Effects of Improved Cassava Varieties on Farmers’ Income in Northern Agro-ecological Zone, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sustainable Agriculture Research
Abstract
This paper examines the extent to which improved cassava varieties contribute to improvement in income of
smallholder farmers in the Northern agro-ecological zone of Uganda. In order to achieve the objective, data was
collected from PRELNOR supported farmers’ fields, other farmers’ fields and baseline cassava fields.
Consequently, descriptive statistics, gross margin and stochastic frontier analysis were adopted during analysis.
Results from the analysis revealed that higher yields per hectare were registered within PRELNOR supported
farmers’ fields and yield from NAROCAS1 surpassed all the varieties (37.3 tons per hectare). Location specific
results revealed that Gulu had better yields (34.5 tons per hectare) while Kitgum registered the lowest average
yield (24.1 tons per hectare). Gross margin indicated that every Shilling invested in improved variety earned
profit 1.3 to 1.8 times above the local variety and each shillings invested in PRELNOR supported fields
generated 5.6 times above the baseline fields. The parameter estimate for profit function revealed that planting
material, other production related costs, NAROCAS1, NASE14 and NASE19 were positively correlated with
profit but labour and baseline field had negative correlations. Conversely, profit efficiency grew by 40% under
improved varieties against local varieties. This study suggests that the difference in yields and profit between
locations was caused by biophysical characteristic; disease tolerant varieties can tremendously improve
profitability and income; meanwhile the profit gaps were partly attributed to inefficiency. This study
recommends fast tracking adoption of pest and disease tolerant varieties and integrated research and
development approach throughout the cassava value chain.
Description
Keywords
cassava, yield, profit efficiency, income
Citation
Akongo, G. O., Otim, G. A., Turyagyenda, L. F., Bua, A., Komakech, A., & Obong, S. (2021). Effects of Improved Cassava Varieties on Farmers’ Income in Northern Agro-ecological Zone, Uganda. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 10(2), 1-65.https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v10n2p65