Adoption of On-Farm Plantation Forestry by Smallholder Farmers in Uganda

Abstract

The study assessed the factors influencing adoption and intensity of adoption of on-farm plantation forestry by comparing results from a censored Tobit model and a Double-hurdle model. Analysis indicated that determinants of adoption and intensity of adoption of on-farm plantation forestry are different, thus indicating a double-hurdle process. Results from the double-hurdle model indicated that size of landholding, secondary school education,  forestry skills training, extension services and farmers’ perceptions significantly explain the variation in the decision to invest in on-farm plantation forestry. On the other hand, gender of household head and size of landholding  influenced the intensity of adoption. This study highlights some of the areas that should be considered in developing adoption strategies for on-farm plantation forestry. It also highlights the importance of farmers’ perceptions in influencing adoption of farm forestry. The study suggests that since the factors influencing adoption and intensity of farm forestry adoption are made separately, it is important that both stages are considered in developing adoption strategies for farm forestry.