TITLE:
Using the Ordered Probit Model to Predict Drivers for Adoption of Multiple Soil Fertility Management and Conservation Technologies in Potato Production Systems in Uganda
AUTHORS:
Robert Muzira, John Steven Tenywa, Twaha Ali Basamba
KEYWORDS:
Potato, Soil Fertility, Soil Conservation, Market Linkages, Farmers’ Investments
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.8 No.12,
December
15,
2021
ABSTRACT: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a major staple food crop and a source of household income in Eastern Africa, particularly the highland areas. Potato production systems are characterized by a spiral of nutrient depletion, leading to low tuber yields and quality. In order to increase potato production particularly in the highlands of south-western Uganda, farmers have destroyed soil conservation structures and encroached on marginal areas. This has further escalated land degradation in form of soil nutrient exhaustion and erosion on the hill-slopes. To reverse soil nutrient exhaustion, CIAT implemented a project named “Enabling Rural Innovation—ERI” in an alliance with other research and development partners. The main objective of ERI project was to enhance farmers’ capacity to invest in sustainable soil fertility management and conservation in potato production systems through 1) farmers’ training in soil fertility management and conservation; and 2) linking farmers to urban markets. After five years of farmers getting engaged in potato-agro enterprise, another study was conducted to assess influence of market linkage and other socio-economic factors on farmer’s investments in multiples soil fertility management and conservation innovations in potato production systems. Using probit model, it was revealed that farmer’s likelihood to invest in two or more soil fertility management and conservation innovations was influenced by his age, education level, hired labor, possession of small ruminants and enhanced market linkage.