Agricultural development among poor farmers in Soroti district, Uganda: impact assessment of agricultural technology, farmer empowerment and changes in opporunity structures

Friis-Hansen, Esbern. 2005. Agricultural development among poor farmers in Soroti district, Uganda: impact assessment of agricultural technology, farmer empowerment and changes in opporunity structures. Paper presented at Impact Assessment Workshop, CIMMYT, Texcoco, Mexico, 19-21 October 2005. Texcoco, Mexico: CIMMYT.

This paper is based on participatory development research carried out in Soroti district of Uganda with the aim to assess the impact of agricultural development among poor farmers. The central argument in this study is that a combination of farmer empowerment and innovation through experiential learning in FFS groups and changes in the opportunity structure through transformation of LGA staff, establishment of subcounty farmer fora, and emergence of private service provider, has been successful in reducing rural poverty. Based on an empirical study of successful adaptation and spread of pro-poor technologies, the study assesses the well-being impact of agricultural technology development in Soroti district, Uganda. It further analyzes the socioeconomic and institutional context under which pro-poor technologies are adopted by poor farmers.