THE ROLE OF FEEDER ROADS ON AGRICLTURAL PRODCTIVITY IN

NORTHEREN UGANDA: A CASE OF APAC DISTRICT

BY

ACENG JOVIA
19/U/EKD/14025/PD

SUPERVISOR
Dr. ALEKO

A RESEASRCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

AND STATISTIC IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD
OF THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS OF
KYAMBOGO UNIVERISITY
JUNE, 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................2

CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................2

1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2

1.1 Background to the study........................................................................................................................2

1.3 Objectives of the study..........................................................................................................................6

1.3.1 General objectives..............................................................................................................................6

1.3.2 Specific objectives of the study..........................................................................................................6

1.4 Research questions................................................................................................................................6

1.5 Significance of the study.......................................................................................................................6

1.6 Justification of the study........................................................................................................................7

1.7 Scope of the study.................................................................................................................................7

1.7.1 Content Scope.....................................................................................................................................7

1.7.2 Geographical scope.............................................................................................................................7

1.7.3 Time Scope.........................................................................................................................................7

1.8 Significance of the study.......................................................................................................................7

 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
This chapter contains background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study,
research questions, and scope of the study and significance of the study basing on the role of
road transport in the development of agriculture in Apac district in Uganda

1.1 Background to the study

Agriculture is a major source of livelihoods and a key sector highlighted in Uganda’s Vision
2040 and National Development Plan III. According to the Uganda National Household Survey
(UNHS) 2016/17, 65 percent of the population is involved in agricultural related activities, and
the sector contributes 73 percent of total exports and 25 percent of the GDP. Uganda has steadily
picked up the pace in agricultural development and was highlighted as one of the 20 leading
countries in delivery on development targets of the Africa Union’s Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Uganda is among the leading producers and
exporters of coffee, bananas, and oil seed crops (sesame, soybean, sunflower, shea) in Africa,
and a major producer of other crops like tea, cotton, tobacco, cereals, fresh foods and vegetables,
nuts, essential oils, flowers, poultry, and freshwater fish.
Organic Agriculture contributes approximately 17.1% of the value of agricultural exports which
currently stand at USD 291.2 million per annum (MoFPED, 2017/18). Recent data of the export
volumes per crop is limited, however according to the national organic agriculture policy (2019),
in 2009/2010 the leading export organic products ranked by volumes in metric tons were coffee
(3,451.7), cocoa (2,914.8), sesame (2,160), cotton (1,689.5), fresh fruits (1,501.9) and dried
fruits (115.6), bird eye chillies (101), vanilla (99.30), garments (81.153 pieces), shea nuts (54),
frozen fruit pulp (8.26). In total, the country managed export sales worth USD 56.9 million in
2016 and USD 50 million in 2018
Research shows that productivity increase in agriculture, which is an effective driver of
economic growth and poverty reduction, depends on good rural infrastructure, well-functioning
domestic markets, appropriate institutions, and access to appropriate technology (Andersen and
Shimokawa 2007). Good infrastructure has other ancillary and equally important effects. Fan and
others (2004) show that improved roads lead to the rise of small rural non-farm businesses, such
as food processing and marketing enterprises, electronic repair shops, transportation and trade,
and restaurant services. Rural infrastructure provides a good stimulus to the growth of the rural
economy.
Transport is regarded as an important factor involved in agricultural development all over the
world. It is the only means by which food produced at farm site is moved to different homes as
well as markets. Transport creates market for agricultural produce, enhances interaction among
geographical and economic regions and opens up new areas to economic focus. There are
complex relationships that vary both spatially and over time between transport and development.
However, for any development to take place, transport plays a crucial role. Ogunsanya (1981)
observed that there are three types of routes in the rural areas viz; bush paths, unsurfaced rural
roads and surfaced rural roads. However, the bush path is very common but the least developed
of all the routes. Bush paths link villages with farmsteads and they are usually narrowed,
winding and sometimes overgrown by weeds especially during the rainy season. In a study
carried by Filani (1993) in rural areas of Nigeria, it was discovered that where motorable roads
exits.
Paul et al. (2009) pointed out that the impacts of road infrastructure on agricultural output and
productivity are particularly important in Sub-Saharan Africa for three reasons. First, the
agricultural sector accounts for a large share of gross domestic product (GDP) in most Sub-
Saharan countries (Paul et.al 2009). Second, poverty is concentrated in rural areas. Finally, the
relatively low levels of road infrastructure and long average travel time’s result in high
transaction costs for sales of agricultural inputs and outputs, and this limits agricultural
productivity and growth. According to Mabogunje (1971), some of the variables that determine
the level of development in a given environment are easy accessibility and mobility. Transport
affects agricultural marketing because it is the only means by which farmers can transport their
produce to the market. Poor transportation in the rural areas has resulted in low productivity, low
income and a fall in the standard of living of rural residents and high rate of poverty (Aloba,
1986). A strong relationship between transportation, underdevelopment and rurality was
identified by Ogunsanya (1988). He stressed further that the greater the degree of rurality, the
lower the level of transport development. When the distance of farm to the market is far and the
road is rough perishable crops may be destroyed and farmers may run at a loss. It is against this
background that this study examines the impact of road transport on agricultural production in
Ilorin East Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The economy of Uganda is predominantly agrarian in nature. Regardless of prompt growth in
other sectors, agriculture is the major sector contributing 23.84 percent towards the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), and 33% of export earnings and about 70% of Uganda’s working
population is employed in agriculture. According to UBOS, FY2021/2022, Uganda produces a
wide range of agricultural products including: coffee, tea, sugar, livestock, fish, edible oils,
cotton, tobacco, plantains, corn, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sorghum, and groundnuts.
Most of the people in the country live in rural areas which are directly or indirectly allied with
agriculture. Uganda’s agriculture is characterized by lack of proper infrastructure facilities such
as road infrastructure as evidenced by pot holes, narrow and not paved. Famers find it hard to
transport both the agricultural inputs and outputs from trading centers to gardens and from home
to the market respectively. Among agricultural infrastructure, road infrastructure plays a very
significant role in accelerating agricultural production. Rural Roads Connectivity is one of the
key components for rural development, as it promotes access to economic and social services,
generating increased agricultural income and productive employment. Inspired by Uganda’s
Vision 2040 that aims at transforming Uganda from a predominantly peasant and low-income
country to a competitive upper middle-income country. Therefore, an increase in agricultural
productivity is positively related to road development which is counterpart in NDPIII. Integrated
Transport Infrastructure and Services contributes to the NDPIII goal of increased household
incomes and quality of life by linking growth opportunities in agriculture, tourism and minerals.
This not only facilitates national and international integration, but also supports job creation,
poverty alleviation, and inclusiveness.
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.3.1 General objectives
The purpose of the study was to find out the role of feeder roads on agricultural productivity in
Apac district.
1.3.2 Specific objectives of the study
i. To examine the influence of motorways on agricultural productivity in Apac district
ii. To examine the influence of access road on agricultural productivity in Apac district
iii. To examine the influence of user roads on agricultural productivity in Apac district

