Intensifiers of adoption of improved upland rice agronomic technologies in northern Uganda

Abstract

Adoption of improved agricultural technologies by smallholder farmers continues to remain relatively low in Uganda. This has resulted into low production of staple crops at both subsistence and large-scale levels. This study examined the intensifiers of adoption of improved upland rice agronomic technologies in northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to collect data from 248 randomly selected respondents through use of semi-structured pretested questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were used to characterize rice farmers, whereas a Tobit regression model was fitted to analyze the hypothesized factors influencing farmers’ adoption intensity of improved upland rice agronomic technologies. Results revealed that adoption index for majority of the farmers were relatively high for improved varieties (66.0%) and weeding (99.9%), whereas fertilizer application (0.2%) and spacing (4.8%) showed the least adoption levels. Land under rice, access to extension services, access to market, membership in farmers’ groups (P≤0.01), education level, and rice farming experience (P≤0.05), showed a positive and significant influence on adoption intensity, whereas, distance to the nearest market (P≤0.01), and years of rice farming (P≤0.05) had a negative but significant influence on adoption intensity of improved rice production technologies. Mean household size (p≤0.1), age (p≤0.01), land size (p≤0.01) and years of farming (p≤0.05) significantly differed among adoption categories. In conclusion, improving farmers’ incomes, education, and engagement in extension programs as well as inspiring more youth into farming intensifiers improved technology adoption hence more productivity, incomes and food security for various actors in the rice value chain.