African Journals Online
Eastern Africa Journal of Rural Development

Volume 18, Number 1, December 2002
ABSTRACTS

Implementing the Unified Extension System in the Context of Decentralisation: The Case of Tororo District

Enyipu A, Semana A.R., and Kabuye S

Abstract

The implementation of the Unified Extension System (UES) in the context of decentralisation was assessed through a census survey of the extension staff of Tororo district, using a self-administered questionnaire. The results indicated that decentralisation reduced the effectiveness of the extension staff by increasing the farmer to staff ratio from 1:850 to 1: 1,100. This together with associated constraints, caused staff unfavorable attitudes towards decentralisation, with a mean score of 2.27 on a 5-level likert scale. The main challenge for the extension staff is, therefore, to be able to deliver services in a system they consider to be hostile and yet is responsible for hiring and firing them.

Key words: unified extension system

Rural Household Food Security in Uganda: An Empirical Analysis

Godfrey B. A. Bahiigwa

Abstract

Uganda does experience food shortages from time to time in different parts of the country. This study presents findings of research on rural household food security. The main objective of the study was to assess the food security status of rural households, and identify the key determinants of food security or food insecurity. An indirect objective was to determine whether the interventions in the government’s Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) are addressing the constraints identified by households. The study based on a sample of 1200 rural households, reveals that poor rains or excessive rains and crop pests and diseases are the main causes of food shortages among households. Logistic regressions reveal that the probability that a household will be food secure is dependent upon the fertility of its land, good distribution and intensity of rainfall, planting improved seed, having adequate labor, and having neighbors that are food secure. On the other hand, large numbers of non-productive dependants, inadequate rains, and long distances to the market decrease the probability that a household will be food secure. Government policies and interventions under the PMA are enhancing the positive determinants of food security, however they fall short on the key feature: production shortfalls due to rainfall fluctuations.

Key words: food security; logit model, coping strategies, gender

Uganda Crop Trader Characteristics, and their Marketing Constraints

Ephraim Nkonya

Abstract

The broad objective of this study is to understand the characteristics of agricultural commodity traders and the marketing constraints they face in Uganda. A survey covering 544 agricultural output traders in Uganda was conducted in 2000 to 2002. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit econometric model were used to analyze the characteristics of traders and their marketing constraints. Most traders started their businesses using own funds, implying a serious credit constraint. The credit constraint appears to be the most important factor that has limited entry of potential local traders into the lucrative coffee and cotton export sector. The same constraint appears to have contributed to the exit of many local coffee exporters who joined the sector after coffee marketing liberalization in the early 1990?s. There is also lack of collective action through trader associations among medium and small scale commodity traders, thus, the need for local traders to form associations and cooperatives for marketing their crops in the international market. Quality seems to be the most common problem in output trading, partly because farmers are not remunerated for quality. Half of the exporters, main town and primary fixed traders use intermediaries, implying the need to recognize the importance of intermediaries and license and facilitate their brokerage services. Education, commodity profit, access to credit, level of working capital, gender of principal trader, country of origin, and region where trading business is located, are important factors that determine the decision on type of crop to market.

Key words: Coffee, cotton, maize, cassava, credit constraint, commodity traders, marketing, crop quality

Resource-poor Farmer Participation in Formal Research is Easier Said Than Done: The Case of Zimbabwe

Jeff Mutimba

Abstract

At the philosophical level, agricultural researchers and development agents have generally agreed that resource-poor farmer participation in formal research leads to; improved efficiency of the research system; the development of site specific technologies; legitimization of farmers' own indigenous research; and, the empowerment of farmers for self-help development. Whilst there is this general recognition, it is still not clear how this can be achieved in practice. This paper looks at some of the difficulties in achieving effective resource-poor farmer participation from both the conceptual and practical point of view. The findings show that there is a general lack of successful practical examples to back the theoretical models that have been developed. This study uses a case study of a livestock research project conducted in Zimbabwe that demonstrates some of the practical difficulties in achieving effective farmer participation. A theoretical model of an ideal resource-poor farmer participatory research approach was used as an overlay on the project to assess the extent of farmer involvement and to identify institutional and functional gaps. The results show that institutional mandates inhibit the achievement of full participatory approaches and therefore it is recommended that there should be; joint planning and implementation of research programmes; mutual respect between the different actors; strong links between the users, research and extension subsystems; and training of scientists as pre-requisites for effective farmer participation.

Key words: resource-poor farmers, effective farmer participation, research system