Analysis of Adoption of Released Sweet Potato Varieties from 2007 to 2012: A Case Study of Busukuma and Nangabo Sub-counties, Wakiso District.

Abstract

NAMAKULA JOWERIA (2011-M152-20019) Analysis of Adoption of Released Sweet Potato Varieties from 2007 to 2012: A Case Study of Busukuma and Nangabo Sub-counties, Wakiso District This study was conducted in Busukuma and Nangabo sub-counties, Wakiso District to examine the analysis of adoption of released sweet potato varieties from 2007 to 2012. The specific objectives of this study were to find out the different released sweet potato varieties grown by farmers from Namulonge Research Institute; to determine the most adopted sweet potato varieties by farmers; to find out the major determinants associated with farmer adoption of the recommended released sweet potatoes. The study reviewed literature related to the adoption of released sweet potato varieties from 2007 to 2012 which was later compared with the study findings. A descriptive research was used where by both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data analysis. Questionnaires and interviewing were used as major instruments for data collection. The study found that the major economic activity found in Busukuma and Nangabo sub-counties, Wakiso district, was farming and the majority of the people in this area earned their incomes from the sale of output obtained from their farms. Earnings from sweet potato sales were used to buy other food items, provide other basic needs and to pay their children’s school fees consequently improving their business standards. It was, therefore, concluded that sweet potato farming positively contributes to household incomes. The study recommended that the government should intervene by starting more extension services to educate and inform farmers about sweet potato farming, provide agricultural loans to the farmers so as to increase on their production, construct proper roads which ease transportation of products and provide foreign markets for sweet potato output which will finally increase farmers‟ interest in adopting of more sweet potato varieties which will in turn increase incomes from sweet potato growing. Key words: Variety, Adoption, Potato