Are large-scale farmers better than small-scale farmers? evidence from maize farmers using Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS), 2010-2018

Abstract

This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of small-scale and large-scale maize farmers in addressing maize production in Uganda, utilizing data from five waves of the Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) spanning 2010 to 2018. The primary aim was to assess the factors influencing maize production among small-scale and large-scale farmers, with specific objectives examining the effects of farm inputs, demographic, biophysical and regional factors on maize harvest quantities.

Employing fixed effects regression models, the analysis was conducted separately for small-scale farmers (n=5,485), large-scale farmers (n=206), and a pooled sample (n=5,691). Results reveal significant disparities in production patterns and input effectiveness between the two groups. Small-scale farmers dominate Uganda’s maize production sector (over 96% of producers) but achieve lower average annual harvests (268.1 kg) compared to large-scale farmers (520.3 kg). However, when small-scale farmers access fertilizers and pesticides, their production increases substantially by 52.8 kg and 71.5 kg respectively. Among small-scale farmers, regional location significantly influences production, with Northern and Western regions outperforming Central Uganda by 55.1 kg and 63.7 kg annually. Customary land tenure reduces production by approximately 25 kg compared to freehold tenure. Counterintuitively, farmers using traditional seeds produce significantly more maize than those using improved seeds across both categories, small-scale farmers using traditional seeds harvest 67.9 kg more, while large-scale farmers harvest 322.2 kg more annually. For large-scale farmers, sandy loam soils increase production by 373.4 kg compared to sandy clay loam soils.

The study concludes that small-scale farmers are not inherently less productive but are constrained by limited access to inputs, insecure land tenure, and inadequate institutional support. Recommendations include revising agricultural support programs to include small-scales, strengthening land tenure security, improving fertilizer subsidy distribution, expanding integrated pest management training, and developing regionally targeted interventions. These findings contribute to evidence-based agricultural policymaking aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and highlight the need for context-specific strategies that recognize the complementary roles of both small-scale and large-scale farmers in achieving maize production in Uganda.