Determinants of Awareness and Intensity of Use of Maize Grades and Standards among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Uganda

Background Compliance with maize grades and standards remains a significant challenge in Uganda, particularly among smallholder farmers. Despite the guidelines established by the East African Grain Council, adherence within local markets remains limited. Understanding the factors that influence the awareness and adoption of maize grading is crucial for enhancing market quality and improving farmer incomes. Methods This study investigated determinants of smallholder farmers’ awareness, utilization, and intensity of use of recommended maize grades and standards in northern Uganda. Primary data were collected from 270 farmers. Probit regression and the Heckman two-stage model were employed to identify factors affecting awareness, use, and the extent of compliance. Results The results indicated that awareness and utilization of maize grades and standards were generally low. The key factors influencing awareness included education, gender (male), access to extension services, access to credit, and membership in farmer associations. Farmers’ use of maize grades and standards was positively associated with awareness and access to extension services but negatively affected by proximity to markets and membership in farmer groups. The intensity of use was significantly influenced by the scale of maize production and higher education levels. Conclusions The findings highlight the need for interventions that improve farmer awareness and access to grading services. Strengthening extension services to include maize grading messages, improving access to credit facilities, and developing more accessible grading stations are recommended to promote compliance. Such measures would enhance maize quality, improve market participation, and ultimately increase farmer productivity and incomes.