The Role National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) In Poverty Reduction Among Rural Communties: A Case of Ayivu County, Arua District

ABSTRACT This study was an inspired effort to examine the role ofNational Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) towards poverty reduction in Ayivu County, Arua District. The study was conceived under the assumption that poverty reduction through NAADS is dependent on the level of empowerment of the active poor, that the successes of NAADS programme to increase rural household income is influenced by intervening variables (namely: acceptance/attitude change, political will and economic environment). The study adopted a case study design with more emphasis placed on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, supplemented by quantitative method. This study was carried in Ayivu County, Arua District due to indicators of high poverty level reported in 2002 Uganda Population and Housing survey report. The study adopted a sample population of 150 respondents comprising of two sample units (30 key formants and 120 households). The key finding were: that there were significant evidence of increased access use of improved technologies; deepened understanding of decentralization; NAADS contribution in supporting other government programmes like Universal Primary and Secondary Education, Immunization, Sanitation and HIV/Aids. However, the results of the study showed challenges like: political interference, counterfeit inputs, corruption, inadequate funding, poor attitude, unreliable rainfall, frequent pest and disease built up, high cost of farm inputs, lack of access to agricultural finance, rain fed agriculture. The study therefore suggests recommendations and mechanisms that NAADS programme can adopt to minimize these challenges to transform rural farmers from subsistence to commercial farming to realize improved livelihood.