Assessing the effect of access on the use of improved seed cleaning technologies; challenges and opportunities among farmers in the Kamuli district-Uganda

Abstract

There is a lag in postharvest technology interventions addressing grain cleaning in developing countries. It is uncertain whether it is attributed to technology access or not. This work assessed the effect of access on the use of improved cleaning technologies for seeds as well as challenges and opportunities to access and use the technologies. Pre-set questionnaires were administered to 200 farmers. The responses by these farmers indicated that access to improved seed cleaning technologies is the major impediment to change from slow, labour-intensive, and less healthy traditional methods. Then five seed cleaners were strategically located in the regions. Farmers with 200 kg of grain and above were prepared to carry their food produce over distances of 3 km–4 km to access the cleaners. No farmer with less than 200 kg travelled more than 1 km with their grain for cleaning. Capitalising on this maximum distance, farmers can access and use technologies expensive for them to own to improve timely cleaning and dust exposure reduction.