Participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural development micro-projects: a case study of DADPs projects in Kwimba district Mwanza region.
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Date
2014
Authors
Mwita, Philemon Maige
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Smallholder farmers’ participation in agricultural development micro-projects is viewed
as a process by which individuals are involved in identification, planning, implementing.
monitoring and evaluation. It is also a process of social development in which
smallholder farmers, as subjects in their own environment, seek out ways to meet their
collective needs and expectations to overcome their common problems. This study was
conducted to assess participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural development
micro-projects under District Agricultural Development Plan (DADPs). Data were
collected by interviewing respondents using interview schedule as the main tool.
Descriptive and regression analyses were employed to determine factors influencing
participation. Findings revealed that agricultural development micro-projects which
farmers participated included cattle dip, charco-dam and improvement of local chickens
and were supported by DADPs funds. Age, education level and occupation influenced
participation of smallholder farmers and were found to be statistically significant at
p < 0.05. However, sex and farm size of the respondents did not significantly influence
participation of smallholder farmers. It is concluded that participation of smallholder
farmers in agricultural development micro-projects should not be limited to contributions
that farmers offer, but should aim at empowering smallholder farmers to take control of
the development process. It is therefore recommended that smallholder farmers should
play an active role in the identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation processes which implies increasing level of participation and hence
empowering them to take control of the micro-project
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Smallholder farmers, Agricultural development micro-projects, DADPs projects, Kwimba district, Mwanza region