Browsing by Author "Ayesiga, Brendah"

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    Socio-Cultural, institutional and policy factors influencing adoption and scaling of feed technologies among smallholder livestock farmers in Arapai sub-county.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Ayesiga, Brendah
    This study examined the socio-cultural, institutional, and policy factors associated with the adoption and scaling of livestock feed technologies among smallholder livestock farmers in Arapai Sub- County, Soroti District. A concurrent mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected from 381 smallholder livestock farmers using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative information was obtained at the same time through semi-structured interviews with key informants. Quantitative data were summarized using frequencies and percentages, and chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with current adoption. Qualitative information was analyzed thematically, after which the two sets of findings were compared through triangulation. Most respondents (87.9%) had adopted at least one feed technology. Gender was not significantly associated with adoption. Limited access to inputs and seeds was associated with adoption in the bivariate analysis (χ² = 9.990, p = 0.002), but this association was not retained in the multivariable model (p = 0.259). Policy awareness and policy familiarity were also not significantly associated with current adoption. The qualitative findings, however, showed that farmers frequently referred to peer learning, traditional and community knowledge, extension and farm outreach, institutional support, and gaps in policy information. Taken together, these results show that adoption in the study area is influenced by several issues rather than by one factor alone. If the technologies are to reach more farmers, there is a need to strengthen farmer-to-farmer learning, practical extension support, access to inputs, and communication about relevant policies and programs.