Effectiveness of community based seed multiplication in enhancing farmers’ knowledge and access to improved bean seeds in western Uganda

Abstract

Community Based Seed Multiplication (CBSM) approaches have been used by agricultural research and development actors to improve farmers’ access to quality seed in many developing countries. CBSM can be private or public driven. However, ways of designing the CBSM for optimum effectiveness under public and private contexts are not well understood. This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of public sector driven CBSM and factors influencing farmers’ access to improved bean seed. The study was conducted in Kamwenge District, western Uganda. An expost facto post-test only design was used to compare the knowledge and accesss outcomes for membership and non-membership farmers. Data were collected from 249 respondents, using a structured questionnaire. Ordered probit regression was used to assess factors which influenced farmers’ access to improved bean seeds. Results indicated that Public sector driven CBSM had a significant positive effect (P=0.000) on farmers’ knowledge at (P<0.05) and access to improved bean seeds. Farmers’ access to improved bean seeds was positively influenced by income obtained from beans (P=0.011), distance from farm to the nearest bean market (P=0.036). The CBSM was more beneficial to membership farmers in remote areas compared to those closer to formal seed markets. We recommend that a public sector driven CBSM should target all farmers directly, most especially those in remote areas who lack access to commercial seed outlets.

Key Words: Africa, seed systems