Defying the Odds to Learn Innovative Farming in Uganda: Experiences of Small-Scale Farmers from Bududa District

Abstract

This study examined the learning processes undertaken by small-scalefarmers to navigate their way through the challenges of achieving innovativefarming practices. Experiential learning theory underpinned the study. Aqualitative case study was conducted in Bududa District in Uganda wheredata was collected from 22 farmers through interviews and focus groupdiscussions (FGDs). Findings revealed that farmers ' learning processinvolved experiencing, reflecting, thinking and doing. The process didnot follow a fixed pattern, but slightly varied depending on the source oflearning. Therefore, this study recommends that agencies offering farmereducation ought to adopt approaches that enable farmers to learn byreflecting on their experiences, challenge the status quo and criticallythink of the best farming practices to be adopted.Keywords: adult learning, innovative farming practices, small-scalefarmers