1.4 Research questions

i. To examine the influence of motorways on agricultural productivity in Apac district
ii. To examine the influence of access on agricultural productivity in Apac district
iii. To examine the influence of user roads on agricultural productivity in Apac district

1.5 Significance of the study

 To researchers. Academicians and researchers will use the report for literature review
purposes.
 To government. Government, policy makers and stake holders may use the findings to
make good policies for agricultural development and to budget and solicit for funds,
donations and grants towards the development of agriculture.
 To farmers. Famers may use the study findings to boost their productivity and to solicit
for infrastructural development of their areas for agricultural development purposes.
 To donor. donor agencies may also use the findings of this study to determine what to
finance for agricultural development purposes and in what magnitude
1.6 Justification of the study
The study will promote ways of increasing rural feeder roads in the district which will lead to
easy to market centers, reduction in transport cost, timely delivery input availability which will
increase agricultural productivity thus agricultural development
1.7 Scope of the study
1.7.1 Content Scope
This study focused on the role of feeder roads on agricultural productivity with emphasis on the
relevance of feeder roads to agricultural development, the contribution of feeder roads towards
the household income of farmers, and, the importance of feeder roads to government in
promoting agricultural development.
1.7.2 Geographical scope
The study was conducted in APAC district northern Uganda in Akokoro sub county, ebuje sub
county, Akokoro Town council. Have been selected it was easy for the researcher to move in all
the sub counties from one place to another to carry out research
1.7.3 Time Scope
The study commenced in February 2023 and was accomplished in May 2023, a time sufficient
for the study.
1.8 Significance of the study
The significance of the study to the student
 Academicians and researchers will use the report for literature review purposes when
carrying out their research on agriculture.
 Government, policy makers and stake holders may use the findings to make good policies
for agricultural development and to budget and solicit for funds, donations and grants
towards the development of agriculture which will improve the lives of peasant farmers.
 Famers may use the study findings to boost their agricultural productivity and to solicit
for infrastructural development of their areas for agricultural development purposes
which help them to increase their standard of living.
 Donor agencies may also use the findings of this study to determine the amount of funds
needed to support farmers in the rural areas to finance for agricultural development
purposes and in what magnitude.