Modernisation will cut costs of production on the farm

By Joshua Kato

With an intensified use of better farm inputs, yields short up while at the same time the cost of production per acre went down drastically.
 

A study was carried out in Hoima district, western Uganda about the tradeoff between food production and ecosystem services, a study revealed.
 

“Farmers can produce good yields and also spare the environment from degradation,” says Patrick Birungi, the director, development planning at the National Planning Authority.
 

The study that was supported by UNEP, National Environmental Management Authority, National Planning Authority and the World Agroforestry Centre was carried out around the River Waki and River Wambabya in Hoima district.
 

Birungi explains that the area was selected because of its unique status, especially as food security and the environment compete with the newly discovered oil resources.
 

Why poor yields

“For most of these crops like maize, most farmers yield around 30% of the researched optimum yield,” Birungi said.
 

Among many farmers, the idea of increasing production means opening up more land for planting and yet according to this research, farmers can ably increase yields and even cut the cost of production per acre by simply intensifying the use of fertilisers, mechanical or animal traction and better seeds.

But then, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics in 2012, fertilizer usage per small-holder farmer in Uganda was at 1.8kgs per hectare, compared to the required 200kgs. Additionally, only 20% of Ugandan farmers use improved seeds every year.

The case for maize

According to the research findings, normal maize production practices yield an average 1.6tonnes per hectare around Hoima, which is not so different from other parts of the country. The common maize production routine includes clearing the land and planting any seed available to the farmer.
 

But when a farmer used just 50% of the required better farm inputs, yields went up to 2.7tonnes per hectare. In this case, a farmer used either improved seeds, without fertilisers and ploughed normally.
 

When the same farmer adopted 100% usage of better farming practices, the yields went up to 3.83tons per hectare. This is more than 100% growth in production.
 

“If the farmer wanted to get the 3.83tons using the ordinary practice, then he would have to open up two and half hectares and yet if he used better seeds and fertilizers he can get the same yield on just an acre,” says Ronald Kaggwa, an Environment economist working with NEMA.

Drop in cost of production

When a farmer planted the Open Pollinated Variety of maize with just a little fertilizer and no other added input, the cost of production per hectare stood at around sh534 per kilogram, with total cost rising to around sh887,405 and a yield of 1.66tons per hectare.
 

However, when he planted the same variety, but added at least fertilizers, the cost of production dropped to around sh497 per kilogramme, with the total cost going to around sh1.36m and a yield of 2.75ton.
 

However, when the same farmer used all the required inputs, for example good seeds, deeper ploughing and fertilizers, the cost of production dropped to sh364 per kilogram with the total cost rising to around sh1.39m and a yield of 3.83tons per hectare.
 

With the current maize price averaging sh450 per kilogram, it means that the farmer who practices maize growing ordinarily makes a loss of around sh83 per kilogram.
 

While the one who adds a little input makes a loss of around sh27 per kilogram and other who uses all the inputs makes a profit of around sh86 per kilogram.
 

In conclusion, while farmers claim that using better practices is expensive, the reverse is actually true. “When you do not use improved farm inputs, you do not only make losses but you are also likely to affect the environment,” says Micheal Ssekaayi Mbogga, a Lecturer in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University.
 

He concludes that, “We need a mindset change. Farmers must realise that it is actually much cheaper to use improved farm inputs than not having them at all.”
 

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