Agricultural information exchange and service delivery within social networks: evidence from Uganda’s banana value chain actors

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This study assesses the available networks and linkages for effective information exchange and service delivery among actors in the banana value chain and develops a set of specific recommendations for policy, institutional and human resource development.

Methodology:

We used an exploratory case study design using Focus group discussions and Key informant interviews for data collection. Data were analysed using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to establish the actors who were influential in facilitating information exchange and service delivery in the banana value chain.

Findings:

We identified farmer groups and regulatory bodies as the most influential actors in facilitating information exchange and service delivery. However, they were more recipients than determinants of information and services. Network density results (0.256–0.283) show low cohesiveness among the actors, implying that less than 30% of the potential linkages are utilised for information exchange and service delivery.

Practical implications:

Extension and other practitioners should aim at network building taking advantage of existing knowledge and service linkages with the farmers as mechanisms to help expand and sustain their last-mile reach.

Theoretical implications:

SNA is relevant for assessing the contribution of various actors in the exchange of appropriate information and services. It recognises potential networks which hinder or contribute to information and service delivery among the actors.

Originality:

This paper contributes to literature on systems approaches and institutional development to address the challenges of information dissemination and service delivery among the actors in the banana value chain.

KEYWORDS:

• Agricultural innovation systems
• banana actors
• social learning theory
• social network analysis
• technology development
• technology promotion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [grant number OPP1134098].

Notes on contributors

Stella Kiconco

Stella Kiconco is a PhD fellow in Agricultural Extension at University of Pretoria. She works with National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) as a Research Officer – Socioeconomics. Her research interests include Agricultural Innovation Systems, Agricultural marketing, On-farm research and agricultural value chain development.

Joseph Benjamin Stevens

Joseph Benjamin Stevens is a Senior Lecturer at University of Pretoria. His research interests are in Group dynamics and leadership, adoption and behaviour, agricultural and rural development, extension approaches and principles. He holds PhD Agricultural Extension of University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Kenneth Akankwasa

Kenneth Akankwasa is a Senior Research Officer – Socioeconomics with NARO. His research interests include Agricultural Marketing, On farm research, Value chain development and Monitoring and evaluation. He holds a PhD in Agribusiness of the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Jerome Kubiriba

Jerome Kubiriba holds a PhD Plant Pathology of Greenwich University, UK. He is a Senior Research Scientist at NARO – with experience of working with farmers as last-mile users of the research outputs. His research interests include Farming systems research, value chain development and on farm research.