Adoption of Inorganic Fertilizer for Crop Production by Local Communities in Soroti District, Uganda

ABSTRACT 

In modern agriculture, inorganic fertilizers are commonly being used to supplement soil nutrients, to promote plant growth, to increase crop productivity and also improve food quality. Fertilizer adoption in Uganda in small holder agriculture is among the lowest in comparison with other Sub-Sahara African countries. This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of inorganic fertilizers for crop production in Soroti district by identifying the common types of inorganic fertilizers used for crop production, finding out the factors affecting the adoption of inorganic fertilizers, and determining the relationship between adoption of inorganic fertilizers and crop yields. The methods used were stratified random sampling, purposive, and snowball sampling. The data collection instruments were the questionnaires and structured interview schedules. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists software. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the adoption of inorganic fertilizers and crop yields. ANOVA and t-test were carried out to determine significant mean differences between samples. Results from the study showed that DAP and Urea are the most commonly used inorganic fertilizers in all the sub-counties. The factors affecting adoption of inorganic fertilizers are high cost of purchasing, lack of sensitization, inaccessibility of the inorganic fertilizers, lack of training, cultural or negative attitude, poor storage facilities, and unreliable weather patterns. The ANOVA test indicated that there is no significant mean difference in fertilizer usage among the four sub-counties. However, from the t-test for independent samples, it was observed that there is a statistically significant difference between the means in the views regarding fertilizer usage between the local people in the different sub-counties and agricultural officers from NGOs, CBOs and NAADs coordinators. There is a modest and significant correlation between the adoption of inorganic fertilizers and crop yields. This study recommends frequent sensitization and training sessions, integrated fertilizer-use approach, a comprehensive fertilizer policy, provision of improved seeds or crop varieties, and setting up community demo-sites and carrying Environmental screening.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Approval sheet iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of tables ix

List of figures x

Abbreviations xi

Abstract xii

Chapter

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Problem Statement 3

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 4

Scope 5

Significance of the Study 5

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 6

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

Concepts, Ideas and Related studies 7

Theoretical Perspectives 8

Types of inorganic fertilizers commonly used 9

Factors affecting adoption of inorganic fertilizers 11

Relationship between adoption of inorganic fertilizers

and crop yields 15

Three MATERIALS AND METHODS 20

Introduction 20

Research Design 22

Research Population 22

Sample Size 22

Sampling Procedure 24

Research Instruments 25

Validity of the Instrument 27

Data Analysis 27

Ethical Considerations 28

Limitations of the Study 28

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 30

Five SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47

References 51

Appendices 57

Appendix I - Transmittal Letter 57

Appendix II - Transmittal Letter from Soroti District 58

Appendix III- Questionnaire for the local communities 59

Appendix IV - Questionnaire for NGO’s and CBO’s 66

Appendix V - Interview schedule for NAADS coordinators 72

Appendix VI - Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 78