| dc.description.abstract | Amidst unprecedented land degradation, changes in climate and resource scarcity, conservation
agriculture is increasingly adopted to enhance efficient land and water resource use, stable and
sustainable agricultural productivity. This work investigated the spatial-temporal patterns in
adoption of Conservation Agriculture practices amongst smallholder farmers in Mpigi district.
The study (i) analyse the spatial-temporal patterns of adoption, (ii) assessed the factors
influencing the adoption of the different Conservation Agricultural practices and (iii) explored
the strategies for enhancing adoption. A cross-sectional study design with quantitative and
qualitative data was deployed. Chi-Square analysis established the spatial differences of
conservation agriculture across studied parishes. A factor analysis was used to establish the
broad typologies of Conservation Agricultural practices. Rogers‟ Theory guided in analysing
temporal adoption. Qualitative data was subjected to content analysis and triangulation. Results
showed a significant spatial difference in adoption especially crop rotation, bio-intensive
gardening and mulching. Practices that target soil fertility and water conservation were
generally adopted equally across the two parishes. Such practices included Agro-forestry, use
of legumes, semi-intensive poultry rearing and Contour farming. Between 2013 and 2019, the
structure of adoption comprised early and late majority adopters. Socio-economic factors of
education, age, marital status, household potential labour and land size significantly influenced
adoption of adoption of conservation agricultural practices differently. Strategies in line of
significance included regular peer, key roles in planning and willingness of support
organizations as well as field visits. The adoption of Conservation Agricultural practices is
however not uniform amongst smallholder farmers and thus require a supportive environment
in form of favorable institutional arrangements, information sharing, capacity development,
learning, and partnerships for wider uptake of innovative and sustainable Conservation
Agricultural practices. | en_US |
