Frank Matsiko
Makerere University, Extension and Innovation Studies, Faculty Member
Research Interests:
Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly being used as a means of mitigating agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. Given a number of actors and... more
Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly being used as a means of mitigating agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. Given a number of actors and their different interests, governance dynamics and institutions are likely to play a fundamental role in the attainment of this objective. This study employed network governance theory to establish the influence of structures and relations in innovation platforms influence on actors’ innovation behavior. Using a sample of 319 randomly selected farmers and key informant interviews, it was established that the direct effect of embeddedness on innovation behavior was positive but insignificant (β=0.005, p= 0.953). The effect embeddedness on adaptation, coordination and safeguard of exchanges was positive and significant at (β=0.339, p0.01), (β=0.239, p0.01) and (β=0.262, p0.01) respectively. The role of adaptation in influencing innovation behavior was po...
Research Interests:
This study sought to, identify and describe the approaches used by research and service providers in technology dissemination to target different wealth categories of farmers, identify the information that is required by these farmers and... more
This study sought to, identify and describe the approaches used by research and service providers in technology dissemination to target different wealth categories of farmers, identify the information that is required by these farmers and their preferences regarding channels and formats for information presentation. Three villages were used as study sites. The case organizations, namely NAADS, Africa 2000 Network, and Sasakawa Global 2000, were selected based on their avowed principle of involving grass root farmers in all stages of the project cycle. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design involving face-to-face individual and group interviews. Findings indicate that the approaches used by the three organizations have only reached a small proportion of the targeted households: NAADS (12%), SG2 (8%) and A2N (33%) in the village. The farmers’ groups have limited useful information in such areas as, availability and use of improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, post...
Research Interests: Geography and Livelihood
Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly seen as a panacea for mitigating the agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. A number of previous studies on... more
Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly seen as a panacea for mitigating the agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. A number of previous studies on IPs show processes for their formation and contribution to innovations. Very few studies have attempted to investigate the perceived benefits from platforms as important determinants for actor participation. Using a sample of 319 randomly selected farmers from one innovation platform in Uganda, it was established that the uncertain markets for the agricultural output, sources of inputs and agricultural information were perceived to be the key motivators for the formation of the platform. The study found a positive significant relationship between transaction cost challenges of environmental uncertainty and structural embeddedness (p<0.01) and frequency of interaction and structural embeddedness…
Research Interests:
The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 farming households using... more
The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 farming households using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The determinants of market participation were assessed using the Probit model. Descriptive statistics showed that a combination of crop, livestock and tree products were marketed by farmers. The main products included maize, cassava and coffee (crops); firewood and poles (tree products); and birds and goats (livestock products). Results from the Probit model showed that farm size, household size, education level, access to credit and extension visits had positive and statistically significant effects on market participation of farmers in agro-forestry products' markets. Age of farmer had a negative and statistically significant effect on the participation. Emphasis on improving the quality and covera...
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Rural Sociology, Social Psychology, Information Technology, Rural Development, Management of Innovation, and 7 moreQualitative Research, Sustainable Rural Development, Consumer Behavior and Food Choice, Technology acceptance model(TAM), Rural Development and agricultural Extension, Household Food Security, and Consumer Behaviour
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Business, Production, Consumption, Uganda, Technology Acceptance, and 13 moreMicronutrients Deficiency, Hunger, Hidden Hunger, Farmers, Peer influence, Beliefs and attitudes, Agricultural Science, Biofortification, Rural communities, Rural Households, Fear arousing messages, Sweet Potatoes, and Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato
generation, dissemination and utilization in the context of agricultural innovation systems in southeast Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: Group discussions were conducted with six communities in Kamuli district, southeast Uganda. The... more
generation, dissemination and utilization in the context of agricultural innovation systems in southeast Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: Group discussions were conducted with six communities in Kamuli district, southeast Uganda. The focus was on information sources and linkages, reliability, applicability and gaps. Data were analyzed with NVIVO software. Findings: Rural community members access information from a variety of sources but its reliability and application varies according to the nature of relations with and level of trust in the various sources. Further, community members lack means and capacity to hold accountable providers of low quality information. Information linkages among actors (farmers, extension, private sector and local leaders) were also minimal. Practical Implications: Establishment of feedback loops and partnerships among actors is necessary to ensure improvements in information generation and dissemination for rural development. Originality/Value: Thi...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Widespread deforestation and increasingly intensive use of land to sustain a growing population has increased soil erosion, lowered soil fertility and reduced agricultural productivity in Uganda. This has raised concern over... more
Widespread deforestation and increasingly intensive use of land to sustain a growing population has increased soil erosion, lowered soil fertility and reduced agricultural productivity in Uganda. This has raised concern over sustainability of farming systems in the Eastern Agro-ecological zone of Uganda. There is growing evidence that agroforestry can be a potential solution to these problems. However, enhancement of adoption of agroforestry as a viable alternative for farmers in diverse ecological and socio-economic conditions has remained low. The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing the enhancement of adoption of agroforestry by smallholder farmers. Primary data on household, farm and technology characteristics was collected from 153 farming households. Results show that boundary planting, scattered tree planting, row planting and homestead gardening were the most commonly adopted agroforestry technologies in the study area. The Tobit model showed that ...
