Factors influencing marketability of maize produce amongst small-scale farmers in Bukakata subcounty, Masaka district.

Abstract

The general objective of the Study was to examine the factor influencing marketability of maize produce amongst small-scale famers in Masaka district. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of maize quality at the farm-gate on market price in Bukakata Sub County in Masaka district and to determine the effect of market infrastructure on marketing of maize in Bukakata Sub- County in Masaka district. The study used a case study research design while adopting mixed methodology of both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis. The study employed a purposive sampling technique. The study finding showed that Majority of the respondents 47% agreed that low quality maize leads to reduced demand for maize products, majority of the respondents 50.6% agreed that quality maize promotes trade both on local and international market, majority of the respondents 50.6% agreed that infrastructure stimulates demand for maize products, majority of the respondents 50.6% agreed that infrastructure opens up for easy transportation, majority of the respondents 55.4% agreed that improved infrastructure leads 10 expansion of markets, majority or the respondents 66.3%. agreed that infrastructural development leads to 'improvement in factor market operations and majority of the respondents 88% agreed that poor infrastructure shut down the marketing process of maize. The study concluded the high-quality maize increases demand for maize products and poor infrastructure shut- down the marketing process of maize. The study recommended that the government should provide extension services to -the people of Bukakata in order to sensitize them on how to maintain the quality of maize and their importance and also the government should improve on infrastructure such as roads, markets in- order to increase on the market of maize and to help them Fink to international and national markets.