Assessing the effect of selected sustainable farming practices on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Mpigi District

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of sustainable farming practices on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district. The specific objectives were: to identify the SFPs adopted in Buwama sub-county, to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of smallholder farmers towards SFPs, to assess the contribution of SFPs to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, and to investigate the challenges associated with SFPs in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district. The study used a cross-sectional design, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches. It targeted a population of smallholder farmers in the ten parishes of Buwama Sub-county and agricultural extension workers in the sub-county. The sample size comprised 380 respondents, including 377 smallholder farmers and 3 extension workers. The smallholder farmers were selected using simple random sampling while extension workers were selected using purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire, key informant guide, and focus group discussion (FGD) guide served as tools for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), and findings were presented using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (linear regression). The study found that integrated pest management (IPM), crop rotation, agroforestry, organic farming, and conservation tillage are effectively implemented as SFPs in Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi District. Smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county possess positive knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards SFPs. The model findings revealed that crop rotation (Pvalue = 0.991 > 0.05) and organic farming (P-value = 0.492 > 0.05) did not have a significant effect on the socioeconomic well-being of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county at the 5% significance level. However, agroforestry (β = 0.148, P-value = 0.01 < 0.05), conservation tillage (β = 0.192, P-value = 0.033 < 0.05), and integrated pest management (β = 0.381, P-value = 0.000 < 0.05) had a positive and statistically significant effect on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county. Regarding the challenges associated with implementing SFPs in Buwama Sub-county, the study found significant obstacles, including limited access to essential resources such as land, water, capital, inputs, and technical knowledge. It also identified numerous challenges, including higher upfront costs, reduced yields in the short term, and uncertain returns. Farmers face limited specialized knowledge and skills, a lack of necessary equipment, and restricted market opportunities. The study concludes that SFPs play a critical role in the socioeconomic status of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi District. It is recommended that the government should create financial schemes offering affordable credit and subsidies specifically for purchasing essential farming inputs such as seeds and equipment for smallholder farmers. In addition, the government, in collaboration with agricultural institutions and NGOs, should organize regular training sessions covering various aspects of sustainable agriculture, such as soil management, pest control, agroforestry, and crop rotation.