The adoption of mushroom farming as a livelihood option in Bwaise Kampala City

Abstract

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