Browsing by Author "Msinde, John"

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Adoption intensity of bundled sustainable agricultural practices among small-scale maize growers in Morogoro region, Tanzania
(East African Journal of Management and Business Studies, 2023) Mugula, Joseph J.; Kyaruzi, Athman A.; Msinde, John; Kadigi, Michael
The study examined the adoption rate and intensity of bundled sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) among smallholder maize farmers in Tanzania. The SAPs considered include crop rotation, intercropping, manure, improved seeds and crop residual. Using descriptive techniques and ordered probit model, data was collected from 470 farming households from Kilosa and Mvomero Districts through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The results show that education level, occupation, farming experience, sex of the household head, farm size, plot ownership, geographical location, membership in farmers’ organization and production diversity had significant impacts on the adoption intensity of multiple SAPs. In addition, there were greater disparities in the adoption intensity than in the adoption rates; the awareness and recognition of SAPs did not necessarily translate into increased usage. The study recommends that the interdependence nature of agricultural innovations should be considered in designing strategies dissemination of SAPs to provide farmers with a choice among different sets of practices that possess desirable traits. Given that diverse factors influence the usage of different combinations of SAPs, it is important that policymakers should take into consideration the significant factors to ensure that farmers can maximize the benefits of SAPs through provision of training programs to enlighten farmers on the benefits of SAPs.
Determinants of adoption of bundled sustainable agriculture practices among small-scale maize farmers in Mvomero and Kilosa districts, Tanzania
(African Journal of Economic Review, 2023) Mugula, Joseph J; Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi; Msinde, John; Kadigi, Michael
The study, using data set from the adoption pathway survey and utility maximization theory examined the determinants of adoption of bundled sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) among smallholder maize farmers in Tanzania. The SAPs considered include crop rotation, intercropping, manure, improved seeds, and crop residual. Using the Multivariate probit model, data collected from 470 farming households from Kilosa and Mvomero districts through a multi-stage sampling procedure were analyzed. Before data analysis, validity and reliability tests were performed and deemed satisfactory. The empirical results show that age, gender, family size, education level, farm size, livestock ownership, access to extension services, production shocks, and distance from the market had a significant impact on the adoption of multiple SAPs. In addition, the results show that six pairwise correlation coefficients among SAPs were statistically significant, implying that smallholder maize farmers adopt SAPs concurrently. These findings implore policymakers and agricultural development organizations to take these significant factors into account when planning, advocating for, and supporting the adoption of multiple SAPs. Furthermore, the simultaneous adoption of SAPs necessitates that each of the practices be viewed as a package that contributes to the expansion of farmer’s options and the maximization of synergistic effects between them. Thus, agricultural policymakers should focus on enhancing smallholder farmers’ household characteristics by reviewing agriculture policies with the inclusion of extension services to come up with a package that is tailored to the perceived actual needs of farming households and designing farm management usage programme based on the farmer’s household characteristics.
Impacts of sustainable agricultural practices on food security, nutrition, and poverty among Smallholder maize farmers in Morogoro region, Tanzania
(African Journal of Empirical Research, 2023) Mugula, Joseph J.; Ahmad, Athman K.; Msinde, John; Kadigi, Michael
The study utilized data from adoption pathway survey and utility maximization theory to examine the impacts of adopting sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) on food security, nutrition, and poverty among smallholder maize farmers in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. The SAPs considered include manure, crop rotation, intercropping, crop residuals, and improved maize varieties. Using the endogenous treatment effect model, data collected from 470 farming households in Kilosa and Mvomero districts through a multi-stage sampling procedure were analyzed. Prior to data analysis, weak instrument and zero first-stage tests were employed to test the robustness and validity of the selected instruments, with results deemed satisfactory. The empirical findings indicate that the application of improved maize varieties, crop residual, and crop rotation practices had positive and significant impacts on the household’s food security and nutrition. Notably, the usage of improved maize varieties alone demonstrated positive and significant impacts on poverty indicators, suggesting its potential to alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers. The study recommends the development of agricultural productivity enhancement programmes. These programmes should feature a precise targeting strategy aimed at food-insecure households and poor farming households, with the goal of eradicating hunger and nutrition deficiencies within these vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the poverty-alleviating impacts of SAPs, such as improved maize varieties, are expected to grow with increased adoption. Consequently, it is crucial to prioritize significant investments in agriculture. Strengthening and improving maize seed systems becomes imperative, aiming to guarantee the availability and affordability of enhanced maize varieties for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. This step will facilitate wider adoption and contribute to poverty reduction among farming communities.