Master of Science in Agro-Ecology

Assessing the effect of financial inclusion interventions on the development of agroecological innovations by farmer innovators in central Uganda.

2025-09-01T00:00:00Z

Assessing the effect of financial inclusion interventions on the development of agroecological innovations by farmer innovators in central Uganda. Chrissy, Chawand This study investigated the effects of financial inclusion interventions on the development of agroecological innovations in Central Uganda, with a focus on farmer innovators engaged in creating organic agricultural inputs. Recognizing agroecology as a sustainable pathway for agricultural development, the study examines how access to and quality of financial services, such as credit, savings, insurance, and financial literacy, shape innovation processes and advancement. Despite increasing global recognition of financial inclusion as a catalyst for rural transformation, the specific linkages between financial access and agroecological innovation remain underexplored, particularly in Uganda’s smallholder farming context. A mixed-methods design was employed, involving 192 purposively and snowball-sampled agroecology innovators. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered via Kobo Toolbox. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Mann Whitney U test to assess differences between innovators with and without access to financial services. Qualitative responses were thematically analysed to capture experiential insights into financial access and innovation dynamics. Findings revealed that although over 80% of respondents had applied for and accessed financial services, the interventions were widely perceived as misaligned with their innovation needs. Notably, 77.7% found the services unsuitable, and nearly 60% considered them unaffordable. Key issues included high interest rates, poor affordability, institutional inefficiencies, and product mismatch (18.2%), along with limited access points (15.2%) and inadequate loan sizes (14.1%). The Mann-Whitney U test showed no statistically significant differences in the number (p = 0.650), type (p = 0.814), or certification (p = 0.355) of innovations between those who accessed financial services and those who did not, suggesting a limited measurable impact of current financial interventions on innovation outcomes. Additionally, barriers such as limited financial literacy and the high cost of innovation certification further hindered implementation and scalability. The study concludes that while financial inclusion is recognized as essential to supporting agroecological innovation, the current interventions are neither affordable nor adequately tailored to innovators’ needs. Consequently, their effect on innovation development, implementation, and certification remains minimal. The research underscores the need for more context-sensitive, accessible, and affordable financial products designed specifically for agroecological practices. It also calls for complementary policy and institutional reforms, capacity building, and infrastructure investment to facilitate innovation adoption and sustainable agriculture development. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and development partners aiming to enhance inclusive finance frameworks that truly empower farmer innovators in agroecology. Dr. Marius Murongo

Assessment of the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of integrated pest management practices among tomato farmers in Amuru District

2025-09-01T00:00:00Z

Assessment of the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of integrated pest management practices among tomato farmers in Amuru District Acola, Harriet This study assessed the socioeconomic factors influencing adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices among tomato farmers in Amuru District, Uganda. Specifically, it examined the level of adoption of IPM practices, identified socioeconomic factors influencing adoption, and examined the association between socioeconomic factors and level of adoption of IPM among tomato farmers in Amuru district. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 140 respondents, including 128 tomato farmers, 7 local leaders, and 5 agricultural extension workers, using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression analysis were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed 67% of the level adoption of IPM, and varied levels of knowledge and adoption of IPM practices. Farmers demonstrated high awareness of IPM principles (mean = 4.21, SD = 0.84, χ² = 26.75, p = 0.001) and pesticide application (mean = 4.10, SD = 0.88), while knowledge of biological pest control (mean = 3.65, SD = 1.14) and regular use of non-chemical methods (mean = 3.58, SD = 1.18) remained moderate to low. Key factors significantly influencing IPM adoption included education level (β = 0.123, p = 0.001), farm size, extension contact (β = 0.951, p = 0.0006), group membership, and access to IPM inputs. Conversely, factors such as age and gender were not statistically significant. All proposed strategies to enhance IPM adoption were rated positively, with provision of incentives and market access (mean = 4.50, SD = 0.69, χ² = 20.34, p = 0.000) emerging as the most preferred. Others included improved access to credit, resource strengthening, extension support, and integration with existing practices. The study concluded that while awareness of IPM was generally high, actual adoption and practice especially of non-chemical and biological methods were inconsistent. It recommends that government and development partners strengthen agricultural extension services, improve access to IPM inputs and credit, and promote farmer group participation. Further research should explore the socioeconomic impacts of IPM adoption and the influence of gender on knowledge access and decision making in tomato pest management. Rev. Sr. Mary Goretti Acila

Comparative assessment of the effectiveness of pics and polythene bags in reducing post-harvest losses of green gram: case study Magoro subcounty, Katakwi district

