School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) Collections

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    Compliance with Maize grain standards in a regional market among farmers in Mubende District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Otike, Stephen
    This study examines compliance with grain post-harvest standards and their economic implications among smallholder maize farmers in Uganda. Smallholder maize farmers in Uganda are trapped in a low-quality equilibrium (where farmers lack quality incentives and buyers avoid local markets due to inconsistent produce quality). Using a cross-sectional survey of 381 maize farmers, the study characterized, analyzed the determinants of compliance, and assessed the associated gross profit. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, the Probit regression model, and two-stage least squares. Findings revealed that education levels, land size, farming experience, literacy, labor type, and access to premium price varied between compliant and non-compliant maize farmers. The findings revealed that compliance with grain standards is driven by the literacy rate, land size under maize production, farmer experience in maize production, the type of labor used by the farmer, and market information. Further findings reveal that compliance with the grain standards negatively affects maize farmers' gross profit; however, the result is not statistically significant. Other factors that significantly affected maize farmers' gross profit included education, household size, access to credit, and maize acreage. The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, strengthen market systems by supporting farmer cooperatives and warehouse receipt systems to aggregate compliant maize for premium buyers (processors, exporters). Subsidizing quality-enhancing technologies and providing value chain-focused agricultural loans would improve compliance incentives, market access, and smallholder profitability.
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    Compliance with Maize Grain Standards in a Regional Market among farmers in Mubende District.
    (Makerere University, 2025) Otike, Stephen
    This study examines compliance with grain post-harvest standards and their economic implications among smallholder maize farmers in Uganda. Smallholder maize farmers in Uganda are trapped in a low-quality equilibrium (where farmers lack quality incentives and buyers avoid local markets due to inconsistent produce quality). Using a cross-sectional survey of 381 maize farmers, the study characterized, analyzed the determinants of compliance, and assessed the associated gross profit. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, the Probit regression model, and two-stage least squares. Findings revealed that education levels, land size, farming experience, literacy, labor type, and access to premium price varied between compliant and non-compliant maize farmers. The findings revealed that compliance with grain standards is driven by the literacy rate, land size under maize production, farmer experience in maize production, the type of labor used by the farmer, and market information. Further findings reveal that compliance with the grain standards negatively affects maize farmers' gross profit; however, the result is not statistically significant. Other factors that had a significant effect on maize farmers' gross profit were noted to include education, household size, access to credit, and maize acreage. The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, strengthen market systems by supporting farmer cooperatives and warehouse receipt systems to aggregate compliant maize for premium buyers (processors, exporters). Subsidizing quality-enhancing technologies, and providing value chain-focused agricultural loans would improve compliance incentives, market access, and smallholder profitability.
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    Evaluation of flood characteristics within a changing climate in Mpologoma river basin
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kukunda, Loyce
    Climate change has a feasible impact on the frequency and magnitude of hydrological extremes. This influences the design of future floodplain structures and water resource plans. The objective of this study was to assess flood characteristics within the Mpologoma River basin for the historical (1980-2009) and future (2010-2040) periods. The HEC-HMS model was used to generate daily flows using Log-Pearson III. The area of inundation was determined using the HEC-RAS model. Using projected rainfall data from General Circulation Models (GCMs), future flood characteristics were determined using projected rainfall data under scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Results from the HEC-HMS model calibration and validation indicated a good performance (R2 = 0.75 and R2 = 0.79 respectively) in simulating streamflow, making it suitable for this study. The basin experienced more of the 2-year return floods than the 5-year floods with an increasing trend for both. A consistent increase in stream flow volumes and peak flood magnitudes (coefficient of determination > 98%) in all sub-basins is evident. A significant difference between the historical and the near future flow (p = 0.00001) and an increase in the inundation area and flood return period ranging between 12-15 and 13 16 % under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, is observed. Flood frequency, magnitude and inundation area would increase in the future, while floods with 5-year return periods would likely occur in 2028 and 2038 for some GCMs. Continuous observation of discharge for better prediction of flood occurrences and mitigation of their impacts in the basin is recommended.
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    Participation intensity of smallholder farmers in the warehouse receipt system and its effect on Coffee profitability in Tanzania
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nyanda, Michael
    The Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) has significant potential to transform smallholder coffee farmers’ livelihoods. However, numerous obstacles hinder their access to such marketing systems. This study quantified the intensity of participation in the WRS, determined its drivers, and evaluated its effect on coffee profitability. The study utilized a cross-sectional design, and a sample of 360 farmers was selected from Kyerwa district, Tanzania, using a multistage sampling method. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Analysis of the WRS Participation Intensity Index (WPI) revealed a low average participation of 43.6%, suggesting smallholder farmers’ limited participation. The Heckman two-stage model showed that participation intensity was significantly associated with the household head’s age, farming experience, credit availability, marriage status, land productivity, and warehouse distance. Furthermore, WRS participation intensity, education, farm size, farming experience, and extension services were significantly associated with increased coffee profitability. The findings suggest that understanding participation intensity is crucial for policymakers to reform the WRS regulations. The study recommends that the government should promote agricultural investments, upgrade rural infrastructure, and prioritize education and awareness creation strategies. Efforts should also strengthen extension services and promote financial literacy to enhance WRS participation intensity and coffee profitability.
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    The drivers to uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop intensification innovations among smallholder farmers in South-western Uganda : a case of CARP+ project
    (Makerere University, 2025) Ainebyona, Roland Rwambuka
    In Uganda, the persistent disparity between actual potato yield (4.3-7.1t/ha) and its potential (25-30t/ha) is largely attributed to low uptake of innovative practices. Despite concerted efforts from diverse actors to promote uptake of potato crop intensification innovations among smallholder farmers, uptake remains low. This study was anchored in the Cropping System Intensification Interventions and Outcome Framework and Social Network Theory. This aided to expound the practical and theoretical implications of farmers’ practices in relation to crop intensification innovation within potato production system. It further supported to examine actors’ roles, interactions and linkages that promote uptake of potato crop intensification innovations and assess the socioeconomic drivers for uptake of potato crop intensification innovations among smallholder farmers. A Mixed-Methods research approach was employed to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software revealed that home saved seed source was most preferred because it was associated with low-cost and availability while research station seed source was perceived as expensive and only accessible by wealthier farmers. There were unenterprising perceptions towards key potato production practices such use of quality declared seed, intercropping systems and soil fertility management systems. This implied that farmers lacked basic knowledge on potato intensification innovation practices. Social Network Analysis revealed that innovation uptake was enhanced by diverse actors who interact and perform various roles at different stages of the innovation process. The ordered logit regression model revealed that access to credit, household income, distance to input markets and location were key determinants for innovation uptake. Based on these results, this study recommends use of an integrated agricultural extension services through investment in farmer education and capacity building by expanding agricultural training programs. This could promote use of quality seed, appropriate potato intercropping strategies and sustainable soil fertility management. Additionally, priority should be given to improvement in actor interactions to improve on physical access to input and output markets and promoting integrated support systems to disseminate information on input availability, credit options, and best practices in relation to potato crop intensification innovations. Keywords: Actor interaction, Crop intensification, Extension programs, Localized markets, Potato farming practices