Increasing Farmers’ Access to Aquaculture Extension Services: Lessons from Central and Northern Uganda

Abstract

. This paper focuses on examining the modalities of extension service provision, and
determining feasible approaches for increasing accessibility among fish farmers in Uganda. The paper
draws on a cross-sectional study involving fish farming households and extension workers to
determine access to extension services for improved farming practices. Quantitative data were
collected from 246 households using a semi-structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were generated
from Key Informant interviews with selected extension workers, officials in charge of extension
planning District Fisheries Officers and Fish Farmer Group leaders. Focus Group Discussions were
also conducted with fish farmers. The results indicated a significant association between socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers and access to extension services. Size of land owned, income
from pond fish and membership to fish-farmer groups were the significant factors (P<0.05). All the
respondents reported pressing needs which required extension intervention. The respondents
expressed the need to form effective farmer groups for the purpose of sharing knowledge, arriving at
mutual agreement on scheduling extension activities and providing feedback to the extension
workers. Specifically for the northern region, there is a need for the Fisheries Extension Officer to
identify and respond to the extension needs of fish farmers through various means including ICTs.
Identifying solutions to social, technical and institutional constraints in extension can increase access
to services through constructive social interactions between farmers and extension agents. The article
provides important lessons for practice and policy, and proposes a farmer-centred model, capable of
facilitating increased access to aquaculture extension services in Uganda.