Socioeconomic drivers for uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop intensification innovations in Southwestern Uganda
| dc.contributor.author | Ainebyona, Roland Rwambuka | |
| dc.contributor.author | Sanya, Losira Nasirumbi | |
| dc.contributor.author | Agea, Jacob Godfrey | |
| dc.contributor.author | Karubanga, Gabriel | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mugisha, Johnny | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-08T14:58:07Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-01-08T14:58:07Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-01-02 | |
| dc.description | This paper examines the socioeconomic factors that influence smallholder farmers in Southwestern Uganda to adopt potato crop intensification innovations. It highlights how access to education, credit, agricultural inputs, and markets drives farmers to adopt improved seeds, better soil management practices, and enhanced productivity techniques. The findings support Uganda’s NDP IV by informing agricultural transformation, strengthening extension services, and promoting market-oriented farming approaches. The study provides valuable guidance for policy and practice related to food security, rural incomes, and innovation adoption. It contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). | |
| dc.description.abstract | The socioeconomic context of farmers plays a complementary role in determining uptake of agricultural innovations. In Uganda, despite considerable agricultural interventions, farmers’ adoption rates remain low. This study evaluated socioeconomic factors affecting uptake by systematically analyzing cross-sectional survey data of 265 smallholder potato farmers in three districts of southwestern Uganda, under the Community Action Research Programme Plus (CARP+) Project. Findings of the study indicated that farmers travelled nine kilometers to tarmac roads and four kilometers to input shops with access to credit, income, education level, input markets, and location as the most significant factors for uptake of innovative agricultural practices. The study recommended the development of tailored financial products, income enhancement through value-addition, and improved market linkages to increase agricultural productivity and profitability. The findings indicate a need to invest in agricultural education and capacity-building programs, integrate potato intensification modules into adult education and farmer field schools, and establish decentralized input distribution centres in remote farming communities to improve physical access to input markets, thereby reducing travel time and transaction costs. Additionally, the study emphasized the need to promote integrated support systems through coordinated efforts among extension services, financial institutions, and input suppliers to deliver holistic support to farmers. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | The Mastercard Foundation; The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Ainebyona, R. R., Sanya, L. N., Agea, J. G., Karubanga, G., & Mugisha, J. (2026). Socioeconomic drivers for uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop intensification innovations in Southwestern Uganda: https://doi. org/10.15739/IJAPR. 26.003. International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 14(1), 29-41. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2350-1561 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/860 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Journal Issues | |
| dc.subject | Agricultural innovation | |
| dc.subject | Agricultural markets | |
| dc.subject | CARP+ Project | |
| dc.subject | Crop intensification | |
| dc.subject | Extension services | |
| dc.subject | Financial institutions | |
| dc.subject | Markets linkages | |
| dc.subject | Transaction costs. | |
| dc.title | Socioeconomic drivers for uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop intensification innovations in Southwestern Uganda | |
| dc.type | Article |