An assessment of the adoption of improved foodgrain storage structures in Mara region
| dc.contributor.author | Bwana, Eliza Nyangeta | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-04-13T10:30:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-04-13T10:30:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1996 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study was designed to assess the adoption of improved storage technology introduced in Mara Region by SG-2000 and UNDP projects. The study concentrated on farmers growing maize and sorghum which are the main crops grown under SG-2000 project. The study was conducted in 10 villages in Tarime and Musoma rural Districts. lt involved 150 farmers and 10 village extension officers from the selected villages. The specific objectives of the study were 1) to determine the level of adoption of improved storage structures introduced by SG-2000 and UNDP projects 2) to identify factors associated with the adoption and non-adoption of improved foodgrain storage structures 3) to determine the perception of farmers and village extension officers on the effectiveness of the improved storage structures and 4) to determine the relationship between farmers’, innovation’s and institutional characteristics on one hand and the adoption of improved storage structures. Data were collected using two types of structured questionnaires: one for farmers who grow maize and sorghum, the other for extension officers. Field observations and secondary data supplemented the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used in the analyses. The results revealed that 1) only 4% adopted the technology 2) farmers’ characteristics, innovation and institutional factors were important in influencing the adoption of improved storage technology. Farm size, maintenance and repair costs of the structures, involvement of farmers in the programme, and effectiveness of extension were found to be significant determinants of the level of adoption of improved storage structures. Farmers perceived the improved storage structure as durable with low maintenance and repair costs. However, the adoption depended on other factors such as availability of resources and the information transfer process. Policy recommendations include: (1) Direct involvement of farmers in all phases of technology-innovation process to enhance adoption. (2) Women’s involvement in the programme should be increased by providing extension services directly to them. (3) Extension services have proved to be less effective in transferring the technology to farmers, hence they need to be strengthened. (4) A supervision mission should be established in the programme so as to increase contact between farmers and extension officers and to get a quick feedback. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Fellowship (SAFE) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7476 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Grain storage | |
| dc.subject | Maize | |
| dc.subject | Sorghum | |
| dc.subject | Storage technology | |
| dc.title | An assessment of the adoption of improved foodgrain storage structures in Mara region | |
| dc.type | Thesis |