Socio-economic Factors Influencing Adoption Of Conservation Agriculture In Moroto District, Uganda

A Esabu,H Ngwenya

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a507

A Esabu, H Ngwenya

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a507

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Abstract

This research was conducted to assess socio-economic factors influencing adoption of conservation agriculture in Moroto District of Uganda. The socio-economic factors, the level of conservation agriculture, and the constraints faced by the farmers were assessed. A cross-sectional research design was utilised to collect data from 80 farmers (adopters and non-adopters of conservation agriculture). Purposive random sampling was applied to select seven key informants in the two sub-counties of Katikekile and Nadunget, and four villages of Nakodet, Nakwanga, Napudes and Komare. Data were collected through personal observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and structured questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to generate descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data analysis. The binary probit model was used to determine the socio-economic factors influencing adoption of conservation agriculture. The findings indicate that there was a significant influence for gender (p<0.01), but a statistically significant influence for credit and extension services (p<0.05). Finally, the adoption rate of conservation agriculture is still low given the size of land dedicated to it by most farmers. Therefore, this study recommends that government and other institutions should strengthen the agricultural extension system, provide financial support and incentives, and sensitize farmers on conservation agriculture. Keywords: Adoption, Conservation agriculture, Moroto District, Socio-economic factors, Uganda

Highlights

Agriculture is the backbone of economic growth for many sub-Saharan African countries (Adolwa et al, 2012)
Global agricultural production is expected to increase by 60% in 2050, given both the food consumption and population growth (Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2012)
The largest proportion (30%) of adopters of conservation agriculture (CA) fell within the age group of 26 to 30 years

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of economic growth for many sub-Saharan African countries (Adolwa et al, 2012) It employs about 60% of the region’s labour force and accounts for 25% or more of the gross domestic product (United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI), 2014). Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with rain fed agriculture accounting for approximately 96% of the overall crop production (World Bank, 2015). This is coupled with accelerated land degradation and soil fertility deterioration (Derpsch, 2008)

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