Causes of reduced crop yield in Ofua sub county, Adjumani district.

Abstract

The study examined the causes of reduced crop yield in Ofua sub county, Adjumani District. Major crop types grown in the sub county were identified and the contributing factors to the reducing crop yields. Qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect data were used and this involved use of secondary data, observation, interviews and use of questionnaires the data collected from the sample of 60 respondents analysed using SPSS 16 statistical package and results presented in by use of pie charts, frequency tables and bar graphs The study revealed that the major crops grown in Ofua Sub County were food crops for subsistence consumption which also selves for commercial purposes and food security reasons. The study also revealed that food crops are the major sources of livelihood for the farmers. Farming was dictated by climate variations, and soil types. The major factors fronted by farmers for reducing crop yield in Ofua sub county were drought, pests and diseases, soil type, land size holdings, labour and declining soil other contributing factors to this trend lend much to education levels of the farmers which influences use and adoption of high yield enhancing technologies, soil types and reducing size of land holdings of the farmers are other variables that contribute to the reducing crop yields. It is recommended from this Study that farmers adapt new methods of farming, plant more improved seed to increase on the yield, form farmer organisations where they can access credit to buy inputs such as fertilizers.