Masters Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/20.500.12504/198

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Farmers' knowledge of and attitudes towards the use of inorganic fertilizers for Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in Kabale district, Uganda
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2018-07) Rusagura, Joseph
Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most significant food crop in the world after rice, maize and wheat. However, Irish potato production in Uganda is low with an average yield of 3 tonnes ha-1 without fertilizer use. This is ascribed to high soil nutrient mining coupled with low inorganic fertilizer use. In Kabale District, for example, farmers apply low rates (41.5kg-67.2kg/ha) compared to the recommended application rate of 120kg - 2 l 5kg/ha. There are a number of reasons for the low inorganic fertilizer use, including farmers' knowledge and attitudes. Therefore, the study assessed the farmers' knowledge and attitudes towards the use of inorganic fertilizer for Irish potato production in Kabale District. The target population comprised 363 farmers randomly selected, and 3 Agricultural officers with 4 suppliers of fertilizers purposively selected providing a sample size of 370 respondents. In testing the instruments, validity was found as 0.91 and reliability was found as 0.81. Validity and reliability coefficients were higher than 0.7, Cronbach Alpha which means that the instruments used were valid and reliable. A cross sectional survey design involving interviews and structured questionnaires was used. The results show that majority of respondents (60 .6%) use inorganic fertilizers. NPK is the most commonly used inorganic fertilizer. In terms of quantity, nearly one half (49%) of respondents applied 50kgs/ha while 65 .8% reported lack of sufficient technical knowledge in the use of inorganic fertilizer. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between three knowledge variables and Irish potato yield as shown respectively (0.868, 0.684, 0.890, p-value<0.01). The results also show that farmers' attitudes were significantly positive to the use of inorganic fertilizers (r=0.417, p<0.05). The socio-economic variables examined were found to influence positively both knowledge and attitudes of the farmers in the use of fertilizers. Based on these results, it was concluded that farmers in Kabale used low fertilizer application rates and lacked sufficient knowledge but the attitudes were positive towards the use of inorganic fertilizer application needed to achieve high yields. It is, therefore, recommended that more sensitization and provision of technical services on inorganic fertilizer use be done and that the Government of Uganda should develop a mechanism for improving the accessibility of inorganic fertilizers by the farmers.
Farming practices and food security of smallholder farmers in kiruhura district, south western Uganda
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2023-10) Tumukunde, Jackson
This study examined how farming practices influence smallholder farmers’ food security in Kiruhura district of Uganda. The specific objectives were to: describe the farming practices of smallholder farmers in Kiruhura district; determine the factors that influence the selection of farming practices among farmers in Kiruhura district, and to establish the relationship between household farming practices and household food security. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires from a sample size of 310. In addition, key informant interviews and field observations was done. The study findings showed that most smallholder farmers used varied levels of external inputs in agricultural production with about half of them combining use of external inputs with traditional farming practices. The choice of the farming practice to use was influenced by human, financial, social and natural factors, but natural factors have the greatest influence. Further, the dimensions of food security it is food availability and access that were assessed. The results showed that households that practiced high external inputs dependency farming were more food secure (food availability) than those that did not use external inputs in farming. The study revealed that there was a statistical difference between farming practices and food security within smallholder farmers at a 10% level of significance. Hence, farming practices that involve use of external inputs can significantly contribute to food security. Given that choice of whether or not to use external inputs largely depends on natural factors, designing interventions that conserve soil and water, and those that improve soil fertility to improve food security can enhance food security.
The relationship between climate variability and smallholder farmers’ common bean yield in northern Uganda
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2022-11) Obong, David
Climate variability poses detrimental effects on both nature and society, it is a global challenge that requires immediate attention if the world's 9 billion people are to be supported by sustainable use of the environment. The study examined the relationship between climate variability and smallholder farmers’ common bean yield in Northern Uganda. The study's specific objectives were to examine common bean smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate variability, assess the relationship between temperature change and smallholder farmers' common bean yield, and assess the relationship between rainfall variability and smallholder farmers' common bean yield in Northern Uganda. The study employed cross-sectional research and mixed methodology designs involving 160 smallholder farmers actively planting common bean. The sample was selected using stratified, random, and criterion-based purposive sampling techniques. To gather primary data for this study, an interviewer-administered paper survey, focus groups, and in-depth interviews were used. To evaluate quantitative data, descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used. Qualitative data was used to validate and supplement the narratives based on the quantitative findings. The findings revealed that common bean smallholder farmers are aware of and have experienced a rise in temperature and rainfall amount over the past 12 years that is unfavourable for the production of common beans. The null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between changes in temperature and common bean yield is retained. In addition, the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between rainfall variability and common bean yield is retained. Thus, the low common bean yield experienced by smallholder common bean farmers in Northern Uganda is a result of other factors that this study did not focus on, like soil conditions, agronomic practices, pests, and diseases, among others. The investigator recommends that public and private agencies and agricultural extension workers tasked with enhancing the potentials of smallholder farmers should use and tap into the farmers' experiences with climate variability to inform climate variability training programmes. Further, build the capacity of common bean smallholder farmers to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change and variability on common bean production and productivity. The capacity-building process should be holistic and integrate a host of other factors with a bearing on low yield, like soil conditions, agronomic practices, pests, and diseases, among others.
