Project
Optimal Input Use Levels and Indicators of IPM Technology Uptake in Maize Production in Eastern Uganda
Details
Project Code:
Not Available
Start Date:
1999
End Date:
2004
CRSP Phase:
Phase 2
Budget:
Not Available
Countries:
Uganda
Participants
Lead University:
Ohio State University
Other Partners:
V. Kasenge and B. Mugonola (Makerere University); D.B Taylor (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) and J.
Bonabana-Wabbi (Makerere University)
Principal Investigator(s):
V. Kasenge and B. Mugonola (Makerere University); D.B Taylor (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) and J.
Bonabana-Wabbi (Makerere University)
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
V. Kasenge and B. Mugonola (Makerere University); D.B Taylor (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) and J.
Bonabana-Wabbi (Makerere University)
Overview
Maize is the most important cereal crop in Uganda because of its high value as food for humans, feed for livestock and the role it plays in export diversification. Maize growing is spread countrywide, traditionally cultivated by smallholder farmers on average area of 0.5 million ha which produced harvests of about 0.7 million mt with grain yield of 1.1mt/ha during 1980- 2001. Maize yield in Uganda is very low. Thus, contributing factors were hypothesized to include suboptimal levels of farm resource use as well as social,
institutional and management related factors. The principal purpose of this study was to establish levels of resource use in production in eastern Uganda and indicators of likelihood innovation in maize production. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a random sample of 180 farmers in the study area. A Cobb-Douglas type of production function was fitted using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and discriminant analysis techniques to identify specific indicators of maize farmers’ willingness and ability to improve maize productivity. Overall, capital and off-farm income were established to be most limiting. Land, household size, off-farm income and age of the farmer were most important in explaining farmers’ likelihood to be more innovative in maize farming.
Objectives
This study's primary purpose was to fit a production function and derive optimal resource levels in maize production in Eastern Uganda and to establish how social, institutional and farm management related factors affect uptake of IPM technologies in maize farming. Specifically the objectives of the study were: · To determine marginal response or elasticities to current input use in maize production in Iganga, Kamuli and Mayuge districts; · To establish social, institutional and farm management related factors that had greatest impact on IPM technology uptake in maize farming in the study districts; and · To derive optimal levels of resource use to enable maize farmers to allocate the limited resources more efficiently in the future.
Outcomes
Coming soon
