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Precision M aize P lanting Among S mall H older F armers in Uganda . Peter Omara. Introduction . Uganda is a n agrarian economy Climate – rainfall & temp Crops – cash: cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco; banana; food: beans, maize, millet, g/nuts etc. Farm size ≤ 4 acres. Maize .
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Precision Maize Planting Among Small Holder Farmers in Uganda Peter Omara
Introduction • Uganda is an agrarian economy • Climate – rainfall & temp • Crops – cash: cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco; banana; food: beans, maize, millet, g/nuts etc. • Farm size ≤ 4 acres
Maize • Single most important crop • Grown primarily for food • Planted throughout the country • 1.2 million acres (World Bank, 2010)
Challenges Low yield (2Mg-1 ha) due to; • Crop pest and disease attack • Agronomic practices and prodtn. tech. • Ineffective planting methods • No or limited use of fertilizer,etc.
Maize planting Hand hoe Ox-plough
Intervention • NARO • Development of high yielding varieties • Pest and disease resistant seeds • Why?? • These isn’t necessarily = yield (Bekeleet al., 2011) • NARO – Jab hand planter (2010)
Adv. JabPlanter • Decreased soil erosion • Improved planting proximity • Optimization of input • Increased profit