What Factors Determine Membership to Farmer Groups in Uganda – Evidence from the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/9

What Factors Determine Membership to Farmer Groups in Uganda - Evidence from the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/9

While the Government of Uganda and its development partners are targeting farmer groups as the vehicle for agricultural development, there is limited empirical evidence on what drives membership to these groups. Using data from the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/09, this paper reveals low levels of membership both at individual and household levels with a marked regional dimension. The key policy variables found to influence participation in farmer groups included education attainment, distance to extension services and quality of road infrastructure. Increasing membership to farmer groups requires more resources to be targeted towards less educated farmers and those who live far from extension workers. Using the local language in publicity materials is also important in attracting participation from the illiterate and less educated. On the whole, there is a need for concerted efforts to ensure that existing farmers have improved access to agricultural technologies and to achieve noticeable outcomes so as to attract more farmers.

Date:	2013-01-03
Author:	Annet Adong, Francis Mwaura & Geofrey Okoboi

 

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• Published Jan 3, 2013