Agriculture Development and Poverty Status of Rural Farmers in Bushenyi District

ABSTRACT This study established the relationship between agriculture development of the programme NAADS and poverty status of rural farmers in Bushenyi District. Specifically, the study sought to determine the (i) profile of the respondents, (ii) level of agriculture development, (iii) level of poverty status of rural farmers (iv)whether there was a significant relationship between agriculture development programme and poverty status of rural farmers. A descriptive correlation design was used in this study. The data were collected from 90 respondents using a researcher devised questionnaire as the key data collection instruments. Data were analyzed at using frequency and percentage distribution, mean, and Pearson Linear Correlation Coefficient. The findings revealed that on profile of respondents, the male were the majority, youth are more involved, most of respondents have had finished secondary level, the majority had no religion, majority were married and most of the respondents were full time farmers. The level of agriculture development was satisfactory. The level of poverty status was low and that agriculture development was not significantly correlated with poverty status, thus the null hypothesis was accepted. The conclusion drawn from the findings were as follows: the hypothesis of no significant relationship between agriculture development and poverty status of rural famers in Bushenyi District was accepted; the findings disproved the theory that agriculture development reduces poverty. The recommendations based on the findings were that the NAADS, should improve on building capacity of the rural farmers especially on provision of credit facilities: Demo farmers should be increased on the number per sub county. Agriculture Education among rural farmers should be strengthened because the majority were illiterates. More youth should be encouraged in agriculture development. Follow up should be emphasized to ensure effective and efficiency of agriculture development services and inflation should be curbed down.