Browsing by Author "Msuya, C.P."

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The influence of independent and intervening variables on adoption of recommended maize varieties in Tanzania
(2014) Msuya, C.P.; Düvel, G.H.; Rwambali, E.G.
Njombe is one of the districts in Tanzania that suffers from the problem of poor adoption of recommended maize varieties. The study was conducted to investigate the influence of independent and intervening variables in determining the adoption behaviour of recommended maize varieties among maize growers in Njombe District of Tanzania. The study employed a cross sectional research design where data were collected from 113 respondents randomly selected to represent other maize growers from four villages namely, Kibena, Ulembwe, Uwemba and Igagala. The findings show that each investigated intervening variable has influence on adoption of recommended maize varieties as expected. They explain 86.6 percent of the variation in adoption (R2 =0.866, p=0.000). In particular, the NT (Beta = 0.659, p=0.000) and the efficiency misperception (Beta = -0.232, p=0.008) that make the biggest contribution. On the other hand, most of the independent variables investigated have no influence except for the level of education and area used to grow maize. The total contribution of independent variable towards explaining the variance in adoption is only 18.7 percent. This is reflected in the significant R2 of 0.187, which implies that the total influence of intervening variables highly explains the influence compared to that of independent variables. This indicates that the intervening variables are the best predictors of the adoption behaviour and the influence of independent variables is manifested in the adoption behaviour through the intervening variables as postulated in Duvels (1991) model of behaviour determinants. This calls for further testing of the model in different social cultural settings and crops to see its relevance in determining the adoption behaviour.
Promotion of agricultural innovation systems approach: policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in Tanzania
(2015) Wambura, R.M.; Doamekpor, P.K.; Mwaseba, D.L.; Msuya, C.P.; Masinde, D.M.; Mwanga, L.J.; Iranga, G.M.
This 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.