A phenomenological inquiry to understand Ugandan farmers’ perceived barriers to fertilizer use

Chandler Mulvaney,Kathleen Kelsey

doi:10.37433/aad.v1i1.7

Chandler Mulvaney, Kathleen Kelsey

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v1i1.7

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Abstract

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries hold the promise of becoming the second breadbasket of the world if they adopt modern farming practices, including the use of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. Increasing food production is imminent for all nations, especially in SSA due to the growing global population. Agricultural input adoption, such as fertilizers, leads to an increase in productivity; however, adoption rates among SSA nations remain chronically low. Using a phenomenological lens and qualitative research methods to gather interview data from 30 Ugandan subsistence farmers in situ, we described what and how farmers experienced in regard making decisions to adopt or reject fertilizers. Findings indicated that farmers experienced two poverty traps, resource and cultural beliefs. Recommended interventions include increasing participation in farmer groups and increasing participation in Extension training on the use of agricultural inputs, especially fertilizers.

Highlights

Introduction and Problem StatementSub-Saharan African (SSA) countries hold the promise of becoming the second breadbasket of the world if they are able to adopt modern farming practices, including the use of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs (FAO, 2015)
Uganda is well positioned to advance their agricultural sector with sufficient arable land and labor; productivity is hampered by low rates of adoption of modern farming technologies and sufficient application of fertilizers (The World Bank, 2013)
Farmers experienced several barriers to adopting agricultural practices that were consistent with the literature on poverty traps (Barrett & Carter, 2013; Barrett, Garg, & McBride, 2016; Chantarat & Barrett, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and Problem StatementSub-Saharan African (SSA) countries hold the promise of becoming the second breadbasket of the world if they are able to adopt modern farming practices, including the use of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs (FAO, 2015). The purpose of the research reported here was to describe subsistence farmers’ decisionmaking process for adopting or rejecting fertilizers in the Central Region of Uganda in relationship to the poverty trap conceptual framework (Adato et al, 2006; Lade et al, 2017).

Results

Conclusion