The Attitude of Smallholder Farmers towards Uptake of Potato Crop Intensification Innovations in Southwestern Uganda ()
1. Introduction
Farmers’ attitudes play a critical role in the uptake of new farming practices [1]-[4]. Attitudes, defined as the positive or negative evaluations of an individual towards a new practice, process or idea play a central role in determining whether an individual decides to adopt or reject its uptake [3] [5]. Thus, a positive attitude enhances the probability of uptake, while a negative attitude diminishes it [4] [6].
Attitude is a key factor in decision-making processes [7]-[13], it is influenced by the socioeconomic and institutional contexts of the farmer such as gender, age, education, access to extension service [1]. As such, understanding factors that shape attitude is essential for designing effective interventions that promote uptake of modern farming practices.
Attitudes influence uptake of modern farming practices which in turn influence agricultural productivity and sustainability [8] [11]-[16] useful to manufacturers and innovation developers to identify the behaviour of adopters and to develop innovations that satisfy their needs. In particular, they can encourage the development of fruitful technological trajectories that are requested by users, as well as to differentiate products according to the different propensity of the adopter towards the technological features of agricultural tractors.
Attitudes towards agricultural innovation are primarily determined by the farmer’s knowledge and perception on that innovation [3]. As such, the characteristics of the farmer play a pivotal role in shaping their attitudes [5] [17]. These characteristics may be socioeconomic or institutional in nature such as gender, age, access to extension services and markets [3] [18]. For instance, an effective extension services can enhance the farmers’ capacity to make well-informed decisions by bridging the gap between research and practice [19]-[21]. This improves farmers’ capacity to evaluate the potential benefits of adopting modern farming practices [10] [22] [23]. Similarly, enterprises such as farmer groups can guarantee access to agricultural markets and credit [21] [24] [25] hence fostering an attitude towards an innovation. The study examines the role of farmers’ attitudes towards the uptake of potato crop intensification innovation following the Community Action Research Programme (CARP+), a Ruforum project that was implemented by Makerere University in Southwestern Uganda. Factors such as the perceived benefits and costs of the innovation and its overall contribution to farm productivity are critical in forming positive or negative attitudes [3].
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
External factors such as training and extension service and the characteristics of an innovation such as ease of use influence the attitude potential adopters develop towards a new production practice [3] (Figure 1).
Source: Adapted form [3] [26] [27].
Figure 1. Interaction between characteristics of an innovation and intervention.
When an external factor such as an intervention is introduced through training and dissemination, the attitudes of the potential users tend to change in favour or against. If the new practice promises value in terms of ease of use, usefulness and/or both, the users’ perception changes in favour of uptake [3]. This attitude is closely related to the knowledge and perception the individual already has towards this practice. Whereas knowledge refers to factual information and understanding of how the innovation works and what it can achieve, perception relates to the views farmers hold about the practice based on their felt needs which may not necessarily align with reality [10] [28]. The knowledge and perceptions about a new practice (innovation) can be reinforced with an intervention to influence the attitude toward it [3]. Whereas a positive attitude towards an agricultural innovation increases the likelihood of uptake, a negative attitude reduces the probability of its uptake [29] [30]. Attitude can also be influenced by the personal characteristics of the farmer such as gender, age, marital status, income, and education [2].
2. Methodology
2.1. Research Design
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using semi structured face-to-face interviews with respondents. The research design employed a quantitative approach to collect data and analysis techniques focusing on smallholder farmers who actively involved in CARP+ project research, training, demonstration and dissemination activities on potato crop intensification innovation. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to provide a comprehensive analysis of farmers’ attitudes towards various aspects of potato crop intensification innovation aspects such as source of seed, size of tubers used for seed, intercropping systems and soil fertility enhancement practices.
