Utilization of introduced forages by smallholder dairy farmers in Uganda

Elucidation of factors influencing utilization of introduced forages is critical in formulation of interventions to foster their integration into smallholder dairy production systems. The study sought to identify introduced forages cultivated by farmers and the socio-economic factors influencing their preference and adoption in Masaka, Mityana and Wakiso Districts of Uganda. Pennisetum purpureum was the most cultivated fodder with 70.5% of respondents cultivating it. Farmers differed (X2=919.6, P < 0.0001) in their ranking of factors influencing their preference for introduced forages. Farmers' raking of “high yielding” was higher (p<0.001) than for other factors in all the three districts. Adoption was found to be a function of age, land ownership and level of education. The probability of a farmer adopting introduced forages differed among age groups (X2=11.3, df= 4, p=0.024), systems of land ownership (X2=12.1, df= 4, p=0.017) and levels of education (X2=10.1, df=3, P=0.018). The results of the study revealed that efforts aimed at promoting integration of introduced forages into smallholder dairy systems need to focus on high yielding forages as well as ensuring availability of adequate sources of planting materials.