Browsing by Author "Kalule, S.W."
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Item Conceptualizing the Student-Centered Outreach Model for Experiential Learning and Community Transformation(African Journal of Rural Development, 2016) Kalule, S.W.; Odongo, W.; Kule, E.; Ndyomugyenyi, E.K.; Omara, P.; Ongeng, D.A dominant discourse in higher education has widely called for reviewing, redesigning and alignment of the curricula to suit the current and future skills demands in the labour market. In response, universities have over time been repositioning themselves to develop practical approaches to produce graduates with skills relevant to the job market. One such approach is the Student-Centered Outreach (S-C-O) model conceived and run at Gulu University in Uganda. However, little is known about the S-C-O model and thus this paper sought to develop and present a conceptual framework that underpins the functioning of the model. The structural set-up of the framework shows that students are centrally positioned between the faculty and the community. A key resource connecting the actors in the S-C-O model is knowledge which is gained through learning that takes place from either the top or bottom side of the S-C-O model and integrating feedback to close the learning loop. Examination of the implementation of the S-C-O model reveals that the model realizes three important outcomes: (i) enhancing experiential learning, (ii) promoting university linkage with the community, and (iii) enhancing transformation of the farming practices. The need for further studies as part of a process to develop an empirical methodology for examining the impacts of this outreach model remains apparent.Item Determinants of Innovation Behaviour among Pig Farmers in Northern Uganda(African Journal of Rural Development, 2020) Mugonya, J.; Kalule, S.W.; Ndyomugyenyi, E. K.Attributable to poor market linkages, Ugandan pig farmers are taken advantage of by middlemen who pay low prices, recline the weight of pigs and default on payments. Farmer innovation can remedy the situation; however, the factors influencing pig farmers’ innovation behaviour are not fully known. Further, extant studies on the subject tend to report findings on innovation behaviour as a composite variable other than its decomposed phases of exploration, experimentation, adaptation and modification of farming practices. This study therefore aimed at examining the influence of socio-economic factors on the phases of innovation behaviour among pig farmers in Northern Uganda. A cross sectional survey of 239 respondents was carried out and primary data were collected using pretested, semi-structured questionnaires between the month of October and November 2018. Tobit regression was employed for data analysis. The results revealed that personal selling affects all phases of innovation behaviour. In addition, i) exploration of new practices was affected by stock size, educational level and gender; ii) experimentation of new practices also depended on educational level; iii) adaptation of new practices was predicted by farming experience, extension service, access credit, non-farm employment, distance to town market and pork selling, and lastly iv) modification of existing practices was contingent on farming experience, access to extension service, access to credit, price negotiation ability, selling pigs to peer farmers and selling pork. Therefore, pig farmers operating in poorly developed value chains should as much as possible do personal selling of their pigs and pig products through informing their community members about the availability of piglets for sale on their farms, taking their pigs to the market or slaughtering pigs to sell pork instead of live pigs.Item The Student Enterprise Scheme for Agribusiness Innovation: A University-Based Training Model for Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mind-Sets amongst African Youths(African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), 2017) Kalule, S.W.; Mugonola, B.; Ongeng, D.Paradigm shifts in higher education have necessitated embracing and mainstreaming entrepreneurship education in training curricula. This is because entrepreneurial capacity building amongst the youth is considered the best approach for addressing unemployment, rural poverty and creation of responsible citizenry in Sub Saharan Africa. Reportedly, entrepreneurship education increases the chances for young people to start new businesses or even expand existing ones, gain confidence and so enhance their employability. However, one of the criticism of entrepreneurship education in Africa is that it is largely theoretical, and barely provides the much needed hands-on practice. This calls for training models of entrepreneurship that exhibit practical orientations. In light of this view, Gulu University in Uganda, introduced a practical approach of agri-entrepreneurship training branded as the Student Enterprise Scheme, in which students develop, defend, implement and evaluate agribusiness plans. The students are guided and supported with funds on credit to actualize economically viable and commercially sound business plans. Insights from the implementation of the scheme so far show that it is a useful practical approach for students to integrate theory and practice. This paper illustrates that although the linkage between student entrepreneurial activities and other stakeholders for Roundtable engagements requires further testing and refinement, the scheme is a good opportunity for young people to develop positive entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities, start own businesses and enhance their employability. The study recommends strengthening linkages between university students and those in technical and vocational institutions to develop a higher educational value chain on entrepreneurship training. Furthermore, entrepreneurship programmes for young people should be connected to credit and micro-finance initiatives to enhance their entrepreneurial success.Item Utilisation of Labour among Pig Farmers in Northern Uganda(African Crop Science Journal, 2020) Mugonya, J.; Kalule, S.W.; Ndyomugyenyi, E.K.In many sub-Saharan countries, pig (Susscrofa domesticus) production is increasingly an important food security and income generating activity for smallholder farmers. This is attributed to the high prospects for vigilance of the pork market, driven by urbanisation, population growth and dietary transition towards more animal protein per capita. Therefore, increasing pig production is one of the viable pathways to get smallholder farmers out of poverty and food insecurity. Although there are extensive studies about the elements of pig production, such as feeding, breeding and space requirements; little work has been done on distribution of innovation behaviour and the socio-economic factors that influence labour utilisation in the region. The objective of this study was to determine the socio-economic factors that influence labour (family or hired) utilisation and distribution of innovation behaviour among pig farmers in Northern Uganda. Through a cross sectional survey and descriptive analysis, we characterised smallholder pig farmers in the northern Uganda by type of labour used for pig production, and explored the distribution of the dimensions of innovation behaviour (exploration, experimentation, adaptation and modification) among them. Results revealed that young educated farmers with non-farm employment, a smaller household size, belonging to a farmer group and who had many pigs were more likely to use hired labour than those with counter characteristics. There were significant differences in the number of farmers who exhibited the different dimensions of innovation behavior. Therefore, interventions to boost pig production through the use of hired labour should consider the socio-economic differences among farmers which determine labour constraints they face.