Farmers adoption of improved bean varieties in Mbeya Rural District, Tanzania: social consequence and financial
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Date
2018
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Many farmers in developing countries are still highly reluctant in adopting new improved
technologies. Mbeya region being one among the high producers of common beans in
Tanzania, beans farmers adoption rates of improved varieties as one of the necessary
technologies in production is still low. This study aimed at determining the adoption rate
and assessing the profitability of the improved bean seeds used by farmers in Mbeya rural
district. Specifically, the study intended to determine the adoption rate of beans fanners.
its determinants and compare the profitability between adopters and non-adopters. A
multistage sampling technique was used to obtain the respondents employed in the study.
Data was collected from a random sample of 210 farmers from three villages in Mbeya
rural district through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The results
suggest a low rate of adoption that accounted for 31% of all the respondents. The
Heckman model was used to identify factors affecting the adoption decision and intensity
whereby farm size, seed price, education, extension services and off-farm income were
the significant factors that influenced the adoption decision and intensity. The Gross
margin analysis was used to compare the profit margins of adopters and non-adopters and
it was observed that adopters obtained higher profit margins and costs compared to the
non-adopters. From the study it is concluded that adoption of improved bean varieties in
Mbeya rural district is still low attributed by the discussed socio-economic factors.
Therefore, for any change in the bean sub-sector to be realized, careful consideration
should be made in terms of improving rural education, extension services and
accessibility to agricultural inputs provided that careful analysis will be done to ensure
that benefits accrued will warrant the efforts.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Developing countries, Adopting new technologies, Improved technologies, Mbeya region