Investigating the utilisation of the ox plough technology by farmers; case study: Rhino Camp, Arua

Abstract

The study investigated the level of utilization of the ox plough technology by farmers in Rhino Camp Sub county, Arua district. The study also examined the level of knowledge among farmers on ox plough, investigated the factors that influence the utilization of ox plough and lastly investigated the relationship between the use of ox plough technology and agricultural productivity. The study employed a cross sectional study design where both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used. A sample of 94 households involved in farming were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Two focus group discussions were held with farmers and local leaders. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings related that though 75% of the farmers have ever heard about ox plough technology only 10.6% of the farmers were using ox plough technology in farming. The level of knowledge among farmers about ox plough technology was limited and stood at 52%. The research further discovered that there was a very strong relationship between the use of ox plough technology and the socio-demographic characteristics of the farmers’ income, sex, size of land cultivated and education level of the farmers. The findings also indicate that due to long lasted cultural and social grounds in communities in Rhino Camp in Arua, less women were involved in mechanized agriculture compared to the men. The findings also indicate that the farmers that used ox plough technology had better agricultural productivity in form of harvest compared to the farmers that used the traditional farming methods like the hand hoe that’s commonly used by the farmers. The study recommends the promotion of the use of ox plough technology through offering subsidized agricultural inputs such as ox plough, conducting farmer training on ox plough technology, empowering women through women farmer groups, establishing demonstration gardens and strengthening extension services among others.