Received: 20 June 2016 Accepted: 10 September 2017 Published: 30 September 2017 ABSTRACT Savings and credit cooperatives have been seen as the most appropriate institution to serve rural households and contribute to poverty alleviation... more
Received: 20 June 2016 Accepted: 10 September 2017 Published: 30 September 2017 ABSTRACT Savings and credit cooperatives have been seen as the most appropriate institution to serve rural households and contribute to poverty alleviation and rural development. However they have been characterized by inadequate credit monitoring and control mechanisms, inefficient loan collection mechanisms and inappropriate loan delivery systems leading to poor loan repayment rates, high loan defaults, and diversion of credit to consumption purposes. This study examined the household dynamics that affect productive use of credit among members of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in Soroti district, Uganda. The findings indicated that women were excluded from institutional credit due to loss of respect and cooperation from their husbands. Consequently women allowed their husbands to control the cash transaction in order to preserve their marriages. Household size was a key significant factor inf...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Cohesion is a fundamental determinant of performance in farmer groups in which collective action is pursued for the benefit of the members. The study examined the influence of individual members’ objectives, participation culture, group... more
Cohesion is a fundamental determinant of performance in farmer groups in which collective action is pursued for the benefit of the members. The study examined the influence of individual members’ objectives, participation culture, group rewards, structure of tasks and perceived equity on cohesion of farmer groups that can promote access to agricultural extension services. Quantitative data were collected from 180 members of 19 farmer groups using questionnaires selected in a multi-stage process that combined purposive and random sampling. Qualitative data were gathered from 20 key informants in oral interviews and three focus group discussions. Regression analysis indicated that there were statistically significant negative relationships between individual members’ objectives, structure of the tasks, group reward system and cohesion of farmer groups. In contrast, perceived equity had a statistically significant positive relationship with cohesion in farmer groups. We recommend that,...
Farmer training is a key strategy for building skills that lead to enhanced productivity of small-scale farmers&#39; fields.
Research Interests:
This study examined the role of social-cognitive factors in farmers’ decisions to cultivate orange-fleshed sweetpotato as a food-based approach to alleviating vitamin A deficiency among rural households in Uganda. Cross-sectional survey... more
This study examined the role of social-cognitive factors in farmers’ decisions to cultivate orange-fleshed sweetpotato as a food-based approach to alleviating vitamin A deficiency among rural households in Uganda. Cross-sectional survey data collected from 341 randomly selected household level decision-makers drawn from two rural districts in Uganda were analysed using hierarchical regression. Perceived capability and perceived social approval significantly predicted household decisions to grow orange-fleshed sweet potato (p≤0.001). Overall, decision-makers’ subjective norms and control beliefs were found to be significant mediators (p≤0.01) of the orange-fleshed sweet potato acceptance process. These results point to a cardinal role for processes that create supportive social and cognitive environments in promoting the cultivation of bio-fortified technologies such as orange-fleshed sweet potato.Keywords: Orange-fleshed sweet potato, social approval, Uganda
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Agricultural extension services are under increasing pressure to be responsive to the ever-growing challenges of making a difference to the lives of small farmers and the rural poor. The pressure for responsiveness is giving rise to calls... more
Agricultural extension services are under increasing pressure to be responsive to the ever-growing challenges of making a difference to the lives of small farmers and the rural poor. The pressure for responsiveness is giving rise to calls for changes in the traditional public extension systems which are seen as top-down, paternalistic, inflexible, and subject to bureaucratic inefficiencies. Uganda is in the process of transforming its public extension system in conformity with the rest of its economic transformations. The public extension system is being phased out and it is gradually being replaced by a "private provider advisory system." In operational terms, this means that the private advisory services providers will operate on contract basis with farmer organizations. The new advisory system is going to create new demands on the agricultural education system, not only in terms of appropriate curricula but also in the mode of instruction. This paper presents perception...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Purpose: Training transfer has been examined for formal industrial and service organizations in developed countries but rarely for rural organizations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to identify transfer system factors that best... more
