The Interplay between Informal and Formal Bylaws in Supporting Sustainable Crop Intensification in the Uganda Potato Production System
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sustainable Agriculture Research
Abstract
The study assessed the interplay between informal and formal bylaws in supporting sustainable crop
intensification, using a case of potato crop production in southwestern Uganda. The study used a descriptive case
study design to understand and accurately describe the experiences of farmers in the potato crop subsector in the
region. This involved mixed study approaches that ensured coded meaning of consistent responses to the study,
and descriptive statistics facilitated sequential understanding of findings and how each related to one another in
respective themes. The numerical scores enriched the findings by authenticating the qualitative outcomes of the
study to minimize bias. The study used review of documents and literature; six Focus Group Discussions;
and 22 Key Informant Interviews to gather diverse experiences of respondents patterns of responses, the main
factors or categories, and key responses under every category. The Study found that the greatest informal bylaw
was eucalyptus growing (50 percent), followed by permission to graze (18 percent), and control damping (18
percent). The widely represented formal bylaws had a comparatively lesser role in supporting SCI, although with
greater emphasis on quality seed (22 percent). Formal bylaws were stronger at setting clear boundaries between
users and resources (18 percent), users having procedures for making own rules (11 percent), regular monitoring
of resources and users (15 percent), issue sanctions (16 percent), conflict resolution (15 percent), and
coordinated activities (3 percent) than informal bylaws. The major benefits for operating as institution were the
collective strategy for the market (26 percent), which was less to guarantee sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
Individual farmers were driven by desire for faster benefits ( and preferred following own rules (12 percent).
There was more emphasis on market access, regardless of the nature of produce output (35 percent), whether the
market worthy or not, and less on environment sustainability. The informal and formal bylaws are separate but
united for a common purpose of intensifying potato crop production. Nonetheless, even when combined, t hey are
not strong enough to support SCI. There is a need to strength bylaws on soil and water conservation, improved
and quality seed potato and environment sustainability to support SCI, which provide the basis of greater
markets and sustainable livelihoods.
Description
Keywords
Uganda, Sustainable crop intensification, Formal bylaws, Informal bylaws, Policy implementation, Policy
Citation
Henry, M. M., Kibwika, P., & Nampala, P. (2022). The Interplay between Informal and Formal Bylaws in Supporting Sustainable Crop Intensification in the Uganda Potato Production System. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 11(2), 1-1. URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/ sar.v11n2p1