Factors that limit the adoption of indigenious cows as an alternative source of draft power in Arapai sub-county, Soroti district.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the factors that limit the adoption of indigenous cows as an alternative source of draught power. The objective was to determine the technical, cultural and socio-economic factors responsible for the low adoption of cows .as an alternative source, of draft power. A Cross sectional survey was used to collect data from 100 respondents who were randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaires which were pre-tested before the commencement of data collection. The data, collected was analysed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS version 16) to find the frequencies and percentages which are presented using tables. The study revealed that 87.5% (70 farmers) were not using cows for draft power and only 12.5% (10 farmers) were using cows for draft power. The major factors which affected. the '70 farmers who. were. not 'using cows for draft power were economic factors which included; lack of money to buy supplements for cows, '84%(59 farmers), hick of sufficient number of cows 74% (52 farmers%) lack of money to buy cows for draft power 67% (47 farmers) Social factors were; cows-areweak;16%(53 farmers) many had never seen anyone using cows for draft power; 79% (53 farmers) respondents had never heard anybody using cows for draft power; 71% (50 farmers) Technical factors were respondents had never used cows for draft power before; 87% (62 fanners) had never been trained on how to use cows 80% (56 farmers), lacked knowledge on how to use cows; 75% (53 farmers). Cultural factors were; farmers believed that the tribe/cultural norms did not allow use of cows for draft-power; 81% (57 farmers), religion (Christianity) did not allow use of cows for draft powers 67% (47farmers). In conclusion, the economic factors were lack of financial means of buying supplements, cows and implements. While, the technical and social cultural factors were majorly tack of information and knowledge It was recommended that government should. introduce agricultural loans at low rates, carry out restocking, establish training centres and create easy access to latest agricultural information through setting up of rural libraries.