Perceived Effects of Coffee Wilt Disease on Coffee Yields and Income among Farmers in Bushenyi District, Uganda

Abstract

This study investigates the socioeconomic and agricultural impacts of Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD) on household income among coffee farmers in Bushenyi District, Uganda. Through a mixed methods approach, the research addresses three key objectives: (1) Assessing CWD-induced destruction levels in coffee plantations, (2) Analyzing yield-revenue relationships before and after\ CWD incidence, and (3) Evaluating alternative livelihood strategies adopted by affected farmers’ households. Quantitative data from 252 farmers, analyzed using R software (v4.5.1), revealed widespread CWD prevalence (91.7% of farms), with infestation severity ranging from low (<20% yield loss; 68.7% of farms) to severe (>50% loss; 1.6% of farms). A significant mean yield reduction of 27.2% (919.42 kg/ha to 669.09 kg/ha) corresponded with substantial income declines (11,952,403 UGX to 8,698,182 UGX), intensifying household vulnerability. While farmers demonstrated adaptive measures, notably uprooting infected plants (95.6%) and using resistant varieties (65.9%), systemic barriers persisted, including limited technical knowledge (87% of farmers), inadequate financial aid (98.4%), and minimal market access (94%). Qualitative insights highlighted partial efficacy of current strategies, with 81% rating them as "somewhat effective" (χ² = 261.02, p < 0.001), underscoring gaps in integrated pest management (IPM) adoption (pesticides: 3.6%; crop rotation: 2.4%). The study identifies a critical knowledge implementation disconnect, exacerbated by weak institutional support (84.5% reported insufficient government assistance). These findings necessitate a stratified intervention framework: (1) scaling up farmer education through participatory IPM training, (2) subsidizing resistant varieties and sanitation inputs, (3) revitalizing extension services to bridge knowledge gaps, and (4) promoting livelihood diversification. Policy reforms must prioritize context-specific solutions, combining biotechnical controls with financial safety nets to enhance resilience. The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable phytosanitary crisis management by demonstrating how localized disease dynamics intersect with broader socioeconomic vulnerabilities in smallholder systems.