Purpose: Training transfer has been examined for formal industrial and service organizations in developed countries but rarely for rural organizations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to identify transfer system factors that best explain the transfer of governance-facilitation skills provided to leaders of farmers' marketing organizations (FMOs) in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach: Face to face interviews using interview schedules containing selected elements of the Learning Transfer System Inventory were conducted with 99 FMO leaders to collect data on the factors that could affect transfer of governance-facilitation skills. Findings: Hierarchical regression revealed that personal capacity to transfer, transfer design, supervisor support and feedback on performance were significant predictors of perceived transfer of governance-facilitation skills. Practical implications: Results point to the need for extension organizations that work with rural farmers' organizations to design effective training methods and transfer approaches that enhance training transfer, as well as promote leadership that values and supports training transfer to FMOs. Originality/value: The focus on member owned, participatorily run rural farmers' organizations to test factors affecting transfer of critical skills adds value to the training transfer discourse. Additionally, the role of trainee characteristics, transfer design and work environment factors in enhancing training transfer within developing country local organizations in rural Africa is confirmed.
Research Interests:
Purpose: To examine the status and priorities for agricultural information generation, dissemination and utilization in the context of agricultural innovation systems in southeast Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: Group discussions... more
Purpose: To examine the status and priorities for agricultural information generation, dissemination and utilization in the context of agricultural innovation systems in southeast Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: Group discussions were conducted with six communities in Kamuli district, southeast Uganda. The focus was on information sources and linkages, reliability, applicability and gaps. Data were analyzed with NVIVO software. Findings: Rural community members access information from a variety of sources but its reliability and application varies according to the nature of relations with and level of trust in the various sources. Further, community members lack means and capacity to hold accountable providers of low quality information. Information linkages among actors (farmers, extension, private sector and local leaders) were also minimal. Practical Implications: Establishment of feedback loops and partnerships among actors is necessary to ensure improvements in information generation and dissemination for rural development. Originality/Value: This study demonstrates the need for efforts to improve information and communication for rural development in developing countries. Trustworthiness of information sources, strengthening partnerships among actors, continuously reviewing approaches, and addressing emerging information gaps are key priorities. In agricultural innovation systems, involvement of multiple actors in information generation and dissemination is essential.
Research Interests: Communication, Social Networks, Information Literacy, Information Management, Stakeholders, and 16 moreRural Development, Developing Countries, Information, Interviews, Developing Country, Innovations, Information Sources, Design Methodology, The, Informal Communication, Innovation System, Private Sector, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Feedback loop, Rural Community, and Innovation
This paper discusses the factors influencing application of school gardening knowledge and skills by pupils at school and household level; and whether pupils are effective sources of information to their parents. A quasi-experimental... more
This paper discusses the factors influencing application of school gardening knowledge and skills by pupils at school and household level; and whether pupils are effective sources of information to their parents. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare cohorts of 30 pupils randomly selected from eight schools in Kumi and Tororo districts of Uganda. In each school, 15 pupils were randomly assigned to either a home or school supervised gardening group. The groups were guided and evaluated by teachers and members of agriculture advisory committees drawn from local communities. Findings show that application and learning transfer of agriculture knowledge and skills depend on opportunities availed to pupils at school and homes to practice what they learn. Pupils' performance depended on willingness of parents and teachers to offer support such as availing land for home gardens. Contrary to existing literature pupils effectively passed gardening information to their parents despite language constraints, timidity and usefulness of the messages. In Uganda, agriculture is a fully-fledged subject in primary schools. Findings show that if schools are to contribute to farming at village level, existing curricula should include supervised home gardening and that parents can be targeted through school gardening outreach programming. The paper contributes to the debate about the value of school agriculture as a solution to unemployed school-leavers rather than a dead end that competes with the priorities of basic Education for All.