The independent and intervening variables that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in Namtumbo district of Ruvuma region, Tanzania
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Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The continuous fall of maize production and non or low adoption of recommended
maize production practices like fertilizer application in the Namtumbo District of
Ruvuma Region have enhanced to conduct this study. The study investigated the
adoption level and factors that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer
package (Phosphate, Nitrogen fertilizers and time of Nitrogen application) in the
study area. The primary data were collected by the use of structured questionnaire
from135 respondents selected at random. Data were analysed by using statistical
package for social science (SPSS) computer program where descriptive statistics
such as 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 in the study area is low. Majority 128 (94.8%) of farmers who applied
fertilizers, applied at different levels below recommendations. About 86 (63.7%) fall
under low adoption level, 42 (31.1%) fall under medium adoption and about 7
(5.2%) of farmers did not apply at all. Not a single farmer adopted in full the
recommended package that is 50 kg/ac of DAP/TSP mixed with 25 kg of Nitrogen
fertilizer at planting and 75 kg of Nitrogen during topdressing. Several factors
seemed to have influence on the level of adoption. These are the independent factors
like sex of the respondent and the intervening factors (variables) namely the
Efficiency misperception (EM), Need tension (NT) (Need aspects), prominence
(perception), and awareness (knowledge). n general, the adoption of recommended
fertilizer package in the study area is strongly influenced by the interveningiii
variables. Therefore the intervening variables which need to be focused in enhancing
the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in the study area are need,
perception and knowledge. From this point of view, extension deliverance should be
emphasized based on the intervening variables.
Description
Keywords
Maize production, Fertilizer application, Namtumbo District, Fertilizer application
Citation
Mlyuka M.H(2011).The independent and intervening variables that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in Namtumbo district of Ruvuma region, Tanzania . Morogoro;Sokoine university of agriculture.