Influence of member participation on sustainability of community-based coffee nurseries in Kasese district
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2022-10) Baluku, Jimmy
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority has prioritized Community-based approaches as a means for ensuring sustainability of the coffee nurseries in Uganda. To-date the Authority continues to distribute coffee seed to community-based nursery groups and several community demonstration sites set up all over the country. While some communities have registered commendable growth and sustainable seedling production, others have recorded failure and collapse. The reasons for failure are not well understood. Therefore, the study was conducted to: i) examine key characteristics of the Community-based Coffee Nurseries in Kasese District ii) determine the level of member participation in management and operations of the CBNP and iii) establish the relationship between member participation and sustainability of CBNP. Cross sectional survey design was adopted. Questionnaires, focused group discussions and Document review were used to collect information from 294 respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS while qualitative data was presented using thematic approach. Results showed that the community was not empowered to create community projects as solution to their coffee seedlings needs through community projects without external support. However, CBCNs sustainability in Kilembe Sub County was majorly influenced by member participation as compared to CBCNs in Mahango Sub County. The most important requirement for membership of a CBN was being a coffee farmer and a resident in the sub county. Member participation in management and operations of CBNP was higher in Kilembe than Mahango Sub County. Member participation and number of years as CBN had a statistically significant positive effect on number of seedlings for each farmer in Kilembe, whereas members training, number of years as CBN and membership had a statistically significant positive effect on number of seedlings for each farmer in Mahango. Membership, Members Contribution, Number of Years as CBN, Members Participation and Members training had statistically significant positive effect on the number of members in groups in Kilembe, whereas Membership, Number of Years as CBN, Resources Mobilization, Members Participation and Members training had a statistically significant positive effect on the number of members in groups in Mahango.
Adoption of cattle manure for banana production by farmers in Mbarara district, Uganda
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2018-11) Namara, Hope
Bananas are the main staple food crop grown in Mbarara District but production is threatened by Mbarara's declining soil fertility. Cattle manure has a potential of improving soil fertility as it is available and affordable through the good supply from the high cattle population of the area compared to scarce & costly inorganic fertilizers. In addressing the problem, the aim was to find out the rate of cattle manure adoption for increasing banana yields. A sample size of 226 respondents was used for the study consisting of 214 banana farmers randomly selected and 12 change agents deployed in the area taken whole. The four sub counties used were selected through stratified sampling picking the best performing in banana production. Data was collected using interview guides, questionnaires, and focus group discussion guides. Statistical package for social scientists Version 21 .0 was used to compute frequencies, percentages, means and r values. Qualitative data from interviews and focused group discussions was analyzed through open coding according to themes. The findings revealed that 77% of the banana farmers regularly applied cattle manure with more than half (50%) of them applying it with kitchen refuse. The study also revealed a relationship between farmers ' socio-economic characteristics and cattle manure adoption by farmers which was largely determined by farmer's age, education level, marital status, income source and sex of the farmer. Additionally, others were perceived benefits of cattle manure, distance to the road for ferrying manure and produce, desire to improve soil fertility and land ownership. Using Pearson r values, the results further revealed that cattle manure adoption had a relationship at 0.05 alpha with banana bunch size in kg (r=.632*) and with yield in kg ha.1(r=.740*). The associations of cattle manure adoption with socio-economic characteristics gave further r values as age (r=.914*), education level (r=.878*), and distance to the road for ferrying manure and produce (r= .906*). The study concluded that 77% of the banana farmers regularly applied cattle manure. Based on qualitative data and r values, cattle manure adoption by farmers was influenced by key factors such as age, education level, marital status, income source, and distance to the road for ferrying manure/produce. Adoption of cattle manure was certainly an advantage in increasing banana yields. The study recommends more collective efforts by relevant agencies supported by the government in training the fanners to adopt more use of cattle manure.
Agriculture training in farm institutes and the labour market requirements in uganda.
