| Sumario: | This report presents the findings of an evaluation of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) among small and medium-scale livestock feed producers in Uganda. The study assessed the impact of a training and mentorship program implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Uganda in collaboration with national partners that aimed to enhance feed quality and safety by strengthening producer capacity to apply GMP standards in daily operations.
The evaluation covered five districts— Kampala, Masaka, Mukono, Mpigi, and Wakiso—comparing trained and mentored feed producers (intervention group) with untrained counterparts (control group). Data were collected through structured surveys and field assessments, focusing on GMP compliance levels, implementation barriers, and underlying behavioral and operational factors.
Results show that training and mentorship significantly improved compliance in key GMP domains, particularly in sourcing raw materials, feed formulation, processing, and mixing. These areas directly influence feed safety and quality. Both groups, however, demonstrated high compliance in storage and equipment maintenance, indicating that some basic operational standards are already widely practiced within the sector.
Compliance in bagging, labelling, and record-keeping remained low across both groups, revealing persistent behavioral and perception barriers rather than knowledge gaps. Many producers viewed documentation and labelling as administrative tasks rather than critical components of quality assurance. Financial constraints further limited full compliance, especially for activities requiring recurrent investment in feed testing, equipment, and facility upgrades.
Interestingly, some untrained producers emphasized storage practices over raw material controls, suggesting selective rather than holistic GMP adoption. Such patterns underscore the importance of integrating behavior change, continuous coaching, and peer learning into capacity development efforts.
Overall, the study concludes that while training and mentorship are effective in improving GMP compliance, its impact is amplified when complemented by ongoing technical support, access to affordable financing, and targeted behavioral interventions. A more integrated and sustained approach is essential to achieve a professionalized, compliant, and competitive feed industry capable of ensuring feed safety and livestock productivity in Uganda.
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