Effects of Agroecological Intensification Practices Training on Smallholder Maize and Bean Productivity in Uganda

Smallholder agriculture in Uganda faces pressures from land scarcity and soil degradation, threatening food security. Agroecological Intensification (AEI) offers sustainable solutions, but adoption remains low. This study assessed the application of AEI practices and their influence on maize and beans productivity among smallholder farmers in Kamuli district, Uganda, following a promotional intervention conducted between October 2022 and April 2024. The study entailed a quasi-experimental design involving baseline (October 2022) and endline (April 2024) surveys with 100 farmers selected via two-stage sampling. The intervention, which included farmer training and demonstration plots focused on AEI practices, was implemented between surveys. Data on socio-demographics, AEI practice frequency, perceived constraints, and crop yields (maize, beans) were collected. Statistical analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)-25 included descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression to establish factors influencing log-transformed yield and Land Equivalence Ratio (LER) for beans (n=92) and maize (n=78). Significant increases (p