Browsing by Author "Masinde, Elvis"

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    Factors Influencing Uptake of improved Agricultural mechanization Technologies among maize farmers in Busiu town council
    (Busitema University, 2026-09-04) Masinde, Elvis
    This study was carried out to establish the factors limiting the uptake of improved mechanization by maize growers in Busiu town council. The specific objectives were to; establish the farmers' knowledge about improved mechanization technologies for maize production; establish the farmers' attitudes towards the use of improved mechanization in maize production; and, find out the coping strategies used by farmers to overcome the production challenges without mechanization technologies. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected from 30 randomly selected maize farmers using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and presented through descriptive statistics, tables, and graphical illustrations. The findings revealed that the adoption of mechanization technologies is constrained by several interrelated factors. Most respondents (86.7%) had never received adequate training or information on the use of mechanized farm equipment, while over 90% reported limited access to mechanization tools and services. High acquisition costs of machinery, low household income, fragmented land holdings, and the limited availability of mechanization equipment were identified by nearly all respondents as major barriers to adoption. The study also established that mixed cropping, practiced by 96.7% of the farmers, further limits the effective use of mechanized technologies. Consequently, all respondents continued to rely on traditional hand hoes, with only a few using ox-ploughs or tractors. The alternative hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between farmers' knowledge and the uptake of improved mechanization technologies was accepted. To enhance mechanization uptake, the study recommended the strengthening of extension services, providing regular farmer training, promoting farmer cooperatives, subsidizing mechanization equipment, encouraging land consolidation, supporting local fabrication of affordable machinery, and improving farmers' access to mechanization service providers. Implementing these interventions would enhance maize productivity, reduce production costs, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development in Busiu Town Council and Mbale district at large.