ASSESING THE CAUSES OF LOW AGRICULTURAL OUT PUT IN RURAL

AREAS OF UGANDA, A CASE STUDY OF KALONGO VILLAGE, KALUNGU

SUB-COUNTY IN KALUNGU DISTRICT.

BY AMINA

A FIELD WORK REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL,

CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF THE AWARD OF REQUIREMENT OF

BACHELORS DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

OF MUTEESA 1 ROYAL UNIVERSITY

2012

CHAPTER ONEGENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The study was carried out to asses the causes of low agricultural output in rural areas; the

study area was Kalongo village, Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county, Kalungu County in

Kalungu district. Kalongo village is found in Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county,

Kalungu County in Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and

about 35km from Masaka town.

1.1Background of study area

Kalongo village is found in Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county, Kalungu County in

Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and about 35km from

Masaka town. The village is boarded by the following villages Kaseesa village in the

north, Kikukumbi in the west, Kitamba in the south and Nattita in the East.it has got an

estimated population of about 500 people children being the majority in the village.

The major languages spoken in the area includes luganda, Lunyarwanda, Lunyankole and

Lukiga with tribes like Baganda who take about 73% of the village, Banyarwannda

(15%), banyankole and Bakiga who take 8% and 4% respectively.

The dominant sects here includes Catholics (45%), Protestants (30%) followed by

Muslims and traditionalists the major economic activities in the area includes subsistence

agriculture, small scale business and trading. The village has got two primary schools,

there is no government hospitals expect private clinics.

Government programs in the area include NAADs programs, PMA, there area also a

number of NGOs in the area like, HEIFA, Caritus Maddo which have help people in this

village socially and economically.

1.2 Background to the Study

In Uganda, agriculture is the source of livelihood for 90% of the country’s population,

95% of which are resource-poor small-scale farmers. Declines in soil fertility, low

availability of land, scarcity of fuel wood, and new unpredictable rainfall patterns have

reduced food production and the ability of households to generate food and income.

In Uganda most of the population lives in rural areas and depends directly on rain-fed

small farms with little agricultural input use (NARO, 2001). Yet agriculture is the main

source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign exchange and supplies raw

materials for domestic industries. This means that any slight variability in rainfall is

reflected in the productivity of agricultural systems and pronounced variability results in

far-reaching negative physical, environmental and social economic impacts. Rainfall is

unreliable and highly variable contributing to very low crop yields. In addition, use of

rudimentary implements, poor crop husbandry practices and lack of precise information

on rainfall onset, duration, amounts and cessation make smallholder farming a risky

business.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

Since most of the population who live in rural areas depends directly on agricultural

which acts as the main source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign

exchange and supplies raw materials for domestic industries and the government has put

up many programs to improve agriculture in rural areas, programs like NAADs (National

agricultural advisory services), PMA (plan for modernization of agriculture), NARO

(national agriculture research organization) with all these programs in place rural areas

would be battling with little harvest at the end of the season thus the need to find out the

causes of low agricultural output amidst all government programs in place.

1.3 General Objective

To assess the existence of low agricultural out put in kalongo village in kalungu district

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

To explore the causes of low agricultural out put in kalongo village

To explore the effects of low agricultural output in kalongo village

To establish solutions to low agricultural out put in kalongo village

1.5 Research Questions

What are the causes of low agricultural out put in kalongo village?

What are the effects of low agricultural out put in kalongo village?

What are the possible solutions to low agricultural out put in kalongo village?

1.6 literature review

In Uganda most of the population lives in rural areas and depends directly on rain-fed

small farms with little agricultural input use (NARO, 2001). Yet agriculture is the main

source of livelihood, income, food, employment, and foreign exchange and supplies raw

materials for domestic industries. This means that any slight variability in rainfall is

reflected in the productivity of agricultural systems and pronounced variability results in

far-reaching negative physical, environmental and social economic impacts. Rainfall is

unreliable and highly variable contributing to very low crop yields. In addition, use of

rudimentary implements, poor crop husbandry practices and lack of precise information

on rainfall onset, duration, amounts and cessation make smallholder farming a risky

business.

