This study examined the Heifer Project in Iganga district which provides training to improve agricultural productivity. The objectives were to determine if the training enabled income increases and influenced behavior change. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as the framework. Qualitative data was collected from 30 past participants. The findings showed the training motivated participants and provided skills that increased livestock holdings and incomes. Participants reported satisfaction with increased opportunities for their families as a result of the Heifer Project training.

1. Improving Agricultural Productivity
through Training; a Case of Heifer
Project in Iganga district
Prof. Waswa Balunywa and Brenda Wejuli

2. Structure of Presentation
• Introduction
• Purpose of study
• Theory
• Methods
• Findings
• Conclusions

3. Objectives
Overall Objective
• To establish whether the training enables
individuals to increase agricultural productivity
Specific:
• To establish the intentions of individuals in
applying for the Heifer
• To establish whether training influences
behaviour change on recipients
• To examine the outcomes of the Heifer project on
recipients’ attitudes and subjective norms

4. Theory of Planned Behaviour(TPB
• Theory of Planned Behaviour ( Azjen &
Fishbein, 1991)
• behavioural attitudes of a trainee,
• influence the society has over a trainee and
the effort required by a person to perform (or
not to perform)a behaviour
• leads to the intention to perform that
behaviour
• the intention leads to actual behaviour

5. Methodology
• Qualitative data collected from 30 respondents who
were participants of the heifer project and had
received a cow
• Respondents selected using snow balling
• Data collection- use of interview question guides

6. Findings: Objective 1
To establish whether the intentions of individuals
in applying for the Heifer lead to performing a
certain behaviour
• To acquire skills that would enable them to
improve their lives and income
• High expectations of income generating activities
• TPB argues that for people to make behavioural
decisions they should be based on perceived
usefulness. Recipients viewed the training as a
promising business with considerable financial
incentives

7. Findings: Objective 2
To establish whether training influences behaviour change
on recipients
• Increase in the number of cows distributed every year-continuously
attracted several families and households
• Training was regarded as a motivation
• Training provided work experience which is useful for
future projects’ implementation
• Significant instructions for construction of cows’ houses
have deterred time wasters but instead provided better
resources and made recipients independent of external aid.
• Recipients realised that their energy would be
subsequently rewarded in their subsequent wages paid by
milk consumers

8. Findings: Objective 3
To examine the outcomes of the Heifer project on
recipients’ attitudes and subjective norms
• Interviews with recipients revealed a strong sense
of optimism and satisfaction in the project
• More than one pointed out that the programme
had given them a real chance to better their lives
• And has enabled them to educate their children
• Some of the recipients were able to benefit from
Biogas as a form of power for their homes

9. Findings…
• Recipients were found to have been highly
motivated to performer in the different
organizations and some had even taken up
leadership roles
• The training conducted to change attitudes of
the recipients and give them skills has been
effective

10. Conclusion
• The study concludes that the training
conducted to change attitudes of the
recipients and equip them with agricultural
skills was effective
• Individuals need to acquire knowledge and
renew their capabilities in order to overcome
behavioural barriers
• There is need to extend Heifer project training
at other communities

11. • The Heifer project has considerable potential
for expanding agricultural opportunities for
other communities and in transferring
knowledge and capacity to growing Ugandan
societies.