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2013-10) Tumwesigye, Rogers
Agriculture training is intended to prepare trainees to meet the agriculture labour market requirements. In Uganda training is done at farm institutes, college and university levels. This study assessed Agriculture Training in Government Farm institutes and whether the training meets the Labour market requirements in Agricultural sector of Uganda. The agricultural training methods used in farm institutes were identified; the training methods employed and how they prepared trainees to meet the labour market requirements were determined. The attitude of agriculture trainees and graduates from farm institutes towards their trade were established. A descriptive study design was used employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Farm institute graduates, trainees, instructors and institute administrators were used for the study. Interviews, observation and document analysis were used to collect. Snow ball, systematic and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Findings indicated that the lecture method was dominant over practical methods and had limited consideration for agriculture labour market. As a result, trainees and graduates were not equipped with the skills and attitudes needed in Labour market to a large extent which led graduates to face challenges on their first time of employment during practical tasks. Hence there is need for instructors to train professionally and renew their teaching methods so as to make teaching more practical and use appropriate teaching methods that can enrich the trainees with hands on experience. In addition, farm institutes' laboratories need to be well resourced and curriculum made flexible to include contemporary and emerging issues from time to time. Farm institutes' graduates' who retrained had more positive attitudes' towards manual work and remained in the trade. Therefore Uganda Government through the Ministries of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries should put more emphasis on practical training if positive attitudes are to be developed in the citizenry.
Agricultural extension service training in Uganda and delivery competence acquisition.
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2013-11) Nanono, Kiwanuka Milly
Agriculture training in Agricultural Institutions has a bearing on the quality of the competences needed for appropriate agricultural service delivery. However, knowledge, skills and attitudes for agricultural service delivery still remain a challenge in farming communities to cater for the vast and dynamic agricultural needs. The study investigated how the content of the crop production curriculum taught at Agricultural Institutions supported service delivery competence requirements, assessed the extent to which teaching and learning methods enhanced competence acquisition and determined the relevance of the training given to Agricultural Extension Workers to the competence requirements. A descriptive study design was adopted employing a qualitative approach. Respondents were students, lecturers, farmers and agricultural institutions administrators. Responses were also collected from extension workers, the district Production and Marketing Officers, the Agricultural Officer and NAADS coordinators at the District. Interviews, observation and documentary analysis aided the process of data collection. Data analysis was done qualitatively by so1ting, editing, and coding of the findings. It was found out that the content of the crop production curricula supported acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and attitudes for service delivery to a limited extent. The teaching and learning methods enhanced acquisition of the required crop production knowledge, skills and attitudes for extension service delivery to a limited extent. The methods included: lectures, team teaching, research discussions and Information technology: projects, demonstrations, outreach programs, industrial training, study tours and exhibitions. The teaching and learning methods were influenced by the expertise of lecturers/instructors, time allocation and the availability of tools, equipment and materials. While the training of the extension workers would be relevant to the service delivery competence requirements, it provided limited crop production knowledge, skills and attitudes. To cater for the mismatch, it was recommended that; relevant course content of the crop production curricula such as crop agronomy, pest and disease control, soil and water conservation, agricultural extension methods should be maintained. More time need to be accorded to the practical component; teaching and learning methods should be modified and integrated; tools, equipment and materials be availed; the lecturers and instructors should be provided with pedagogical skills of teaching; the training should be integrated with training students at agricultural research centers, farmers' farms and at other agricultural related fields such as agro-based industries, agro-processors and agro-input providers
The relationship between teacher training and learning outcomes of agriculture teacher trainees in primary teachers’ colleges in eastern Uganda
(Kyambogo University[unpublished work], 2022-10) Nangono, Mike
Effective teacher training is critical for the development of competent teaching workforce, less of which generates ineffective graduates. The study examined the relationship between teacher training and learning outcomes of Agriculture teacher trainees in Primary Teachers’ Colleges in Eastern Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the relationship between the pedagogical competencies of tutors and teacher trainees of Agriculture, examine the relationship between Agriculture subject matter competencies of tutors and teacher trainees of Agriculture, and examine the influence of training process on the competencies of teacher trainees of Agriculture in Primary Teachers’ Colleges in Eastern Uganda. A cross sectional survey research and mixed methodology designs was used to select a sample of 200 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression. Study findings revealed that there is a weak positive significant relationship between pedagogical competencies and student learning outcomes (r=.278**; p=.000<0.01). Further, there is a weak positive significant relationship between learning environment and student learning outcomes(r=.284**; p=.000<0.01). In addition, the findings indicate that there is a strong positive significant relationship between pedagogical competencies in the subject matter and student