In most instances, farmers start opening land after rainfall onset and therefore valuable

moisture is lost before they finally plant.  In reality, potential production is never attained

due to a mismatch of the optimum moisture conditions and the peak water requirement

stages of crops. Furthermore, prevalence of competing weeds, pests and diseases, low

nutrient status of the soils and poor agronomic management practices usually cause

additional reduction in crop and livestock production potential directly by influencing the

health status of the crops and animals and indirectly through unavailability of quality

pastures. 

Farming is prone to high risks because of the seasonal distribution and the highly variable

nature of rainfall in space and time, coupled with its unpredictability. Extreme climate

variability such as floods, drought, and frost among others has severe impacts on

agricultural production often leading to instability in the agricultural production systems

(Ogallo, 2002). Poor rains severely affect pastures and livestock in most pastoral areas of

the country resulting into migration of thousands of people and animals in search of water

and food. Excessive rains both in intensity and duration lead to water logging conditions

that negatively affect crops and pasture. These conditions are also detrimental for post

harvest handling and storage.  It is therefore very essential to generate seasonal

characteristics to guide informed decision-making in rain dependant systems.

1.7 METHODOLOGY

1.7.1 Study Area

The study was carried out in Kalongo village, Kitamba parish, Kalungu sub-county,

Kalungu County in Kalungu district. It’s about 3km from the district headquarters and

about 35km from Masaka town.

1.7.2 Data Collection Methods.These are methods that the researcher used for collecting data in the field. The researcher

used the following methods for collecting data in the field.

Observation MethodThis is the method where the researcher used naked eyes to collect the information. The

researcher would reach the household and look at the members of the households and

their gardens as well as their harvests..

Interviewing MethodThis is the method which involved interaction between the interviewer and interviewee.

The researcher interacted with various members of the house holds. The researcher would

ask the questions and they would give appropriate answers for the questions the

researcher would ask. The researcher used this method in various households that helped

to collect data because the researcher got first hand information.

Data Collection Tools/ InstrumentThese are the tools that the researcher used to collect the information. They include the

following;

Questionnaire

This is the method that the researcher used in which the researcher set some questions

and gave to the respondents to answer the questions this tool enabled the researcher to get

the required information. However this tool was a bit trickier because some people were

not willing to answer the questions that were set.

1.8 Challenges Faced when carrying out the Study

The researcher also faced a challenge of harassment that some respondents were very

rude and harsh so they were not willing to give the information needed.

The researcher also faced a problem of bad weather that is to say sunshine at times heavy

rains that could hinder movements.

The researcher faced a challenge of food shortage that most of the time the researcher

would stay without food because the food available was too expensive.

The researcher also faced a challenge of walking for a long distance so as to get the

required information that would make the researcher tired and hence fall sick the next

day.

CHAPTER TWOPRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS

2.1 Background characteristics of respondents

The study was gender sensitive in that, it gave opportunity to both male and female

respondents. Out of 40 respondents, 24 (65%) were female who are always active in

farming/agriculture. The remaining 16 (35%) were mainly men who help researcher to

obtain some vital information on the causes of low agricultural output..

Table 1 showing the age of respondents

Age of respondents Frequency Percentage (%)

18-22 15 37.5

23-27 07 17.5

28-32 05 12.5

33 and above 13 32.55

Table 2 showing marital status of respondents

Marital Status Frequency Percentage

single 06 15

divorced 09 22

married 22 55

widow 03 07

Table 3 showing the educational level of respondents

Educational level Frequency Percentage

Never went to school 05 20

primary 20 50

secondary 12 30

Beyond secondary 03 07

According to the information in the table above, researcher found out 05(20%) of the

population was illiterate due to lack of finances, ignorance about universal primary

education thus more concentration on agriculture other than education, 20(50%) of the

respondent had attained primary education, 12(30%) of the respondents had at least

reached secondary level and 03(07%) had reached high institution of learning. This

according to the respondent was not as a result of having more access to finance but the

interest of individuals to study

Table 4 showing the religion of the respondents

Religion Frequency Percentage

Catholics 32 80

protestants 08 20

Table 5 showing the nature of house holds

TYPE OF HOUSE HOLD FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE%

Permanent 12 30

Semi- permanent 17 50

Temporally 11 20

From the table above, the researchers focused her observation on the nature of the

household with the following types of house hold, namely permanent, semi- permanent

and temporally. The researcher found out that among the 40 house holds s interviewed

12(30%)had the permanent structures built with bricks, sand, poles and iron

sheets ,17(50%)house holds were semi permanent built with mud ,bricks ,iron sheets

and poles while 11(20%) were temporary built with poles ,mud, grass, banana fibers and

reeds.

