Naads and Poverty Reduction in Kabale District
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Date
2012
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Publisher
Kabale University
Abstract
Using a case study of the Uganda National Agricultural Advisory Services in Kabale district, this study sought to investigate the perceptions of farmers on beneficiary participation, analyse the effect of farmer participation on NAADS program performance, investigate the factors affecting beneficiary participation and to suggest best practices for beneficiary participation. A randomly selected sample of 368 farmers from five NAADs program participating sub-counties were interviewed using an interview guide designed to address the study objectives. Additional information on the study objectives was obtained from five sub-county NAADS extension staff of the selected sub-counties, the Kabale district NAADS Coordinator and the Kabale district production officer. Results showed that most of the households had married household heads in the age bracket 25-54 years and less than half of household’s members had not attained formal education. Sorghum, beans, sweet potatoes and solanum potatoes are the main crop enterprises, while goats, poultry and piggery are the main livestock species kept. Regarding farmer perceptions of NAADS program, most of the respondents were satisfied with the way information was being shared among beneficiaries, with the way consultations were being made and the way the NAADS program promoted collaboration. However, less than half of the respondents were satisfied with the empowerment that the program gave. Generally, participation in the NAADS program resulted in increased crop and livestock productivity as well as improved household incomes and welfare. The key factors affecting participation were identified as purpose of the project, institution hosting the project, sex of beneficiary, membership to organized groups and, communication and information sharing. The study recommended that a regulatory frame work for beneficiary participation should be in place, that regular feedback should be provided by project managers, removal of corrupt project leaders, involve beneficiaries from beginning to end and beneficiary participation in all decisions. The study also recommended further research to investigate critical roles of all relevant beneficiaries that were not covered by the present study.
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Keywords
Poverty Reduction, Naads