Factors Influencing the Adoption of Indigenous Micro-organism Technology on Commercial Pig Farms. A Case Study of Mukono District

Abstract

Commercial pig production is increasingly contributing to availability of food of animal origin, incomes and livelihood of many households. Pig production is marred by the pervasive emission of foul odors arising from various sources including urine, anaerobic decomposition of feces, spilled feed, and decaying matter. The objective of this study was to investigates the factors influencing the adoption of Indigenous Micro Organism (IMO) technology in pig farming in Mukono district, Uganda. Across-sectional study design was used to analyze socio-economic and institutional factors that influence the adoption of IMO technology on commercial pig farms. Questionnaires were used to capture data on socioeconomic and institutional variables. The results revealed that 131 pig farmers were interviewed. Results indicate that 31% of farmers adopted IMO technology. Male farmers showed higher adoption rates (33%) compared to female farmers (27%), and universityeducated farmers exhibited a higher adoption rate (63%) compared to those with no education (14%). Access to credit was limited, with 13% of respondents accessing credit, mainly from banks (100%) and friends/relatives (80%). Awareness about IMO technology was moderate, with 47% of respondents being aware, and 32% receiving training in making or using IMO. Access to extension services was very low at 28%. Despite universal access (100%), the majority (98%) had no supply contracts. Logistic regression analysis revealed that training in IMO technology significantly (p=0.000) increased adoption likelihood (OR=679.552,), with trained farmers being 680 times more likely to adopt. Farmers with herds of more than 30 pigs were significant(p=0.030) with high likelihood (OR=21.718) to adopt IMO technology. Further, access to extension services was 44.056 times more likely to adopt it for use evidenced by a high odd ratio (OR=44.056). Therefore, the research findings have underscored the importance of farmers access to training, extension services, and credit to promote IMO technology adoption. We recommend commercialization of the pig industry through targeted interventions to promote farmers’ access to credit, training and extension services to promote adoption of IMO technology.