causes of low agricultural out put
TRANSCRIPT
ASSESING THE CAUSES OF LOW AGRICULTURAL OUT PUT IN RURAL
AREAS OF UGANDA, A CASE STUDY OF KALONGO VILLAGE, KALUNGU
SUB-COUNTY IN KALUNGU DISTRICT.
BY AMINA
A FIELD WORK REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL,
CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE AWARD OF REQUIREMENT OF
BACHELORS DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
OF MUTEESA 1 ROYAL UNIVERSITY
2012
CHAPTER ONEGENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The study was carried out to asses the causes of low agricultural output in rural areas; the
study area was Kalongo village, Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county, Kalungu County in
Kalungu district. Kalongo village is found in Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county,
Kalungu County in Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and
about 35km from Masaka town.
1.1Background of study area
Kalongo village is found in Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county, Kalungu County in
Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and about 35km from
Masaka town. The village is boarded by the following villages Kaseesa village in the
north, Kikukumbi in the west, Kitamba in the south and Nattita in the East.it has got an
estimated population of about 500 people children being the majority in the village.
The major languages spoken in the area includes luganda, Lunyarwanda, Lunyankole and
Lukiga with tribes like Baganda who take about 73% of the village, Banyarwannda
(15%), banyankole and Bakiga who take 8% and 4% respectively.
The dominant sects here includes Catholics (45%), Protestants (30%) followed by
Muslims and traditionalists the major economic activities in the area includes subsistence
agriculture, small scale business and trading. The village has got two primary schools,
there is no government hospitals expect private clinics.
Government programs in the area include NAADs programs, PMA, there area also a
number of NGOs in the area like, HEIFA, Caritus Maddo which have help people in this
village socially and economically.
1.2 Background to the Study
In Uganda, agriculture is the source of livelihood for 90% of the country’s population,
95% of which are resource-poor small-scale farmers. Declines in soil fertility, low
availability of land, scarcity of fuel wood, and new unpredictable rainfall patterns have
reduced food production and the ability of households to generate food and income.
In Uganda most of the population lives in rural areas and depends directly on rain-fed
small farms with little agricultural input use (NARO, 2001). Yet agriculture is the main
source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign exchange and supplies raw
materials for domestic industries. This means that any slight variability in rainfall is
reflected in the productivity of agricultural systems and pronounced variability results in
far-reaching negative physical, environmental and social economic impacts. Rainfall is
unreliable and highly variable contributing to very low crop yields. In addition, use of
rudimentary implements, poor crop husbandry practices and lack of precise information
on rainfall onset, duration, amounts and cessation make smallholder farming a risky
business.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Since most of the population who live in rural areas depends directly on agricultural
which acts as the main source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign
exchange and supplies raw materials for domestic industries and the government has put
up many programs to improve agriculture in rural areas, programs like NAADs (National
agricultural advisory services), PMA (plan for modernization of agriculture), NARO
(national agriculture research organization) with all these programs in place rural areas
would be battling with little harvest at the end of the season thus the need to find out the
causes of low agricultural output amidst all government programs in place.
1.3 General Objective
To assess the existence of low agricultural out put in kalongo village in kalungu district
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
To explore the causes of low agricultural out put in kalongo village
To explore the effects of low agricultural output in kalongo village
To establish solutions to low agricultural out put in kalongo village
1.5 Research Questions
What are the causes of low agricultural out put in kalongo village?
What are the effects of low agricultural out put in kalongo village?
What are the possible solutions to low agricultural out put in kalongo village?
1.6 literature review
In Uganda most of the population lives in rural areas and depends directly on rain-fed
small farms with little agricultural input use (NARO, 2001). Yet agriculture is the main
source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign exchange and supplies raw
materials for domestic industries. This means that any slight variability in rainfall is
reflected in the productivity of agricultural systems and pronounced variability results in
far-reaching negative physical, environmental and social economic impacts. Rainfall is
unreliable and highly variable contributing to very low crop yields. In addition, use of
rudimentary implements, poor crop husbandry practices and lack of precise information
on rainfall onset, duration, amounts and cessation make smallholder farming a risky
business.
