Master of Science in Agro-Ecology

Assessing the effect of selected sustainable farming practices on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Mpigi District

2026-04-01T10:04:30Z

Assessing the effect of selected sustainable farming practices on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Mpigi District Maximus, Kwesiga The study aimed to investigate the effect of sustainable farming practices on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district. The specific objectives were: to identify the SFPs adopted in Buwama sub-county, to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of smallholder farmers towards SFPs, to assess the contribution of SFPs to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, and to investigate the challenges associated with SFPs in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district. The study used a cross-sectional design, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches. It targeted a population of smallholder farmers in the ten parishes of Buwama Sub-county and agricultural extension workers in the sub-county. The sample size comprised 380 respondents, including 377 smallholder farmers and 3 extension workers. The smallholder farmers were selected using simple random sampling while extension workers were selected using purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire, key informant guide, and focus group discussion (FGD) guide served as tools for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), and findings were presented using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (linear regression). The study found that integrated pest management (IPM), crop rotation, agroforestry, organic farming, and conservation tillage are effectively implemented as SFPs in Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi District. Smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county possess positive knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards SFPs. The model findings revealed that crop rotation (Pvalue = 0.991 > 0.05) and organic farming (P-value = 0.492 > 0.05) did not have a significant effect on the socioeconomic well-being of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county at the 5% significance level. However, agroforestry (β = 0.148, P-value = 0.01 < 0.05), conservation tillage (β = 0.192, P-value = 0.033 < 0.05), and integrated pest management (β = 0.381, P-value = 0.000 < 0.05) had a positive and statistically significant effect on the socioeconomic wellbeing of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county. Regarding the challenges associated with implementing SFPs in Buwama Sub-county, the study found significant obstacles, including limited access to essential resources such as land, water, capital, inputs, and technical knowledge. It also identified numerous challenges, including higher upfront costs, reduced yields in the short term, and uncertain returns. Farmers face limited specialized knowledge and skills, a lack of necessary equipment, and restricted market opportunities. The study concludes that SFPs play a critical role in the socioeconomic status of smallholder farmers in Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi District. It is recommended that the government should create financial schemes offering affordable credit and subsidies specifically for purchasing essential farming inputs such as seeds and equipment for smallholder farmers. In addition, the government, in collaboration with agricultural institutions and NGOs, should organize regular training sessions covering various aspects of sustainable agriculture, such as soil management, pest control, agroforestry, and crop rotation. Byabasaija Syliver; Byabasaija Syliver

Effects of climate change on Coffee Production in Tanzania

2026-04-01T10:04:19Z

Effects of climate change on Coffee Production in Tanzania Michael, Jasson John This study, conducted in the Kigoma district of Tanzania, aimed to assess the effects of climate change on coffee production, a critical economic and agricultural activity in the region. Utilizing a sample size of 384 respondents, including coffee farmers, farmer groups, and various stakeholders involved in the coffee production value chain. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed to determine the frequencies and percentages of quantitative data, which were collected through a structured questionnaire. The qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews, open-ended questions, observation, and document review was analyzed using thematic analysis, identifying and analyzing patterns and themes in the data, categorizing the data, and interpreting the findings. The findings of the study are presented clearly and concisely using tables and graphs. A multinomial Probit model was employed on the collected data and analyzed using the statistical software STATA version 18. The P-values for a Probit Model, analyzing the significance of variables y_hat and y_hat_square, were examined. The p-value for y_hat is 0.000, indicating its statistical significance and suggesting it has a substantial impact on the xiii model's dependent variable. Conversely, y_hat_square has a p-value of 0.824, signifying its lack of statistical significance, which implies that this variable does not meaningfully contribute to the model's predictive ability. The results show a notable relationship between perceptions of changes in rainfall patterns and their reported influence on coffee cultivation. Respondents who acknowledged changes in rainfall patterns tended to link them with negative consequences on coffee production. Changes in sunshine patterns and soil quality were also considered important factors influencing coffee production outcomes. Additionally, demographic data provided insights into the community's capacity to adapt and mitigate its effects. Factors such as age, educational background, and experience were essential in determining resilience and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. The gender distribution highlighted the significant role of women in coffee farming and their potential impact on adaptation strategies. Florence Nassimbwa; Florence Nassimbwa

Evaluating the factors influencing the adoption of improved cassava varieties among smallholder farmers in Kasese District

