Effect of following UCDA agronomic guidelines on the yield of coffee in Buikwe District

Abstract

The extent to which Robusta coffee farmers follow UCDA agronomic guidelines affects the amount of coffee harvested by farmers in Buikwe district and Uganda as a whole. A study was carried out to find out the extent to which management practices affect the yields of coffee. The purpose of the study was to find out the socio-economic characteristics of Robusta coffee farmers, identify agronomical practices followed by coffee farmers and to determine the effect of following UCDA guidelines on the yields of coffee. The research design used was descriptive survey in that it showed the characteristics of a particular individual or group under study. Random sampling method was used in selecting villages .Questionnaires were used to collect data simultaneously with interviews and observation. Descriptive statistics were used in organizing and describing a set of data. Categorical data was presented with frequency distribution tables and continuous data was summarized with means and standard deviation. The major agronomic practices included mulching, pruning, stumping, use of inorganic fertilizers, manure application, conservation tillage, intercropping, cover cropping, use of improved fodder crops, crop rotation, and water management practices. The study showed that a farmer who did not observe spacing and followed the other practices harvested 627.3 Kg, A farmer who did not observe mulching and intercropping while following the other practices harvested 500 Kg and 637.5 Kg respectively, leading to a loss of 411.1 Kg and 273.6 Kg respectively. Hence, farmers should ensure mulching since it had the most significant effect on the yields.