Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 19: 1102 - 1112. Published July 7, 2009.
A Situation Analysis of Priority Farm Enterprises and Technology Adoption Status in the South West Highlands of Uganda
Nanyeenya W.N. *, Mugisha A.**, Turyamureeba G.***, and Ssali A.****
*National Livestock Resources Research Institute, PO Box 96, Tororo, Uganda; ** Makerere - University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; *** Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, PO Box 421, Kabale, Uganda; **** National Crop Resources Research Institute, PO Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
^Corresponding author: will04nan@yahoo.com; williamnanyeenya@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: The study was motivated by the fact that despite availability of technologies capable of solving farmers’ constraints, the available relevant technologies have not been adopted sufficiently. This study examined the prospects of agricultural technology in enhancing farm productivity, rational resource utilization and farmers’ livelihoods.
Methodology and results: Qualitative data were obtained using semi-formal and formal studies from seven sub-counties selected from Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro and Rukungiri districts. Informal survey data heavily relied on PRA techniques. These were supplemented by secondary data, key informant interviews and direct observations. The situational analysis survey relied on formal data collection procedure using a questionnaire. Data collected focused on local farming systems and major enterprises; farm domestic resources and constraints; current mechanisms for technology packaging and dissemination; gender related and spatially oriented technology practices, needs and challenges; benefits of improved technology; and effectiveness of different technology packaging techniques and dissemination approaches in various farm typologies. Findings showed that Solanum potatoes, bush beans, climbing beans, vegetables, bananas, coffee and sweet potatoes are the major crop enterprises in the region. With respect to livestock enterprises, local breeds under traditional management systems characterized the common species raised in the zone, and goats and cattle are the dominant livestock in the region. Notably, exotic dairy cattle breeds were raised as a priority enterprise in less than 20% of the households sampled. Technology adoption was more prominent for priority crops compared to priority livestock enterprises. For crops, technology adoption emphasized crop rotation, spacing, pesticide application and soil and water conservation aspects of production as opposed to pre-production and post harvest management. Low prices for milk, banana and Irish potatoes, lack of improved and clean planting materials especially for bush and climbing beans, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes grossly constrained production. Regular deworming was the dominant livestock technology adopted. Livestock production was particularly constrained by lack of improved breeds, feeding, housing and health management technologies. Improved feeding and breeds were however the key technology gaps for livestock. Farmer exchange visits and trainings were the most effective technology dissemination approaches. Findings on the sex of decision makers in the households suggest that both women and men farmers should be targeted for technology intervention. It was noted that whereas there exists relevant technologies from NARO that can address farmers’ constraints there is general lack of information about their existence.
Conclusion and application of findings: Small-scale irrigation is proposed as a remedy to counter effects of water stress especially for vegetable production. It is suggested that NARO publishes a list of all technology packages and provide copies to all districts. It is recommended that technology promotion be refocused to address gaps in raising yields of improved seed and planting materials as well as post harvest handling for crops. Due attention should be accorded to the livestock technology gaps particularly lack of improved feeds and breeds. Attainment of higher farm incomes to achieve the ‘prosperity for all’ objective should be addressed by fostering sustained adoption of productivity enhancing technologies and tripling of sales to gain escape velocity from poverty. This should be done mainly by combining farmer training and exchange visits, supplemented by simple radio messages, posters, leaflets and brochures tailored to technology gaps relevant to priority enterprises in the sub-county targeted.
Key words: Situation analysis, technology adoption, farm enterprises
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