RESEARCH PROJECTS
3ie PROJECT
PROJECT NUMBER: 3ie TW4/1010
TITLE: IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SEED VARIETIES: WHICH MODALITIES ARE MOST COST-EFFFECTIVE IN PROMOTING USE OF NEW SEED VARIETIES?
The overall objective of the overall 3ie TW4/1010 project is to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of promotion strategies that are commonly used by AGRA’s PASS Grantees in creating awareness and promoting new seed varieties. In particular, the study wishes to establish the efficacy of demonstration plots which are normally set up by seed companies to show case their improved germplasm in target areas. The main hypothesis is that the awareness creation and promotion will induce significant awareness, knowledge and use of new seed varieties that are being promoted among a random set of farmers, who will be compared to another random set of farmers who have not been exposed to the awareness creation and promotion modalities to a substantive degree. The study also seeks to assess the effects of sustained promotion on farmer’s behavior, and the role of internal agents such as opinion leaders in the adoption of improved varieties. We apply mixed methods (farm household survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews) built/based around a randomized control trial (RCT). The respondents include farmers, hosts of demonstration plots, agro-dealers and hosts of advertisements/talk shows at radio stations. The study involves tracking changes in awareness, knowledge and use of improved seed before and after seed promotion. This entails undertaking baseline, midline and endline studies.
In this study, Tegemeo Institute (KE) has partnered with Wageningen University (NL), and Makerere University (Ug), while Pearl Seed Limited (Ug) is the implementing agency in charge of producing and distributing seed of selected improved maize and bean varieties, as well as the promotion campaigns. Pearl Seed Limited is a beneficiary of AGRA’s Programme for Africa’s Seed System (PASS). The seed promotion campaign runs over two years (four (4) cropping seasons)) in four maize and bean growing districts in Uganda. The study was initiated in 2013 and will be concluded in 2017.
For further enquiries please contact: Dr. Mercy Kamau, Tegemeo Institute at mkamau@tergemeo.org; or Dr. Fredrick Bagamba, Lecturer at Makerere University at fbagamba@caes.mak.ug; or dr. Marrit van den Berg, a Prof. at Wageningen University at marrit.vandenberg@wur.nl.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES UNDER THE PROGRAMME
Inception Workshop: Exploring Strategies for increasing uptake of improved seed in Uganda, 30th April 2015
Date: April 30, 2015
Time: 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Venue: Kampala, Serena Hotel, Addis Room
Three institutions namely, Pearl Seed Limited (U), Tegemeo Institute, a policy research Institute under the Division of Research and Extension of Egerton University in Kenya, and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in Makerere University, have set out to undertake an evaluative experiment aimed at providing evidence on the effectiveness of strategies used in promoting new seed varieties. Pearl Seed Limited is a private seed company based in Uganda, whilst Makerere University and Tegemeo Institute contribute to better policy formulation in Uganda, Kenya and the region, by conducting research that informs development agencies about the effectiveness of interventions that are aimed at enhancing food security, creating wealth and sustaining the environment. Through outreach, these institutions engage with stakeholders in the public, private sector and the civil society, about possible policy and investment options that can promote uptake of technologies, enhance household incomes, food security, and agricultural and rural development in the region.
Report from the meeting
A Report on the Policy Breakfast Meeting Held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda; April 30, 2015
Proceedings
Proceedings of the Policy Breakfast Meeting - Kampala, April 30 2015
Participants
Breakfast Meeting Participants list - Kampala, April 30 2015
Media Reports
Press Release - Kampala Breakfast Meeting, April 30 2015
Progress Reports
Field Visit with Partners - Hoima District
Second Progress Report - May 2015
Progress against timelines - May 2015
Midline Surveys
Final Technical Report