2.2. Study Area
The study was conducted in in three major potato growing districts in Southwestern Uganda where about 60% of national potato output is produced [31]. These districts were selected based on their involvement in research, training, demonstration and dissemination activities aimed at promoting potato crop intensification innovations introduced by CARP+, a Regional Universities Forum (RUFORUM) initiative led by Makerere University. These farmers were considered to have first-hand experience and knowledge of the project’s interventions and were thus ideal respondents for this study. This therefore makes the area more appropriate for the study.
2.3. Sampling and Data Collection
To collect quantitative data, a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of farmers from the three districts. In the first stage, a district where CARP+ project implemented research, training, demonstration and dissemination activities was selected and a Sub County where the demonstration site was located was purposively selected and a random sample of farmers who had participated in the project activities was chosen to generate a sampling frame with a total of 2027 smallholder farmers (Table 1). Using Glenn’s table (precision ±5%; p = 0.05 and confidence interval 95%) a total sample of 333 respondents was raised (Glenn, 1992). For each demonstration site, a proportionate stratified sampling strategy was employed to generate the number of smallholder farmers selected for the study. However, the response rate was about 80%, thus Rubanda (86), North Division (106) and Rukiga (73).
Table 1. Farmers selected for the study.
District |
Study population |
Sample size |
Actual number interviewed |
Rukiga |
691 |
114 |
73 |
Kabale |
658 |
108 |
106 |
Rubanda |
678 |
111 |
86 |
Total |
2027 |
333 |
256 |
2.4. Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data using Excel software to describe the data using means, frequencies, and percentages.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Descriptive Characteristics of Smallholder Farmers
Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 46 years (Table 2). This age bracket tends to be experienced with indigenous knowledge and skills. This age group lies within the age bracket (30 - 50 years) believed to be active in agriculture [2] [32] [33]. It is also within the age group (15 - 64) that is economically productive that can lead to massive production if efficiently used [34].
Table 2. Descriptive characteristics of smallholder farmers.
Socio-economic characteristics |
Mean |
SD |
p-value |
Age of the farmer (years) |
46.00 |
12.65 |
0.105 |
Farming experience (years) |
11.99 |
9.97 |
0.829 |
Education level of the farmer |
6.60 |
4.06 |
0.032 |
Farm size (acres) |
2.65 |
1.69 |
0.182 |
Dist. to agric. Market (km) |
3.98 |
4.52 |
0.049 |
Dist. to tarmac road (km) |
9.00 |
8.82 |
0.012 |
Dist. to marram road (km) |
2.00 |
2.67 |
0.000 |
Dist. to agric. input shop (km) |
4.38 |
4.70 |
0.334 |
Dist. to Trading Centre (km) |
1.40 |
1.48 |
0.179 |
However, older farmers tend to fear risk, thus developing negative attitude towards new practices (innovations), often perceived as unnecessary [17]. It was further revealed that farmers had seven years in school (primary education). Education is a crucial component in shaping the attitude of farmers by enhancing their ability of farmers to make informed decisions for increased efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability [35]. Previous author noted that farmers who complete primary education are able to read and write and can comprehend the most required information for uptake. Thus, crop intensification innovation needs good adherence to timely and recommended agronomic practices, particularly in fertilizer and pesticide application, and the use of improved seed [36] [37].
Further, it was revealed that smallholder farmers traveled four kilometers to access the nearest agricultural market and four kilometers to the input shop. A shorter distance to the market increases access to market information, and reduces travel time, hence, reducing transaction costs to and from the market which does not only reduce the overall cost of production Farmers also travelled nine kilometers to the tarmac road, two kilometers to the marram road and two kilometers to the nearest Trading Centre respectively. Access to the road and Trading Centres are proxies to market access, thus enhancing the farmers attitude and market participation. It affects the movement of agriculture products market, access to inputs and market information through easy access to market information, agricultural inputs and access extension service [1].
3.2. Attitude of Smallholder Farmers toward Potato Crop Intensification Innovations before and after CARP+ Project
Survey results indicated a significant shift in farmers’ attitudes (51.3%) from relying on traditional potato production practices compared to 13.6% for potato crop intensification innovations before CARP+ intervention (<2018 season A) to 47.2% attitude towards potato crop intensification practices compared to 2.3% for traditional potato production practices after the intervention (Figure 2).
