Korsuk Kumi Peter G, Elolu Samuel, Odongo Walter, Okello Collins, Kalule Stephen W
Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Juba, P.O. Box 82, Juba, Sudan.
Heliyon. 2023 Jul 27;9(8):e18668. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18668. eCollection 2023 Aug.
Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okra farmers drawn from northern Uganda to assess the drivers of the farmer acceptance of solar drying technology. On the basis of drying performance, farmers perceive the solar dryer to perform better than the open sun-drying method. Structural equation modelling results show that the drying rate and perceived product quality are the main determinants of farmer perceptions on product marketability. Further, product marketability drives acceptance of solar dryers among farmers. We conclude that acceptance of solar dryers is dependent on: i) the drying rate, ii) favorable perceptions towards product quality, and iii) perceived marketability of the solar-dried product. We call for policy action on intensification of efforts that promote solar drying technology, including supporting local artisans to fabricate dryers, to enable increased value addition and consumption of nutritious foods.
农业技术发展是非洲农业商业化和社会经济转型的关键战略。然而，农业技术应用面临的一个关键挑战仍然是农民对不熟悉技术的接受程度有限。本文以乌干达北部245名秋葵种植农户为样本，评估农民接受太阳能干燥技术的驱动因素。基于干燥性能，农民认为太阳能干燥器比露天晾晒方法表现更好。结构方程模型结果表明，干燥速率和感知产品质量是农民对产品市场适销性认知的主要决定因素。此外，产品市场适销性推动了农民对太阳能干燥器的接受。我们得出结论，太阳能干燥器的接受程度取决于：i）干燥速率，ii）对产品质量的良好认知，以及iii）太阳能干燥产品的感知市场适销性。我们呼吁采取政策行动，加大推广太阳能干燥技术的力度，包括支持当地工匠制造干燥器，以实现更高的附加值和营养食品消费。
