The role of farmer research groups in agricultural technology generation and dissemination in the coffee-banana-based farming Systems: the case of Bukoba rural district
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Date
2001
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study examined the role of Farmer Research Groups (FRGs) in agricultural
technology generation and dissemination in Bukoba Rural District. The specific
objectives of the study were to: (i) identify and describe the general characteristics of the
FRGs, (ii) identify technologies that were promoted by researchers through FRGs, (iii)
describe the nature and extent of farmer participation in the process of agricultural
technology generation and dissemination, and (iv) identify the strengths and
weaknesses of FRGs in agricultural technology generation and dissemination. The
research design of this study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using an
interview schedule and a questionnaire supported by personal observation and informal
discussion with key informants. A representative sample size of 60 respondents (30
FRG members and 30 non-FRG members) was drawn from a sampling frame using a
table of random numbers. In addition, five researchers and extensionists involved in the
FRG programme were interviewed in order to enrich the findings of this study.
Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of the data. The
characteristics of the respondents that were interviewed in this study are presented in
chapter four. The findings showed that agricultural technologies such as use of improved
seed varieties and use of manure and fertilisers for maize, cassava, bean and
sweatpotatoes were the type of technologies that were experimented in order to see
their performance on farmers’ fields by ARI-Maruku through FRGs. Furthermore,
farmers were educated on the control of banana weevils through trapping techniques
and use of improved bean storage techniques. Majority of the FRG respondents (70
percent) were involved in carrying out research trials, attending research meetings and
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seminars. In addition, respondents indicated that meeting (77 percent) was the most
widely used method of dissemination, apart from other methods like field visits and
demonstration. The major constraints of farmer participation in FRGs were: lack of
support services such as inputs, credit and reliable markets, poor coordination and
communication between FRG members and researchers and too much work to some
households. The study revealed the strengths of FRG approach as: education of farmers
on improved farming practices, enhanced acceptance of agricultural technologies,
increased group unity and improved farmer to farmer information sharing. Some
weaknesses that were identified in the study were: lack of proper and systematic record
keeping that is required to evaluate the results, lack of capital to purchase inputs and
targeting a small number of farmers.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Agricultural technology, Coffee-banana, Farming Systems, Seed varieties