In most instances, farmers start opening land after rainfall onset and therefore valuable
moisture is lost before they finally plant. In reality, potential production is never attained
due to a mismatch of the optimum moisture conditions and the peak water requirement
stages of crops. Furthermore, prevalence of competing weeds, pests and diseases, low
nutrient status of the soils and poor agronomic management practices usually cause
additional reduction in crop and livestock production potential directly by influencing the
health status of the crops and animals and indirectly through unavailability of quality
pastures.
Farming is prone to high risks because of the seasonal distribution and the highly variable
nature of rainfall in space and time, coupled with its unpredictability. Extreme climate
variability such as floods, drought, and frost among others has severe impacts on
agricultural production often leading to instability in the agricultural production systems
(Ogallo, 2002). Poor rains severely affect pastures and livestock in most pastoral areas of
the country resulting into migration of thousands of people and animals in search of water
and food. Excessive rains both in intensity and duration lead to water logging conditions
that negatively affect crops and pasture. These conditions are also detrimental for post
harvest handling and storage. It is therefore very essential to generate seasonal
characteristics to guide informed decision-making in rain dependant systems.
1.7 METHODOLOGY
1.7.1 Study Area
The study was carried out in Kalongo village, Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county,
Kalungu County in Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and
about 35km from Masaka town.
1.7.2 Data Collection Methods.These are methods that the researcher used for collecting data in the field. The researcher
used the following methods for collecting data in the field.
Observation MethodThis is the method where the researcher used naked eyes to collect the information. The
researcher would reach the household and look at the members of the households and
their gardens as well as their harvests..
Interviewing MethodThis is the method which involved interaction between the interviewer and interviewee.
The researcher interacted with various members of the house holds. The researcher would
ask the questions and they would give appropriate answers for the questions the
researcher would ask. The researcher used this method in various households that helped
to collect data because the researcher got first hand information.
Data Collection Tools/ InstrumentThese are the tools that the researcher used to collect the information. They include the
following;
Questionnaire
This is the method that the researcher used in which the researcher set some questions
and gave to the respondents to answer the questions this tool enabled the researcher to get
the required information. However this tool was a bit trickier because some people were
not willing to answer the questions that were set.
1.8 Challenges Faced when carrying out the Study
The researcher also faced a challenge of harassment that some respondents were very
rude and harsh so they were not willing to give the information needed.
The researcher also faced a problem of bad weather that is to say sunshine at times heavy
rains that could hinder movements.
The researcher faced a challenge of food shortage that most of the time the researcher
would stay without food because the food available was too expensive.
The researcher also faced a challenge of walking for a long distance so as to get the
required information that would make the researcher tired and hence fall sick the next
day.
CHAPTER TWOPRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS
2.1 Background characteristics of respondents
The study was gender sensitive in that, it gave opportunity to both male and female
respondents. Out of 40 respondents, 24 (65%) were female who are always active in
farming/agriculture. The remaining 16 (35%) were mainly men who help researcher to
obtain some vital information on the causes of low agricultural output..
Table 1 showing the age of respondents
Age of respondents Frequency Percentage (%)
18-22 15 37.5
23-27 07 17.5
28-32 05 12.5
33 and above 13 32.55
Table 2 showing marital status of respondents
Marital Status Frequency Percentage
single 06 15
divorced 09 22
married 22 55
widow 03 07
Table 3 showing the educational level of respondents
Educational level Frequency Percentage
Never went to school 05 20
primary 20 50
secondary 12 30
Beyond secondary 03 07
According to the information in the table above, researcher found out 05(20%) of the
population was illiterate due to lack of finances, ignorance about universal primary
education thus more concentration on agriculture other than education, 20(50%) of the
respondent had attained primary education, 12(30%) of the respondents had at least
reached secondary level and 03(07%) had reached high institution of learning. This
according to the respondent was not as a result of having more access to finance but the
interest of individuals to study
Table 4 showing the religion of the respondents
Religion Frequency Percentage
Catholics 32 80
protestants 08 20
Table 5 showing the nature of house holds
TYPE OF HOUSE HOLD FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE%
Permanent 12 30
Semi- permanent 17 50
Temporally 11 20
From the table above, the researchers focused her observation on the nature of the
household with the following types of house hold, namely permanent, semi- permanent
and temporally. The researcher found out that among the 40 house holds s interviewed
12(30%)had the permanent structures built with bricks, sand, poles and iron
sheets ,17(50%)house holds were semi permanent built with mud ,bricks ,iron sheets
and poles while 11(20%) were temporary built with poles ,mud, grass, banana fibers and
reeds.
