Abstract
Groundnuts are a key crop in Uganda, both as a source of nutrition and income. However, lack of knowledge and information on progressive practices along the groundnut value chain is a key contributor to the poor performance of the sub-sector. This study envisages establishing baseline knowledge on key aspects of groundnut production, processing and marketing with a view to identifying areas and gaps for capacity building interventions. A total of 155 farmers were randomly selected and primary data collected in early 2013 from three districts in Eastern Uganda namely; Bukedea, Mbale and Tororo. Results indicate that farmers were aware of most recommended pre and post harvest technologies/ practices including knowledge on improved groundnut varieties, superior agronomic practices, proper drying and cleaning, long-life storage, grading, sorting and packaging. However, even though most farmers had knowledge of the progressive technologies; quite a substantial number of them did not use these technologies in groundnut production and value addition. This finding points to presence of constraining factors that may hinder access and application of known technologies. Therefore, capacity building efforts to increase both access and utilization of value-enhancing groundnut technologies will eliminate the gap between awareness and use of these technologies for improved livelihoods. Key words: Awareness, groundnut, knowledge, technology utilization, Uganda.
Highlights
Uganda like many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries’ economies depends largely on agriculture from which the majority of the rural populations derive their livelihoods and incomes
In order of decreasing importance, awareness was highest for crop rotation (96%) intercropping (95%) and farm yard manure (90%) whereas seventy two percent of all the farmers were aware of chemical fertilizers and optimal plant populations
Technologies that were least known as soil enhancing technologies included green manure, soil bands, contouring, terracing, agro-forestry and minimum tillage
Summary
Uganda like many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries’ economies depends largely on agriculture from which the majority of the rural populations derive their livelihoods and incomes. 73% of the population (aged 10 years and above), the majority of whom (over 80%) dwell in rural areas. It contributes over 20% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supplies agro-based industries with.
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