learning outcomes(r=.411**; p=.000<0.01). The Agriculture subject matter competencies (Beta=0.335, p<0.000) and learning environment competencies (Beta=3.498, p<0.001) have a statistical significant positive influence on learning outcomes of Agriculture teacher trainees. The investigator recommends that there is need to: establish college demonstration farms where teacher trainees of agriculture are provided a conducive environment for hands-on training to develop appropriate competencies for teaching Agriculture; develop a policy for every Primary Teachers’ College to have a farm to ease practical teaching and learning of Agriculture; and to stem up supervision of teaching and learning processes to ensure implementation of active teaching and learning methods that the Ministry of Education and Sports trained Primary Teachers College on and to conduct regular in-service professional competence training to refresh and enhance teaching competencies of tutors. The investigator concludes that there is a substantial relationship between learning environment and student learning outcomes, between pedagogical competencies and student learning outcomes and a substantial relationship between tutor competencies in subject matter and student learning outcomes in Primary Teachers’ Colleges in Eastern Uganda
Assessing the land conflicts and management strategies Used by smallholder Irish potato (solanum tuberosum) Farmers in Kisoro district, Uganda
(Kyambogo University, 2019-07) Kwizera, Gad
Celebrated in 2008, the United Nations International Year of the Potato (IYP) highlighted the important role of the Irish potato in agriculture, the economy and world food security. Globally, agriculture and food security are affected by a number of constraints including land conflicts. As population grows, land becomes scarce and its demand rises. In Uganda and Kisoro District in particular, there is an increasing level of land conflicts needing mitigation among smallholder Irish potato farmers. Thus the study was conducted to assess land conflicts and management strategies used by smallholder Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) farmers in Kisoro District, Uganda. The specific objectives were to: determine the nature and effects of land conflicts on the productivity of Irish potatoes; establish management strategies used by smallholder farmers to resolve the land conflicts in Kisoro District. A descriptive case study design was adopted for the study. Data was collected from 202 respondents using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data collected on the nature and management of land conflicts was analysed using percentages and thematic analysis or as verbatim or paraphrased statements while quantitative data on effects of land conflicts on Irish potato productivity was analysed using a paired sample t-test. Findings indicated that 66.8% of smallholder Irish potato farmers in Kisoro District were directly experiencing land conflicts arising mainly from land inheritance, poor and unclear land demarcations. Further findings indicated that land grabbing, borderline fights, illegal relocation of boundaries, selling to multiple buyers and disagreements among siblings regarding sharing of land were experienced. The occurrence of land conflicts resulted into court injunction on the use of the land, leaving land idle for seasons, fights and quarrels that resulted into injuries, loss of finance and time that affected smallholder Irish potato farming. A t-test was done for the mean yield of 4728kgha-1 before conflict and 3789kgha-1 after the conflict at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that land conflicts had a significant effect on Irish potato productivity (p value=0.003<0.05), which means conflict lower yields thus productivity. The yield and income from Irish potatoes were found to reduce by 20% as a result of the land conflicts. The strategies used by smallholder farmers to manage the conflicts include; court arbitration, seeking mediation from family members and clan elders, proper fencing of the land and on rare occasions, the conflicting parties peacefully resolved their differences. Based on the findings, it was concluded that land conflicts had significant delays on Irish potato production activities thus a possible reduction in yields hence needing redress. Therefore, it is recommended that land laws are reviewed, people are educated on land title acquisition and local leaders are empowered to help in proper demarcation of land. For further research study, the researcher recommends examining the role of local leaders and culture in land conflict management in rural farming communities in Uganda.
Popular music and social cohesion in Bidibidi refugee settlement in West Nile, Uganda
(Kyambogo University, 2021-04) Adima Otum, Angualia Faustine
This dissertation examines how popular music has contributed to the peaceful co-existence between South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi Settlement (Yumbe District), West-Nile, Uganda. Besides, the study examines how popular music participates in mitigating some of the challenges refugee face as they interact with the host communities. This study was inspired by the fact that despite many measures taken by different stakeholders towards the mitigation of refugee problems, the role of popular music towards the promotion of social cohesion between refugees and host communities in settlements like Bidibidi has not received adequate attention by scholars. Moreover, there is limited research on how popular music has facilitated the co-existence of refugees and host communities in Bidibidi Settlement, Yumbe district, West Nile, Uganda. Adopting a case study approach under the qualitative research methodology, the study revealed that indeed popular music fosters social harmony between South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi Settlement, West Nile. Through a program known as Bidibidi Got Talent (BGT), refugee popular artistes from South Sudan are identified and sponsored by UNHCR, OPM and Windle Trust, among other organisations, to have their music recorded in studios in Kampala. The recorded music is then played on Radio Stations covering the West Nile sub-region to sensitize communities about the need for peaceful co-existence. Since messages that are packaged through music can be interpreted differently by different people, I argue that the messages passed through popular music performed in this refugee settlement may also be interpreted differently by people depending on their socio-economic, political and religious context.

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