Browsing by Author "David Osiru"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Adoption of Chemical Fertilizers in Coffee Production in Kikyenkye Sub-County, Ibanda District
    (International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 2024) David Natukunda; David Osiru; Doreen Atwongyeire; Ferdinand Aine
    The study focused on assessing the adoption of chemical fertilizers in coffee productionin Kikyenkye Sub-County, Ibanda District. It was limited to; investigating the perceptions and attitudes of farmers on application of chemical fertilizers in coffee, determining the level of awareness of chemical fertilizers use in coffee production, investigating farm-based factors that determine farmers’ choice to use chemical fertilizers in coffee production and establishing possible strategies of promoting adoption of chemical fertilizers in coffee production. The study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive research design and primary data was collected from 124 respondents.The study concluded that there is positive perception and attitude of farmers on application of chemical fertilizers where chemical fertilizers use ensure high productivity and yields of coffee, Chemical fertilizers are basically used in high value commercial crops like tea and coffee and that the decisions on chemical fertilizers use is based on access to information and market prices were considered significant at P<0.05 (P=.019, P=.003 and P=.009) and others like chemical fertilizers applied to in coffee do not provide optimal economic returns to farmers, fertilizers use is influenced by agro-climatic and farm characteristics, chemical fertilizers are not suitable for use in coffee and that chemical fertilizers use that alter the soil properties were non-significant at P-value>0.05(P=.867, P=.706, P=.263 and P=.637).The study further concluded that farmers who had access to training services on the methods of application and easy access to the source of chemical fertilizers had high level of awareness on the use of chemical fertilizers in coffee production. The study also concluded that some farm based factors were significant for example, small size of land and land fragmentation at p-value < 0.05 (P=0.006 and P=0.008 where as other factors were non-significant like land ownership, coffee-banana intercropping, farm location and long distance in relation to chemical fertilizer distribution channels were non-significant at P value >0.05(P=0.146, P=0.622, P=0.913, = 0.351). The study finally concluded that possible strategies of promoting adoption of chemical fertilizers in coffee production such as; providing constant training on the value of chemical fertilizers by extension workers was significant at (P=0.000), stabilizing prices for both agricultural inputs and crop outputs without direct government intervention in the market was significant at (P=0.002) while non-significant strategies included; conducting a chemical fertilizer yield response and profitability studies for a range of crops (P=0.938), establishing a fertilizer subsidies program (P=0.766), designing a fertilizer promotion strategy (P=0.273) and considering the potential for public-private partnerships to deliver fertilizer to farmers (P=0.144).The study recommends that there is a need for more education and awareness-raising activities to help farmers make informed decisions about the use of chemical fertilizers, policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to consider the social, economic, and environmental implications of the widespread use of chemical fertilizers in coffee production, governments undertaking awareness raising campaigns and the need to reduce the cost of chemical fertilizers through subsidies
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effects of Labor Saving and Production Enhancement Technologies on Cotton Production in Omiya Anyima Sub County-Kitgum District.
    (Ocira Denish, 2022) Denish Ocira; Edward Ssemakula; David Osiru
    The study made an assessment of the effects of labor saving and production enhancement technologies on cotton production in Omiya Anyima sub County-Kitgum District. The specific objectives were to: identify the types of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies being employed by farmers in cotton production, compare cotton production by farmers using labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies and those not using the technologies, identify areas of research that could enhance cotton productivity and lessen drudgery and excessive labour use, and the challenges associated with the use of labor saving and productivity enhancement technologies in cotton production and recommend some innovative solutions. The study was cross-sectional in nature employing qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection and analysis. A questionnaire was used to capture information from 376 respondents. The study identified different labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies used in the area such as; animal draft power, tractors, sprayers, herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides. An average production difference between adopters and non-adopters of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies were 519.8 kilograms per acre in a season. The identified areas of research to enhance cotton productivity and lessen drudgery included; automated irrigation systems, automated weed control systems, auto-guided agricultural systems, automatic motorized sprayers while and robotic planters. Adoption and use of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies was influenced by factors like economic status, land tenure system, lack of credit to services, and high costs of procurement and operations. The study concluded that Labor Saving and Production Enhancement Technologies have a positive effect on Cotton Production but the users are still challenged by challenges like poverty, low knowledge on use, lack of accessibility, costs of hire, capital and land tenure system. The study therefore recommended more education for farmers on the technologies, revisiting land tenure policies to allow farmers have access to bigger land to apply the technologies, supporting farmers through credit services and more capacity building and external support.