Beyond adoption/rejection of agricultural innovations: Empirical evidence from smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania

Outlook on Agriculture, 2006; 35 (4): 263–272This study seeks to explore the adoption of rice research-based innovations in rural Tanzania. Apart from the age and level of education of the head of household, which had an influence on the adoption of herbicide in both study areas, the influence of other variables on the adoption of fertilizer and transplanting varied between the study areas. Moreover, the study shows that adoption of the selected innovations is context-dependent. In Tanzania, rice farming is characterized by the predominance of traditional rice varieties. Farmers grow these varieties for household consumption or income, or both, under crop management practices that are well attuned to the available resources. The observed discontinuation and adaptation of innovations make sense, given the production circumstances in which the farmers operate. The findings of the study raise issues with research implications for improved rice production in the study areas

Promotion of agricultural innovation systems approach: policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2015, Vol. 14(2) : 112-118This paper is based on a study (Wambura et al., 2016) which assessed extension and advisory service delivery for maize production in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions of Tanzania using Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) Approach. Maize productivity in Tanzania is low in spite of its importance to the country’s food security and economic well-being of farmers. New approaches to extension and advisory service delivery are needed that stimulate increased agricultural production and foster the emergency of agricultural innovation systems. The purpose of this paper is therefore to assess the state of maize innovation system in Tanzania and provide policy implications for the future extension and advisory services (EAS). The study used a mixed method research design to collect data using structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews with key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholders’ workshops. Content analyses of cases provided a context to understand policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in the study areas. It was found that the key aspects contributing to low maize productivity included weak institutional structures, often with little or no contact between other stakeholders. In most cases, lack of farmer organizations hampered farmers taking the initiative. Such problems were compounded by poorly developed markets, poor infrastructure and a lack of knowledge (especially of the maize production value chain), or by inadequate extension services often associated with inappropriate research. Consequently, use of unsuitable varieties and poor management practices with limited access to inputs or output markets resulted in low, often declining yields and low incomes for farmers. The paper concludes that policy makers should identify weak or missing components and linkages within the agricultural innovation systems and take measures accordingly to promote maize innovations; while extension and advisory services should be capacitated to address these gaps and develop technology packages to be disseminated to the farmers. Keywords: Agricultural innovation system (AIS), Maize value chain actors, Extension and advisory services (AES), Tanzania

Promotion of agricultural innovation systems approach: policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2015, Vol. 14(2) : 112-118This paper is based on a study (Wambura et al., 2016) which assessed extension and advisory service delivery for maize production in Morogoro and Dodoma Regions of Tanzania using Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) Approach. Maize productivity in Tanzania is low in spite of its importance to the country’s food security and economic well-being of farmers. New approaches to extension and advisory service delivery are needed that stimulate increased agricultural production and foster the emergency of agricultural innovation systems. The purpose of this paper is therefore to assess the state of maize innovation system in Tanzania and provide policy implications for the future extension and advisory services (EAS). The study used a mixed method research design to collect data using structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews with key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholders’ workshops. Content analyses of cases provided a context to understand policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in the study areas. It was found that the key aspects contributing to low maize productivity included weak institutional structures, often with little or no contact between other stakeholders. In most cases, lack of farmer organizations hampered farmers taking the initiative. Such problems were compounded by poorly developed markets, poor infrastructure and a lack of knowledge (especially of the maize production value chain), or by inadequate extension services often associated with inappropriate research. Consequently, use of unsuitable varieties and poor management practices with limited access to inputs or output markets resulted in low, often declining yields and low incomes for farmers. The paper concludes that policy makers should identify weak or missing components and linkages within the agricultural innovation systems and take measures accordingly to promote maize innovations; while extension and advisory services should be capacitated to address these gaps and develop technology packages to be disseminated to the farmers. Keywords: Agricultural innovation system (AIS), Maize value chain actors, Extension and advisory services (AES), Tanzania

Beyond adoption/rejection of agricultural innovations: Empirical evidence from smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania

Outlook on Agriculture, 2006; 35 (4): 263–272This study seeks to explore the adoption of rice research-based innovations in rural Tanzania. Apart from the age and level of education of the head of household, which had an influence on the adoption of herbicide in both study areas, the influence of other variables on the adoption of fertilizer and transplanting varied between the study areas. Moreover, the study shows that adoption of the selected innovations is context-dependent. In Tanzania, rice farming is characterized by the predominance of traditional rice varieties. Farmers grow these varieties for household consumption or income, or both, under crop management practices that are well attuned to the available resources. The observed discontinuation and adaptation of innovations make sense, given the production circumstances in which the farmers operate. The findings of the study raise issues with research implications for improved rice production in the study areas