Influence of Actor’s Interaction on the Competitiveness of Improved Cowpea (Secow 3b) In Oyam District, Lango Sub-Region

Abstract

Low competitiveness of the improved Agricultural technologies in terms of yields and market shares has remained a challenge in enhancing food, nutrition and income security in the developing countries. Inadequate information and other services on the improved Agricultural technologies to the farming communities, due to low interactions among actors engaged in the development and promotion of improved technologies has remained unaddressed. The study was set to determine the influence of the nature of interaction among improved cowpea (SECOW 3B) actors on market shares of the improved cowpea (SECOW 3B) in Oyam district, establish how institutions shape actors’ interactions in the improved cowpea enterprise in Oyam district, and to determine the usefulness of information shared and used by farmers on improved cowpea yields at farm level in Oyam district. The study undertook a mix research design, exploratory in nature, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to determine the influence of actors’ interaction in the market shares and yields of improved technology, using improved cowpea (SECOW 3B) in the Oyam district, Lango sub-region. Structural Equation Model and Ordinary Least Square as a model was used to examine how interactions among actors engaged in the improved cowpea influence the market shares and yields of improved cowpea in the Oyam district. The key findings showed, strong ties amongst cowpea actors provides opportunity for sharing of information and other services in a bid to enhance production and marketing. The study therefore recommends, researchers engaged in the improved technology development and promotion should consistently engage with other actors including the agro input and output traders, NGOs, extension agents, to provide opportunity for sharing information and other services in a bid to enhance production and marketing of the cowpea (SECOW 3B).