Farmers’ awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes production in Singida region, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2024-01-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Abstract
For an extended period, legumes have served as nutritional sources in the diets
of both humans and animals. Efforts have been made to increase the yield of
the legume crops in Tanzania, but there is still low awareness of and
unfavourable attitudes towards legume crop diversification among farmers.
The study, on which this paper is based, aimed at investigating farmers’
awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes, specifically to analyze
socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, assess awareness of and
attitude towards diversified legumes production, and determine effects of
awareness of and attitude towards diversified legumes production on
management practices of diversified legumes production. A cross-sectional
survey was employed whereby primary data were collected from 204 legume
farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Content analysis was
conducted using Nvivo software to analyze qualitative data. For quantitative
data, Likert scale analysis was employed as a method for descriptive statistics,
and Principal Component Analysis was used as a method for inferential
analysis. These analyses were performed using Smart PLS software. The
findings of the study revealed that several factors significantly influenced
smallholder farmers' awareness and perception of diversified legumes. These
factors included ease of cultivation, fair distribution of seeds, food availability,
increase in income level, high legume harvest, and higher profitability of
legumes (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the statement "enough of information" did
not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, it exhibited a positive
association. Conclusively, criteria like "easy cultivation" and "fair seed
distribution" had a big impact on how smallholder farmers perceived and
knew about diverse legumes. However, "enough information" did not appear
to have a major significance. In addition, it was found that major influences on
farmers' attitudes and understanding of diversified legumes included the
availability of food, rising income levels, high yields of legumes, and perceived
profitability. The paper recommends for the improvement of farmers'
awareness and perception of diversified legumes, fair seed distribution
methods must be established that provide equal access to high-quality seeds
with the help of government organizations, non-profit organizations, and seed
businesses.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Analysis of smallholder farmers, diversified legumes, principal component