The implications of Tanzania privatization policy on small scale farmers: the case of Misenyi and Kilosa districts
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sacha & Diamond, England, United Kingdom
Abstract
Since 2000 the Government of Tanzania has adopted pluralistic and demand driven
(privatization) extension as an alternative way of increasing productivity in the
smallholder farming sector. It was felt that privatization would give farmers more
choices, increase efficiency in public sector extension, and reduce the burden of
government funding extension. After more than a decade of the new extension
program our study sought to determine its effectiveness. Our survey of 300
smallholder farmers in two districts of Tanzania found limited adoption of
innovations by smallholder farmers, including limited interaction with extension
agents, and virtually no provision of extension by private agencies in the districts.
Our conclusion is that while the new extension approach is a good idea, its
implementation leaves much to be desired. We recommend increased interaction
between farmers and extension workers, such as through the use of mass and social
media like community radio and cell phones.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Agricultural Extension, Pluralistic, Demand-driven, Pluralistic/ Demand-driven, Privatization of Extension