Browsing by Author "Kadeha, Twilumba Joseph."

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    Factors influencing use of improved postharvest storage technologies among small scale maize farmers: a case of kilolo district, Tanzania
    (Sokoine university of Agriculture, 2018) Kadeha, Twilumba Joseph.
    Specifically, the objectives of the study were: to identify the commonly used postharvest storage technologies commonly by maize farmers, to determine small scale farmers knowledge on the use of improved postharvest storage technologies, to determine the perception of small scale maize farmers toward the use of improved maize postharvest storage technologies and to identify factors influencing the use of improved maize postharvest storage technologies. The cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The population included all small scale maize farmers in the study area and sample size was 260 respondents. Data were collected using personal interviews. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and non- participant observation. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, percentage and inferential statistics such as a binary logistic regression model were computed. The commonly used postharvest storage technologies were traditional storage technologies such as traditional granaries, bamboo basket and polythene bags and 60% of small scale maize farmers had low knowledge on the use of improved storage technologies. The study further found that 80% of small scale maize farmers had positive attitude toward the use of improved storage technologies. Formal education, access to credit, extension services, membership in farmers groups and distance from home to the market place were the factors influencing the use of improved postharvest storage technologies. This study recommended that, extension agents should increase their contact with farmers, the government should subsidize improved postharvest storage technologies with a high initial cost in order to enhance their use and Kilolo District Council and extension officers should encourage farmers to form groups for community storage such as cereal banks and warehouse receipts system.