Assessment of private agricultural extension activities in tobacco production: the case of association of Tanzania Tobacco traders in Nzega District
| dc.contributor.author | Messo, Gideon Nyakitumo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-13T05:26:03Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-13T05:26:03Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2004 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | In recent times, the government has been inclined towards private agricultural extension providers to supplement public extension delivery. However, so far very little has been done to evaluate their activities and performance. This study therefore sought to assess the Association of Tanzania Tobacco Traders Limited (ATTTL) agricultural extension activities to determine the extent to which they are cost- effective and client-oriented. The specific objectives were: to study the approach employed by ATTTL in extension activities; to assess the organisational and financial sustainability of the agricultural extension activities of ATTTL; to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural extension activities undertaken by ATTTL; to determine farmer’s attitudes on the agricultural extension activities provided by ATTTL and to assess the impact of the agricultural extension activities of ATTTL. Questionnaires were used to collect information from respondents. observations and informal discussions with villagers, farmers groups and co-operatives were used to supplement the data obtained from interviews. Formal discussions were also held with ATTTL officials and District and Regional agricultural/extension personnel to get additional information. The study noted that the approach undertaken by ATTTL is superior to that of public extension. ATTTL staff coverage, positive attitudes of extension staff, links with other organisations, and the effect on production show that the activities are efficient and effective. ATTTL has managed to sustain its agricultural extension activities but farmers groups and co-operatives have not been able to achieve such a situation. Farmers have shown positive attitudes on the reliability of inputs, on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme and compatibility of advice but have shown negative attitudes towards marketing and environmental conservation. ATTTL agricultural extension activities have shown positive impact on income and skills of farmers. Recommendations of the study were: private providers should use mass media to back-up the other extension methods, and training programs should be designed in such a way that all farmers are covered. Private sector should train their staff at various levels at the same time management, financial and community development skills should be taught to both leaders of villages, farmer groups and co-operatives. Enabling environment should be created for farmers to participate in environment conservation and institute law enforcement where necessary. Institutional arrangements which favour transparency, are necessary for marketing tobacco. Extension officers should devote more of their time to training farmers than doing other things like distributing inputs. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Ministry of Water and Livestock Development | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7309 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Agricultural extension | |
| dc.subject | Tobacco production | |
| dc.subject | Tobacco traders | |
| dc.subject | Nzega District | |
| dc.title | Assessment of private agricultural extension activities in tobacco production: the case of association of Tanzania Tobacco traders in Nzega District | |
| dc.type | Thesis |