Source: Survey data, 2022.
Figure 2. Attitude of smallholder farmers toward potato crop intensification innovations before and after the CARP+ intervention.
Notable was the improvement in attitude towards potato-legume intercropping system from 23.8% to 40.9% and potato monocropping with recommended spacing (75 cm × 30 cm) improved from about 7% to 21%. The reason for this was due to positive change in attitude as perceived by farmers to be more useful and ease of use due to the training, extension service, demonstration, and dissemination activities by CARP+ project. However, much as there was a slight improvement in attitude towards the use of improved seed from research station (6.8% to 7.9%) and use of fertilizers (0.8% to 3.4%), their uptake remained comparably lower. The low uptake of some of the innovative practices such innovations were logistical relating availability and access.
“Fertilizers and potato seed from research station are so expensive, we cannot afford them” (Turyasingura Obed, a farmer in, Rukiga district).
From literature, fertilizers and quality seeds are an integral part of current agricultural production system to provide essential mineral elements for positive crop growth to full potential and blossoming harvests [37]-[39]. It is, therefore, imperative that clear extension messages and information dissemination to create awareness on benefits of using quality seed and fertilizers coupled with strengthening supply chain and distribution networks to ensure that quality seed and fertilizers are readily available and easily accessible for sustained adoption.
3.3. Attitude of Smallholder Farmers towards Research Station (Kachwekano-ZARDI) as a Credible Source of Improved Potato Seed
Survey results revealed that there was a significant regional variation in the preferred sources of potato seed among farmers in the Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga districts (Figure 3).
Source: Field data, 2022.
Figure 3. Preference of research station (Kachwekano-ZARDI) as credible source for quality seed.
Specifically, research station including Kachwekano-ZARDI are highly preferred in Rubanda and Kabale (90% and 70% respectively) but less preferred (40%) in Rukiga. This preference discrepancy was associated with location of Rukiga district, far away from Kachwekano-ZARDI, leading to additional transaction costs related to transport and travel time to and from the research station, thus reducing the farmers preference. Fewer farmers from Rukiga (40%) preferred Kachwekano-ZARDI quality potato seed source was attributed to high transport costs and travel time to and from the research station, thus, the rest of smallholder farmers opted for other potato seed sources that were not necessarily quality potato seed sources. Transport costs and other logistical challenges play a crucial role in the uptake of new practices because of the additional costs involved [20] [40]. By reducing the distance that farmers need to travel to access an input significantly improved its uptake [41]. This finding also feeds into the need for Kachwekano-ZARDI to extend its distribution networks by partnering with local stores and local markets to ensure all the services offered by the institute such as supply of quality declared seed and extension services are extended nearer to the remote farmers through public private partnerships (PPP) arrangement.
3.4. Potato Tuber Size from Recycled Seed Sources Preferred by Farmers as Suitable Planting Material
Findings from the survey revealed that most farmers (60%, 50%, and 80%) in Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga districts respectively still preferred using small tubers as “seed” (Figure 4).
Source: Field data, 2022.
Figure 4. Size of potato tubers preferred as suitable seed material by farmers.
This finding contradicts with medium/large tubers that are recommended for high potato yield and productivity [42]. The use of small potato tubers as planting material by most smallholder farmers in these districts coupled with in preference of recycled seed (Figure 4) by some farmers, particularly for Rukiga district (60%) underscores a widespread reliance on suboptimal planting materials which has an impact on crippling the potential of potato yield, and the overall agricultural productivity and sustainability. Thus, there is need for urgent and continuous extension services and training programs to create awareness to inform farmers on the benefits of transitioning from traditional practices and yarn for innovative intensification potato practices.
3.5. Attitude toward Potato-Legume Intercropping Systems Compared Commonly Used Potato-Based Intercropping Systems
Table 3. Main potato-based intercrops.
