Economic analysis of adoption of improved bean varieties : A case of Kikube Sub-County, Hoima District

Abstract

Bean is a major source of food and income for smallholder farmers in Uganda. The national average yield for common beans which ranges from 0.72 to 1.10 tone/ha, is far below potential yields recommended by agricultural research (1.5 – 3 tones/ ha) using improved varieties. Low common bean yield is contributed by several factors which lower farmers` profit. This study examined the economic analysis of adoption of improved bean varieties in Kikube Sub-county. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse the data collected from a sample of 80 bean farmers. Results of binary logistic regression show that age, household size, land size, access to extension services, off farm income activities and distance to the nearest market have significant influence on the adoption of improved common bean varieties. Moreover, the results show that the crop pests and diseases, unreliable rainfall, high price of farm inputs, unreliable market, shortage of land, price fluctuation and low capital are the major challenges faced beans producers in the study area. The present study concludes that common beans production is profitable and contributes significantly in creating cash income and employment in the study area. It is recommended that extension services and credit systems should encourage farmers to adopt improved bean varieties.