Mobile agricultural extension services and household livelihoods in South-Central Uganda

Abstract

Over the years, traditional agricultural extension systems have been integrated with mobile extension technologies. This study aimed to examine the utilisation of mobile agricultural extension services for household agricultural livelihood improvement in south-central Uganda. Using the capability approach and actor-oriented perspectives, I assessed the socio-economic context of households, the effectiveness of mobile extension services in addressing household agricultural extension needs, examined the socio-economic factors affecting the utilisation of mobile agricultural extension services, and the perceived livelihood outcomes. A convergent mixed-methods research design was used, combining the survey and qualitative approaches. Data was collected from 390 households, nine key informants and seven focus group discussion participants. Study results show that most households live in precarious conditions due to limited access to and ownership of economic resources and livelihood assets. Using personal, social and environmental resources, Village Enterprise Agents as lay extension workers leveraged the Kulima mobile platform to disseminate agronomic, climate change mitigation, market and financial services information. Expected economic benefits, social influence, perceived ease of use and usefulness of mobile platforms were key drivers for utilisation. As a result, utilisation of mobile agricultural extension services resulted in perceived economic, social and human livelihood outcomes. However, mobile extension services were hampered by structural challenges such as the proliferation of uncoordinated extension platforms and technology malfunctioning. Thus, mobile extension initiatives should be strengthened, translate agricultural extension information into indigenous languages, ensure effective harmonisation of extension providers, and quality assurance of extension delivery methods and content packages.