Sugarcane Growing and Effects on Farmer’s Development in Kamuli District of Uganda

Abstract

Sugarcane growing is one of the most lucrative crop in the world and contributes strongly to the GDPs of countries including Uganda. It is on this basis that many farmers invested heavily in sugarcane in Kamuli district with hope of greater returns which did not occur hence this paper. The study was qualitative in nature using an exploratory research design where face-to-face questionnaire interviews were administered given that reasons and effects of sugarcane growing is better understood through physical interaction with respondents. There are 921 sugarcane farmers (Informal Sugar Farmers Association, 2021) from whom 50 respondents were chosen using stratified simple random sampling method. The data collected was subjected to scientific rigor methods of data analysis hence this paper. The reasons for sugar cane growing were gaining better income, escape poverty, alternative income /employment and side income while the resultant effects were poverty, inadequate food, loss of property and ecological imbalance hence under development. In conclusion, sugar cane growing in the district is more of a curse than a blessing given the little returns in view of the costs arising majorly from failure to secure permits. The paper recommends contract farming, by-laws by the district, factory-farmers relationship and registering a farmers’ association. These will enable farmers secure permits to supply sugarcanes and will trim the excessive exploitation from the factory that caused loses to farmers.