Factors influencing adoption of improved cassava production technologies in Mkuranga district, Tanzania
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Date
2015
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing adoption of improved
cassava production technologies in Mkuranga District. The specific objectives were to:
examine technologies used by cassava smallholder farmers, identify extension services
provided to cassava smallholder farmers and cassava production constraints as well as
identify factors leading to adoption of improved cassava production technologies. One
hundred twenty respondents were randomly selected from the targeted village. Data were
collected using a structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key
informant interviews. Data were analysed by descriptive analysis and content analysis.
The finding showed that 77.5% of cassava farmers used traditional technologies in
cultivating cassava. However, the study shows factors that influence the adoption of
cassava improved technologies are knowledge/skills through training and seminars
(58.8%), availability of credit facilities (42.1%), market availability (46.5%), and
availability of high yielding cassava varieties (45.6%). The study also shows majority of
farmers do not have contact with extension officers. During FGD, farmers pointed out that
shortage of extension service, land scarcity and unreliable market contributed to farmers
not adopting improved technologies for cassava production. Moreover, pests and diseases,
drought, inadequate planting materials, lack of knowledge and inadequate fund
contributed to low cassava production. The study also observed that factors that influence
farmers not adopting technologies were ignorance, difficulties in using it, unavailability of
technologies and cost of technologies. The study thus recommends that effort must be
made to motivate farmers through extension agents to implement improved cassava
technologies which will increase cassava production and income to the farmers in
Mkuranga District and Tanzania at large.
Description
MSc Thesis
Keywords
smallholder farmers, cassava production, agricultural technologies, extension services, Mkuranga