Browsing by Author "Lema, Caroline Fredy"

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Farmers’ awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes production in Singida region, Tanzania
(European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024-01-11) Lema, Caroline Fredy; Kadigi, Michael; Kayunze, Kim Abel
For an extended period, legumes have served as nutritional sources in the diets of both humans and animals. Efforts have been made to increase the yield of the legume crops in Tanzania, but there is still low awareness of and unfavourable attitudes towards legume crop diversification among farmers. The study, on which this paper is based, aimed at investigating farmers’ awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes, specifically to analyze socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, assess awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes production, and determine effects of awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes production on management practices of diversified legumes production. A cross-sectional survey was employed whereby primary data were collected from 204 legume farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Content analysis was conducted using Nvivo software to analyze qualitative data. For quantitative data, Likert scale analysis was employed as a method for descriptive statistics, and Principal Component Analysis was used as a method for inferential analysis. These analyses were performed using Smart PLS software. The findings of the study revealed that several factors significantly influenced smallholder farmers' awareness and perception of diversified legumes. These factors included ease of cultivation, fair distribution of seeds, food availability, increase in income level, high legume harvest, and higher profitability of legumes (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the statement "enough of information" did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, it exhibited a positive association. Conclusively, criteria like "easy cultivation" and "fair seed distribution" had a big impact on how smallholder farmers perceived and knew about diverse legumes. However, "enough information" did not appear to have a major significance. In addition, it was found that major influences on farmers' attitudes and understanding of diversified legumes included the availability of food, rising income levels, high yields of legumes, and perceived profitability. The paper recommends for the improvement of farmers' awareness and perception of diversified legumes, fair seed distribution methods must be established that provide equal access to high-quality seeds with the help of government organizations, non-profit organizations, and seed businesses.
The impact of farmers research network project on diversified legumes among smallholder farmers in Singida region, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2024) Lema, Caroline Fredy
Legume production in Singida Region has been conducted for years but with low yield production. The study aimed at assessing the impact of Farmers Research Network on diversified legumes among smallholder farmers in Singida Region. The study employed cross-section research design with 204 respondents using questionnaire survey and key informant interviews. A two-stage Heckman selection model was used to determine factors influencing the adoption of diversified legume production and farmers perception was assessed using Likert scale and the analysis was then subjected to principal component analysis for factor analysis. Descriptive and content analysis were conducted for quantitative and qualitative data respectively employing Microsoft excel for results presentation. The results on the factors influencing adoption showed that age, education, farm size, major occupation, experience, land size, access to credit, and motivation were significantly associated with adoption of diversified legume production. The adoption of varied legume production in the research area was found to be statistically significantly influenced by the farmers' age, education level, farm size, main occupation, experience, land size, availability to credit, and motivation. Factors such as ease of cultivation, fair distribution of seeds, food availability, increase in income level, high legume harvest, and higher profitability of legumes (p < 0.05) significantly influenced smallholder farmers' awareness and perception of diversified legumes. Therefore, Farmers Research Network project has positively impacted diversified legumes on smallholders farmers in Singida Region. There is a need to increase training sessions to create awareness on diversified legumes.