The choice of transportation means in marketing cassava among small holder farmers in Soroti District

Abstract

This study examined the choice of transportation means in marketing cassava among smallholder farmers in Ocokican Sub-County, Soroti District, Uganda. Despite cassava's potential to improve rural livelihoods, post-harvest losses and limited market access due to transport challenges remain significant constraints. The study aimed to categorize farmers by their transport choices, assess their perceptions of available transport modes, and identify the key determinants influencing these choices. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 200 randomly selected cassava farmers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and a multinomial logistic regression model. The findings revealed that boda-bodas (40.5%) are the most frequently used transport mode, followed by hired trucks (20.5%), bicycles (19.5%), and ox-carts (19.5%). While farmers using hired trucks earned the highest net profits, transport choice was primarily driven by perceptions of cost, convenience, and reliability, rather than direct profitability. The regression analysis identified road quality and gender as significant determinants of transport choice, while factors like education and market distance were not significant when controlling for other variables. The study concludes that transport decisions are complex trade-offs shaped by infrastructure, accessibility, and socio-perceptual factors. Key recommendations include prioritizing the upgrade of rural feeder roads, supporting cooperative transport schemes to improve access to affordable motorized options, and implementing gender-inclusive transport policies to address mobility disparities.