Gender Differences To Access Extension Service On New Wheat Production Technology: The case of wheat producers in Digalu Tijo woreda Arsi zone Oromiya, Ethiopia (Published)
The case study was conducted in three selected kebeles of Digalu Tijo District, Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia with the objectives of investigating the difference of access of new wheat packages of men and women, identifying the barriers to women to adopt new wheat varieties. Purposive sampling method was used to select 60 individual respondents, 6 key informants and 3 different focus groups for discussion session. Data was collected using interview guide, focus group discussion guide and key informant checklist. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 20 and categorization of themes was done to analyze the qualitative data. Transcription, coding and organizing were carried out to make the data meaningful and prepare report. Quantitative methods (frequency and percentages) were employed to analyze quantitative data. The result of the study shows, in wheat production, men have more exposure to events like field days, trainings and other community meetings although both women and men were wheat growers. This implies women have low access to information on wheat production than their male counter parts. Not only this, but as result indicated, the highest percentage share in decision to adopt new wheat packages and primary contact for receiving packages are for men 61.7% and 78.3% respectively. The study revealed that all family members benefited from new wheat packages. There were serious challenges like disease outbreak, input cost, timely input supply and input shortages and lack of information access. These challenges reduced yield and income of the farmers and affected all family and community members even though women and children were highly vulnerable to the effect of the production barriers. The study also identified that no one was negatively affected with the introduction of new wheat technology packages. All respondents confirmed that they were benefited from new wheat technology packages.
Keywords: Technology, Wheat Production, household head, packages, women headed household
Drivers of Quality Declared Seed Use in Tanzania: Evidence from Kilombero District (Published)
This paper examines the drivers of rice Quality Declared Seed (QDS) use in Tanzania using data gathered through farmers survey from randomly selected villages in Kilombero District, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect information from 100 randomly selected rice farmers. In addition, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted to complement and allow triangulation of data. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that farmers had access to rice QDS but were faced with some challenges such as lack of awareness on rice QDS and lack of capital to purchase rice QDS. Moreover, the number of farmers presently using rice QDS seeds in the study area was still below half of the farmers’ population. The study therefore concludes that there is a viable opportunity to enhance more farmers to adopt and use rice QDS in the study area through proper information dissemination and provision of support and training needed by the farmers to maximize their use of rice QDS.
Keywords: Drivers, Rice, Technology, adoptions, kilombero, quality declared seed, recycled seed
Assessment of Technology Adoption in Maize Production by Small Scale Farmers: Case of Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Baringo County, Kenya (Published)
Maize is one stable food grownall over Kenya including Perkerra Irrigation Scheme. However, over the years, its production has been on decline due to many challenges including; decrease in land as result of increase in population, loss of soil fertility, use outdated technologies which in return would sustain or increase production. Despite the availability of these technologies, small scale farmers in Perkerra irrigation scheme had not yet adopted them. The purpose of study was to determine the influence of the extension services, access and utilization of available information on modern techniques and social economic factors hindering the adoption. The study targeted 798 farmers from Loropil, Ng’oswe,Ng’ambo and Labos. Multi stage sampling was applied to draw a total of 100 participants. Data was collected by the use of questionnaires which applied both closed and open ended questions. Data was analyzed by the use of Multiple Linear Regression method so as to get the coefficients of the independent variables and the importance on the adoption of technology. Spearman’s method was also used to determine the correlation coefficient. The results showed that 53% and 43 % of the respondents were males and females respectively. 47% whose education level was 57% attained primary level. Social economic factors were significant in determining the level of technology adoption at 95% level of significance and it had a p-value of 0.03 and hence statistically important. Most farmers (58%) received extension services from the Kenya Seed Company. Radio and public assembly (Baraza) was the main source of information. Based on these findings, both the county and national government should employ more extension officers and ensure subsidization of the basic farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
Keywords: Adoption, Productivity, Technology