Assessing knowledge, attitude, practices and profitability of organic agriculture in Mpungwe sub county-Mayuge district.

Abstract

Organic farming is gaining attention all over the world, which is diversifying the method of agricultural production to increase sustainability, farm income, and food safety. The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, practice and profitability of the organic producers in Mpungwe sub-county, Mayuge district. It was conducted in five parishes of Mpungwe sub county with 70 respondents being purposively selected who are organic producers and 5 respondents of non-organic producers for control group, totalling to 75 respondents. The data collection methods employed were observation, use of the questionnaire, which involved face to face conversation with the respondents, for socio-economic characteristics, knowledge, practices, attitude, and profitability formation. This was done to draw the solutions on the increase on the demand of the health food, fresh fruits and vegetables. The findings of the study indicate that the farmers in the study area had poor knowledge concerning organic farming, their practices, and which mainly affected their attitudes to, but the few who had knowledge are benefiting with an increasing profit due to low costs incurred. The survey indicates a need to provide some farmers with more information on how to become active in organic production in this region and farmers should change their attitude towards organic production. This can be done through sensitization, establishment of more extension service centres, cooperatives, and also through workshops.