African Journals Online
Eastern Africa Journal of Rural Development

Volume 17, Number 1, December 2001
ABSTRACTS

Determination of optimal levels of Resource Use in Clonal Robusta Coffee Production in Central Uganda

A. Gowa¹, B. Bashaasha² and B. Tayebwa²

¹ Principal Development Officer, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA)

² Lecturers, Dept of Agric. Economics & Agribusiness, Makerere University.

Abstract

In spite of the current decline in World Market Prices, coffee remains Uganda’s major export crop. However, coffee yield in Uganda remains sub optimal. One of the contributing factors could be an imbalance in the use of the factors of production. Optimal combinations of factors of production for clonal coffee production in Uganda are not known. This study is an attempt to fill this gap.

Data was obtained from two districts in Uganda using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were disaggregated into two categories of rich and poor farmers. A Cobb-Douglas type of production function was fitted to data for each farmer category. The desired elasticities of response indicated that land and capital were the most limiting factors in clonal coffee production for poor farmers. Land and labour were identified as the most limiting factors for rich clonal coffee farmers. Overall, land and labour were found to be most limiting.

Key words: clonal coffee farmers, optimal levels, sub optimal levels resource use, productivity, elasticities, marginal productivity, value marginal productivity

The Impact of Export and Import Tax Policy on Ugandan Economy: A Computable General Equilibrium Approach

Johnny Mugisha¹ and Siegfried Bauer²

¹Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, Makerere University, Uganda.

²Professor, Institute of Project and Regional Planning, University of Giessen, Germany.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of reducing export duties and import tariffs on the economy of Uganda. Analysis uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model focusing basically on domestic output, imports, exports and trade balance. Results from the model show that aggregate domestic output, exports and imports increase if the trade taxes are reduced. These economic gains are much higher if both import tariffs and export duties are reduced or removed rather than removing only tariffs. However, trade balance deficit widens because the increase in imports will exceed the increase in exports. Furthermore, government budget deficit worsens due to loss of government revenue from trade taxes.

Key words: Computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, exports, imports, tariffs, tax

Farm-level Evaluation of Monocropping and Intercropping Impacts and Maize yields and Returns in Iganga District-Uganda

V. Kasenge¹, S. Kyamanywa¹, D. B. Taylor², G. Bigirwa³ and J.M. Erbaugh⁴

¹ Makerere University, Uganda

² Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA

³ Naro-Naari, Kampala, Uganda

⁴ Ohio State University, Columbus, USA

Abstract

During the 1997-99 period of IPM CRSP on-farm trials in Iganga district, it was determined that grain yield of maize was higher for Longe 1 variety than the local maize irrespective of cropping system. Grain yield was higher in the monoculture system than in intercropping with beans irrespective of maize variety. Stalkborers and maize streak virus were the main pest and disease respectively which caused maize grain yield losses which were, on average, higher for the local than the improved variety in monoculture. Intercropping with beans had an insignificant retarding effect on stalkborer and streak virus damage on maize. In biophysical terms, therefore, the recommendation would be to grow Longe 1 maize in monoculture. The economic component of the study sought to determine the relative economic benefit of growing Longe 1 maize compared to the local variety and the optimal mix of maize and beans in monoculture. Partial budget analysis and linear programming were used. Data on differences in grain yields, yield losses, farm input quantities, resource limitations and corresponding returns associated with the various field trials were collected. Important links existed between biophysical indicators and economic indicators. Even in terms of economics, in the absence of risk considerations, the adoption of the Longe 1 maize variety in monoculture would be the approach of choice because it could increase maize yields and ensure supply for both farm household food needs and cash income. If the small-holder farmers in the trial area grew Longe 1 maize and beans as sole crops in a season, the optimal combination would be 0.5 ha maize and 0.24 ha beans. The analytical framework outlined in this study that links partial budget analysis to farm enterprise mix optimization should prove useful for future farm level evaluation of cropping systems.

Key words: Crop variety, enterprise mix optimization, objective and subjective strategies, partial budget, stalkborer, streakvirus,.

Cross-Pollinated Crop Variety Adoption Studies and Seed Recycling: The Case of Maize in Tanzania

Ephraim Nkonya¹

¹ Research Fellow, International Food and Policy Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

A survey of 126 maize farmers was conducted in northern Tanzania with the objective of examining adoption of cross-pollinated seeds among farmers who recycle improved seeds. In this study, an improved variety is defined as any variety that has been bred using formal plant breeding methods. Formally bred cultivars that have been recycled but still maintain some of their characteristic attributes were also categorized as “improved.” About 91% of sample maize farmers used improved seeds. Heckman’s two-step procedure was used to examine the factors that affect the probability to adopt and the intensity of adoption of improved maize seed and chemical fertilizer use. Most factors included in the model did not have a statistically significant impact on the adoption of improved maize varieties. The determinants of adoption did not have a significant impact probably due to the high rate of adoption of improved maize seed (91%). Researchers conducting studies in areas where seed recycling is common need to use a more restrictive definition of “improved seeds” than the one used in this study. In the case of studies examining factors influencing intensity of adoption, researchers need to determine the intensity of adoption by using scaling factors that are based on loss of genetic potential (yield) due to seed recycling. Such scaling factors may be determined empirically since they vary from one maize variety to another. About 64% of the moderate rainfall zone (800 – 1200 mm per year) respondents used chemical fertilizer, as compared to 44% in the low rainfall zone (500 - 800 mm per year). The level of fertilizer applied was well below recommended rates, hence the need to research on and promote extension efforts in organic fertilizers that will complement the expensive chemical fertilizers.

Processed Sweetpotato in the Household Economy of North-Eastern Uganda

B. Bashaasha¹ and G. Scott²

¹ B. Bashaasha is Lecturer, Dept of Agric. Economics & Agribusiness, Makerere University, Uganda

² G. Scott is Research Fellow at the International Potato Center, LIMA, Peru.

Abstract

The study was conducted in north-eastern Uganda to assess the status and market potential of processed sweet potato namely, Inginyo and Amukeke. Primary data was obtained using formal survey techniques. Descriptive techniques were used to describe the status quo. Regression analysis was used to estimate the strength of the factors that influence the quantity of fresh tubers processed. Gross margin analysis was used to

estimate the profitability of processed sweet potato. All farmer respondents process sweet potato primarily for household food security. Peeling and slicing were the most labour intensive activities. Lack of time, insufficient labour and lack of a market were reported as the main bottlenecks. Only the quantity of Ingiyo processed, quantity of cassava chips processed and the price of Amukeke were found to significantly influence the quantity of Amukeke processed. Gross Margin (GM) analysis, indicate that currently farmers do not make profit by engaging in sweetpotato processing. The current strategy aimed at minimizing the cost of sweetpotato processing is worthwhile. Investing in improved storage facilities is also a good short term strategy. However, the long-term solution lies with demand expansion including creation of sweetpotato products with a wider consumer appeal. The possibility of using sweetpotato flour in the baking industry also needs serious research and promotion.

Keywords: Amukeke, Inginyo, Sweet Potato, Cassva Chips, North-East Uganda