The Impact of the Activities of Uganda National Farmers Federation on Farmers’ Incomes: A Case Study of Mbarara District.

Abstract

TWESIGYE DAN (2006-03-MScDe-PT-040) The Impact of the Activities of Uganda National Farmers Federation on Farmers’ Incomes: A Case Study of Mbarara District This study examined the impact of the activities of Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) using Mbarara district as a case study. The specific objectives were to find out the impact of agricultural trainings, distribution of farm inputs, provision of agricultural loans, and marketing of agricultural produce, on farmers‟ incomes. Cluster sampling methods were used to select the sample and primary data were collected using a questionnaire form the field. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics were used most especially by means of frequency tables, pie charts and graphs. The impact of the activities of UNFFE was estimated by using a linear regression model with results indicating that the coefficients of agricultural loans, marketing of agricultural produce, training, and provision of inputs were 1.0245, 1.1134, 1.3213, and 1.3782 respectively. Therefore, a ten percent increase in agricultural loans, marketing of agricultural produce, training, and provision of inputs would increase farmers‟ incomes by 10.245, 11.134, 13.213, and 13.782 respectively. It is, therefore, recommended that government and stakeholders should intensify the campaigns to recruit more extension workers to carry out frequent trainings for the farmers, more low interest funds for farmers, institutional development of markets, and include all stake holders in the activities of the organisation so that meetings and trainings can be spread to the entire community. Key words: Farmer, Federation, Income, Agricultural, Loan