Research Articles

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Examining the relationship between farmers’ characteristics and access to agricultural extension: Empirical evidence from northern Uganda
(Taylor and Francis, 2022-06-02) Okello,Daniel Micheal; Akite,Irine; Atube,Francis; Kalule,Stephen Wamala; Ongeng,Duncan
Purpose This study aimed at assessing how farmers’ access to agricultural extension is linked to farmers’ choice of extension service providers, and the crops and livestock activities engaged in at the farm level. Methodology/Design/Approach Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 342 farming households. Data analyses were conducted using the descriptive statistics and Probit binary regression model. Findings Results show that farmer access to agricultural extension depends on farmer district location, experience, group membership, use of pesticides, crop and livestock production diversity, and information source diversity. Furthermore, results show that gender, marital status, experience credit access, group membership, and livestock production diversity are the main drivers of farmers’ choice of service providers for an agricultural extension at the farm level. Lastly, leading determinants of access to agriculture for individual farm enterprises include farmer location (district), gender, marital status, education, experience, land owned, access to credit, group membership, ownership of mobile phones, and market information source diversity. Practical Implications Differentiated targeting of agricultural extension across farmer demographic structures and production objectives is not only influenced by varying factors but also important for ensuring that extension services are responsive for food and cash generation needs of local communities. Theoretical Implications This study deepens the literature on farmer access to agricultural extension with results demonstrating differences in factors that determine farmers’ choice of service providers for agricultural extension and the kind of crop and livestock activities engaged at the farm level. Originality/value This research is of high value as it presents empirical results on factors associated with the provision of agricultural extension services where there are many providers and where extension services is targeting different agricultural enterprises.
Determinants of finger millet farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change in northern Uganda
(Discover Agriculture, 2025-06-14) Atube, Francis; Ojara, Bosco Christopher; Labeja, Luis Richard; Okello, Daniel Micheal; Okumu,Charles Nelson
Weather variability has had great negative impacts on crop production in rain-fed agricultural systems that dominate sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, farmers usually undertake several climate change adaptation strategies to cope. This study assessed climate change adaptation strategies developed by finger millet farmers and the determinants to their choice of adaptation strategies in Kitgum District. This was achieved through a cross-sectional study involving 370 randomly selected smallholder farmers from Kitgum district. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions as well as key informant interviews. Collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis in the case of qualitative data and multivariate regression analysis in the case of quantitative data. Results showed that majority of finger millet farmers perceived weather variability in terms of decreased rainfall levels, prolonged dry spells, and unpredictable precipitations within the last twenty years. The visible effects include low yields of finger millet, poor seed germination, general millet failure causing low production, and increased food insecurity. The most common adaptation strategies were planting different types of crops to cater for failed crops, planting millet early to take care of the shortened length of the rainy season, and farmers adopting drought-resistant varieties of finger millet. Choice of these climate adaptation options depended on gender of household heads, age, size of land owned, education levels, belonging to a farmer group, and access extension service. The findings of this study imply that more effort is to improve the dissemination of weather-related information, provide training on climate-smart agriculture, and boost adaptation planning at the grassroots to empower millet farmers in the effort to increase millet production while practicing appropriate adaptation strategies to the effect of weather variability.
