TITLE:
Socio-Economic Impact of Large Scale Commercial Farming on Rural People’s Livelihoods: The Case of Flower Farming in Central Uganda
AUTHORS:
Charles Omulo Owenda
KEYWORDS:
Flower Farms, Rural Communities, Impact of Flower Farms, Large Scale Commercial Farming, Rural Livelihoods, Central Uganda
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
2,
2024
ABSTRACT: The development of greenhouse technology has enabled floriculture industry to move to places where it was impossible to practice horticulture. The present day floral industry is a dynamic, global, fast-growing industry, which has achieved significant growth rates during the past few decades. Experts believe that the production focus has moved from traditional growers to countries where the climates are better and production and labour costs are lower. However, little is known about the industry’s social, economic and environmental impacts, especially in the global south. This study examines socio-economic impact of flower farming on the livelihood of rural people in Central Uganda. An exploratory sequential mixed method design and methodology was employed to investigate the industry’s influence on the livelihood of flower farm workers and that of the community members residing within the neighbouring communities. The selection of participants entailed both non-probability (purposive), and probability (stratified and simple random) sampling techniques. The study, due to the above design, employed multiple data collection methods which included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. Qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using thematic analysis, while quantitative data from the survey was analysed using statistical techniques. The study found that farms were positively changing people’s livelihoods through employment, generation of micro-enterprises, and improvement of infrastructures. Despite these benefits, the study also found some negative experiences with flower growing; loss of food production land, and interfering with other known livelihood practices like fishing from Lake Victoria.