Browsing by Author "Shausi, G."

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The implications of Tanzania privatization policy on small scale farmers: the case of Misenyi and Kilosa districts
(Sacha & Diamond, England, United Kingdom, 2015) Shausi, G.; Agunga, R; Erbaugh, M.
Since 2000 the Government of Tanzania has adopted pluralistic and demand driven (privatization) extension as an alternative way of increasing productivity in the smallholder farming sector. It was felt that privatization would give farmers more choices, increase efficiency in public sector extension, and reduce the burden of government funding extension. After more than a decade of the new extension program our study sought to determine its effectiveness. Our survey of 300 smallholder farmers in two districts of Tanzania found limited adoption of innovations by smallholder farmers, including limited interaction with extension agents, and virtually no provision of extension by private agencies in the districts. Our conclusion is that while the new extension approach is a good idea, its implementation leaves much to be desired. We recommend increased interaction between farmers and extension workers, such as through the use of mass and social media like community radio and cell phones.