The role of agricultural institutional services in facilitating maize farmers’ access to and use of improved agro-inputs in Mubende district, Uganda

Abstract

Limited access to and use of necessary agro-inputs has been the main cause of low agricultural productivity. Increased access to and use of improved agro-inputs may be facilitated by both institutions and non-institutional factors. The study examined maize farmers’ motivations for increased access to and use of improved agro-inputs, while focusing on the coordination framework and quality of prevailing institutions facilitating their access and use. The specific objectives were to: map existing agricultural institutions, to determine the farmers’ perception on quality of services provided by agricultural institutions and, to determine the contribution of agricultural institutions in facilitating access to and use of improved agro-inputs. The study hypothesised that, the quality of services offered to farmers by institutions positively influences access to and use of improved agro-inputs. The study used cross-sectional data from 313 farmers in Mubende district. Using a Likert scale, data on farmers’ perceptions on quality of services provided by agricultural institutions were collected. Principal component analysis, a dimensionality reduction method was used to construct the institutional quality index (IQI), a farmers’ proxy rating of the quality of services offered by institutions. The Double Hurdle estimator was used to estimate factors that influence access to and use of improved agro-inputs owing to the simultaneous use and level of use decisions. The study revealed that institutions are not fully meeting farmers’ expectations, as the farmers’ rating of quality of institutions is just above average. The study further revealed that, the quality of services provided by institutions (IQI), land availability and education level positively influences access to and use of use of improved agro-inputs. However, the low rating of quality of services (IQI) negatively influences the level of use. The study thus, highlighted the important role of institutions in facilitating access to and use of improved agro-inputs as well as farmers perceptions on quality of services. The study recommends strengthening existing institutional relationships that improve information flow, build trust, ensure legitimacy of institutional actors and provide incentives for farmers investing entrepreneurial energies. Further, generation of policies and programs to improve security of tenure to land and development of adult education programs for farmers and agricultural curricular in schools are receommended.