The contribution of bananas to household income, a case study of Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district.

Abstract

This study was carried out in Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district. It was aimed at investigating the contribution of bananas to household. income in Kakiri Sub-county, Wakiso district. The specific objectives were; to determine the major three food crops grown alongside bananas in Kakiri Sub-county, to estimate the costs incurred in banana enterprise and other three major food crops in Kakiri Sub-county, to determine profits obtained from bananas and other three major food crops in Kakiri Sub-county and to recommend the best crop among the, four major food crops in maximizing household income in Kakiri Sub-county. Data was collected from a total. of 50 respondents using a questionnaire as data collection tool, Interview and observation methods were also used in data collection. Data analysis was done using computer programmes and these were Microsoft Excel, SPSS and Microsoft Word for writing the research report. Although banana production is tremendously decreasing and food crops like maize and cassava were increasing in terms of production, it proved to be the best food crop in maximizing household income through high profit provision in the study area. Banana growing in Kakiri sub-county had benefits such as food provision, income- generation, source of employment providing raw materials for industrial use and prestige. The challenges which were faced in banana growing were, pests and diseases, inadequate land, soil exhaustion. poor varieties of planting materials and weather changes such. as prolonged drought. Conclusions were made from the study that 66% of the respondents depended on agriculture, most farmers were reluctant in applying fertilizers and pesticides, and majority of the employees were not permanent and were working for a wage. Recommendations were made that the government should put more emphasis on agriculture; banana growers in the area should acquire private mailo land titles and sensitizing farmers on the use of fertilizers, pesticides, improved banana varieties and control measures of Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW) in order to increase banana output in the study area.