The Dean School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University invites you to a Viva Voce examination for the following candidate:
Name: Mr. Ssajjabbi Vincent
Date and Time: Thursday, 2nd November 2023, at 9:00AM EAT.
Abstract
Cassava is one of the world's most important food crops, with more than 600 million people depending on it for food. It is one of the staple foods in many African countries and a second primary staple food for Uganda's population. It provides 20 percent of calories in the diet, contributes 22 percent of farm household income and is recognised as a backbone for Uganda’s Agro- Industrialisation programme. However, over the years, the production of cassava has remained below the country's potential which requires a better understanding of the factors that influence the performance of the country’s sub-sector.
This dissertation addresses three key fundamental objectives that are aimed at providing some insights about the performance of the cassava sub-sector. First, it examines the role of agricultural extension services in the adoption of improved cassava varieties in Uganda (chapter 3). Second, it examines the causes of post-harvest losses in cassava value chain, the stage at which post-harvest losses occur at household level and the strategies used by farmers to reduce the post-harvest losses in the same enterprise (chapter 4). Third, an assessment of the effect of improved cassava varieties on cassava production in Uganda (chapter 5).
The main results from the three chapters are: (1) there is a higher probability of adopting improved cassava varieties when farmers access agricultural extension services; and also document farmers’ distrust to improved cassava varieties as a crop enterprise that can guarantee their households with food security; (2) post-harvest losses occur due to absence of storage facilities, pest invasion and lack of market information and (3) improved cassava varieties contribute to increased cassava production in the country.
From the policy perspective, the results suggest that the design and content of improved agricultural technologies requires supporting interventions such as agricultural extension services and better post-harvest management regimes.
Supervisors
- Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu, School of Economics, CoBAMS.
- Dr. John Sseruyange, Lecturer, School of Economics, CoBAMS