Contextual issues influencing training transfer system factors among smallholder farmers in central Uganda

Abstract

Smallholder farmer training has become an important component for increasing farmers’ competitiveness in the market economy, although the role of their demographic factors and situation on the factors that directly influence training transfer, remains under-studied. This study analysed the influence of contextual variables on training transfer system factors. Data obtained from 603 smallholder trainee farmers across three rural districts in Uganda in a cross sectional survey were analyzed using hierarchical regression. The finding revealed that both situational and demographic variables were significantly associated with trainee characteristics (R2 = .15, p≤.001), training design (R2 = .22, p ≤ .001) and work environment (R2 = .33, p ≤ .001). Specifically, course type and style of recruitment and farming experience correlated with trainee characteristics. Style of recruitment correlated with training design while prior preparation of trainees, age and farming experience were associated with work environment. Our study points to consideration of individual and situational factors in enhancing smallholder farmer likelihood to transfer learnt knowledge and skills into practice.

Keywords: Central Uganda, demographic factors, situation factors, smallholder farmers, training transfer