Information gaps, high costs blocking solar tech uptake among smallholder farmers
A study by Makerere University indicates that smallholder farmers in Uganda are failing to adopt solar-powered agricultural technologies due to high costs and lack of information. Despite government subsidies, the barrier to entry remains too high for most farmers.
Why it matters
Addressing the adoption gap for clean energy in agriculture is essential for improving food security and economic productivity in developing nations.
A two-year study by Makerere University in collaboration with the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) has revealed low uptake of low-carbon technologies among smallholder farmers in Central Uganda.
The study, conducted in three phases between 2024 and 2026, found that technologies such as solar water pumps, solar dryers and cooling equipment that farmers need to boost production and improve post-harvest handling are barely adopted.
According to the researchers, information gaps about availability of the technologies, high costs and accessibility of site surveying and inspection fees remain key barriers to adoption.
Dr Florence Lwiza, a research fellow at the Environment for Development Centre, Makerere University and one of the four investigators, said only five out of over 1,400 farmers they interacted with in Mpigi, Masaka, Mubende and Kiboga among other districts had information about the technologies and had acquired them through government subsidies.
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