Victoria Crescent of Central Uganda

A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems. Performance and operational-based challenges misconstrued to cause incorrect comparison between the two systems were considered. Ten multiple-livestock species system with five ruminant species-based and five monogastric species-based combinations were categorised. Poultry, pig, fish, goats and sheep kept in both the 3 and 4-species combinations were considered. Over 80% of the families are male dominated, smallholder and occupying > 1.0 Ha of land. Exotic and crossbred breeds were adopted away from less productive and noncommercial local species. Mixed monogastric-fish systems with monogastric species dominated (P 1000) stock per farm. Stalls dominate pig management systems with 15% of the farmers upgraded to commercial level with (>50) stock per farm. Ineffective livestock policies contribute to inefficient performance of 55% of livestock farmers. In conclusion, mixed livestock systems should be upgraded to integrated livestock systems with input resource synergy for improved production and sustainability.