2.2 crops grown in Kalongo village

Table 6 showing crops grown in kalongo village

Crops Frequency Percentage

FOOD CROPS

Bananas 40 100

Maize 32 80

Beans 40 100

Cassava 23 58

Potatoes 20 50

CASH CROPS

Coffee 36 90

Vanilla 12 30

Totals may exceed 100% due to multiple responses

2.3 factors leading to low agricultural output in kalongo village

With face to face interaction between the researchers and her respondents during the field

work research, the researcher enriched her research with the ways on how different house

hold in Kalongo village make production possible and also various factors affecting

agricultural production, she assessed the land factors, the tools, capital, ownership,

productivity, topography and even labor aspects and her research had the following;

2.3.1 LAND FACTOR

Graph 1 .show s the nature of land owner ship.

KE Y

60- Customary Land

40- Free hold

20- Squatters

10- Lease land

05- kibanja

0-

0

Customary Land Free hold Squatters Lease land Kibanja

The problem of low agricultural out put has been boosted by nature of land owner ship

i.e. Customary /mile land, free hold, squatter, lease land and kibanja, the researcher

found out that among the sampled house hold, 44% of the respondents were on

customary, 01% were on free hold, 25% were squatters ,5% were on lease land

and finally 20% are of kibanja. The researcher found out that 20% of the

respondents said that land tenure system does not posse any problem towards

agricultural output and 80% of the respondents said that land tenure system

hinders agricultural out put. .

Other problems brought up by land towards agriculture out put are land is exhausted,

salty, infertile, rocky to mention but a few, on the other hand to those say no that

land tenure system does not pass any problem reasons being they used

good methods of farming such as terracing, mulching , cover cropping, etc

which in the long run keeps the land tenure fertile.

Table 7 Shows land accessibility in Kalongo village

Land in acres Frequency Percentages

Less than an acre 15 40

1-5 11 27

5-10 08 20

Above 10 06 13

Total (∑f) 40 100

From the table, above, the researcher also found out that among the interviewed

household heads in Kalongo village they had or posed. land ranges from less

than an acre to 10 acres and above ,still among the respondents 15 [40%] had

land less than an acre ,11[27%] posed land from 1-5 acres, 08[20%] posed 5-10

acres and finally 06[13%] possess land above 10 acres from 30 interviewed

households.

Land utilization was also assessed and 75% of the respondents were practicing over

cultivation because they used land for farming yet their pieces of land were small, and

over grazing was also happening on the same land which negatively affected the

productivity of the land. The size of the respondents fully utilized the land with even

effective proper methods of farming while the 20% could not put all the land to use due

to financial constraints, saltiness of the land, hilly topography and there fore most of their

land was reluctant and they were even not willing to give it out to those who had the

potential and will to use it.

2.3.2 TOOLS / EQUIPMENT

When it came to the tools used on various farm activities by the people in Kalongo

village, the field work research found out that 100% of the respondents had local farm

tools for example hand hoes, pangas, slashers and the rest of the respondents possessed

no modern tools. However with this, there was no doubt that the respondents were mainly

producing only for local markets, another reason among the rest is the problem of few

tools, lack of financial among others. Such tools can not give back much to the farmers

thus low produce at the end of the season.

From the sampled households, The researcher asked the household heads whether

they used any modern tools 88% of the respondents said No basing on the

arguing that they are too expensive for example tractors. Also there was lack of clear

accessibility and disabilities to afford them. However,12% of the respondents said

that they have ever used modern tools like spray pump among others and they

also explained that they applied modern fertilizers like agricultural chemicals and

others as away to boost food crop production.

2.3.3 THE LABOUR ASPECTS.

The researcher found out that children took a largest number of members in every

households. Among the 40 interviewed household heads ,they said that,50% were

children ,30% were women, and only 20% men.

Table 8 shows People that constantly participate in agriculture production among

the sampled house holds.

