Determinants of Farmers’ Investments in Soil Fertility Management and Conservation Innovations in the Potato Cropping Systems in the Highlands of South-Western Uganda

Abstract

An allied project “Enabling Rural Innovations – ERI” was introduced in the potato farming systems in the highlands of south-western Uganda with the objective to empower farmers to invest in soil fertility management and conservation through enhanced knowledge in soil management attributes and profitable market linkages. The objective of this paper was to assess the determinants of farm households' decision to adopt soil fertility management and conservation innovations in potato-grown fields. Household surveys were conducted on 104 households that had consistently grown and sold potato in urban and non-urban markets in five consecutive years. It was revealed that enhancements of farmers’ knowledge in soil fertility management and market linkages did not influence farmers’ investments in soil fertility improving innovations. Nonetheless, enhancements influenced farmers’ adoption of trenches and woodlots as mechanisms of controlling soil erosion and surface runoff within and outside potato-grown fields, respectively. Adoption of soil fertility management and conservation innovations in potato-grown fields was influenced by household characteristics other than the age of the household head. Number of soil fertility management and conservation innovations adopted by households was significantly influenced by household wealth category, number of potato fields owned, household size and education level of the household head.