Militarization Of National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) Progr&m And Service Delivery In Sironko District A Case Study Of Busulani Subcounty

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study will be to ascertain the impact of militarization of national agricultural advisory services (NAADS) on service delivery in Sironko district. This research will assess the impact of militarization of NAADS programme in sironko district, Busulani Sub County as case study. The premise of the study will be in the light of claims and counter-claims by critics of and advocates for militarization of NAADS. It was conducted in Sironko district in the sub county of Busulani. The study was guided by three specific objectives and these included; to find out if the NAADS programmer’s beneficiaries in Busulani sub county who participate in its implementation. To examine the impact militarization in agricultural advisory services in Busulani Sub County and to analyze the benefits of militarization of the NAADS programme in Busulani Sub County. The study reviewed literature related to the study. The study employed a case study research design, which involves a careful and complete observation of a single unit, used to understand the phenomenon. The study employed in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires as data collection methods. Data collection period ended in the month of July 2015. Study findings showed that Forms and scope of participation by the beneficiary farmers include selecting enterprises, forming farmers’ groups, electing group leaders and representatives, attending training, and group and inter-group meetings. However, this participation was and is still mostly felt at the farmers’ group level as major decisions are made by Ii igher NAADS programme implementation authorities. The participation of the beneficiaries in the NAADS programme has been on decline over the years since the early stages of its implementation. The situation has been worsened by the introduction of new programme implementation guidelines which took effect from the 2008/2009 financial year. The important decisions are now made by higher authorities’ right from the sub-county level upwards. Such decisions include the selection of enterprises which is done at sub-county level without participation from the grass root farmers. The study recommended that The NAADS Coordinators at sub-county and district levels as well as the National NAADS programme implementation agency(ies) need to pay adequate attention to all NAADS programme beneficiaries in their farmers groups but not only on the selected six lead and demonstration farmers per parish as the case seems to be today. More sensitization and training is also needed because most farmers who joined the programme recently are not well conversant with the role of military in the NAADs program