Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing farmers’ adoption decisions of the disseminated Banana Xanthomonas wilt
(BXW) control package is critical for successful management of the disease. This paper analysed the
determinants of farmers’ decisions to adopt the control package by smallholder banana farmers in Uganda. A
binomial Logit model is applied to household survey data collected from 350 households. Results from the study
show that household labour availability, technology package attributes such as labour demand and perceived
effectiveness of the practices in managing the disease; and agro-ecological location and banana production
system significantly influence adoption decisions. These results suggest the need for adaptation of the
technology package to better suit the needs and socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers through a
farmer participatory technology development approach that takes into account research findings, farmers’
indigenous knowledge and resource constraints to enhance adoption.
Keywords: adoption decisions, Banana Xanthomonas Wilt, logit model, Uganda
- Introduction
Banana (Musa spp.) is a key crop in Uganda, supporting both rural and urban populations. Apart from being a
key food crop, it is an important source of income for resource poor farmers. It is estimated that over 75% of the
country’s farmers grow bananas on 1.5 million hectares, an equivalent of 38% of the total land under crops
(Nowakunda & Tushemereirwe, 2004). The crop is regarded as the most traded food crop in the country and
accordingly contributes to income through sales in raw form and other value-added products such as juice, beer,
chips, cakes and other food products (Karamura, 1991). In turn, the income from banana sales is invested in
other key components of farmers’ livelihoods including paying school fees, investments in productive assets and
health. The crop is also a key component of the agro-ecosystem reducing soil erosion on steep slopes through its
closed canopy and is a principal source of mulch for maintaining and improving soil fertility and moisture.
Despite its importance, the crop is threatened by several biotic and abiotic constraints. Among the biotic threats,
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is the most
recent and is perceived by smallholder banana farmers in Uganda as the most serious threat to food security and
incomes (Tushemereirwe, Kangire, Kubiriba, Nakyanzi & Gold, 2004; Karamura et al., 2011). The disease was
first reported in central Uganda in 2001 (Tushemereirwe et al., 2001) but has since spread to other districts
across the country including the main banana growing regions (Karamura, Osiru, Blomme, Lusty & Picq, 2006).
Unlike other banana diseases which cause gradually increasing losses over years, the impacts of BXW are
extreme and rapid. In many of the affected districts, the disease wiped out entire banana plantations. No banana
variety is resistant to the disease, although AAA-EAHB genomes are more resistant than ABB and AAB
genomes (Karamura et al., 2010).
It has been estimated that if BXW is not controlled, Uganda stands to lose an estimated US$295 million worth of
banana output valued at farm gate prices, which translates to a loss of US$ 200 per year of food and income per
household (Kalyebara et al., 2006). Compared to pre-infection levels, the total banana yield loss due to BXW
infection was estimated at 30–52% between 2001 and 2004 (Karamura et al., 2010).
