Abstract:
None or low adoption of recommended rice production practices like recommended fertilizer and recommended rice varieties have influenced to conduct this study. The study investigated the adoption level and factors that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package and recommended rice varieties in Kilombero District. Primary data were collected by the use of pretested interview questionnaire from 120 respondents selected at random to represent farmers of Kilombero District. Data were analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS 16.0) computer program, where frequency and percentage were used to determine distribution of the study variables. Correlation was used to determine relationship between independent and dependent variables while Chi – square tested the significance difference between variables.
Findings reveal that the level of adoption of recommended fertilizer package and recommended rice varieties in the study area is low. Respondents who applied fertilizers (68.4%) applied at different levels, that is (21.7%) fall under low adoption level, (20.0%) fall under medium adoption and (6.7%) of the respondents fall under high adoption level. Only (43.3%) of the respondents planted recommended rice variety that is TXD 306, the rest of respondents planted other rice varieties which are local and improved but not recommended. Several factors influenced the adoption and these are the independent factors like area under rice and the intervening factors namely the Efficiency Misperception (EM), Need tension (NT), Awareness and Prominence. Other factors that hinder adoption of recommended fertilizers includes, destroys soil, high cost and affect flowering and for recommended rice variety includes, susceptibility to diseases, needs great care, poor market and much water is needed. In general, the adoption of recommended fertilizer package and recommended rice variety in the study area is strongly influenced by the intervening variables. Therefore the intervening variables which need to be focused in enhancing the adoption of recommended fertilizer package and recommended rice variety in the study area are need, perception and knowledge.
