Abstract:
The adoption of improved technologies is widely recognized as key to improving agricultural
productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study analyzes adoption patterns and intensity of
multiple banana technologies in Uganda which have been promoted over time. We used primary
data collected from 383 banana farmers sampled using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Multivariate
probit (MVP) and ordered probit analyses were applied to establish the adoption patterns
and adoption intensity, respectively, and any factors affecting them. The findings highlight that 15
pairwise correlation coefficients among banana technologies were statistically significant implying
that banana farmers adopt technologies simultaneously. The household size, total banana area,
ecological location, membership to farmer groups, access to formal credit sources, and the type of
market accessed had significant effects on household adoption patterns and intensity. Thus, it is recommended
that such factors should be seriously considered in addition to technology characteristics
when planning promotion programs. Simultaneous adoption implies that each of the technologies
should be considered as a package which contributes to the increased farmer options and maximum
synergistic effects among them. This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the
key variables which affect the pattern and intensity of adopting technological packages involving
both input intensification and low-external-input technologies in Uganda.
Description:
Supplementary material is a household survey
tool used to collect data for this study. The household survey tool was used to collect data with
regards to the physical farm characteristics, household characteristics and the technologies adopted.
