Browsing by Author "BIIRA BABRA ALIGANYIRA"

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    DETERMINANTS OF FERTILIZER USE BY SMALLHOLDER ARABICA COFFEE FARMERS IN BUGINYANYA SUB-COUNTY, BULAMBULI DISTRICT
    (Uganda Christian University, 2025-09-08) BIIRA BABRA ALIGANYIRA
    The persistent decline in Arabic coffee production annually in Buginyanya Sub-county has necessitated smallholder farmers to adopt the use of fertilizers to improve coffee production. This study evaluated farmers’ perception, knowledge, and socio-economic factors that affect fertilizer use in arabica coffee production in Buginyanya sub-county, Bulambuli district. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive analysis of the survey data of 240 respondents. Chi Square statistics was used to determine the relationship between agronomic practices and arabic coffee production (Output) while ordered logit model was used to determine the level of fertilizer usage among smallholder Arabic coffee farmers in Buginyanya Sub- County. The impact of perception, socioeconomic factors, and institutional features on fertilizer use adoption was then examined using a multivariate probit model. The finding revealed varying degrees of the influence of recommended agronomic practices on Arabica coffee output in the study area. The Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values (Fertilizer use, 1.65; weed control, 1.52; Use of improved seed, 1.38; others, <1.8) below the commonly accepted threshold of 10 confirmed reliability of the regression coefficients. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis indicates that use of improved coffee seed varieties, application of inorganic fertilizers, proper plant spacing, pruning, and weed control were statistically significant predictors of coffee output. The study also showed that both socio-economic characteristics and institutional factors play a significant role in shaping fertilizer adoption behaviour among Arabica coffee farmers. Education level (p = 0.014; β = 0.081), access to extension services (p = 0.001; β = 0.628), availability of credit access (p = 0.002; β = 0.452), farm size (p = 0.023; β = 0.319) and income from coffee (p = 0.022; β = 0.0002) with fertilizer use. Positive perception of Fertilizer use on yield (93.52%, n = 231), very risky on microflora (89.88%, n = 222), high risk on livestock (88.66%, n = 219), very risky on water quality (89.88%, n = 222) and very risky on food safety (85.43%, n = 211). Agricultural extension services should be expanded and better resourced to provide consistent and context-specific training on best agronomic practices. Furthermore, policymakers and development partners should promote inclusive access to financial services, such as input credit schemes and agricultural subsidies, particularly for resource-constrained farmers