Determinants of Maize Production Income in Western Uganda

Midamba Dick Chune

doi:10.37284/eajab.5.1.532

Abstract

Many smallholder farmers produce maize for both consumption and income purposes. Despite the role played by maize, its income production is low, especially in developing countries. In order to formulate policies targeting maize productivity, it was necessary to have knowledge of the determinants of maize production income. As such, this study aimed at determining the level of income and its determinants from maize farmers. Consequently, data was collected from 220 maize farmers using structured questionnaires. The ordinary least squares model was used to determine the determinants. The results showed that the farmers earned a mean of 372,207 Ugandan shillings (105.18 USD) from maize production. Accordingly, farm size, access to credit and household size had a significant positive influence on income from maize production, while gender (female) of the household heads had a significant negative relationship with income from maize production. It is based on these results that this study recommended that the government should offer training programs targeting female-headed households. These trainings should incorporate farm production as well as marketing. Additionally, farmers should be encouraged to access various sources of agricultural credit including financial institutions that offer agricultural loans at low-interest rates.

Highlights

The majority of sub-Sahara African countries depend on agriculture as a source of food, implying that it plays a significant role in achieving household food security among smallholder farmers (Diao et al, 2010; FAO, 2002, 2005; Imam & Kushwaha, 2013; Mozumdar, 2012; Pawlak & Kołodziejczak, 2020)
The results showed that the farmers earned a mean of 372,207 Ugandan shillings (105.18 USD) from maize production
The high population of refugees (Kaiser, 2015) in this district makes food crops to be in high demand which yields more income to the farmers who cultivated on large portions of land. This is consistent with the findings reported by Doti (2017), who found out that a unit increase in farm size would result in an increase in farm income by 19%

Summary

Introduction

The majority of sub-Sahara African countries depend on agriculture as a source of food, implying that it plays a significant role in achieving household food security among smallholder farmers (Diao et al, 2010; FAO, 2002, 2005; Imam & Kushwaha, 2013; Mozumdar, 2012; Pawlak & Kołodziejczak, 2020). The cash crops produced in Uganda include tobacco, cotton wool, tea, coffee, sugar cane, pyrethrum, wheat, fruits and cocoa, while the food security crops include maize, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, bananas and groundnuts (MAAIF Performance Report, 2017). These crops have improved the living standards of farmers in terms of household food security and income and boosted the gross domestic product in Uganda. Majority of Ugandans (65%) are engaged in agriculture, agroforestry and fisheries while 36% of the working class are employed in agricultural related organizations (MAAIF, 2020)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion