Assessing the impact of cassava growing to farmers’ incomes in Lwabyaata sub-county, Nakasongola district

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to assess the impact of cassava growing to farmers’ incomes in Lwabyaata Sub-county, Nakasongola district. The specific objectives of the study were: to identify the common pests and diseases affecting cassava production and their mitigation strategies, to determine the influence of value addition to profitability of cassava production and to determine factors that determine value-addition choices among cassava production farmers. The data collected from the sampled cassava farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were presented by tables and graphs to answer the objectives of study. Data was coded for completeness, and processed using computer software called the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).This was used to analyze quantitative data. This was chosen because it was able to compute all the statistical quantities that are required for the interpretation of the data that was collected from the field by the researcher. Well-designed questionnaires were used to collect data from 50 cassava farmers. These data were coded and entered into SPSS (version 16.0) computer software for analysis. The study revealed that value addition increases profitability in the area. Cassava profitability increases farmer’s income, for example cassava is a powerful poverty fighter among farmers. The cash income from cassava proves more egalitarian than the other major staples because of cassava’s low cash input cost, compared to other major staples, cassava performs well across a wide ecological spectrum. It therefore benefits farmers across broader swath of ecological zones. Cassava is likewise, less expensive to produce. It tolerates poor soil, adverse weather and pests and diseases more than other staples. The crop puts ready money and food in very vulnerable segments of society. The study recommends that farmers should increase the acreage of improved cassava since it shows a positive effect on profit; as well they should concentrate more on growing more of improved cassava varieties as their response to variable inputs is high leading to higher output.