Research Articles

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Browsing Research Articles by Author "Kalule, Stephen W."

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    Financial performance and technical efficiency differentials for apicultural technologies in Nakaseke district, Uganda
    (College of Business, Tennessee State University, 2014-01) Kalule, Stephen W.; Ssebbale, Edrisa
    Despite apiculture being potentially a large income earner, the financial performance of various apicultural technologies at farm-level is still poor yet very few studies have delved in this sub sector. Using a representative sample of 69 respondents from Nakaseke District, the Ordered Probit analysis revealed that farming experience, apiary plot size, shortness of distance of water source and hive colonization levels were the major positive determinants of apicultural financial performance. A Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) suggested that 62% and 76% of the total variation in honey output in traditional and improved technologies was due to technical inefficiency. The high efficiency levels in traditional technology seemed to suggest that more honey output would only be realized through introduction of improved technologies rather than focusing on technical skills while the low efficiency in improved technology would be improved using technical training. The study recommended policy incentives ranging from specific commodity-targeting extension messages, provision of low interest rate credit products and baiting materials to enhence efficiency.
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    The relationship between market information and entrepreneurial orientation:
    (Agricultural and Food Economics, 2023-03-23) Amuko, Walter; Kalule, Stephen W.; Odongo, Walter
    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of market information on entrepreneurial orientations of smallholder honey producers. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study design with sample of 250 honey producers was used. Structural equations modeling was used to analyze thehypothesized relationships. Findings: Results show that product quality, trader preferences and consumer preferences are the main market information needs that infuence entrepreneurial orientation of honey producers. Further, the attributes of market information quality, i.e.,information credibility, timeliness, accuracy and usability positively infuence entrepreneurial orientation.Practical implications: Results of this study calls for prioritization of better access to regular, reliable and usable market information for honey producers in development programs and policies so as to enhance farmer entrepreneurial orientations and product development. Social implications: Smallholder honey producers are more likely to efficiently deliver innovative products if development interventions across the public and non-public sector divide become responsive to their marketing information needs as well the quality of market information provided Originality/value: The study uses original data from honey producers to demonstrate the role that marketing information needs as well as market information quality play incatalyzing smallholder farmer entrepreneurial orientation.
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    The role of development interventions in enhancing technical efficiency of sunflower producers
    (Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2023-07-10) Zozimo, Toma Mamgbi; Kawube, Geoffrey; Kalule, Stephen W.
    A key policy concern in African agriculture is low productivity even when new technologies are generated, disseminated and adopted among farmers. This study used a cross-sectional dataset from a sample of 202 sunflower farmers drawn from northern Uganda to determine technical efficiency and assess the influence of farmer management capabilities, development intervention and socio-economic factors on technical efficiency. Results reveal that technical inefficiency among sunflower farmers account for 81% of farm-level output. Further, farmer management capabilities (p<0.01), participation in development interventions (p<0.01) and reliance on certified seeds (p<0.01) significantly reduce farmer inefficiency and thus, improve technical efficiency. The study highlights that focusing on farmer management capabilities to improve farm efficiency is more cost-saving for realizing economic gains in sunflower production rather than introducing new technologies. We recommend a policy focus on using approaches such as farmer field schools that ensures farmer advisory services at all critical stages of crop growth.
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    Where is the market?: Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers
    (science Direct, 2023-07-27) Korsuk Kumi, Peter G.; Elolu c, Samuel; Odongo, Walter; Okello, Collins; Kalule, Stephen W.
    Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okra farmers drawn from northern Uganda to assess the drivers of the farmer acceptance of solar drying technology. On the basis of drying performance, farmers perceive the solar dryer to perform better than the open sun-drying method. Structural equation modelling results show that the drying rate and perceived product quality are the main determinants of farmer perceptions on product marketability. Further, product marketability drives acceptance of solar dryers among farmers. We conclude that acceptance of solar dryers is dependent on: i) the drying rate, ii) favorable perceptions towards product quality, and iii) perceived marketability of the solar-dried product. We call for policy action on intensification of efforts that promote solar drying technology, including supporting local artisans to fabricate dryers, to enable increased value addition and consumption of nutritious foods.