School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS)

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/45

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Browsing School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) by Subject "Adoption"
  • Item
    The adoption of mushroom farming as a livelihood option in Bwaise Kampala City
    (Makerere University, 2025) Namigadde, Mwamini
    This study examined the factors affecting the adoption of mushroom farming in Bwaise Kampala City. The specific objectives were: To examine respondents’ knowledge on mushroom farming as an alternative livelihood; To assess the factors affecting willingness of urban farmers to do mushroom farming as an alternative livelihood; To assess the perceived constraints of mushroom cultivation. The study used a cross-sectional design adopting mainly quantitative approach. A sample size of 73 respondents was used. The study found out that respondents generally have limited knowledge on mushroom. The study also revealed that level of education, employment status and training in mushroom cultivation are significant factors affecting willingness to adopt mushroom growing. Furthermore, findings show that mushroom cultivation is greatly affected by barriers including limited technical knowledge on mushroom farming, limited access to quality spawns, lack of suitable space for mushroom growing, limited access to better markets and inadequate equipment/technology and materials. Basing on the findings of the study, it was concluded that (i) Enhancing respondents’ knowledge on mushroom farming enhances its adoption; (ii) Improving education level, employment, and training programs enhances willingness to adopt mushroom cultivation; (iii) Escalation of constraints of mushroom cultivation worsens its adoption. This study therefore recommends that in order to enhance adoption of mushroom in urban areas in Uganda, strategic interventions ought to be focused on facilitating mushroom farming information dissemination, increasing access to better markets, quality inputs, technology, suitable humid spaces
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    Assessing the adoption of recommended farm practices and proportion of output marketed by small-scale irish potato farmers in Rubanda district.
    (Makerere University, 2024-07-15) Obed, Mubangizi
    To determine factors influencing the adoption of recommended farm practices and proportion of produce marketed in Hamurwa Sub County, Rubanda District. The study was carried out to assess the influence of social economic factors on produce marketed and adoption of recommended farm practices. The cross sectional design was used to collect information and a purposive sampling method was deployed to select 40 adopters and 40 non adopters of the farming practices. A descriptive statistics, t-test and regression analysis techniques were used to analyse the study. The results from frequency distribution table, showed that out of the 80 households that were interviewed, female farmers were less than males, the mean age of the farmers was 43.5 years, and the mean number of years spent in school by farmers was 8years. The average land size owned by farmers was 3.8 acres, where the large allocation of land to crop cultivation by households (3acres). The majority of farmers grow Irish potato for both sale and food and few farmers grow for only home consumption. The farmers who earned lower monthly income did not adopt recommended farm practices compared to farmers who earned more average monthly income. The farmers who have less workers on farm did not adopt the recommended farm practices compared to farmers with more workers who adopted the farming practices. Majority of farmers own stores, while a few did not own stores, which compromises post-harvest handling of the produce. The proportion of output marketed was regressed against the selected variables. The level of education of farmers and the distance to the district town were significant, implying that they affect proportion of Irish potato that was marketed. The farmers faced three main challenges in the production stage. The highest ranked challenge was pests and diseases, followed by limited land and weather problems respectively. There is a need for Irish potato farmers in Rubanda District to establish an Irish potato cooperative to help them in bargaining power, and to access Irish potato processing facilities and equipment as a group at low cost. But the government should also help men access credit service at a low-interest rate and with no collaterals and providing them with equipment used Irish potato value addition.
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    Assessing the Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers' Readiness to adopt Agritourism in, Kichwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District
    (Makerere University, 2025-11-26) Kakuru, Mahadi
    Agriculture is crucial to Uganda's economy, employing over 72% of the population; however, smallholder farmers still face challenges like low productivity and income instability. Agritourism, a farmer-led, fee-based initiative that attracts and educates visitors, can strengthen economic resilience. Despite its popularity worldwide, the adoption of agritourism in Uganda remains limited. This study explored factors affecting smallholder farmers’ readiness to adopt agritourism in Kichwamba Sub-County, Rubirizi District, through a survey of 50 randomly selected farmers. Results show that while 56% of farmers were aware of agritourism, only 48% were ready to engage in agritourism, mainly due to financial concerns and uncertainty about demand. There were significant associations between readiness to engage in agritourism and factors like age, education, farm size, and commercial orientation, while gender had no effect. To promote agritourism adoption, the study suggests that local government authorities and agricultural extension services launch awareness campaigns and hospitality training; financial institutions and development partners offer financial support and infrastructure investments; and farmer cooperatives and community-based organizations lead collaborative efforts to ensure sustainability and equitable participation.