Agricultural extension service provision and utilisation: the case of aquaculture in Uganda.

Abstract

Provision of aquaculture extension services to farmers is fundamental for improvement of fish production and the wellbeing of fish farming households. The study examined the provision of extension services for fish farming, and the adoption of key recommended technologies and practices in the central and northern regions of Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the characteristics of fish farming households, and extension service provision factors in the adoption of fish farming technologies and practices. Focus was on understanding the actors involved in extension service provision, the services offered, the approaches and methods used, and the level of adoption of key recommended fish farming technologies. The study applied a sequential mixed-methods data collection approach. Quantitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected using Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The study finds that agricultural research and extension guided the process of introducing aquaculture as a new enterprise since the 1950s. Extension’s focus to improve fish farming has had minimal success due to limited understanding of differences among fish farmers, and how fish farming fits in the overall diversified nature of household agricultural production. The structure and pathways of agricultural extension services were inefficient in methods used, coverage, financial and technical support. The socio-economic characteristics of respondents influenced extension interactions. The adoption of recommended aquaculture technologies was low due to individual-farmer and household-level factors, as well as the nature of extension interactions. Extension service provision for aquaculture is ineffective and alienates fish farmers from essential services needed to increase fish production. The study proposes a farmer-centred, flexible and socially acceptable aquaculture extension model that promotes beneficial extension worker-farmer interactions through strengthening participation, collective decision-making and empowerment. The study proposes a fish farming-tailored extension service cognisant of the practices, actors, as well as fish farmers’ needs and expectations.