Assessment of Poverty Alleviation through Agricultural Modernisation in Uganda Learning from Farmer’s Experiences: A Case Study of Bukedea District.

Abstract

OKURUT SIMON PETER (2009-M033-20031) Assessment of Poverty Alleviation through Agricultural Modernisation in Uganda Learning from Farmer’s Experiences: A Case Study of Bukedea District. The agricultural sector‟s productivity has stagnated; yields per capita for food crops have fallen and the market share for the major export crops, such as coffee, cotton and tea has fallen. Recognising the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to reducing mass poverty, the government of Uganda has since 2000 been implementing the plan for modernisation of agriculture (PMA) as a key policy initiative aimed at reducing poverty. The PMA whose overall objective is to enhance production, competitiveness and incomes, has an ambitious agenda of policy and institutional reform across seven pillars, a key one of which is improving delivery of agricultural extension through the new National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme. The general objective of this study was to assess the contribution of a new strategy for agriculture (NAADS) promoted by the Government towards poverty alleviation in Bukedea district Uganda. The study revealed that over 90% of the farmers in NAADS perceived that the services provided by NAADS were relevant to their production needs. The study recommends that there is need to increase the expertise of farmers to make logical decisions on what works best for them, based on their own observations of agricultural input development and multiplication site. Finally there was need to establish coherent farmer groups that facilitate a cost effective out reach of many subsistence farmers to promote farmer empowerment. In a conclusion, though NAADS is making progress in promoting farmers progression from subsistence production to market oriented production, there is still a need to build farmers capacity to add value to their produce and make improved farm inputs more readily available and accessible to many farmers for better yields. Key Words: Poverty, Alleviation,Agricultural Modernisation, Farmers, Experiences, Bukedea District.