2026-03-16T12:59:22Z

Evaluating the factors influencing the adoption of improved cassava varieties among smallholder farmers in Kasese District Jackline, Biira The study evaluated the factors influencing the adoption of improved cassava varieties among smallholder farmers in Maliba Sub County Kasese District. The literatures reviewed indicated that the adoption rate of improved cassava varieties has remained low among small holder farmers including those in vulnerable areas where need for production enhancement is required(Nakabonge et al., 2018).The Specific objectives of the study were; to assess the awareness and knowledge levels about improved cassava varieties, to analyse the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved cassava varieties among smallholder farmers ; to examine the accessibility of improved cassava planting materials and support services and to investigate the perceived benefits and challenges associated with adoptionof improved cassava varieties among smallholder farmers in Maliba Subcounty. A cross-sectional survey design was used, throughout the course of the study, direct face-to-face interactions, primarily in form of interviews and structured questionnaires were used. A representative sample of 99 respondents comprised of farmers, opinion leaders and extension workers were considered. The empirical data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively to obtain the findings. Testing at 95% confidence interval while analyzing whether there is a significant relationship between the level of awareness and adoption, a P-value of 0.014 less than 0.05 hence significant showed that there’sa relationship between awareness on improved cassava varieties and adoption. The findings indicated that there is significant relationship between education level and decision made for cassava to form significant part of the farming activities with P-value of 0.017 less than 0.05 hence significant and correlation coefficient of 0.252 (25.2%). Implying that an increase in the level of education will significantly lead to 25.2% in influencing the farmers’ decision to adopt the use of improved cassava varieties.During the study, majority 44.9% of the respondents accepted that access to improved cassava varieties is important towards influencing their decision onadoption. Among the challenges, lack of access to improved cassava planting materials, followed by lack of support and trainings by both government and other entities and then knowledge gap on improved cassava varieties came out strongly among the challenges affecting adoption. The study finally came out with the following recommendations: Having community facilitators to train farmers at both parish and village levels on how to plant, access and manage improved varieties, setting up demonstration centers at subcounty, parish and village levels for easy access to planting materials and government to allocate resources to ensure enough supplies of new cassava varieties to the farmers as ways to minimize the highlighted challenges. The researcher suggests further research to focus performance (In terms of maturity period) of improved cassava varieties according to different geographical setup especially lower and higher altitude areas. Byabashaija Silver; Byabashaija Silver

Assessing the forest cover change and economic values of non-timber forest products: a case study of Kasyoha-Kitomi forest reserve in western Uganda.

2026-03-10T07:09:55Z

Assessing the forest cover change and economic values of non-timber forest products: a case study of Kasyoha-Kitomi forest reserve in western Uganda. Tumuhaise, Lillian The main purpose of this study was to assess the forest cover change and economic values of non-timber forest products around Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve in Western Uganda. Specifically, this study aimed to; (i) determine the trends of forest cover change and drivers of forest degradation in the Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve within 10 years. (ii) determine community participation in the value chain of NTFPs in the Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve. (iii) determine the contribution of market values of non-timber forest products on household income and food security. A multistage sampling technique was used in this study. The quantification of forest cover change involved: image acquisition, unsupervised classification, ground-truthing, supervised classification, accuracy assessment and change detection. Cloud free Lands at images was used. The researcher also utilized the following data collection methods: Household Survey Method and Market Survey. During the market survey, information on market price, how prices change across seasons, market capacity, and quantities of different NTFPs that reach the market were collected. Types, prices, and amounts of NTFPs supplied and sold at the market was recorded. Total sales per year was also determined to obtain the total income. Twelve key informant interviews involving village leaders, resource users, forest staff guards, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Ministry of Environment, and NFA Officials of the Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve was conducted A structured questionnaire composed of closed and open-ended questions was used to guide the household interviews. The economic value of each NTFP was obtained based on the Shackleton and Shackleton model. Qualitative data collected through FGDs and key informant interviews was analysed using content analysis. Quantitative data including the amount of NTFPs collected and the unit value of NTFPs was coded, processed, and descriptively analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software tools. The study shows that there was a general decrease in forest cover in Kasyoha-Kitomi FR for the period 2013-2023 from 79.8% in 2013 to 65.4% in 2023 within a period of 10 years, the Kasyoha-Kitomi FR has lost 14.4% of its size. Also, study found that communities largely participated in the collection of NTFPs whereby 100% were collecting fire wood, charcoal and honey and most preferred product is firewood with (100%). It was also established that 14 NTFPs ranging between food products, firewood, and construction materials were collected, produced, and traded by households living adjacent to the Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve. The mean annual value of the identified NTFPs ranged between 13,274,000/=Ush to 10,000,000/= Ush. Honey, Fish, charcoal and firewood had the highest mean annual value. The study findings thus established that the collection of NTFPs generally contributes 38.6% to food security. It is recommended that supporting of communities around with energy saving stoves, reduction in prices of sources of energy and increase their accessibility, encouraging of communities to do re-afforestation and they can give the trees plantlets for free, inclusion of communities around the reserve into government, authorities in forest programs. Lastly, creation of awareness programs by the government and encouraging the cultivation of edible and medicinal tree species around homes. Lubega Gerald