Abstract:
Current conventional agriculture systems of production lead to environmental degradation, economic
problems, and even social problems. Despite having support from change agents, farm organizations,
conservation organizations, or environmental groups, Commercial firms or dealerships, farmers in
Tanzania are seldom adopting sustainable agriculture practices. This study was set to examine social
economic factors influencing/hindering a farmer’s adoption of sustainable agriculture in Mbarali
district of Mbeya region in Tanzania. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze such
factors. It was established that the closer the farmer is from town, a farmer having training in
agriculture, a farmer having an off farm income and a farmer having a huge farm are having positive
influence on a farmer adopting sustainable agriculture. On contrary, a farmer being young does not
motivate him to adopt sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless the finding on a farmer’s age still needs
further investigation as some literature suggests this not to be the case. It is therefore recommended to
the government and other stakeholders to encourage farmers to have off farm incomes by providing
credits and market access so as to motivate sustainable agriculture.
