Masters of Science in Agribusiness and Entreprenuership

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/1041

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    The effect of chilli commercialization on the income of smallholder farmers in Kamuli District, Uganda
    (Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-20) Miriam Namata
    Chilli (Capsicum annum L.), locally known as "Kamulali," is a vegetable spice with important nutritional, medical, and economic. The crop is mainly grown by smallholder farmers in Uganda. In Kamuli district, chilli provides a significant income source for mainly women and youths. Despite its importance and export potential, no literature exists on the commercialization of chilli production. This study addresses this gap. Using data collected from 220 smallholder chilli farmers in Butansi and Mbulamuti sub-counties in Kamuli district, the study examined the commercialization behaviour of chilli production using descriptive statistics. The determinants of the level of commercialization were analyzed using a Tobit regression model. The study further employed linear regression using OLS to analyze the effect of chilli commercialization on income of household farmers. Results show that chilli production is male dominated, mostly undertaken by married people and those having large households. The level of commercialization of chilli production was influenced by membership to farmer group, gender of the farmer, access to extension and financial services, household size. OLS results indicate that the commercialization level of chilli production has a positive and significant effect on the income level of smallholder farmers. The study recommends increasing the level of commercialization through increasing access to financial and extension services, providing an enabling environment for farmer group formation.
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    The effect of compliance and certification on commercialization of vanilla in Greater Mukono Districts of Mukono, Kayunga and Buikwe in Central Uganda
    (Uganda Christian University, 2026-05-20) Jovien Rwambumbe
    Vanilla has a unique aroma, is widely preferred by food and cosmetics industries and Uganda is second to Madagascar in global exports. However, despite premium prices, compliance with food safety and organic standards and certification remained very low among vanilla exporters; significantly leading to quality and food safety non-conformances, low export volumes, low incomes to market actors and commercialization. This study sought to determine how compliance to food safety and organic standards and certification affects commercialization of vanilla in Uganda. Specifically, examining the factors influencing adoption of organic and food safety standards and certification by vanilla exporters; determining the effect of the standards and certification on commercialization and unravelling the relationship between adoption of food safety and organic standards and the processes of vanilla exporters. 150 respondents from 30 vanilla exporters; 3 focus group discussions and 5 key informant interviews were conducted. Only 26.67% of exporters were certified, demand for certifications was driven by premium prices, institutional membership (coefficient = 2.417, p = 0.045), and access to bank financing (coefficient = 4.804, p = 0.007) respectively. The Netherlands and Canada led to more certifications and high export quality shown by (coefficient = 2.245, p = 0.037) and (coefficient = 8758.075, p = 0.04) respectively. Certification transformed processes, documentation, training, and market as buyers increased from 2 to 9. Limitations include high certification costs, training gaps, limited finance, price fluctuations, and taxation. To enhance adoption and compliance there is need for capacity building, promotions, strategic marketing, and institutional membership.
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    Analyzing Determinants of Farmers’ Choice of Coffee Marketing Channels in Bugisu Sub-region. (A Case Study of Mbale District, Uganda)
    (Uganda Christian University, 2025-09-11) Isaac Noel Bwayo
    In Bugisu sub-region, coffee production, particularly Arabica coffee, plays a crucial role in sustaining rural economies, especially in high-altitude areas of Mt. Elgon. Despite the region's favorable agro ecological conditions and its prominence in global coffee markets, smallholder coffee farmers face persistent challenges, including limited access to markets, weak infrastructure, and price instability. These challenges undermine their capacity to derive optimal benefits from coffee farming, prompting the need for research-driven policy interventions to improve marketing efficiency and farmer incomes. This study investigated the determinants influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of coffee marketing channels in Mbale District, Uganda. It aimed to (i) assess the influence of socio-demographic characteristics, (ii) examine the role of institutional factors, and (iii) analyze farm-level characteristics that shape farmers’ marketing channel decisions. A structured survey and quantitative analysis approach were employed, with multinomial logistic regression used to estimate the likelihood of farmers choosing among three marketing channels: cooperatives (reference category), private traders, and exporters. The results show that socio-demographic variables such as; education, age, household income, farming experience, off-farm income, and primary occupation significantly affect marketing channel choices. For instance, education level significantly increased the likelihood of marketing through private traders (p = .004) and exporters (p = .002), while farming experience influenced both options (p = .002 and p = .034, respectively). Household income and age were particularly significant in the exporter category. Institutional factors also emerged as strong predictors. Access to credit significantly increased the probability of using private traders (p = .023) and exporters (p = .012). Access to extension services (p = .024), market information (p = .002), and market proximity were also significant determinants. Cooperative membership, notably, influenced the likelihood of switching to other marketing channels. At the farm level, descriptive analysis indicated that 35.94% of farmers sold to exporters, 33.07% to cooperatives, and 30.99% to private traders. Regression results showed that; farm size, yield, location, investment level, and use of production technology were all statistically significant in determining channel choice, especially favouring exporters and cooperatives over private traders. The study concludes that an intricate interplay of socio-demographic, institutional, and farm-level factors shapes the choice of coffee marketing channels among smallholder farmers. These insights underscore the importance of strengthening institutional support—particularly access to credit, extension services, and market information—and promoting cooperative membership and exporter linkages for better-resourced and technically advanced farmers. Policy interventions targeting these areas can enhance equitable access to high-value markets and improve the livelihoods of coffee-dependent communities in Uganda and across East Africa.