Environment & Agriculture | Education Africa - Uganda

Collections in 2012-2013

Challenge	Research Implications	Entrepreneurial Potential
Urban Uganda (Kampala, Gulu, Mbale, etc.) has been registering rapid grow. Unfortunately, most of this development is haphazard and leads to environment degradation.	Establishing trees that can be planted in home compounds and public places. They need to be safe (not easily uprooted by wind), suitable (unattractive to caterpillars and other insects that people easily fear), easy to plant.	This knowledge could lead to a business venture whose customers may include home owners, municipalities, churches, schools, business establishments, and so on.
Water shortage is becoming common in Uganda	The suitability of rain in Uganda for use as a source of (i) bottled drinking water (ii) water for sale to nearby households in times of shortages or scarcity (iii) water for growing perishable vegetables in off seasons (iv) water for car-washing business, etc.	Given that Uganda has two rain peaks in a year, it is possible to harvest rain water and use it as a business.
Decreasing land for animal grazing is a big challenge facing the livestock industry in Uganda.	Establishing nutritious and suitable pasture that easily grows in Uganda.	Growing pasture and preparing fodder may easily find market among (i) urban households practicing zero grazing (ii) farm owners during dry seasons (iii) cattle keeping communities in dry seasons where fodder may be exchanged for cows and the latter converted into money at an appropriate time.
Although small in size and fibrous, Ugandan (local) mangoes appear less susceptible to fruit flies.	Is it true that local mango varieties are less susceptible to fruit flies? If so, Why?	Gene(s) that confer resistance against fruit flies, if present, would become a sale-able item to the fruits’ industry in the developed world.
Cutting trees for charcoal burning destroys Uganda’s environment.	Search for alternative fuel sources. For example, how to make better and more affordable briquettes.	The knowledge constitutes a viable business venture in Uganda.
In a dry season, most houses in Uganda become too hot to stay inside during the day. Yet, home compounds, especially in urban settings, lack trees to provide shade for day resting.	In several parts of Uganda, well ventilated grass-thatched huts were constructed as places to stay in on a hot day. But they also served as drinking places or as places for receiving visitors. Thus, coming up with a modern version of such a shelter, which is appealing and affordable, can be an interesting architecture venture.	Such a product, marketed in varying sizes, can easily sale in urban Uganda. After-care services (e.g. re-roofing) may also be offered at a fee.

Collections in 2013-2014

Challenge	Research Implications	Entrepreneurial Potential
In 2013, the local TV news showed Chinese nationals going to Mukono (Kayunga) to buy extra-sized caterpillars (each at UGX 2000/-). They are a delicacy.	Establishing the type of caterpillars that the Chinese want and why? Studying the possibility of collecting and rearing butterflies for eggs (from which those caterpillars emerge).	If eaten as a delicacy by Chinese, these caterpillars would constitute an important commercial item (like Nsenene), given that the population of the Chinese in Uganda is on the rise. Hatching eggs on a large scale would permit an export business of the caterpillars.
Several industries in the lake Victoria basin direct their waste products into the lake waters. The resulting pollution is endangering the lake, a prospect that will put many livelihoods at stake.	Establishing and tracking pollutants in the lake to a given factory discharge. Finding out how the discharge may be made safer before allowed into the lake or how the pollutant itself can be dislodged from the lake.	Knowledge (solution) generated can be sold to factory concerned, to environment/development agencies etc.
Sewage plants are key to human waste management in urban Uganda. But the associated bad smell undermines the value of surrounding properties.	Coming up with a way to contain the bad smell.	The knowledge can be sold to Municipalities, local governments, owners of surrounding properties, etc.
Costriga, a parasitic weed, subdues maize, sorghum, etc. Key among its adaptations include production of toxins and seeds that stay in dormancy for a long time.	How can this weed be effectively controlled? Can the toxins produced by costriga apply in solving a problem (s) elsewhere?	Knowledge generated can be sold to government, NGOs, churches, etc. with an interest in promoting agriculture in Uganda. It can reveal another plant-derived chemical(s) with a commercial application.
The soils in Uganda are increasingly getting depleted of nutrients. Yet, artificial fertilizers are expensive for the average farmer in Uganda.	Processing of animal waste into appropriate manure. Safety and effectiveness of human waste from sewage plants as fertilizers on farms in Uganda.	A business between non-subsistence farmers and sewage treatment plants or animal farms.
Small edible mushrooms (Obulala in Luganda) are popular in Uganda. Problem is, they are increasingly becoming rare to get.	Establishing how to grow obulala at household level.	-This knowledge can be marketed as one of the ways to fight poverty in rural households. Knowledge on how to grow can lead to a business in mushroom growing, drying, packaging and selling for local and export markets.
Demand for laboratory mice (and other lab animals) is on the rise in Uganda, especially because of the emphasis on science practicals in secondary schools.	Assessing the market for laboratory animals in Uganda. Establishing the suppliers of the laboratory animals used in Uganda. Evaluating the viability of rearing laboratory animals in Uganda as a business.	Knowledge generated may lead to a vibrant business.

Collections in 2014-2015

Challenge	Research Implications	Entrepreneurial Potential
Mvule tree provides one of the most sought after wood. It however takes many years to mature. Accordingly, majority of people avoid planting them.	A faster growing variety of Mvule tree. Land owners willing to have Mvule trees planted on their land – and they pay for this service.	When patented, fast growing Mvule tree can become an important source of income.
A number of homes in Uganda lack proper resting places, especially on a hot day.	Trees that are unlikely to be uprooted by storms or if they do, unlikely to cause substantive damage on home. But also unattractive to caterpillars and other feared insects. Find out how to grow them.	Can be marketed as shade providers in people’s compounds. Uganda’s middle class, building houses in their places of origin, would comprise an important market segment to consider for these trees.
Although papyrus swamps (e.g. Mpologoma in Pallisa District) are mono-culture in reality, they appear less vulnerable to pests and diseases.	Is it true papyrus vegetation is not vulnerable pests and diseases? If yes, why?	The answer may have an application in commercial agriculture.
Genetics and molecular biology, although poorly understood, are becoming a central theme in research and economic growth.	Develop educational materials to sensitize young people in secondary or primary schools. Develop educational programs to sensitize general public.	Materials can be sold to government, private schools, NGOs with an interest in education etc. You can get remunerated if the radio/TV program gets good audience.
During hand washing or bathing using pipped water, relatively clean water, which could serve another purpose, is lost down the drainage system.	Devise a way of collecting this water for flushing a toilet or urinal.	Technology can be patented and sold, earning one significant revenue. For it will save on water bills and hence appeal to households. Besides, it will promote sustainable use of the water resource and thus, appeal to conservationists.
Rural Uganda was characterized by various types of edible fruits, vegetables and wild foods. Although these foods had significant nutrients, they are systematically dying out, in part because of preference of foods from the developed or western world. An example of such a food is what baganda call “Ntuntunu”.	Establishing these foods and identifying their food value. Finding out how to grow them.	If well marketed, these foods can give rise to a viable enterprise, especially among the well off Ugandans.

Collections in 2015-2016

Establish where in Uganda Lavender can grow well. Know the regulations in place that govern importation of plants in Uganda. Sources in Africa for Lavender planting materials.

Challenge	Research Implications	Entrepreneurial Potential
Lavender plant, a small aromatic shrub widely used in perfumery, can be grown for income generation at household level in Uganda.	Can grow and sale dried crop or extracted oil in many ways.