Technical factors which affect cotton production in Ukerewe District
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Date
1998
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine Univesirty of Agriculture
Abstract
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of factors which
affect cotton production in Ukerewe district.
The study describes
farmers' opinions and extension workers' opinions thought to have a
bearing on cotton production.
The study also identifies and describes technical constraints
which confound cotton production and recommendations for solving
them are made.
The main findings of the study are:
(1) Cotton
farmers in the survey area implement those recommended practices
which do not call for financial disbursements and seem to shy away
from implementing those recommended practices which call for
financial disbursements.
(2) Some of the factors which contribute
to low cotton yields were identified as lack of proper extension
programme planning, a large number of clients per V.E.W., poorly
trained extension workers and unattractive working conditions for
the extension workers.
(3) Although V.E.W.s reported that they
favoured the progressive farmers' approach, in practice they adopted
the frontal approach which is the current extension policy in
Tanzania.
(4) The farmers reported deciding freely to grow cotton
because it was a means of earning money.
On the other hand the
extension workers claimed that their clientele were forced to grow
cotton.
To overcome the technical constraints it is recommended that:
(a) One mechanization centre be established, to facilitate mechaniza
tion of cotton farming in the survey area.
facilities be
made
(2) A provision of credit
to enable farmers to buy inputs and
equipments for efficient cotton production.
iii
The government shouldiv
introduce a subsidy on these items because their prices, influenced
as they are by the current inflation, are prohibitively high for the
poor farmers.
(3) Both farmers and extension workers should
participate in the formulation of extension programme plans.
(4) Extension workers should be furnished with current cotton
research findings from Ukiriguru.
They should as well be afforded
the opportunity for further training.
Inservice training courses
could serve a useful purpose in this regard.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Cotton production, Ukerewe District, Cotton farmers