Adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers: The case of rocket barn technology in flue-cured tobacco curing in Uganda

Tobacco production, and curing is the single most important contributor to soil degradation and deforestation in Uganda. To minimise the environmental effects associated with tobacco production, the environmentally friendly, as well as energy-efficient, rocket barn technology was developed. In spite of its energy saving and environmental benefits, the adoption of rocket barn technology remains low and understudied. This paper assessed farmers' perception and factors affecting the adoption of rocket barn technology in Uganda. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaires from 242 flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco farmers in Uganda. The analysis was done using SPSS and STATA software. Results showed that the adoption of rocket barn technology was low, at 12%, with farmers perceiving the technology to be risky and costly. Experience, training, distance to wood fuel source, access to extension information, and benefits and risk perceptions were the major determinants of adoption of rocket barn technology. Promotion and adoption of rocket barn technology will therefore require concerted efforts in extension and training of farmers on the environmental benefits of the technology. Such promotional efforts should target the relatively inexperienced young FCV tobacco farmers.