An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of malaria in Budondo sub-county, Eastern Uganda
(Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 2020-01-30) Malinga, Geoffrey. M; Baana, Kalori; Rutaro, Karlmax; Atube, Francis; Opoke,Robert; Opika-Opika, Hector; Oryema, Christine
Background:Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most developing countries, and in Uganda over 95% of the country is endemic with malaria. Given the increasing widespread resistance to current drugs, the use of herbal medicines is seen as a sustainable solution to malaria treatment. This study documented medicinal plants that are traditionally used for the treatment of malaria in Budondo sub-county, Eastern Uganda.Methods:The ethnobotanical survey was conducted between December 2017 to January 2018. A total of 273 household members were interviewed on knowledge and use of anti-malarial plants, using semi-structured questionnaires administered in five parishes of Budondo sub-county. Voucher specimen of each plant species were preserved at the Makerere University herbarium, Uganda.Results:Overall, 97.5% of the respondents had knowledge regarding the plants used to treat malaria. A chi-square analysis shows a significant association between respondents’ knowledge regarding anti-malarial plants and gender (p-value =0.008) and occupation (p-value =0.025) but not with age (p-value =0.379), educational status (p-value =0.066), average monthly income (p-value =0.419), and religious affiliation (p-value =0.064) of respondents. A total of 37 plant species, belonging to 25 plant families were used to treat malaria. The most cited plant was Vernonia amygdalina Delile (64.8%), followed byAloevera (L.) Burm.f. (41.9%), Callistemon citrinus (Curt.) Stapf (29.3%), Mormodica feotidaSchumach (22.0%), Cyphostemma adenocaule(A.Rich) wild & Drumm. (16.1%) and Eucalyptus globulusLabill. (15.4%). Among the plant parts, stem bark (99.6%) and leaves (90.8%) were the most frequently used. The habits ofthe plants encountered were shrub, tree, herb, rhizomes and climber. The commonest modes of preparation included boiling in water, squeezing fresh leaves, crushing and pounding, and chewing.Oral route/drinking was the most common mode of administration, followed by steam inhaling of vapours from the aqueous extracts and skin bathing.Conclusion:The present study shows that the people living in Budondosub-county traditionally use diverse flora to treat malaria. Further investigations are required to evaluate the potential toxicological effects and to isolate the active components of the reported plants whose antimalarial activities have not been investigated which could be developed into effective, safe and affordable anti-malarial medicines in the future
Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change: Evidence from northern Uganda
(Agriculture & Food Security, 2021-02-18) Atube, Francis; Malinga,Geoffrey.M; Nyeko,Martine; Okello,Daniel.M; Alarakol,Simon Peter; Okello-Uma,Ipolto
Climate change poses a threat to the sustainability of food production among small-scale rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa that are dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Understanding farmers’ adaptations and the determinants of their adaptation strategies is crucial in designing realistic strategies and policies for agricultural development and food security. The main objectives of this study were to identify the adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers to counter the perceived negative effects of climate change in northern Uganda, and factors influencing the use of specific adaptation strategies. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to collect data from 395 randomly selected smallholder farmers’ household heads across two districts by the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ adaptation to climate change. Results The three most widely practiced adaptation strategies were planting of different crop varieties, planting drought-resistant varieties, and fallowing. Results of the binary logit regression model revealed that marital status of household head, access to credit, access to extension services, and farm income influenced farmers’ adoption of planting drought-resistant varieties as an adaptation strategy while access to credit, annual farm income, and time taken to market influenced adoption of planting improved seeds. Gender of household head and farm income had a positive influence on farmers’ adoption of fertilizer and pesticide use. Farming experience, farm income, and access to extension services and credit influenced farmers’ adoption of tree planting. Household size, farming experience, and time taken to market had positive influence on the use of fallowing, while size of land cultivated significantly influenced farmers’ planting of different crop varieties as an adaptation strategy. Conclusion Findings of the study suggest there are several factors that work together to influence adoption of specific adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers. This therefore calls for more effort from government to strengthen the provision of agricultural extension services by improving its climate information system, providing recommended agricultural inputs and training farmers on best agronomic practices to enhance their holistic adaptation to the effect of climate change.
Farmers’ perceptions of climate change, long-term variability and trends in rainfall in Apac district, northern Uganda
(CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 2022-07-14) Atube,Francis; Malinga,Geoffrey; Nyero,Martine; Okello,Daniel.M; Mugonola,Basil; Omony,George; Okello-Uma, Ipolto
Climate change poses severe threats to smallholder farmers' agricultural livelihoods and food security in Sub Saharan Africa. Understanding long-term rainfall trends of variability and extremes at local scales and perceptions regarding long-term changes in climate variables is important in planning appropriate adaptation measures to climate change. This paper examines the perception of farmers in Apac district regarding long-term changes in climate variables and analyzes the trend of occurrence in seasonal and annual rainfall in Apac district, northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data on farmers' perceptions regarding long-term changes in climate from 260 randomly selected smallholder farmers’ households across two sub-counties in Apac district by administering semi-structured questionnaires in February 2018. Monthly rainfall data sets from the Uganda Meteorological Authority (UMA) for the period 1980 to 2019 for Apac district were also used to analyze trends of occurrences in seasonal and annual rainfall in the study area. The non-parametric Sequential Mann–Kendall (SMK) tests were employed at a 5% significance level to detect mean seasonal rainfall trends and abrupt change points.
