EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES ON FARM INCOME AMONG BANANA FARMERS IN LYANTONDE SUB COUNTY.

Abstract

In Uganda, the agriculture extension program has been the main conduit for disseminating information on farm technologies, support rural adult learning and assist farmers in developing their farm technical and managerial skills. It is expected that extension programs will help increase farm productivity, farm revenue, reduce poverty and minimize food insecurity. In this study, we estimate the effects of extension services on farm income with reference to Government agricultural extension services (GAES) delivered by Ministry of Agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries (MAAIF). The study used cross-sectional data collected from 165 banana farming households from Lyantonde subcounty. The data was analyzed using R software version 4.4.0. Using binary logistic regression model, access to agricultural credit (p = 0.006) and membership to a farmer association (p<0.001) were found to significantly affect farmers’ access to GAES. The study found positive economic gains from accessing the GAES i.e., having access to government agricultural extension services increased the banana farmers’ farm income by UGX. 203,380/=, significant at 5% (p=0.04), with the farmers getting an average of UGX. 542,791/= after accessing GAES compared to before getting access to GAES, significant at 5% (p<0.001). The study findings reaffirm the critical role of extension programs in enhancing farm income. It is, therefore, recommended that government agricultural extension service delivery should be boosted through timely recruitment, periodic training of agents and provision of adequate logistics