Adoption of improved wheat technologies by small scale farmers in Mbeya District of Southern Highlands, Tanzania

Abstract

A survey of 202 small-scale wheat farmers was conducted in Mbeya Rural District in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania in 1997. The objective of the study was to determine the technical and socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of improved wheat technologies. Results showed that 74percent of sample farmers grew Juhudi. The most important criteria for variety adoption was high yield and marketability. The adopters (43percent) applied significantly more chemical fertilizer than nonadopters (0percent). The adopters applied about 18 kg/ha of N and 8 kg/ha of P, while nonadopters did not apply chemical fertilizer. The logistic regression model showed that household size, farm size, and education had a significant effect on the probability of adopting improved wheat varieties. The use of fertilizer was influenced by credit availability, farm size, livestock ownership, extension, and hired labor.