2.2 crops grown in Kalongo village
Table 6 showing crops grown in kalongo village
Crops Frequency Percentage
FOOD CROPS
Bananas 40 100
Maize 32 80
Beans 40 100
Cassava 23 58
Potatoes 20 50
CASH CROPS
Coffee 36 90
Vanilla 12 30
Totals may exceed 100% due to multiple responses
2.3 factors leading to low agricultural output in kalongo village
With face to face interaction between the researchers and her respondents during the field
work research, the researcher enriched her research with the ways on how different house
hold in Kalongo village make production possible and also various factors affecting
agricultural production, she assessed the land factors, the tools, capital, ownership,
productivity, topography and even labor aspects and her research had the following;
2.3.1 LAND FACTOR
Graph 1 .show s the nature of land owner ship.
KE Y
60- Customary Land
40- Free hold
20- Squatters
10- Lease land
05- kibanja
0-
0
Customary Land Free hold Squatters Lease land Kibanja
The problem of low agricultural out put has been boosted by nature of land owner ship
i.e. Customary /mile land, free hold, squatter, lease land and kibanja, the researcher
found out that among the sampled house hold, 44% of the respondents were on
customary, 01% were on free hold, 25% were squatters ,5% were on lease land
and finally 20% are of kibanja. The researcher found out that 20% of the
respondents said that land tenure system does not posse any problem towards
agricultural output and 80% of the respondents said that land tenure system
hinders agricultural out put. .
Other problems brought up by land towards agriculture out put are land is exhausted,
salty, infertile, rocky to mention but a few, on the other hand to those say no that
land tenure system does not pass any problem reasons being they used
good methods of farming such as terracing, mulching , cover cropping, etc
which in the long run keeps the land tenure fertile.
Table 7 Shows land accessibility in Kalongo village
Land in acres Frequency Percentages
Less than an acre 15 40
1-5 11 27
5-10 08 20
Above 10 06 13
Total (∑f) 40 100
From the table, above, the researcher also found out that among the interviewed
household heads in Kalongo village they had or posed. land ranges from less
than an acre to 10 acres and above ,still among the respondents 15 [40%] had
land less than an acre ,11[27%] posed land from 1-5 acres, 08[20%] posed 5-10
acres and finally 06[13%] possess land above 10 acres from 30 interviewed
households.
Land utilization was also assessed and 75% of the respondents were practicing over
cultivation because they used land for farming yet their pieces of land were small, and
over grazing was also happening on the same land which negatively affected the
productivity of the land. The size of the respondents fully utilized the land with even
effective proper methods of farming while the 20% could not put all the land to use due
to financial constraints, saltiness of the land, hilly topography and there fore most of their
land was reluctant and they were even not willing to give it out to those who had the
potential and will to use it.
2.3.2 TOOLS / EQUIPMENT
When it came to the tools used on various farm activities by the people in Kalongo
village, the field work research found out that 100% of the respondents had local farm
tools for example hand hoes, pangas, slashers and the rest of the respondents possessed
no modern tools. However with this, there was no doubt that the respondents were mainly
producing only for local markets, another reason among the rest is the problem of few
tools, lack of financial among others. Such tools can not give back much to the farmers
thus low produce at the end of the season.
From the sampled households, The researcher asked the household heads whether
they used any modern tools 88% of the respondents said No basing on the
arguing that they are too expensive for example tractors. Also there was lack of clear
accessibility and disabilities to afford them. However,12% of the respondents said
that they have ever used modern tools like spray pump among others and they
also explained that they applied modern fertilizers like agricultural chemicals and
others as away to boost food crop production.
2.3.3 THE LABOUR ASPECTS.
The researcher found out that children took a largest number of members in every
households. Among the 40 interviewed household heads ,they said that,50% were
children ,30% were women, and only 20% men.
Table 8 shows People that constantly participate in agriculture production among
the sampled house holds.
