Abstract:

The failures of the traditional "Imported Transfer of Technology" have become
common place. This project attempts to understand agricultural systems and
the inherent problems of diffusion of new methods and ideas in rural Uganda
with a view to suggesting new approaches for improvement.
Chapter one gives the background information aboout Uganda in terms of
location, climate, hydrology, population, physical features, vegetation and
agricultural production base.
To examine problems associated with diffusing new and proven ideas
into reality in the present day rural Uganda.
To determine methods which facilitate rural farmers to take up these
ideas.
Specific objectives, the methodology used in the study and the statement of
the significance of the study concludes Chapter one.
subject to
marketing
systems, pricing systems, market supply and demand, lack of storage
facilities and insufficient market information.
The reader in Chapter two finds a detailed account of agricultural systems in
Uganda. The objective here is to appreciate the political, economic, social,
technical and historical aspects that have been part and parcel of agricultural
development. The broad government policy on agriculture is reported. The
obstacles to agricultural progress are identified to include broad and vague
recommendations, incorrect or only "temporarily correct" and
frequent change recommendations, socio-economic factors,
The main problem of the project is defined as it relates to the "silent people"
who are the rural poor subsistence farmers, hence have low income and are
disadvantaged.
The body of the study is in Chapter three where diffusion methods are
explored. Different aspects of extension are reviewed namely:
I
ii
Definition of extension.
Problems that can be overcome through extension.
Extension education.
Questions that can be answered by extension education.
Interaction of extension with other services.
Chapter four which is the final chapter covers suggestions and conclusions.
Specific differences between extension approaches and extension methods
are clarified as part of the conclusion, i.e. broad based approaches and
specific methods.
The second part of the chapter deals with diffusion and adoption of
innovations theory and practices. The causes of failure in adoption of