Gender Frequency Percentages

Men 10 23

Women 18 50

Children 03 4

All 09 23

Total ∑(40) 100%

More to that, the researcher found out that ,Among 40 sampled households, 18

[50%] of the respondent said that women are the one’s who constantly carries out

food crop production,10[23%] said men, 03[04%] said children, and also 09[23%]

of the respondents said that all members in the households constantly participate

in food crop production.

According to the type of labor used by the households, the researcher found out

that 10[33%] of the respondents used family labor, only 08[27%] used hired labor

only, and 12[40%]used both hired and family labor in order to boost food crop

production. The researcher found out that 80% of the respondents had health

problems like diseases which includes malaria, ulcers,. And this impart negatively

towards agriculture production and in long run re duce on the levels of out put

among house holds.

2.3.4 THE CAPITAL USED

When it came to the source of capital used by the house holds in order to boost

food crop production, the researcher found out that most of the respondents got

their capital after the sale of coffee and other crops like matoke, cassava, sweet

potatoes to the near by primary and secondary schools as well as markets after they

re-invest in food crop production.

2.3.5 THE MARKET

The problems related to or associated with marketing as identified by farmers included;

low prices for their produce, high taxes especially for traders who transport bananas to

Kampala, high costs of transport, variations in price depending on seasonality, poor road

networks, poor quality products, internal competition among farmers and middle men

who take half of the profits and leave the farmer with very low prices. At the time of

research, a bunch of bananas was costing Ushs 15,000 (approx 7 US dollars) in Kampala

whereas in the research area it was Ushs 5,000 (approx 3 US dollars), 3 times lower than

the cost price. This has discouraged farmers in this village to concrete on farming.

Fig 2: Matooke being loaded from Kalongo in Kalungu District to be taken to Kampala

2.3.6 Gender Issues

On the issue of marginalization, men raised gender related problems in only 5 areas

affecting them whereas the women cited 9 areas of gender marginalization. Top on the

women’s list of gender problems was lack of control over land and proceeds from the

bananas yet they are the ones who take care of the plantations.

Women farmers are unable to take decisions on how to utilize the land and the proceeds

obtained from the bananas. Domestic violence was also cited by women as a gender

problem affecting them. The gender differences in this community are so sharp that

women have nothing to do with the marketing of the bananas.

Fig 3: A man taking bananas for sale in Masaka town from Kalungu district

2.5 Measures to improve agriculture Productivity

Measures Frequency Percentage (%)

stable price 23 58

adequate marketing facilities 34 85

Change of land tenure system 32 80

provision of cheap credit 18 45

modern inputs like fertilizers 20 50

provisions of education 12 30

2.6 STRENGTH, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUITIES TO THE VILLAGE

climatic changes as a result of seasonal changes of rain fall, strong sun shine

which at times dries up house holds crops for example ,in the pervious season

of January such crops were dried maize, beans, ground nuts among others. From

the interviewed house holds 80% said that per now there was no solution for

strong sun shine and 20% of the respondents said that they should pre pare

their gardens in time, early planning, and also the government of Uganda should

be in position to construct dams to be used for irrigating their crops in dry

seasons , rain seasons also rots the seeds before germination, seasonal changes like

prolonged droughts which all times lowered the crop production successfully.

Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches

and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate. Soil deterioration and low

water quality due to erosion and surface runoff have become severe problems in this area.

The problem becomes so severe that the land can no longer be cultivated well and must

be abandoned. Many agricultural civilizations have declined due to land and natural

resource mismanagement, and the history of such civilizations is a good reminder to

protect our natural resources.

On the marketing side , among the 30 interviewed house holds .The researcher

found out that about 80% of the respondents had problems such problems

includes price fluctuation, poor transport systems to market centers , limited

markets for agricultural produces among others.

Agro-ecological Interventions; What is done here is that Old banana orchards, having lost

their productivity, are being abandoned and new ones were being established at the

expense of forested areas. The trees and banana stems were thinned and underground

stems removed to reduce competition for water and space. The soil was improved using

compost and legume cover crops which provided green manure. The main pest, the

banana weevil, was controlled using traps and through the general maintenance of good

plant health. Other pests and disease were kept in check with cultural practices.

