Factors Affecting Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in Irish Potato Production in Kabale District, Uganda

Abstract

The study examined the factors affecting farmers‟ adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District. Objectives of this study were; to assess the effect of economic factors and farmers‟ adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District; to establish how farmers‟ characteristics affect adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District and to establish the extent to which institutional factors affect farmers‟ adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District. The study used a cross sectional survey design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches utilized. A questionnaire was administered to 259 respondents out of a 495 population. Face to face interviews from knowledgeable respondents were conducted and documentary review helped to augment the data obtained from the questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). The empirical findings were presented using descriptive statistics of frequencies and inferential statistics in form of Pearson Product Correlation Coefficients and Multi-linear Regression Analysis in relation to specific objectives. The study findings revealed that economic factors (55.5%), farmers‟ characteristics (39.7%) and institutional factors (22.2%) have a significant effect on farmers‟ adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato in Kabale district. In conclusion economic factors have a significant relationship with adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District. This means that, for technologies which were expensive, Irish potato farmers could not adopt them. Again, the study concluded that farmers‟ characteristics have a significant relationship with adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District. This implies that if the farmers‟ characteristics include gender/age, adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District will consequently improve. The study concluded that Institutional factors have a significant relationship with adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Kabale District. The study recommended that the Ministry of Finance, planning and economic Development and policy makers like Parliamentarians should urgently look at the costs of production with a view to lowering it and enable farmers access funding, District Production and sub county authority undertake mature age education and formation of farmer field school especially in the field of agriculture for Irish potato farmers, in the sub county.