Effect of Labor Saving and Production Enhancement Technologies on Cotton Production in Omiya Anyima Sub County-Kitgum District

Abstract

The study made an assessment of the effect of labor saving and production enhancement technologies on cotton production in Omiya Anyima sub County-Kitgum District. The specific objectives were to: identify the types of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies being employed by farmers in cotton production, compare cotton production by farmers using labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies and those not using the technologies, identify areas of research that could enhance cotton productivity and lessen drudgery and excessive labour use, and the challenges associated with the use of labor saving and productivity enhancement technologies in cotton production and recommend some innovative solutions. The study was cross-sectional in nature employing qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection and analysis. A questionnaire was used to capture information from 376 respondents. The study identified different labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies used in the area such as; animal draft power, tractors, sprayers, herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides. An average production difference between adopters and non-adopters of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies were 519.8 kilograms per acre in a season. The identified areas of research to enhance cotton productivity and lessen drudgery included; automated irrigation systems, automated weed control systems, auto-guided agricultural systems, automatic motorized sprayers while and robotic planters. Adoption and use of labour saving and productivity enhancement technologies was influenced by factors like economic status, land tenure system, lack of credit to services, and high costs of procurement and operations. The study concluded that Labor Saving and Production Enhancement Technologies have a positive effect on Cotton Production but the users were still affected by challenges like poverty, low knowledge on use, lack of accessibility, costs of hire, capital and land tenure system. The study therefore recommended more education for farmers on the technologies, revisiting land tenure policies to allow farmers have access to bigger land to apply the technologies, supporting farmers through credit services and more capacity building and external support.