Experiences with Green Charcoal: A Gender Consideration of Rural and Urban Households in Gulu District
(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2024-11-03) Okello,Simon; Alidri,Agatha; Mbazalire, Ezekiel; Aoyo,Christine; Atube, Francis; Okello, Collins; Okumu,Charles Nelson
The study focused on the use of green charcoal, a sustainable cooking fuel made from agricultural residues, in Gulu District, to highlight the experiences households have encountered, from a gender perspective. The study followed a cross-sectional design using qualitative approach which included the use of one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and ethnographic observations for data collection. The findings show that households in Gulu District use a combination of cooking fuels such as firewood, wood charcoal, green charcoal, or gas. Furthermore, the study established that there were cases where both men and women had shared experiences in cooking, for example, knowledge of the faster cooking rate, cleanliness, and much ash content involved while using green charcoal. However, to a larger extent, there were gendered differences in cooking activities: while women predominantly handle cooking, men often influence decisions about what and how to cook, revealing underlying gender and power dynamics within households. Key findings indicate that green charcoal is favored for its affordability relative to traditional black charcoal, prolonged burn time, and higher heat output, though it is also harder to light and produces more ash. It is particularly popular in rural Owoo Sub-County, where residents are more involved in its production compared to their urban counterparts in Gulu City. The study concluded that positive experiences with green charcoal have facilitated its adoption and recommends further actions to promote its use. These include increasing awareness of its environmental, health, and financial benefits, improving product quality, and involving women and girls as advocates to expand its utilization.
Farmers’ adaptation to climate change and crop yield: a case of Amuru and Apac districts of Northern Uganda
(International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 2022-02-02) Atube,Francis; Okello,Daniel M; Malinga,Geoffrey M; Nyeko,Martine; Okello-Uma,Ipolto
With increasing incidences of the negative impacts of climate change to smallholder farming, an understanding of the effects of farmers’ adaptation options to climate change on crop yield is critical in designing practical measures and policies for increasing food production and food security. This study assessed the effects of smallholder farmers climate change adaptation intensity on crop yield with focus on maize, groundnuts and beans in Apac and Amuru districts, northern Uganda. Cross-sectional survey design was employed for data collection. Data were analysed using both descriptive and econometric approaches. Results showed that the most common climate change adaptation strategies used by smallholders related to varietal adjustments including planting different crop varieties each time, drought-resistant varieties, early maturing varieties, improved seeds and changing the time of planting. Yield comparisons between adapters and nonadapters for the three major crops showed that adapters realized significantly higher yields than non-adapters for most of the climate change adaptation strategies. This study suggests that farmers who used more adaptation strategies realized higher yields than the non-adapters. Our findings call for increased efforts by stakeholders to strengthen agricultural extension services and coverage to enhance smallholder farmers capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change: Evidence from northern Uganda
(Agriculture & Food Security, 2021) Atube, Francis; Malinga, Geoffrey M.; Nyeko, Martine; Okello, Daniel M.; Alarakol, Simon Peter; Okello‑Uma, Ipolto
Background: Climate change poses a threat to the sustainability of food production among small-scale rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa that are dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Understanding farmers’ adaptations and the determinants of their adaptation strategies is crucial in designing realistic strategies and policies for agricultural development and food security. The main objectives of this study were to identify the adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers to counter the perceived negative effects of climate change in northern Uganda, and factors influencing the use of specific adaptation strategies. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to collect data from 395 randomly selected smallholder farmers’ household heads across two districts by the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ adaptation to climate change. Results: The three most widely practiced adaptation strategies were planting of different crop varieties, planting drought-resistant varieties, and fallowing. Results of the binary logit regression model revealed that marital status of household head, access to credit, access to extension services, and farm income influenced farmers’ adoption of planting drought-resistant varieties as an adaptation strategy while access to credit, annual farm income, and time taken to market influenced adoption of planting improved seeds. Gender of household head and farm income had a positive influence on farmers’ adoption of fertilizer and pesticide use. Farming experience, farm income, and access to extension services and credit influenced farmers’ adoption of tree planting. Household size, farming experience, and time taken to market had positive influence on the use of fallowing, while size of land cultivated significantly influenced farmers’ planting of different crop varieties as an adaptation strategy. Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest there are several factors that work together to influence adoption of specific adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers. This therefore calls for more effort from government to strengthen the provision of agricultural extension services by improving its climate information system, providing recommended agricultural inputs and training farmers on best agronomic practices to enhance their holistic adaptation to the effect of climate change.

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