TITLE:
The Attitude of Smallholder Farmers towards Uptake of Potato Crop Intensification Innovations in Southwestern Uganda
AUTHORS:
Roland Rwambuka Ainebyona, Sanya Losira Nasirumbi, Jacob Godfrey Agea, Gabriel Karubanga, Johnny Mugisha
KEYWORDS:
Extension Education, Farmer Attitudes, Innovation Uptake, Potato Intensification, Smallholder Farmers
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: Despite the potential of potato crop intensification innovations to improve potato yield and productivity, the attitude of most smallholder farmers towards them remains negative, thus low uptake. This study investigates the role of farmers’ attitudes in the uptake of potato crop intensification innovations among smallholder farmers in Southwestern Uganda. The districts of Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga were purposively selected because of their active participation in demonstration, research, training and dissemination activities under Community Action Research Programme Plus (CARP+), a RUFORUM project that was implemented by Makerere University between 2018 and 2021 in Southwestern Uganda. Quantitative data was collected from 265 smallholders through a survey and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that despite a general shift from traditional practices to potato crop intensification innovations, attitude towards some potato crop intensification innovations such as use of fertilizers and improved seed remained lower. Preference for research station as a credible source of potato seed remained lower particularly for Rukiga district while small-size tubers remained the most preferred planting material among farmers. Finally, preference for use of farmyard manure remained lower across all districts, thus paving way for limited potential of potato yield, productivity and environmental vulnerability. The study recommended continuous extension educational programmes to create awareness and clear extension messages on benefits of using innovative practices such as quality declared seed and organic fertilizers. It was also recommended that Kachwekano-ZARDI establishes certification processes and protocols for informal seed players such as farmers, local stores and local markets to ensure seed quality and accessibility.