Pattern and determinants of adoption of livestock innovations in Uganda : a case study of Kyadondo county
Abstract
Exotic cattle breeds were introduced into the African
farming system of Uganda in 1959. Twenty seven years later,
the exotic cattle and their crossbreeds account for only
2 per cent of the total national cattle population. The
observed (extremely low) rate of adoption of improved cattle
breeds formed the prime stimulus for this study. The primary
objective of the study was to analyse the pattern and determinants
of the adoption of improved cattle breeds and the
secondary objective was to determine the pattern of adoption
of modern livestock management techniques as recommended by
the Ministry of Animal Industry and Fisheries. The sub-objectives
of the study included determination of the pattern
of adoption of improved cattle breeds and other modern livestock
techniques; identification and determination of the
direction and magnitudes of effects of socio-economic factors
influencing farmers adoption behaviour; and derivation of
policy implications from the study necessary to influence
the pattern and accelerate the rate of adoption of improved
breeds of cattle.
A variation of a logit model, the logistic function,
was estimated using primary cross-section data. This farm
level data was collected using a questionnaire by the
researcher during the months of April and May 198G. The data
was based on a stratified random sample of farmers in
Kyadondo county. The sampling frame of the study was
compiled from a list of livestock farmers at the Veterinary
district office. Prior to the estimation of the logistic
function X2 tests of independence were conducted to
identify key socio economic factors in the adoption
process.
A modified log 1 inear form of the logistic function
as suggested by Cox (1970) and Domencich and McFadden (1975)
was estimated using the OLS technique.
Apart from three exceptions, the findings of the study
were similar to results of past studies on adoption
behaviour generally. This study found that extension contact
was not a statistically significant factor in the farmers'
adoption behaviour contrary to what all other past studies
have found. It also found that age had a positive effect
on farmers' adoption behaviour. This seems to contradict
past studies that have found age as statistically significant
factor with negative effects on farmers' innovativeness.
Finally the level of education was found to be statistically
significant factor affecting farmers adoption behaviour
positively. Past studies on the other hand, have found
it has no statistically significant effect on a farmers
adoption behaviour. Tentative explanations for the above
contradictions are discussed. A set of policy implications
is also deliberated.
Citation
Masters of Arts in Economics, University of Nairobi, 1986Publisher
University of Nairobi, Department of Economics