The Modern Methods Of Farming Adopted By Small Scale Farmers And How They Have Impacted Indigenous Knowledge

Abstract

This study undertaken among local farmers in rural Uganda in Kagadi District clearly shows that most farmers still depend a lot on indigenous knowledge to manage their farms and farm produce. Over 35% of the farmers use IK and have tended not to pick up other modern methods of farming like using improved seeds, fertilizers and insecticides. They also report receiving knowledge on modern farming very recently. Modern Agricultural information has been flowing much more slowly than was originally anticipated in this District. There are a few IK methods which when undertaken together with modern methods has potential for increasing agricultural productivity and this includes knowledge on the seasons, identifying the best seeds, taking care of the dry seeds while in storage among others. This strongly recommends the need to identify the good IK methods which can be incorporated into the modern methods and used to improve agricultural production including the whole food production chain.