Farmers’ preferences for maize attributes in eastern and Western Uganda

R. Ajambo,P. Okori,G. Elepu,B. Bashaasha

doi:10.4314/acsj.v25i2.4

Abstract

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is an important staple food crop in Uganda and is emerging as a cash crop for smallholder farmers. Maize has, therefore, been prioritised by the Government of Uganda for continuous improvement through the national agricultural research system, resulting in the release of several improved varieties. However, adoption rates of the improved varieties among farmers remains low possibly due to non-inclusion of important non-yield productive and consumptive attributes in the new maize varieties. This study was conducted to identify and economically evaluate non-yield productive and consumptive attributes that are important to farmers and their influence on the price farmers are willing to pay for seed of varieties that embody those attributes. A survey of 325 randomly selected farmers was conducted in Iganga and Masindi districts in Uganda to identify productive and consumptive attributes they preferred when purchasing seed. Results showed that maize farmers were willing to pay more for seed of short-medium height, short-medium maturity period, and high yielding maize varieties. However, the price farmers were willing to pay for maize seed not only depended on quality attributes, but also on seed market prices and land resource endowment. These results have important implications for policy makers to streamline production, multiplication and distribution of high quality maize seeds in Uganda. Key Words : Adoption, hedonic pricing, seed, smallholder, willingness to pay

Highlights

Maize (Zea mays L.) is important in Uganda as a household food and income security crop, as well as a strategic nontraditional export crop to regional markets, such as Kenya and South Sudan (USAID/RATES, 2003; Elepu, 2011)
Owing to the importance of maize to household and the national economy, Government of Uganda has prioritised it for continuous research for development (R4D) through the national agricultural research system, leading to the release of several improved varieties such as; Kawanda composite, Longe 1, Longe 2H, Longe 3H, Longe 4, Longe 5 and Longe 6H (MAAIF, 2012)
The adoption of improved maize varieties is still low and is estimated at only 9% among farmers in eastern and southern Africa (Langyintuo et al, 2010). This may partly be due to the non-inclusion of important non-yield productive and consumptive quality attributes in the breeding of new maize varieties as noted by Dalton (2004)

Summary

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.) is important in Uganda as a household food and income security crop, as well as a strategic nontraditional export crop to regional markets, such as Kenya and South Sudan (USAID/RATES, 2003; Elepu, 2011). National average yields are estimated at about 2.2 2.5 t ha-1, against the potential of 4 t ha-1 (open pollinated maize varieties) and 10 t ha-1 (maize hybrids) with farmer adoption of good agronomic practices (MAAIF, 2015). The adoption of improved maize varieties is still low and is estimated at only 9% among farmers in eastern and southern Africa (Langyintuo et al, 2010). This may partly be due to the non-inclusion of important non-yield productive and consumptive quality attributes in the breeding of new maize varieties as noted by Dalton (2004). The knowledge of farmers’ preferences for quality attributes is important to further inform the maize breeding programme in Uganda

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Conclusion