District |
Rubanda |
Kabale |
Rukiga |
Companion crop |
Percent of farmers (n = 265) |
Beans/legumes |
10 |
20 |
30 |
Maize/cereals |
50 |
30 |
40 |
Onions/cabbages/vegetables |
30 |
40 |
10 |
Other crops |
10 |
10 |
20 |
Source: Field data, 2022.
Survey findings revealed that potato-legume intercropping was among the least preferred cropping systems for both Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga districts (10%, 20% and 30% respectively) (Table 3). From an ecosystem standpoint, the role of legumes such as beans in improving soil fertility cannot be over-emphasized [43] [44]. For instance, beans fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing a natural source of fertilizer into the soil, thus reducing the need for additional nitrogen inputs [44]. This not only enhance yield for the companion crop but also promotes ecological sustainability by minimizing the environmental impact associated with synthetic fertilizers. Relatedly, the complementary growth habits of some companion crops such as potato and beans grown together enables efficient utilization of resources and space, resulting in enhanced land productivity and economic returns for farmers [43]. This finding calls for continuous extension services and training programs to raise awareness on benefits of transitioning from traditional practices and yarn for innovative practices that enhance food security, resilient, and sustainable agricultural landscapes.
3.6. Use of Farmyard Manure by Farmers to Improve Soil Fertility
Survey results revealed that there was generally low use of farmyard manure (20%, 10% and 40%) for Rubanda, Kabale and Rukiga districts respectively because manure was associated with the harboring pests in potato gardens (Figure 5).
“When you use farmyard manure, you invite pests in your garden, especially ‘kanyarugongo’ (Thrips) which climbs up the potato shoot and feeds on the leaves at night” (Masobera Elinorah, an elderly farmer, Kabale district).
With such beliefs among smallholder farmers in a situation where use of inorganic fertilizers is very limited, balancing soil fertility and issues related to a balanced ecological system such as climate change becomes a challenge [45] [46]. Using farmyard manure is a low-production cost innovation that ensures an environmentally friendly product that is key for the growth conditions of crops than to other methods [45]. Farmyard manure has high potential to supply crop nutrients over a longer period than inorganic fertilizers [46]. From a policy perspective, increased use of manure in agriculture has a positive impact on the environment [47]. Thus, there is need for extension services to overturn the non-enterprising farmer attitudes and perceptions towards use of farmyard manure not only as a cost-saving innovative practice but also environmentally friendly practice for enhanced potato yield and productivity and sustainable environment.
Source: Field data, 2022.
Figure 5. Use of farmyard manure by potato farmers.
4. Conclusions and Recommendations
This study underscores the crucial role of attitudes in the uptake of innovative agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Southwestern Uganda, particularly in the context of potato crop intensification innovation which was implemented by CARP+, a RUFORUM project that was implemented by Makerere University between 2018 and 2021. Data were collected from 265 respondents purposively selected because of their active participation in the project and analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics.
Results revealed that there was a general shift from use of traditional practices towards potato crop intensification innovations such as potato-legume intercropping systems and use of recommended spacing. However, several negative attitudes toward use of improved seed from research institutions and use of soil fertility management practices such as fertilizers and farmyard manure. Preference for use of large and medium potato tubers as planting materials in cases where cycled potato seed was used also remained lower due to limited knowledge.
The study recommended continuous extension educational programmes to create awareness and clear extension messages on the benefits of using potato crop intensification innovative practices such as quality declared seed and fertilizers. The study also recommended Kachwekano-ZARDI to strengthen quality potato seed supply chain and distribution networks to remote areas by establishing certification processes and protocols for informal seed players such as farmers, local stores and local markets to ensure seed quality and accessibility through public-private partnerships (PPP) arrangements. Finally, there is a need for adequate use of farmyard manure as a cost-saving method that does not only enhance potato yield and productivity but also is environmentally friendly.
Acknowledgements
The Mastercard Foundation through the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) funded this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.