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Who ‘Steps up’ and Why? – A Study of Agricultural Development Programs’ Impact on Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Strategies in Uganda

Blank, Patricia Maria LU (2025) MIDM19 20251
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Agricultural development is widely seen as crucial for poverty reduction and food security. However, the contribution of agricultural interventions to these goals has been mixed. This study evaluates how such interventions influence the livelihood strategies of Ugandan smallholder farmers. By combining insights from the Sustainable Livelihoods and Dynamic Livelihood Strategies Frameworks, a theoretical framework is developed to explain why some farmers follow the envisioned path of agricultural commercialization and intensification, while others do not. To assess and refine this framework, the study analyses the long-term impacts of an agricultural development program in Uganda using a mixed-methods approach. Therefore, surveys with 141... (More)
Agricultural development is widely seen as crucial for poverty reduction and food security. However, the contribution of agricultural interventions to these goals has been mixed. This study evaluates how such interventions influence the livelihood strategies of Ugandan smallholder farmers. By combining insights from the Sustainable Livelihoods and Dynamic Livelihood Strategies Frameworks, a theoretical framework is developed to explain why some farmers follow the envisioned path of agricultural commercialization and intensification, while others do not. To assess and refine this framework, the study analyses the long-term impacts of an agricultural development program in Uganda using a mixed-methods approach. Therefore, surveys with 141 former participants were conducted and combined with focus group discussions at three project sites. The results reveal significant differences across sites and among farmers within the same location. While the intervention strengthened farmers’ asset portfolios and enabled some to ‘step up’ by scaling and commercializing their production, others faced constraints that led them to pursue alternative strategies, such as livelihood diversification (‘stepping out’) or continued low-input farming (‘hanging in’). These findings highlight the importance of considering the diverse and dynamic nature of rural livelihoods to design agricultural interventions that are inclusive, effective, and context-sensitive. (Less)
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author
Blank, Patricia Maria LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Agricultural development, Uganda, Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, Livelihood strategies, Agricultural interventions, Mixed-methods research
language
English
id
9192486
date added to LUP
2025-06-11 13:02:52
date last changed
2025-06-11 13:02:52
@misc{9192486,
  abstract     = {{Agricultural development is widely seen as crucial for poverty reduction and food security. However, the contribution of agricultural interventions to these goals has been mixed. This study evaluates how such interventions influence the livelihood strategies of Ugandan smallholder farmers. By combining insights from the Sustainable Livelihoods and Dynamic Livelihood Strategies Frameworks, a theoretical framework is developed to explain why some farmers follow the envisioned path of agricultural commercialization and intensification, while others do not. To assess and refine this framework, the study analyses the long-term impacts of an agricultural development program in Uganda using a mixed-methods approach. Therefore, surveys with 141 former participants were conducted and combined with focus group discussions at three project sites. The results reveal significant differences across sites and among farmers within the same location. While the intervention strengthened farmers’ asset portfolios and enabled some to ‘step up’ by scaling and commercializing their production, others faced constraints that led them to pursue alternative strategies, such as livelihood diversification (‘stepping out’) or continued low-input farming (‘hanging in’). These findings highlight the importance of considering the diverse and dynamic nature of rural livelihoods to design agricultural interventions that are inclusive, effective, and context-sensitive.}},
  author       = {{Blank, Patricia Maria}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Who ‘Steps up’ and Why? – A Study of Agricultural Development Programs’ Impact on Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Strategies in Uganda}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}