Effects of NAADS Programme on Agricultural productivity: The case study of Bushenyi district.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the National Agricultural Advisory Services program (NAADS) on agricultural productivity in Bushenyi District. The study specifically focused on the effect of NAADS extension service on banana productivity in the two sub counties of Kyeizooba and Kyamuhunga of Bushenyi district. The study uses a comparative approach to ascertain the effect of NAADS extension services by analysing the differences in banana productivity levels of NAADS and non NAADS farmers. In addition, the study assesses the levels of adoption of farming technologies and modern agronomic practices among NAADS farmers. The study was based upon a survey of 80 banana growing farmers in Bushenyi district, 40 of these were farmers involved in the NAADS program, and the rest were banana farmers that had not participated in the NAADS program. The results showed that generally, farmers involved in NAADS program had greater levels of banana productivity per acre compared to farmers not involved in the program. Findings further revealed that a relatively big proportion of farmers involved in the NAADS program had replicated the agricultural knowledge obtained from NAADS program through planting improved banana varieties and using modern banana management practices. The study results have important implications for agricultural development and extension services in Uganda. Promotion of decentralised, demand driven extension services should be emphasised. The current extension service under the NAADS program appears to be leaving some farmers behind. The program strategies and interventions need to be reviewed to target the actual farmer‟s needs, and address the current service delivery challenges at hand. The NAADS extension system will need to be complemented by other government services for instance rural infrastructure development, agricultural finance, if agricultural productivity is to be attained.