Effects of Improved Cassava Varieties on Farmers’ Income in Northern Agro-ecological Zone, Uganda

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 (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.

Insecticide Use by Small-Scale Ugandan Cassava Growers: An Economic Analysis

“…This suggests that any policy to increase cassava production must lower the prices of associated insecticides. The result is consistent with Akongo et al [52]. Additionally, the coefficient of personal protective equipment (PPE) price had a significant and positive relationship with the cost of cassava production.…”

Determinants of Farm Profit among Cassava-based Farming Households in Osun State Nigeria: Robust Estimation Approach

“…Despite the predominantly small-scale nature of agriculture in Nigeria, cassava cultivation persists in ful lling its conventional functions. This includes supplying food for human and livestock consumption, providing raw materials for industries, generating employment and revenue, and making substantial contributions to the total export earnings and gross domestic product (GDP) of various African countries [1,9].…”

“…Despite its potential role in livelihoods and food security across Nigeria, one of the primary challenges confronting cassava farmers in Nigeria is attributed to an unorganized and uncoordinated market system leading to poor remuneration and net farm pro t [15]. Studies have shown that there is huge potential in cassava production and processing, but the cassava industry is yet to attract adequate number of investors across its value chain [12,9,4]. Many of such studies have focused on access to resources like credit among cassava farmers using Multiple regression [16,17,18].…”