Factors affecting the sustainability of farmer groups in Luuka district case study: Bukanga sub-county

Abstract

The major objective of the study was to explore the factors affecting the sustainability of farmer groups in Luuka District. The specific ones were: to examine the operation and performance of farmer groups in Bukanga Sub-County, to identify the socio-economic activities of the farmer groups, to explore the factors affecting the sustainability of farmer groups and suggest strategies to ensure sustainability of farmer groups. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research designs. In total, 210 respondents were chosen who included; farmer group members, group leaders, Community Based Facilitators in four parishes of Buwologoma, Kiroba, Namukumbebe and Budondo. The other respondents also included; Local Government staff (Community Development Officers, Sub County chief, parish chiefs and Agricultural Officers) and finally Non Government Organizations who involved the programme officers and Managers. Data collection was done through use of questionnaires, key informant interviews and Focused Group Discussions (FDGs). The findings revealed that: thirteen (13) farmer groups were in existence, membership based, legally registered as Community Based Organizations (CBOs), in operation and not performing to the expectation of the members due to leadership not governing the groups in accordance with the group by-laws. Farmers came together to improve on their income at household level through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and improved farming by getting engaged in socio-economic activities like farming, Village Savings and Loan Association, bulking farmers produce, collective marketing of farmers produce, training farmer group members & supporting members during burial. The study came out with factors that affected sustainability of farmer groups and these included; defaulting of farmer group loans, poor leadership/ governance of the farmer groups, lack of Government and Non-government support and absence of collective marketing initiatives. However, there were factors that have also led to existence of some farmer groups and these included; good leadership/ good governance of the farmer groups, support from NGOs, access to income through VSLA and collective marketing initiatives. The study recommends among other things, that access to Agricultural credit to farmers would enhance farmers ability to have capital for investment and capacity building in farmer institutional development which encompasses governance, farming as a business and need to link farmer groups to different value chain actors to produce for the market hence there is need for the government and NGO to work together to support farmer groups.