Assessing the effects of agricultural extension services on input use and maize productivity in Uganda.

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to ascertain the effects of extension services on input use and maize productivity in Uganda. In doing so the study looked at the dependent variable and independent variables.The study was done in selected maize growing districts of mpigi,Bugweri and Bugiri. The study used cross sectional research design which looked at the whole population,this design was used because it's fast.secondary data was used and the maizeRMT 2019/2020 data was obtained from the Agriculture Cluster Development Projects (ACDP),which covered selected maize growing districts in Uganda with total farmers of 938 farmers, the survey speciafied on extension services and input use . The study used three methods to cleanse and analyse data that is; descriptive statistics,probit regression model and linear regression model. The study concluded that Seeds, fertilizers and farm tools had a significant mean difference in output between input users and non- input users. EVMS training, post-harvest problems, use of private extension worker, district, location of receiving input, training on soil fertility and training on pesticide use were significant factors influencing input use among respondents while Redemption on variety, training on post-harvest handling and total quantity harvested of maize were not significant factors influencing input use among maize farmers. The study recommended that the government should invest more on tractor hire services so as to increase access of maize farmers towards the use of tractors in maize productivity.