Free Access | October 2000

Indicatores of success/failure and suatainability of selected farming systems in Uganda

Authors/Editors: Isaac M.B. Shinyekwa (PhD) ,  Godfrey Bahiigwa ,  Gloria Kempaka ,  Rosetti Nabbumba

Abstract:

This paper presents the findings of the first phase of a collaborative research project between the Economic Policy Research Centre and the Universities of Manchester and Bradford, aimed at establishing local indicators to assess the success, failure, and sustainability of farming systems in Uganda. Aligned with the goals of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA), the study focuses on mechanisms to transform subsistence farming into commercial agriculture by boosting farm productivity, marketed surpluses, and household incomes. Conducted across study sites in Mukono and Mbarara districts, the research applies the Sustainable Rural Livelihood (SRL) framework to analyze the complex interactions between rural livelihoods and natural resource management. The primary objective was to design and test a participatory methodology for identifying community-defined sustainability indicators. The multi-step process involved mapping farming systems and key stakeholders, exploring local perceptions of agricultural success and failure, evaluating livelihood asset status, and prioritizing indicators through participatory techniques such as seasonal calendars, flow and Venn diagramming, semi-structured interviews, and stakeholder visits. To evaluate asset access and utilization, the study constructed site-specific Asset Status Frameworks (ASFs) covering five core capitals: financial, physical, social, human, and natural. Findings show that farmers generally had the highest access to natural capital, while other capital endowments remained deficient. By scoring capital access, the study identifies critical vulnerabilities that can serve as targeted entry points for policy intervention under the PMA's cross-sectoral framework.