Determinants of the intensity of inorganic fertilizer and improved seed use among smallholder maize producers in uganda

Abstract

Agricultural technology adoption remains central to improving productivity and food security among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, maize is a staple crop, but yields remain below potential due to limited and uneven adoption of yield enhancing inputs such as inorganic fertilizers and improved seeds. This study, therefore, investigated the determinants of the intensity of inorganic fertilizer and improved seed use among smallholder maize producers in Uganda. Data were analyzed from 4,161 farmers captured in the Uganda National Panel Surveys (UNPS) of 2015/16, 2018/19, and 2019/20. Descriptive statistics characterized the farmers, and Pearson correlation coefficient identified potential factors influencing the intensity of inorganic fertilizer and improved seed use. Finally, a Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SURE) model was fitted to examine the determinants of the intensity of use at a 5% level of significance. The results show that intensity use was higher or improved maize seed than for inorganic fertilizer, with farmers applying an average of 6.07 kg/acre [95% CI: 5.78–6.36] of improved seed compared to 4.51 kg/acre [95% CI: 4.09–4.82] of inorganic fertilizer. The results from SURE model revealed that for inorganic fertilizer application rate, higher intensity of use was positively associated with the application rates of organic fertilizer used (kgs/acre) (Coefficient = 0.922, p = 0.000), application rates of Pesticides used (liters/acre) (Coefficient = 1.111, p = 0.001), and being male (Coefficient = 0.587, p = 0.043), while larger crop area (acres) (Coefficient = -0.204, p = 0.036) and residence in the Eastern (Coefficient = -1.349, p = 0.001) or Northern (Coefficient = –1.818, p = 0.000) regions were negatively associated. In contrast, the intensity of improved maize seed use was positively influenced by application rates of organic fertilizer used (kgs/acre) (Coefficient = 0.013, p = 0.003), crop area (acres) (Coefficient = 0.144, p = 0.000), extension visits (Coefficient = 0.016, p = 0.044), and being male (Coefficient = 0.053, p = 0.040). These findings highlight the importance of strengthening extension services, promoting integrated soil fertility management, and addressing gender and regional disparities to enhance the intensity of input use. Targeted policies that improve women’s access to resources and support farmers in less-adopting regions could accelerate sustainable maize productivity growth in Uganda.