Assessing the Importance of Rice as Food and Income Security Crop in Puti-puti Sub-county, Pallisa District, Uganda

Abstract

Aims: This studywas conducted to assessthe importance of rice to household food and income security. Study Design: Thiswas a cross sectionalsurvey. Place and Duration of Study:The study was conducted inPuti-Puti sub-county, Pallisa district, eastern Uganda during the period June -July 2011. Methodology: Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to identify the target location and the respondents. Semi -structured questionnaires and interview guides we re used to collect information from 50 respondents comprising (40 farmers, 4 political and 6 technical staff) on the importance of rice to household food and income security. Results:The findings showed that rice is an important food staple and source of cash income in the sub-county contributing 34 % and 36 % of the food and income source, respectively. Nearly 50% of the respondents earned at least UGX 400,000/ = perannum from sale of riceof which 32% is spend on household needs. The other reasons for growing rice included easy storage, pests and disease tolerance among others. The findings also showed that the major types of rice grown were mainly paddy as opposed to the upland. However, the majority (76%) of the rice growers owned between 0 -5-1 acres only. Similarly, lack of capital, pests and diseases infestation and use of poor varieties were the other constraints in rice growing . Conclusion: Overall, rice contributed 12% of the household returns after sweet potato and groundnuts, respectively. Therefore, this study has concluded that rice is an important OriginalResearch Article