Factors affecting profitability of coffee among smallholder farmers in Karangura Sub County Kabarole District

Abstract

Agriculture is the main anchor of Uganda’s economy and profitability in this sector still remain vital for sustainable development of the economy. The study assessed the factors affecting profitability of smallholder coffee farmers in Karangura Subcounty. Primary data was obtained using structured questionnaires and personal interviews from 60 coffee farmers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The STATA-15 software was used. The results showed that mean output was 1893kgs, mean price was shs.3000, mean distance to extension services was 3km, mean distance to market was 2km, mean quantity of fertilizer was 60kg. The results in the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that price of coffee, acreage under coffee, off farm income, herbicide price had a positive relationship with profitability of coffee while gender, manure price, pesticide price, wage rate had a negative relationship with coffee profitability and output. The need to establish village-based farmers’ group with greater younger farmers’ participation so that the older farmers can benefit from the younger farmers innovative skill and physical assistance on manual work was recommended.