Seminar für ländliche Entwicklung

Uganda 2021

SLE PhotoVoice Project

Uganda 2021

SLE PhotoVoice Project

Within our project study on the Sustainability Hot Spots (SHS) of the Irish potato value chain and the Nile perch value chain in Uganda we used photovoice within the exploratory phase to approach the research field. 

Uganda 2018 Work

"Fresh fish represents youth employment, in case they put in place good fishing practices."

Participant 1, Jinja Fish Market

In a first step, participants take photos with cameras on specific questions and in a second step analyze and reflect their data in a discussion (Jarldorn, 2019).

In our context, we wanted rural farmers/fisherfolk to express their daily realities in the context of their farming/fishing activities and capture a local understanding of sustainability and value. Therefore, the questions that guided the photovoice focused on their activities as farmers/fishers and their community, as well as on hopes and ideas for the future.

What are your hopes for the future of your work?
Uganda 2018 Work
Uganda 2018 Work
Uganda 2018 Work
"This picture of the Lake and its environment represents the importance of nature to community; it provides fresh air, support tropical forests and conservation." – Participant 5, Masese Landing Site
"The photo of the poor road conditions [of the road] that connects to the main road, represents my desire for better roads infrastructure. In future if these road networks are involved the transportation of fish is accelerated." – Participant 2, Masese Landing Site
"The picture of Nile perch nets being cleaned by women represents that women should be involved more in fishing.” – Participant 4, Masese Landing Site
What is important for you as a fisher/fish trader and the fisherfolk community?
Uganda 2018 Fish Trader
Uganda 2018 Fish Trader
Uganda 2018 Fish Trader
Uganda 2018 Fishing
Uganda 2018 Fishing

What is important for you as a fisher/fish trader and the fisherfolk community?

“The picture of silverfish fisher men shows that silverfish is so important to the community as an alternative source of income.” – Participant 4, Masese Landing Site
"The picture of fishing boats on lake was chosen because his boat is most important source of employment and income." – Participant 4, Masese Landing Site
"The picture of a loaded truck of charcoal symbolizes employment opportunities around the lake; due to depletion of the lake employment opportunities for the community are scarce." – Participant 2, Masese Landing Site
What are your hopes for the fishing sector?
Uganda 2018 Fishing
Uganda 2018 Fishing
Uganda 2018 Fishing

What are your hopes for the fishing sector?

"The picture of small smoked Nile perch shows that the future for fishing sector is worrying. He wants to encourage better fishing practices so that the fishing sector can be sustainable. What has increased this bad fishing practices is because the small fish catching nets are cheap." – Participant 4, Masese Landing Site
"The photo of the poor road conditions [of the road] that connects to the main road, represents my desire for better roads infrastructure. In future if these road networks are involved the transportation of fish is accelerated." – Participant 2, Masese Landing Site
"This picture of the landing site with the fisher engine boats objectifies that improved engine boats is important to me because it is time saving and less work." – Participant 3, Masese Landing Site

This method was helpful to understand the challenges faced by stakeholders, especially in the production stage of the value chains. The topics that emerged, such as worries about biodiversity, economic concerns as well as claims in relation to gender and participation, formed the basis for the further course of the research.

The entire study is available here.

 

Text by: Eva Sophia Kirmes