Browsing by Author "Agea, J.G."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Determinants of credit utilization among SACCO members in Soroti District, Uganda
    (African Journal of Rural Development, 2017) Alio, D.; Okiror, J.J.; Agea, J.G.; Matsiko, F.B.; Ekere, W.
    Savings and credit cooperatives have been seen as the most appropriate institution to serve rural households and contribute to poverty alleviation and rural development. However they have been characterized by inadequate credit monitoring and control mechanisms, inefficient loan collection mechanisms and inappropriate loan delivery systems leading to poor loan repayment rates, high loan defaults, and diversion of credit to consumption purposes. This study examinedthe household dynamics that affect productive use of credit among members of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in Soroti district, Uganda. The findings indicated that women were excluded from institutional credit due to loss of respect and cooperation from their husbands. Consequently women allowed their husbands to control the cash transaction in order to preserve their marriages. Household size was a key significant factor influencing productive use of credit. Therefore, there is need for investment in attitudinal change in men and women in order to reduce gender differences within the household concerning credit use decisions. There is also need to strengthen cooperation among family members in order to utilize the free labour they provide as well as support provided by the different family members especially during repayment of credit.
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    Devolution policy and its implication on watershed restoration in eastern Uganda
    (African Journal of Rural Developement, 2017) Akello, S.; Turyahabwe, N.; Sseguya, H.; Agea, J.G.
    Whereas decentralisation has received support as an institutional panacea to natural resource management, devolution is seen as an effective solution to local collective action in watershed restoration. Despite conducive institutional and policy environment in Uganda, restoration of Awoja watershed has not been successful. This paper analysed the institutional framework that supports restoration of Awoja watershed. The study was carried out in Ngora district, employing mixed methods. Content analysis results indicated weak inter-sectoral linkages between departments, absence of ordinances and by-laws on watershed restoration as partly reasons for failed restoration. Chi square analysis showed a significant relationship between restoration of vegetation cover and management decision making (P=0.000), community-government relations (P=0.000) and benefit sharing (P=0.002) in Awoja watershed. Therefore restoration efforts will not gain their full potential unless the linkages between sectors, departments, government and the community are strengthened. This framework review gives insight on how devolution can better the governance of Awoja watershed and other similar ecosystems for appropriate restoration.
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    How Video Attributes influence Farmer Learning about Maize Postharvest Handling Practices and Technologies iIn Kakumiro District, Uganda
    (International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology, 2019) Asasira, G.; Karubanga, G.; Okry, F.; Kibwika, P.; Agea, J.G.
    In Sub-Saharan Africa, video has been earmarked as an important tool to enhance learning among smallholder farmers. The study evaluated how the inherent video attributes influence learning about postharvest handling practices and technologies from the perspective of maize farmers in Kakumiro district of Uganda; using the case of Access Agriculture maize videos. An action-oriented research involving showing of four videos, on-site participant observation, six key informant and 50 exit individual interviews were conducted in February 2019. While thematic-content analysis was applied for qualitative data, quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 version. Our results clearly illustrate that the video’s ability to influence farmer learning depends on the complementarity of its positive attributes including: demonstration ability, attractiveness and clarity of images, ability to arouse interest and curiosity; thus, fostering interactions among viewers. The nature of video content in terms of clarity, practicability, relevance, applicability and content sequencing are also perceived to be key attributes of video in enhancing learning among the viewers. However, the effectiveness of video is likely to be compromised by the socio-economic and cultural factors more especially if such factors are not well taken care of during the filming process. If possible, when developing videos for farmer learning, focus should be on creating local content that is context specific, which farmers can enjoy and relate to for easy adaptation and eventual application.
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    Unearthing the potential of participatory, and information and communication technologies’ led extension and learning approaches in agricultural and environmental education in Uganda
    (African Journal of Rural Development, 2018) Karubanga, G.; Agea, J.G.
    Uganda’s public agricultural extension system experienced several reforms since colonial times. However, available literature indicates that a large number of smallholder farmers remain unreached by the extension systems. To address the above problem, there has been a call to unearth the role of participatory and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)-led extension and learning approaches for agricultural and environmental education, and development in the country. As such, a review study was conducted on the context and the potential of participatory and ICT-led extension and learning approaches to agricultural and environmental education. The reviews involved thematic and content analysis of variables of interest. From the review, we present a critical review of the historical and current state of agricultural extension reforms in Uganda. We also highlight the challenges and lessons on the status, context and potential of participatory and ICT-led extension and learning in agricultural and environmental education in Uganda. The review elaborates on recurring extension issues and describes the experiences on the role of ICTs to extension and emerging practices that are enhancing the delivery of timely information that suits the needs of farmers. Policy recommendations have been made to tap the potential of participatory, and ICT-led extension and learning approaches in order to enhance performance of agricultural extension systems in Uganda.