| dc.description.abstract | The rate of economic development of an agricultural country such as Uganda la closely linked and mainly dependent on the rate of progress of the agricultural sector. The processes involved In transforming agriculture from semi—subsistence to commercial farming are such that during the transition stage, there is an urgent need for research Into economic, social and political problem of allocating scarce resources of capital, foreign exchange, skilled and managerial labour to development projects In such a way as to lead to the maximum attainment of development objectives. The efficiency of agricultural development planning end the relevancy and suitability of policy measures adopted are the main determinants
of the rate of agricultural progress as well as the rate of general economic development. Hence, the study was designed to review agricultural development planning and policies in Uganda in order to illuminate deficiencies, highlight successes end to suggest improvements.
In chapter one, the study describe the stain characteristics of the Uganda economy and indicates the leading role which agriculture has played as a major determinant of gross domestic product. Agriculture la the main source of food, raw materials, export earnings, personal incomes, government revenue and presides a market for non-farm products. Agriculture also offers employment opportunities for the ever increasing population.
In the second chapter the study analyses resource endowmnent and shows how factors such as land, labour, capital, management, institutions and government policies have affected the rate of agricultural development. The analysis has revealed that the agricultural sector still contains n large quantity of resources whose potential is not yet exploited to the full.
Chapter three which uses the material in the first two chapters, gives an analytical framework within the study of specific plan periods In chapters four to seven is carried out. The chapter discusses the main elements of comprehensive agricultural planning which include formulation of general sectoral objectives; analysis and determination of resource endowment; formulation of agricultural development strategy; selection and evaluation of investment programmes and projects; compilation of the agricultural sector plan and formulation of the implementation measures.
Chapter four is a case study of the Worthington Plan (194T-1956), chapter five concentrates on the Five-Year Capital Development Plan (1955-1360) whereas chapter six is the case study of the First Five-Year Development Plan (1901/63-1965/66). The analysis of the planning periods include objectives and strategy of the plans; resource availability and allocation and agricultural policy measures and schemes. The main schemes studied include mechanical cultivation; pilot schemes; agricultural extension, education and research; farm planning; co-operative group farms and agricultural credit and subsidy schemes.
Chapter seven presents the case study of the Second Five-Year Development Plan (1966-1971) which as the first serious attempt at comprehensive sector planning warrants the critique of the agricultural sector plan. The discussion covers the projection model; agricultural sector target; resource allocation to capital formation, auxiliary services, education and crop programmes and agriculture policies and institutions.
The case studies of the planning periods in chapters four to seven have revealed that agricultural sector planning is still deficient in some elements of comprehensive planning. The main weaknesses include lack of explicit sectoral objectives and a strategy for development consistent with resource endowment There appears to be a general lack of proper selection and evaluation of investment programmes and projects needed to form the agricultural sector plan which is consistent both within itself and with other sectors of the economy,
Resource allocation to the agricultural sector has been generally inadequate and not commensurate with the emphasis which tho sector deserves. The plans have also lacked comprehenslve agricultural policies containing adequate price and production incentives end effective implementation measures. The need for improvement in the planning machinery to ensure effective co-ordination between the planning , finance and executive ministries and other organisations has been. stressed. And, since, the agricultural sector plan can only be implemented through the efforts of hundreds of thousands of small farmers, the implementation measures must contain ways and means of stimulating the enthusiasm of the farmers in order to solicit their total commitment to the development plan. | |
