| dc.description |
In Kagera banana-based farming systems the introduction of new banana varieties has
increasingly been one of the strategies to revive the declining banana production caused by
increasing pests’ infestations and low soil fertility. This study was conducted to assess
adoption and socio-economic impacts of the new banana varieties on farmers’ livelihoods
in the region. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) to identify factors that
influence farmers’ adoption (demand) of new banana varieties among farming
communities in Kagera region; (ii) to identify the intermediate and long-term impacts of
new banana varieties on farmers’ livelihoods across different agro-ecological zones and
farmer characteristics; and (iii) to measure the accrued benefits of new banana varieties on
farmers’ livelihoods. Data for the study were collected using Participatory Rural Appraisal
(PRA) and household survey from a total of 260 households randomly selected from 13
villages found in three agro-ecological zones: Bukoban Systems, Karagwe Ankolean low
rainfall and Karagwe Ankolean high rainfall zones. The data were analysed using
descriptive statistics, Logit and Tobit regressions, and Instrumental Variable (IV) methods.
About 28.46% of surveyed households were adopters of the 25 new banana varieties
introduced into Kagera region since 1997. Yangambi km5, SH3436-9, FH1A 17 and FH1A
$
23 were the most preferred varieties adopted by farmers. Adoption of new varieties varied
by agro-ecological zone, household and farm characteristics. Empirical findings revealed
that age, agro-ecological zone, banana field quality, cultivated land size, house type,
household-asset value, number of mats of endemic cultivars and livestock ownership
significantly influenced the adoption of new banana varieties. Adoption of the new
varieties significantly reduced banana production losses from infestation of pests and diseases by 5%. Other impacts of the new varieties were on improved food security,
increased banana income, improved quality of banana juices and brews, improved social
relationships and improved banana biodiversity. Further monitoring and evaluation of the
new varieties on farmers’ fields is recommended, and this should go hand-in-hand with
other banana management programmes. Also, banana marketing studies are recommended
to investigate the banana attributes considered by farmers versus attributes considered by
processors, traders and consumers. |
|