2025-08-01T00:00:00Z

Comparative assessment of the effectiveness of pics and polythene bags in reducing post-harvest losses of green gram: case study Magoro subcounty, Katakwi district Elungat, James In rural Uganda, post-harvest losses remain a major challenge, especially in Magoro Subcounty, Katakwi District, where improper storage, poor handling, and pests reduce crop quality and quantity. Green gram, a key crop in the region, is particularly susceptible to these losses. Effective storage methods are essential for minimizing losses and improving farmers' livelihoods. Purdue Improved Crop storage (PICS) technology and polythene bags have been proposed as potential solutions, but their effectiveness and factors influencing adoption are not well understood. This study aimed to assess farmers' perceptions, the extent of post-harvest losses, and the factors affecting these storage methods, with data collected from 171 farmers and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results show that, PICS bags were rated significantly higher than polythene bags across several parameters. Farmers rated PIC bags' effectiveness in reducing spoilage with a mean score of 4.3, compared to 2.9 for polythene bags (p < 0.001). Despite this, accessibility and affordability were rated similarly for both types of bags, with no significant difference between the two (p = 0.367). On ease of use, PICS bags were also rated significantly more user-friendly, with a mean score of 4.0 compared to 2.2 for polythene bags (p < 0.001). However, convenience remained a key factor for some farmers, with a preference for polythene bags due to their lighter weight and ease of transport (p < 0.001). Lastly, farmers expressed higher satisfaction with the performance of PIC bags, reporting a mean score of 4.5 compared to 3.2 for polythene bags (p < 0.001). Post-harvest losses in green gram stored in PICS bags were significantly lower than those stored in polythene bags. Storage duration did not show significant differences (p = 0.921), but moisture content was significantly lower in PIC bags (14.5%) compared to polythene bags (16.2%, p < 0.001). Post-storage weight retention was significantly higher in PICS bags (105.6 kg) than in polythene bags (67.9 kg, p < 0.001). No damaged grains were recorded in PIC bags, while significant damage occurred in polythene (32.1 kg, p < 0.001) and combined storage methods (28.3 kg, p < 0.001). Regression analysis explained 51.4% of the variance in post-harvest losses (adjusted R-squared = 0.514). Storage conditions showed a marginally significant positive effect on effectiveness (coefficient = 5.329, p = 0.093), while the duration of storage exhibited a marginally negative relationship with losses (coefficient = -7.197, p = 0.079). However, bag material properties (coefficient = 0.311, p = 0.932) and user practices (coefficient = 1.489, p = 0.682) did not significantly influence post-harvest losses. The findings indicate that PICS bags outperform polythene bags in reducing post-harvest losses, preserving grain weight, and maintaining grain quality. It is recommended that farmers in Katakwi District and similar regions adopt PICS bags for more efficient storage of green gram and other legumes. Agricultural extension services should focus on optimizing storage conditions to enhance the effectiveness of storage technologies. Further research is needed to assess the performance of PIC bags across different agroecological zones to identify best practices for reducing post-harvest losses in varying climatic conditions. Bwambale John Bosco; Bwambale John Bosco

Socio economic factors for orange fleshed sweet potato adoption in the small holder farming sector Northern

2025-09-01T00:00:00Z

Socio economic factors for orange fleshed sweet potato adoption in the small holder farming sector Northern Aber, Stella Background: The introduction of the improved Orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) into the smallholder farming sector was predicated on the premise that the types are important due to their nutritional benefits, are suitable for the farming system, and will be readily adopted by the farmers. However, there are numerous other issues, some of which are under the farmers' control and others of which are not, that may hinder the adoption of this technique. Objective: Examine the socioeconomic elements that influence the adoption of orange fleshed sweet potato in northern Uganda's small holder farming sector. Methods: This cross-sectional community-based study was done among 399 farmers in northern Uganda. Data was collected using s semi structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess socioeconomic factors associated with adoption of OFSP varieties, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 399 farmers, 383 fully participated in the study. Majority 227(73.9%) were female, 134(43.6%) aged 36 to 59 years, and 228(74.8%) married. The adoption rate of orange fleshed sweet potato variants was 21.5% and was associated with getting information for agricultural extension workers (AOR: 4.087, 95% CI: 1.354, 12.336, p=0.012), being in a community group (AOR: 2.065, 95% CI: 1.105, 3.860, p=0.023), keeping records (AOR: 0.324, 95% CI: 0.144, 0.727, p=0.006), and not engaging in other activities (AOR: 2.072, 95% CI: 1.121, 3.828, p=0.020). Most of the farmers 75(98.7%) were market vendors, 64(84.2%) sell products in form of tubers, and 17(22.4%) sell to individual customers. Conclusion: The present study indicates that one in five of small-scale farmers in northern Uganda practice OFSP cultivation. The study also indicates that farmers practiced OFSP farming for home consumption using local technologies and practices that are easily accessed to them. These results necessitatecontinuous provision of more information to scale up and sustain production and consumption of the OFSP. Keywords: adoption,farmer, multiplication, orange fleshed sweet potatoes Musinguzi Simon Peter; Musinguzi Simon Peter