Adoption of Drought-Resilience Agricultural Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Luwero District, Central Uganda

This study investigated the adoption of Drought-Resilient Agricultural Technologies (DRAT) among smallholder farmers in Luwero district. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of adoption of DRAT, identify factors influencing adoption, evaluate the importance of farmer groups and social networks and examine the impact of DRAT on socio-economic outcomes, and explore challenges to adoption and potential mitigation strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a survey to gather quantitative and qualitative data from 311 households. The findings revealed that 63% of households had adopted at least one form of DRAT, with agroforestry and conservation agriculture being the most common practices. The adoption of DRAT was significantly influenced by access to agricultural information (Chi2 = 92.17, P < 0.001), land tenure systems (Chi2 = 9.99, P = 0.036), and farm size (Chi2 = 9.99, P = 0.033). The education level of the household head has a marginal influence (67.9% adoption among those with no formal education, Chi2 = 7.92, p = 0.094). Participation in farmer groups and social networks significantly enhanced knowledge and access to resources, with 70% of respondents acknowledging the importance of such groups. The impact of DRAT on socio-economic outcomes was substantial, with 95.38% of households experiencing a significant increase in crop yields, 91% reporting an increase in household income, and 94% noting improved food security. However, challenges such as a lack of access to credit and insufficient knowledge and training were significant barriers to adoption. In conclusion, the study highlighted the positive impact of DRAT on agricultural productivity and household resilience. Recommendations include enhancing access to agricultural information, improving infrastructure, and providing financial support to farmers. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of DRAT, strategies to overcome cultural resistance, and the role of government policies in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.