Optimum crop enterprise combination in sugarcane based farming systems, a case of sugarcane and maize in Busede sub-county, Jinja district.

Abstract

The present study entitled "Optimum. crop enterprise combination in. sugarcane based farming system: a case of sugarcane and maize in the vicinity of Kakira sugar estate specifically Busedde sub county in Jinja District", it was undertaken to find a way how sugar cane and maize enterprises can be combined using the available limited resources in the. study area in order to maximize profits and solve the problem of rood security. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample farmers. From the sub county of Busedde in the vicinity of Kakira sugar estate. A sample of 60 small scale sugarcane out growers was used in the study. The required data were collected from the sample respondents by using a check list and personal. interviews. methods. Linear programming was used to develop optimum plans or solutions for maximization of profits. From the study it was found out that of the people in the study area depend on maize as the main source of food. And also the farmers should use 25% of the land utilized for agriculture that is for growing maize and sugarcane has to be allocated to maize growing and 74% has to be allocated to sugarcane growing, while producing hectare of maize and I hectare of sugarcane. And through use of the net present value analysis it was found out that sugar cane growing project is a profitable enterprise however it is not advisable to carry it out as a single project because the Outcomes cannot cater for all requirements for the house hold. In conclusion in order to solve the problem of food security in the area the small scale sugarcane out grower farmers should produce 1 hectare of maize and 1 hectare for maize in order to maximize profits that can enable them to avail their families with enough food for a period of five years in the sub county of Busedde in the' vicinity of Kakira sugar estate. Key words'; Optimum crop enterprise combination, Linear programming, Food security, Sugarcane based farming system, Small scale sugar cane farmers.