Browsing by Author "Edward Ssemakula"

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Adoption of Black Plastic Mulch as a Coping Strategy to Water Conservation Among Vegetable Farmers in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District
(Science Publishing Group, 2024) Harriet Nyiramutuzo; Edward Ssemakula; Rebecca Kalibwani
The study was about the adoption of black plastic mulches as a copying strategy to water conservation among smallholder vegetable farmers in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro district. Farmers in Kisoro District have increasingly adopted black plastic mulch to address these agricultural challenges. The use of black plastic mulch in this region helps in conserving soil moisture, controlling weeds, and enhancing crop yields. It was guided by three specific objectives which were to; establish the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers, establish the knowledge level on the benefits of black plastic mulch among smallholder vegetable farmers and examine the factors influencing farmer’s decision to adopt black plastic mulch as a coping strategy to water conservation. The study employed a cross-sectional study design that used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used a sample size of 300. The study used questionnaires and interview guide to collect data. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The results revealed that land ownership was a positive and significant factor at (sig. 0.000**), source of income at (sig.0.001*), credit accessibility at (sig.0.002**) and knowledge on use of black plastic mulches at (sig. 0.000**) The study concluded that vegetable farmers were characterized in terms of gender, age, farm size, marital status and level of education. The study also concluded that there was adequate knowledge level on the benefits of black plastic mulch among smallholder vegetable farmers. Such as; leads to higher yields and improved quality of vegetables, increase the growth rate of vegetables, reduce the risk of root damage, weed suppression, moisture conservation and contribute to soil health and protect the soil from wind and water erosion. The study finally concluded that there were significant and non-significant factors influencing farmer’s decision to adopt black plastic mulch as a coping strategy to water conservation among smallholder vegetable farmers which included; land ownership, limited extension training, source of income, knowledge on use of black plastic mulches and credit accessibility and non-significant ones were; un-availability of labour, infrastructure development, level of education, price of black plastic mulch and farm size.
Analysis of the Influence of Forms of Urban Agriculture on the Socio- Economic Status of the Farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities, Uganda
(International License East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024) Leonard Ninsheka; Edward Ssemakula; Christopher Tiyo; Rebecca Kalibwani; Wilson Mugizi
The study analysed the influence of the forms and drivers of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of farmers in Kampala and Mbarara cities in Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using multiple methods of data collection. A multistage cluster sampling technique involving simple random sampling to get both primary and secondary sampling units, snowball to get target respondents and purposive sampling for key informants and focus group members was used. Data were collected using social survey questionnaires for households, focus group discussions checklist (FGDs), key informant interview guides and observations, from a sample of 384 respondents. The study found a strong association between forms of urban agriculture and the socioeconomic status of the urban farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. Subsistence forms (backyard, roadside and rooftop gardens), commercial forms (zero grazing, poultry, fish farms and crop farms), and tourist forms (demonstration sites) had a significant influence on household food and income security of urban farmers. The study established the lack of land, improved technologies and training as major obstacles and recommended the establishment of community networks, availing subsidies and credit and recruitment of extension personnel as interventions to help urban farmers.
Analysis of the Influence of Forms of Urban Agriculture on the Socio- Economic Status of the Farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities, Uganda
(East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024) NINSHEKA LEONARD; Edward Ssemakula; Christopher Tiyo; Rebecca Kalibwani; Wilson Mugizi2
The study analysed the influence of the forms and drivers of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of farmers in Kampala and Mbarara cities in Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using multiple methods of data collection. A multistage cluster sampling technique involving simple random sampling to get both primary and secondary sampling units, snowball to get target respondents and purposive sampling for key informants and focus group members was used. Data were collected using social survey questionnaires for households, focus group discussions checklist (FGDs), key informant interview guides and observations, from a sample of 384 respondents. The study found a strong association between forms of urban agriculture and the socioeconomic status of the urban farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. Subsistence forms (backyard, roadside and rooftop gardens), commercial forms (zero grazing, poultry, fish farms and crop farms), and tourist forms (demonstration sites) had a significant influence on household food and income security of urban farmers. The study established the lack of land, improved technologies and training as major obstacles and recommended the establishment of community networks, availing subsidies and credit and recruitment of extension personnel as interventions to help urban farmers.
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.