Assess the factors influencing coffee production by small scale farmers in Nansanga sub county Budaka district.

Abstract

Coffee is an important crop globally due its contribution of National GDP, tax generation food security and inequality reduction role. Global trend of poor coffee production has seen increase in poverty and inequality in coffee production countries among small scale coffee producers. The purpose of study was to assess factors influencing small scale coffee production in Nansanga sub county, Budaka district, Uganda. The objectives of the study were to assess the influence of: social factors, adoption of coffee production technologies, coffee value addition and roles of key coffee players on small scale coffee production. Primary data was collected using both open and closed ended questionnaires from small scale farmers and interview schedules for Coffee Cooperative Society’ Management and sub county chiefs. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social sciences version 21 for both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables, inferential analysis done included Pearson correlation and Chi square analysis. The target population was 60 small scale farmers in Nansanga sub county Budaka district from which a sample size was selected Age of the household heads, marital status and gender did not influence coffee production. However, education level of the household head attributed to 32.4% of coffee productivity. A total of 93% of the farmers attributed low yield to high preference of pests and diseases incidences and 71.7% incidences was attributed to low utilization of fertilizers. Low education level of the management staff was evident with 90% having maximum education of secondary school. Irrespective of this there was good financial and management of the societies. Low value addition opportunities which included limited domestic consumption, restricted marketing channels, low coffee prices could have influenced yield. The role of CBK which is a regulatory body had oppressed farmers but favoured roles of coffee Cooperative Societies Management. Roles of both Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing were motivating farmers and the management of Cooperative Societies. This study provided information which can be used to solve problems facing coffee sector, assist farmers, policy makers, staff in Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Cooperative development and Marketing, Management of coffee factory and Coffee Cooperative societies and other stakeholders in revitalizing coffee sector.