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Role of social networks in exposing smallholder farmers to cage fish farming technologies

Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Kenya

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural sector is greatly affected by access and use of information. Governments and development partners use agricultural extension systems to provide farmers with the necessary information. Extension services are widely regarded as the panacea for agricultural and technological information diffusion among farmers. Nonetheless, despite their importance, Uganda's present extension system of one extension agent to 1,800 farmers, provides insufficient help to smallholder farmers. As a result, farmer-to-farmer relationships are becoming increasingly vital in sharing agricultural information and skills transfer. The purpose of this study was to look into the role of information flow through social network analysis in expanding the adoption of cage fish farming in Uganda. Using social network data generated from interviews with cage fish farmers in Lake Victoria, the study revealed a positive association between information-seeking ties through social networks and cage technology awareness. The findings revealed that cage farmers majorly relied on their peers as their primary information sources. Furthermore, the study identified that the most central farmers in networks bridge the information flow between various farmers in different geographical regions. This study adds to the growing body of literature by empirically proving the role of information transfers via social network platforms in cage fish farming, an emerging technology. Importantly, the results of our study can inform the formulation of policy by demonstrating whether formal extension services and informal interactions amongst farmers can be viewed as supportive or distinct entities in order to advance cage fish farming in Uganda.

Keywords: Cage fish farming, extension services, smallholder farmers, social networks, Uganda

Contact Address: Oscar Ingasia Ayuya, Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Box 536, 20115 Egerton-Njoro, Kenya, e-mail: ingasiaoagmail.com