Abstract
Past and current research toward increasing crop yield, nitrogen (N) use efficiency, and food security in east-central Africa includes the development of common beans varieties, inoculants and systems that improve biological N fixation (BNF) . Improved inoculants and bean varieties could play a role in increasing yields for subsistence farmers if the causes of, and limitations to maximum BNF efficiency can be identified and controlled through genetics, breeding, and improved management. However, adoption of new crop varieties and related technologies in developing regions is often poor due to agronomic, infrastructural, and socioeconomic factors. Community knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and resources should be assessed alongside agronomic research in order to improve the potential for long-term adoption of new production methods and technologies. In collaboration with ongoing development of improved bean varieties and inoculants for BNF, we conducted a KAP survey of farmers regarding bean production. The study found that farmers viewed crop growth and yield in different areas and over time as indicators of soil health. Crop pests, diseases and weather were viewed as greater limiters of bean production than was soil health. Most growers (54%) were farming without inputs and 32% reported using green manure. Only 4% were currently using mineral fertilizer; however, 64% said that they would prefer to use fertilizer over other agricultural inputs. When deciding which bean varieties to plant, market price and yields were the most important determining factors. By identifying current practices, beliefs, desires, and concerns of producers, research and extension on soil and crop improvement can become more effective. Such KAP data as these can be used to improve the relevance, dissemination, and adoption of agronomic and genetic research outputs.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Michael Ugen of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda for his local support of the project and participation. We would also like to acknowledge Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO) Uganda and the Center for Sustaining Rural Livelihoods (CSRL) at Iowa State University for their logistical support.
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Lege, L.M., Carpenter-Boggs, L.A. (2020). Producer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Dry Beans and Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Kamuli District, Uganda. In: Sutton, M.A., et al. Just Enough Nitrogen. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58065-0_8
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