| dc.description.abstract | This study, The Influence of Organic Farming Practices on Food Security in Kikonoka Village, Kitoba Sub-County, Hoima District, was initiated under a Community Action Plan (CAP) during Field Attachment One. It addresses the interconnected challenges of low adoption of organic farming practices and persistent food insecurity in the community. Guided by the vision of achieving a food-secure Kikonoka Village through sustainable organic farming by August 2029, the study pursued four main objectives: (1) to assess the current status of food security, (2) to identify the organic farming practices currently in use, (3) to evaluate the influence of these practices on food availability and crop yields, and (4) to analyze the key challenges hindering the adoption of organic farming. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing participatory methodologies including the Community Action Plan (CAP) and Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR). Data were collected from 95 respondents comprising farmers, local leaders, and agricultural officers through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings revealed that 72% of farmer’s practice organic farming, with crop rotation (42.2%) and manure application (29.8%) being the most common methods. Organic farming was reported to improve food quantity (69.5%), quality (74%), and year round availability (83.2%). Major challenges identified included limited access to organic inputs (74.3%), financial constraints (24.4%), and inadequate market linkages. The study concludes that organic farming significantly contributes to enhancing food security in the study area. It recommends strengthening farmer access to organic inputs, financial and technical support, improved market integration, and comprehensive training to maximize the benefits of organic farming practices. | en_US |