Gender Frequency Percentages
Men 10 23
Women 18 50
Children 03 4
All 09 23
Total ∑(40) 100%
More to that, the researcher found out that ,Among 40 sampled households, 18
[50%] of the respondent said that women are the one’s who constantly carries out
food crop production,10[23%] said men, 03[04%] said children, and also 09[23%]
of the respondents said that all members in the households constantly participate
in food crop production.
According to the type of labor used by the households, the researcher found out
that 10[33%] of the respondents used family labor, only 08[27%] used hired labor
only, and 12[40%]used both hired and family labor in order to boost food crop
production. The researcher found out that 80% of the respondents had health
problems like diseases which includes malaria, ulcers,. And this impart negatively
towards agriculture production and in long run re duce on the levels of out put
among house holds.
2.3.4 THE CAPITAL USED
When it came to the source of capital used by the house holds in order to boost
food crop production, the researcher found out that most of the respondents got
their capital after the sale of coffee and other crops like matoke, cassava, sweet
potatoes to the near by primary and secondary schools as well as markets after they
re-invest in food crop production.
2.3.5 THE MARKET
The problems related to or associated with marketing as identified by farmers included;
low prices for their produce, high taxes especially for traders who transport bananas to
Kampala, high costs of transport, variations in price depending on seasonality, poor road
networks, poor quality products, internal competition among farmers and middle men
who take half of the profits and leave the farmer with very low prices. At the time of
research, a bunch of bananas was costing Ushs 15,000 (approx 7 US dollars) in Kampala
whereas in the research area it was Ushs 5,000 (approx 3 US dollars), 3 times lower than
the cost price. This has discouraged farmers in this village to concrete on farming.
Fig 2: Matooke being loaded from Kalongo in Kalungu District to be taken to Kampala
2.3.6 Gender Issues
On the issue of marginalization, men raised gender related problems in only 5 areas
affecting them whereas the women cited 9 areas of gender marginalization. Top on the
women’s list of gender problems was lack of control over land and proceeds from the
bananas yet they are the ones who take care of the plantations.
Women farmers are unable to take decisions on how to utilize the land and the proceeds
obtained from the bananas. Domestic violence was also cited by women as a gender
problem affecting them. The gender differences in this community are so sharp that
women have nothing to do with the marketing of the bananas.
Fig 3: A man taking bananas for sale in Masaka town from Kalungu district
2.5 Measures to improve agriculture Productivity
Measures Frequency Percentage (%)
stable price 23 58
adequate marketing facilities 34 85
Change of land tenure system 32 80
provision of cheap credit 18 45
modern inputs like fertilizers 20 50
provisions of education 12 30
2.6 STRENGTH, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUITIES TO THE VILLAGE
climatic changes as a result of seasonal changes of rain fall, strong sun shine
which at times dries up house holds crops for example ,in the pervious season
of January such crops were dried maize, beans, ground nuts among others. From
the interviewed house holds 80% said that per now there was no solution for
strong sun shine and 20% of the respondents said that they should pre pare
their gardens in time, early planning, and also the government of Uganda should
be in position to construct dams to be used for irrigating their crops in dry
seasons , rain seasons also rots the seeds before germination, seasonal changes like
prolonged droughts which all times lowered the crop production successfully.
Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches
and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate. Soil deterioration and low
water quality due to erosion and surface runoff have become severe problems in this area.
The problem becomes so severe that the land can no longer be cultivated well and must
be abandoned. Many agricultural civilizations have declined due to land and natural
resource mismanagement, and the history of such civilizations is a good reminder to
protect our natural resources.
On the marketing side , among the 30 interviewed house holds .The researcher
found out that about 80% of the respondents had problems such problems
includes price fluctuation, poor transport systems to market centers , limited
markets for agricultural produces among others.
Agro-ecological Interventions; What is done here is that Old banana orchards, having lost
their productivity, are being abandoned and new ones were being established at the
expense of forested areas. The trees and banana stems were thinned and underground
stems removed to reduce competition for water and space. The soil was improved using
compost and legume cover crops which provided green manure. The main pest, the
banana weevil, was controlled using traps and through the general maintenance of good
plant health. Other pests and disease were kept in check with cultural practices.
