Role of Uganda investments authority to the performance of the agricultural sector: A case study of smallholder farmers in Buwambo-Wakiso

Abstract

The study was aimed at examining the contribution of Uganda Investment Authority in access to market, credit and agricultural incentives by small holder farmers in Buwambo parish and also accessing the effect of social-demographic and economic factors on the agricultural output of farmers. 100 farmers were included in the sample. The analysis was done using frequency tables, percentages, bar graphs, pie charts, and Pearson Chi-squared measure of association for the bivariate analysis. From the results, it was observed that majority (34 %) of the study participant were aged 30-35years, majority were male (58%), married, had attained secondary level education (38 %), had low level agricultural output (56 %), and with low-income levels (57%). It was then observed that respondents had a high probability of receiving UIA loanable funds through their association. The results using the Pearson Chi squared showed that majority of the respondents between the age group of 24-29years (68%) had an increase in their agricultural output compared to other age groups, 69% of the male respondents had an increase in their agricultural output compared to their female counterparts, 62.5% of the respondents that were married had an increase in their agricultural output compared to other statuses, 86.7% of those with higher education level had an increase in their agricultural output compared to the rest, 76.9% of the respondents with high agriculture output levels had an increase in their agricultural output than the rest, and finally 81.8% of the respondents with high income an increase in their agricultural output compared by their counter parts. I recommend that the Uganda Investment Authority should invests more into sensitization programs for the smallholder farmers to become aware of their programs and carry out more investigation about the problems that affect the smallholder farmers in order to make programs that best fit them. I also recommend that Uganda Investment Authority should connect with the local leaders to mobilize and make sure that funds delivered are used for their purpose by the smallholder farmers. I further recommend that farmer should be taught more on the different management procedures of the farm so as to increase on the output and should also be taught benefits of commercializing their farms.

The study was aimed at examining the contribution of Uganda Investment Authority in access to market, credit and agricultural incentives by small holder farmers in Buwambo parish and also accessing the effect of social-demographic and economic factors on the agricultural output of farmers. 100 farmers were included in the sample. The analysis was done using frequency tables, percentages, bar graphs, pie charts, and Pearson Chi-squared measure of association for the bivariate analysis. From the results, it was observed that majority (34 %) of the study participant were aged 30-35years, majority were male (58%), married, had attained secondary level education (38 %), had low level agricultural output (56 %), and with low-income levels (57%). It was then observed that respondents had a high probability of receiving UIA loanable funds through their association. The results using the Pearson Chi squared showed that majority of the respondents between the age group of 24-29years (68%) had an increase in their agricultural output compared to other age groups, 69% of the male respondents had an increase in their agricultural output compared to their female counterparts, 62.5% of the respondents that were married had an increase in their agricultural output compared to other statuses, 86.7% of those with higher education level had an increase in their agricultural output compared to the rest, 76.9% of the respondents with high agriculture output levels had an increase in their agricultural output than the rest, and finally 81.8% of the respondents with high income an increase in their agricultural output compared by their counter parts. I recommend that the Uganda Investment Authority should invests more into sensitization programs for the smallholder farmers to become aware of their programs and carry out more investigation about the problems that affect the smallholder farmers in order to make programs that best fit them. I also recommend that Uganda Investment Authority should connect with the local leaders to mobilize and make sure that funds delivered are used for their purpose by the smallholder farmers. I further recommend that farmer should be taught more on the different management procedures of the farm so as to increase on the output and should also be taught benefits of commercializing their farms.