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.