Examples of Agro-ecological Interventions
Photo showing old banana orchards
Photo showing new banana orchards
CHAPTER THREE
DISCUSSION
Independence and autonomy; Reliance on external inputs has been reduced. For
example, seed production and seed selection of local varieties by individual farmers is
increasing. The use of homemade botanical pesticides and repellent companion plants is
proving to be a viable substitute to commercial pesticides. For tree planting needed for
agro-forestry, individuals are relying on their own production of tree seedlings in
individual or community nurseries.
Food security; Increases in local food production have been observed. The total
production of local vegetable varieties is increasing. Very few households are now seen
buying fresh vegetables. The adoption of soil-building, water-conserving, crop protection
and post harvest protection methods are resulting in increased yields.
Environmental recovery and conservation; Rehabilitation of abandoned banana
plantations has relieved pressure on forest lands, thus arresting deforestation.
Dissemination and diffusion; All NGOs operating in this area cannot meet all the
demand for training from communities located beyond their focal areas. Training is thus
also offered to NGOs in other districts to promote sustainable agriculture activities. Some
of these people have become trained development cadres who constitute a mobile training
team.
Partnerships; To increase their effectiveness, rural farmers and NGOs have linked with
existing national networks. JESE, for example, acts as coordinator for the Kalungu
Association of Voluntary Organizations Network, which is an umbrella organization for
all NGOs and Community-based organizations in the district.
When feasible, farmers and NGOs work with government institutions and take advantage
of funds available through the government’s Poverty Alleviation Scheme. JESE for
example, uses these funds in the form of credit to provide financial, technical and
material assistance to less advantaged individuals and groups. As a rule, the loans must
be paid back at the end of one year with an interest of 12%. To date, 257 loans have been
given out with a 78% recovery rate.
There is also collaboration between NGOs and government agricultural extension.
Recently, extension workers have been accompanying TCC staff in their follow-up visits
to farmers, and training on agro-ecology for extension workers by TCC staff took place
in Masaka district the neighboring district.
Relationships with research institutions are also being developed. TCC, for example, has
a collaborative agreement with the Soil Sciences department of Makerere University.
Enabling policy environment; This area needs to be developed in the future. Past
evaluations of the lighthouse projects concluded that staff in the three NGOs could
benefit from education to develop skills in the area of political economic analysis.
CHAPTER FOUR
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
4.1 CONCLUSIONS.
Kalongo’s favorable soil conditions and climate have contributed to the village's
agricultural success. This area usually receives plenty of rain. In some years, small areas
of the southeast and southwest have averaged more than 150 millimeters per month. In
the north, there is often a short dry season in December and January. Temperatures vary
only a few degrees above or below 20° C but are moderated by differences in altitude.
These conditions have allowed continuous cultivation in the south but only annual
cropping in the north, and the driest northeastern corner of the village has supported only
pastoralist. Although population growth has created pressures for land in a few areas,
land shortages have been rare, and only about one-third of the estimated area of arable
land was under cultivation.
4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS.
The researcher recommend the significance that, in order for Kalongo village to be
developed the following should be put into consideration due to the fact that it is
a rural setting
The government of Uganda should be in position to provide agriculture extension
services to farmers or among house holds in rural development since they were
found insufficient. In this case programs like NAADS should operate within this area
since these people have the potential to utilize the resources from NAADS.
The government should also construct feeder roads to link production areas to market
centers for easily transportation food crop production in order to open up bigger
links between rural areas and urban centers with bigger market. Since Kalongo
village is far away from the market centers in cities such roads could promote such
produces thus export promotion and foreign earnings thus boosting their income.
More to that ,there is need for the government of Uganda to introduce more and
improve standards of education by constructing more primary schools, secondary
universal education programmers which in long run to reduce o the levels of
illiteracy, but since crop production is mainly under the adults therefore the government
need to introduce FAL programs to these people so as to acquire more skills in farming,
to improve their health, know how to balance profits and losses and keep records of their
daily activities.
There is also need to sensitize people through community seminars and work shops
by agricultural workers or officers in order to educate the general public on how
to apply good methods of farming and also on how to solve the incoming and
existing pests and diseases affecting food crop production since households are
interested. Therefore the Agricultural extension workers in conjunction with NAADS
they should introduce this to the community.
The government should create micro credit services and also mobilize people to
access micro credit of which are of a low interest rent charges.