Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science (UJAS)
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Participatory research approaches for enhancing innovations and partnerships in soil productivity improvement
Get PDFAgricultural production per unit area in Uganda has been on the downturn attributable to biophysical and socio-economic problems partly ensues from poor delivery of technical knowledge and inadequate institutional support. Traditionally, research was conducted on-station or through researcher managed on–farm trials and the government’s extension system, using ‘top-down’ dissemination methods, transferred the results to the farmers. One of the major weaknesses of this approach was failure to involve farmers in testing and adapting technologies that suit their circumstances. Participatory approaches have therefore been adopted to adapt and promote generated technologies to make research effective and relevant to the farmer. This paper uses experiences of the soils and Soil Fertility Management Programme (SSFMP) of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and its partners to illustrate the variety of participatory approaches used. These include, participatory on-farm trials/demonstrations, Farmer Field Schools and Participatory Development Communication. Where further experimentation is required farmer managed, researcher managed and Participatory Learning and Action Research on-farm research have been used. Besides farmers, the approaches involve national and international research institutions, extension agents and community-based organizations as partners. These approaches enhance farmer skills and knowledge and since everybody is involved in the process, indigenous knowledge and innovations are captured and integrated in the selected options. The methods and approaches have caused a multiplier effect through farmer-to-farmer and farmer-to-other stakeholder communication using tools, like posters, field days, traditional theater, among others. Utilization of these methods and approaches has not only enhanced the relevance of the research process and results but has also improved the uptake and utilization of these results, hence reducing natural resource degradation while increasing productivity
Experiences of soil fertility management through legume based farmer participatory experimentation in Malawi.
Get PDFSoil fertility, participatory research, green manure, Best bet. soil infertility is the most 
Effects of potassium deficiency, drought and weevils on banana yield and economic performance in Mbarara, Uganda
Get PDFThis paper reports results from a 6-year long-term fertilizer X banana weevil trial for highland banana in Mbarara, Uganda
Early screening of cassava for resistance to root knot nematodes
Get PDFTwo node cutting of 18 cassava varieties were planted in 20 cm diameter non-disposable plastic pipes filled with sawdust with the objective of establishing their resistance to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
Factors affecting the sustainability of tick-borne disease control in Uganda and malpractice Associated with acaricide use
No full textCountry-wide surveys were conducted in Uganda from 1996 to 2000 to understand the current ticks and tick-borne diseases (T and TBD) control practices and constraints to control, so as to develop appropriate intervention measures
Effectiveness of monoscreen traps for tsetse fly control
Get PDFThe effectiveness of Glossina fluscipes monoscreen traps made out of different shades of locally-available blue (cotton/polyster) materials was evaluated under high tsetse fly(Glossina fluscipes) challenge on Buvuma Island, Lake Victoria, Uganda. 
Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana substrates and formulations for the control of banana weevil
Get PDFFor effective use of the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana in the management of the banana weevil, high inoculum levels and appropriate formulations are mandatory
Testing forage legume technologies with smallholder dairy farmers: a case study of Masaka district, Uganda
Get PDFIn a farmer participatory process, farmers in Masaka district identified intensive dairy farming using improved cattle breeds as potentially viable enterprise to improve household income and nutrition
Enabling rural innovation in Africa: An approach for integrating farmer participatory research and market orientation for building the assets of rural poor
Get PDFAgricultural research and development organizations are increasingly under pressure to shift from enhancing productivity of food crops to improving profitability and competetiveness of small-scale farming, and linking smallholder farmers to more profitable markets. 
Factors affecting effective performance of rural producers’ organizations in the Teso farming system, Uganda
Get PDFRural Producers' Organizations (RPOs) have a vital role to play in Uganda's efforts to improve the peoples' standard of living. Recent developments like launching of the plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) and policy reforms notably decentralization, privatization and liberalization reinforce this role. In the PMA, RPOs are prioritised as the main avenues through which farmers, as rural producers will be empowered to access and control services. However, despite their existance in Uganda for long, experience shows that RPOs have been largely unsuccessful in enhancing development of the rural people. This study was conducted in the Teso Farming System of (Eastern) Uganda covering the districts of Pallisa, Kumi and Soroti. The objective(s) of the study were to (i) characterize the existing RPOs and determining their respective capacities for achieving objectives (ii) examine linkage mechanisms existing between the RPOs and other players in rural development. Thirty RPOs, ten per district, were were selected based on existing apex bodies. The study used focus group discussions guided by a rapid appraisal checklist. Findings indicated that a variety of functions, seventeen (17), are served by the different categories of RPOs. The main ones included provision of training in agriculture and other related fields (76.7%), procurement of inputs for members (56.7%), provision of market information (46.7%), marketing (40%) and credit (40%). Linkages are vital for effective achievement of purposes and most RPOs (80%), had established them with extension and local policy making institutions. Many RPOs lacked linkages with credit (83.3%) and marketing institutions (56.7%), yet they are percieved as key players in development efforts. Main constraints affecting their performance included inadequate access to resources (96.7%), lack of technical knowledge/ skills in running RPOs (66.7%), lack of own income sources (70%), insecurity (63.3%) and lack of adequate markets (60%). A prediction of main issues that potentially impact on improvement of quality service provision included having plans in addition to establishment of adequate and effective market linkages. On the basis of these findings, recommendations aimed at enabling RPOs play their enhanced role in development become necessary. These include, among others, emphasis on development of appropriate policies, bye-laws and plans to guide their management, establishing income generating activities and establishing market linkages as well as linkages with other RPOs