Perceptions on Liking and Disliking Public Agricultural Research Institutes in Uganda: A Case of Abi, Bulindi, Ngetta, Mbarara and Mukono ZARDIs

Abstract

A ZARDI wide study project ‘Harnessing the domino effect for transformative technology promotion and outreach’ was carried in three different phases starting from 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/2021. A multi stage qualitative studies were done through Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, and observations in addition to employing the use of Social Resource Maps. Quantitative study carried from the five ZARDIs drew a total of N=1093 respondents. The study was subjected to two different tests carried to confirm; the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy (MSA) and Bartlett’s test of Sphericity (df) for factors explaining the liking and disliking of the PARIs. The study findings revealed two important factors for liking (Positive PARIs image); reliable and trusted source of technology and information, and exhibits good community relations.  Factors explaining disliking (Negative PARIs image) include; Limited access to information, technologies and markets and in-adequate community outreach programs. This study concludes that, Public Agricultural Research Institutes are not just perceived by their managerial practices nor just defined by its programs and mandates, but they are functions of at least interrelated positive and negative factors.

Keywords: Public perceptions, technology, likes and dislikes, image and ZARDIs.

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/76-04

Publication date:June 30^th 2021