Improving Agricultural Productivity through Training; a Case of Heifer Project in Iganga district

Prof. Waswa Balunywa and Brenda Wejuli

Structure of Presentation

• Introduction • Purpose of study • Theory • Methods • Findings• Conclusions

Objectives

Overall Objective • To establish whether the training enables individuals

to increase agricultural productivity Specific:• To establish the intentions of individuals in applying

for the Heifer • To establish whether training influences behaviour

change on recipients• To examine the outcomes of the Heifer project on

recipients’ attitudes and subjective norms

Theory of Planned Behaviour(TPB

• Theory of Planned Behaviour ( Azjen & Fishbein, 1991)

• behavioural attitudes of a trainee, • influence the society has over a trainee and the

effort required by a person to perform (or not to perform)a behaviour

• leads to the intention to perform that behaviour

• the intention leads to actual behaviour

Methodology

• Qualitative data collected from 30 respondents who were participants of the heifer project and had received a cow

• Respondents selected using snow balling • Data collection- use of interview question guides

Findings: Objective 1

To establish whether the intentions of individuals in applying for the Heifer lead to performing a certain behaviour • To acquire skills that would enable them to improve their

lives and income• High expectations of income generating activities• TPB argues that for people to make behavioural

decisions they should be based on perceived usefulness. Recipients viewed the training as a promising business with considerable financial incentives

Findings: Objective 2

To establish whether training influences behaviour change on recipients• Increase in the number of cows distributed every year-

continuously attracted several families and households• Training was regarded as a motivation• Training provided work experience which is useful for future

projects’ implementation• Significant instructions for construction of cows’ houses have

deterred time wasters but instead provided better resources and made recipients independent of external aid.

• Recipients realised that their energy would be subsequently rewarded in their subsequent wages paid by milk consumers

Findings: Objective 3

To examine the outcomes of the Heifer project on recipients’ attitudes and subjective norms• Interviews with recipients revealed a strong

sense of optimism and satisfaction in the project• More than one pointed out that the programme

had given them a real chance to better their lives• And has enabled them to educate their children• Some of the recipients were able to benefit from

Biogas as a form of power for their homes

Findings…

• Recipients were found to have been highly motivated to performer in the different organizations and some had even taken up leadership roles

• The training conducted to change attitudes of the recipients and give them skills has been effective

Conclusion

• The study concludes that the training conducted to change attitudes of the recipients and equip them with agricultural skills was effective

• Individuals need to acquire knowledge and renew their capabilities in order to overcome behavioural barriers

• There is need to extend Heifer project training at other communities

• The Heifer project has considerable potential for expanding agricultural opportunities for other communities and in transferring knowledge and capacity to growing Ugandan societies.