Economic benefits of value addition to grains and pulse: a case study of Iganga district.

Abstract

The main objective of the research was to determine the economic benefits of value addition on grains and pulses in Iganga district in Igombe sub-county. Value addition is anything or any activity that marks up more revenue realised from a commodity. In this particular study, the niche was on the use of value addition activities like sorting drying processing; milling storage marketing, in Igombe sub-county. Grains and pulse production has been substituted for production of fruits and vegetables in most-parts of the country which arguably are more remunerating Sub-County Agricultural officers, extension workers and local authorities were engaged to identify the grains and pulses value addition participants who are represented in a sample of 60 in Igombe sub-county. Data was collected by personally administering questionnaires to consumers’ storeowners, retailers and processors, focus groups discussion and agricultural officers. Data was analysed at bivariate and multivariate levels value addition participants that transported their grains and pulses products to the market received more income from the sale of the products made from grains and pulses. Extension and training services had no significant effects on revenues realized from the sale of grains and pulses products milling, processing and access to proper storage facilities had significant effects on prices costs and revenue in the sub-county. There are factors hindering the participants involved in the extensi0fi and training programmes from Practicing the value addition techniques they are exposed to during these programmes. Further research on the factors like costs of value addition techniques, access to facilities of adding value to grains and pulses could be carried out to analyse the significance of these factors to adding value to grains and pulses. The study recommends safe of milled, processed grains and pulses and only to urban traders the participants they have identified themselves. Interventions should also be put in place to help farmers access proper storage facilities cheaply, furthermore, retailers, processors and store owners should be educated on marketing strategy if they are to drive up their income. Also emphasis in terms of government resources should be put on ensuring that farmers use scientific methods farming such as irrigation, use of manure, and pesticides in addition to using improved seeds, extension services and training.