Investigation of the factors affecting the adoption of selected agricultural technologies on maize production in Mvomero district
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Date
2009
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
he main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting the rate adoption by
small scale farmers of the selected agricultural technologies and their interactions on maize production in Mvomero district. Methodologically both primary and secondary data were
collected. Data was edited, coded and entered into the SPSS (version 11.5) programme ready for analysis using descriptive statistics namely means frequencies, percentages,
ranges correlation analysis and standard deviation. The results showed that 50% of farmers were in the age of 36-50 years. About 79% of respondents were literate and had completed
primary education. Majority of farmers had 4-6 and 7-9 household size. Also, 79% of farmers were engaged in farming. Furthermore, 96% of farmers use land for maize
production. The main maize varieties grown in Mvomero district were Staha (71%) and local maize (22%). About 80% of farmers planted maize in rows and 74% of them planted
3 seeds per hole and 75% of farmers weed two times. The common means of transporting
harvested maize to homestead was bicycles (79%). About 74% of farmers apply improved
maize seeds in maize production. About 96% of farmers owned chickens and goats (34%).
In addition, 92% of the households adopted improved maize varieties and 80% of farmers
do not apply fertilizer on maize production. The Logit Regression Model results estimates
for fertilizer application was explained by education, credit and extension which were
significant at a probability level of 0.05 (P<0.05). Based on the obtained results it is being
recommended that more research is needed: to identify farmers’ current practices on maize
production and marketing; to develop further new technologies which are relevant to the
farmers’ needs and environment; develop suitable maize varieties that suit farmers’ tastes
and preferences; and to develop recommendations for fertilizer use levels under various
weather and soil conditions
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Maize production, Agricultural technologies, Maize seed