Assessing adoption and economic impacts of new banana varieties on livelihoods of farmers in Kagera Region, Tanzania

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Date

2007

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Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

In Kagera banana-based farming systems the introduction of new banana varieties has increasingly been one of the strategies to revive the declining banana production caused by increasing pests’ infestations and low soil fertility. This study was conducted to assess adoption and socio-economic impacts of the new banana varieties on farmers’ livelihoods in the region. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) to identify factors that influence farmers’ adoption (demand) of new banana varieties among farming communities in Kagera region; (ii) to identify the intermediate and long-term impacts of new banana varieties on farmers’ livelihoods across different agro-ecological zones and farmer characteristics; and (iii) to measure the accrued benefits of new banana varieties on farmers’ livelihoods. Data for the study were collected using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and household survey from a total of 260 households randomly selected from 13 villages found in three agro-ecological zones: Bukoban Systems, Karagwe Ankolean low rainfall and Karagwe Ankolean high rainfall zones. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logit and Tobit regressions, and Instrumental Variable (IV) methods. About 28.46% of surveyed households were adopters of the 25 new banana varieties introduced into Kagera region since 1997. Yangambi km5, SH3436-9, FH1A 17 and FH1A $ 23 were the most preferred varieties adopted by farmers. Adoption of new varieties varied by agro-ecological zone, household and farm characteristics. Empirical findings revealed that age, agro-ecological zone, banana field quality, cultivated land size, house type, household-asset value, number of mats of endemic cultivars and livestock ownership significantly influenced the adoption of new banana varieties. Adoption of the new varieties significantly reduced banana production losses from infestation of pests and diseases by 5%. Other impacts of the new varieties were on improved food security, increased banana income, improved quality of banana juices and brews, improved social relationships and improved banana biodiversity. Further monitoring and evaluation of the new varieties on farmers’ fields is recommended, and this should go hand-in-hand with other banana management programmes. Also, banana marketing studies are recommended to investigate the banana attributes considered by farmers versus attributes considered by processors, traders and consumers.

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Keywords

Economic impacts, New banana varieties, Farmers livelihoods, Kagera Region, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

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