Browsing by Author "Ninsiima, Racheal"

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    Effect of blockchain technology on the performance of barley farmers in Eastern Uganda
    (Egerton University, 2025) Ninsiima, Racheal
    Barley has the potential to significantly boost smallholder fanriers‘ gross margins in Uganda due to its diverse applications in animal feed, bakeries, and pharmaceuticals, with the highest demand from the local brewing industry. However, productivity remains low due to poor- quality output, limited access to inputs, and a lack of transparency and trust in the value chain. To address these challenges, the Ugandan government and barley value chain stakeholders introduced BanQu (Bank You) blockchain technology. Despite this, adoption remains low, and value chain challenges persist. Limited research exists on blockchain adoption barriers, its effect on barley productivity and gross margin, and its effectiveness in addressing value chain challenges. This study addressed the gap by 1) determining fanners’ behavioural intentions to adopt blockchain; 2) examining the factors influencing adoption and usage extent; 3) determining blockchain’s effect on productivity and gross margins; and 4) developing a suitable implementation framework for Uganda. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was used, involving a survey of 491 barley fanners, 2 group discussions, and 8 key informant interviews. Data were analysed using SMART PLS (objective l), STATA (objectives 2 and 3), and XLSTAT (objective 4). Findings showed that the technology acceptance model and social nonn analysis sufficiently predicted farmers’ behavioural intentions at 49.9% and 42.5%, respectively. Key factors positively influencing blockchain adoption included frequency of blockchain training, network stability, production costs, land size, compatibility, and phone ownership, while marital status, training costs, land tenure, distance to buying centres, initial cost of blockchain, and marketing costs hindered adoption. Extent of blockchain use was higher among farmers with greater training frequency, lower training costs, higher education, and group membership but lower among those with larger land sizes, higher initial costs, and greater distances to buying centres. Blockchain adoption increased barley productivity and gross margins by 0.91 and 0.93 units, respectively. The priority challenges to implementation were farmer-related, followed by those linked to the barley buying company, middlemen, regulatory issues, and technology-related challenges. A fishbone diagram framework was developed to guide in addressing these challenges. The study recommended collaboration between the government, the barley buying Company, and other stakeholders to train farmers and middlemen on blockchain benefits, and a cost-sharing approach to lower blockchain implementation costs. Adoption of the proposed framework was advised to streamline blockchain technology implementation and maximize its potential benefits.