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.