Factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technologies in Maracha district, Uganda

Abstract

Agroforestry technologies have been extensively researched and introduced to smallholder farmers in Uganda. However, not many farmers have adopted these technologies. This study was conducted to assess underlying factors in creating awareness and adoption of agro-forestry technology practices in Maracha district in northern west Uganda. A cross-section survey was administered to 97 randomly selected households. Data was captured on the age, gender, marital status, educational level and years of farming experience, off-farm activities, household size, and farm size of the respondents. Other variables included farmers’ awareness and involvement in agroforestry technologies, distance to the market, the agroforestry technologies adopted, and other information relevant to the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test,s and logistic regression analysis. Results showed that awareness of agroforestry technology was highly enabled by farmer’s age (P≤0.02), level of education (P≤0.04), access to extension services (P≤0.01) and agroforestry experience (P≤0.05).  Adoption of agroforestry technologies was significantly (P≤0.01) and positively influenced by access to extension services, age (P≤0.05), agro-forestry experience (P≤0.01), farm size (P≤0.05) and level of education (P≤0.01) and farming experience significantly (P≤0.05) but negatively influenced by distance to the nearest market. The prominent agroforestry technologies were woodlots, improved fallow, and orchards while plantations attracted the fewest farmers. Extension services were the most motivator of awareness and adoption but built on farmers’ early exposure to the technologies at school. This avenue of learning has a potential multiplication effect in a youthful Ugandan population if agro-forestry intervention is emphasized in the lower school syllabi.