Examples of Agro-ecological Interventions

Photo showing old banana orchards

Photo showing new banana orchards

CHAPTER THREE

DISCUSSION

Independence and autonomy; Reliance on external inputs has been reduced. For

example, seed production and seed selection of local varieties by individual farmers is

increasing. The use of homemade botanical pesticides and repellent companion plants is

proving to be a viable substitute to commercial pesticides. For tree planting needed for

agro-forestry, individuals are relying on their own production of tree seedlings in

individual or community nurseries.

Food security; Increases in local food production have been observed. The total

production of local vegetable varieties is increasing. Very few households are now seen

buying fresh vegetables. The adoption of soil-building, water-conserving, crop protection

and post harvest protection methods are resulting in increased yields.

Environmental recovery and conservation; Rehabilitation of abandoned banana

plantations has relieved pressure on forest lands, thus arresting deforestation.

Dissemination and diffusion; All NGOs operating in this area cannot meet all the

demand for training from communities located beyond their focal areas. Training is thus

also offered to NGOs in other districts to promote sustainable agriculture activities. Some

of these people have become trained development cadres who constitute a mobile training

team.

Partnerships; To increase their effectiveness, rural farmers and NGOs have linked with

existing national networks. JESE, for example, acts as coordinator for the Kalungu

Association of Voluntary Organizations Network, which is an umbrella organization for

all NGOs and Community-based organizations in the district.

When feasible, farmers and NGOs work with government institutions and take advantage

of funds available through the government’s Poverty Alleviation Scheme. JESE for

example, uses these funds in the form of credit to provide financial, technical and

material assistance to less advantaged individuals and groups. As a rule, the loans must

be paid back at the end of one year with an interest of 12%. To date, 257 loans have been

given out with a 78% recovery rate.

There is also collaboration between NGOs and government agricultural extension.

Recently, extension workers have been accompanying TCC staff in their follow-up visits

to farmers, and training on agro-ecology for extension workers by TCC staff took place

in Masaka district the neighboring district.

Relationships with research institutions are also being developed. TCC, for example, has

a collaborative agreement with the Soil Sciences department of Makerere University.

Enabling policy environment; This area needs to be developed in the future. Past

evaluations of the lighthouse projects concluded that staff in the three NGOs could

benefit from education to develop skills in the area of political economic analysis.

CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 CONCLUSIONS.

Kalongo’s favorable soil conditions and climate have contributed to the village's

agricultural success. This area usually receives plenty of rain. In some years, small areas

of the southeast and southwest have averaged more than 150 millimeters per month. In

the north, there is often a short dry season in December and January. Temperatures vary

only a few degrees above or below 20° C but are moderated by differences in altitude.

These conditions have allowed continuous cultivation in the south but only annual

cropping in the north, and the driest northeastern corner of the village has supported only

pastoralist. Although population growth has created pressures for land in a few areas,

land shortages have been rare, and only about one-third of the estimated area of arable

land was under cultivation.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS.

The researcher recommend the significance that, in order for Kalongo village to be

developed the following should be put into consideration due to the fact that it is

a rural setting

The government of Uganda should be in position to provide agriculture extension

services to farmers or among house holds in rural development since they were

found insufficient. In this case programs like NAADS should operate within this area

since these people have the potential to utilize the resources from NAADS.

The government should also construct feeder roads to link production areas to market

centers for easily transportation food crop production in order to open up bigger

links between rural areas and urban centers with bigger market. Since Kalongo

village is far away from the market centers in cities such roads could promote such

produces thus export promotion and foreign earnings thus boosting their income.

More to that ,there is need for the government of Uganda to introduce more and

improve standards of education by constructing more primary schools, secondary

universal education programmers which in long run to reduce o the levels of

illiteracy, but since crop production is mainly under the adults therefore the government

need to introduce FAL programs to these people so as to acquire more skills in farming,

to improve their health, know how to balance profits and losses and keep records of their

daily activities.

There is also need to sensitize people through community seminars and work shops

by agricultural workers or officers in order to educate the general public on how

to apply good methods of farming and also on how to solve the incoming and

existing pests and diseases affecting food crop production since households are

interested. Therefore the Agricultural extension workers in conjunction with NAADS

they should introduce this to the community.

The government should create micro credit services and also mobilize people to

access micro credit of which are of a low interest rent charges.