The contribution of farmer’s training for improvement of household income: a case study of UMADEP in Mgeta division Morogoro, Tanzania.
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Farmer training is essentially an agriculture extension educational service for training and
influencing farmers (and their families) to adopt improved practices in crop and livestock
production. This study examined the contribution of farmer training to farmer’s household
income. More specifically the study examined the influence of the training to farm
production. The study was carried out in Tchcnzema, Bunduki and Langali wards in Mgcta
division. A cross section design was adopted where structured questionnaires were
administered to both trained and non-trained farmers and project workers. A representative
sample of 86 respondents (40 trained farmers. 40 non-trained farmers and 6 project
workers) was drawn from a sampling frame. The Statistical Package for Social Science
(SPSS) software was used for data analysis. The study showed that farmer training had an
influence on farmers household income. Unlike non-trained farmers, trained farmers were
found to be more knowledgeable on improved crop and husbandry practices. The training
received had improved their skills, farm production and the income derived from farming.
As a result of increased income, their general living standards had improved as well. Some
of the trained farmers have taken their children to secondary schools,' construct good
houses and few own valuable assets like milling machines. The success of trained farmers
has brought impact on neighbouring farmers and now few of the non-trained farmers have
adopted the improved techniques from their friends. It was then concluded and
recommended that continuous delivering of training to farmers (extension) has social and
economic influence to farmer’s life. Furthermore, training needs assessment should be
conducted and recommendations given should consider farmers socio-economic and
ecological condition. The study further deduced that for increased agriculture productivity
which is targeting the improving farmers’ household income, other agriculture development processes such as marketing, credit services, policy frameworks and physical
infrastructure should be given priority and taken as of great importance.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Farmer’s training, Household income, UMADEP, Mgeta division Morogoro, Tanzania