Farmers’ perception of soil fertility problems and their attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management for coffee in Northern Tanzania

dc.creatorMaro, Godsteven P.
dc.creatorMrema, J. P.
dc.creatorMsanya, B. M.
dc.creatorTeri, James M.
dc.date2016-06-17T09:38:33Z
dc.date2016-06-17T09:38:33Z
dc.date2013-09
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-25T08:52:51Z
dc.date.available2022-10-25T08:52:51Z
dc.descriptionA study was conducted in Hai and Lushoto districts, Northern Tanzania to establish the farmers’ perception of soil fertility problems and their attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) for coffee, thereby identifying the appropriate intervention strategies. The study was based on a structured questionnaire involving 126 respondents. Both farmers’ awareness of the problem and their attitudes were highly significant (at p<0.01). Age, household size, and adoption of improved coffee varieties, affected farmers’ awareness significantly (p<0.05). As for farmers’ attitudes, six of the eight predictors were significant (p<0.05). Age, household size, adoption of new varieties and total farm income were highly significant (p<0.01). Age, total land under coffee and total off-farm income negatively affected farmers’ attitudes. As farmers get older, they tend to refrain from innovation. Larger farms are likely to exert more pressure on the available organic resources. With multiple farms, distant farms are likely to receive less attention. When off-farm income was considered, multiple ventures compete for the farmers’ time, resources and attention. For the two districts, ISFM interventions will make a better impact to younger and more energetic farmers with sufficient lands for commercial coffee production and to farmers who depend largely on this resource for their livelihood.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierVol. 4(5), pp. 93-99, September, 2013
dc.identifierhttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/753
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/93083
dc.languageen
dc.publisherJournal of Soil Science and Environmental Management
dc.subjectsoil fertility
dc.subjectfarmers’ perception
dc.subjectintegrated soil fertility management
dc.subjectcoffee
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.titleFarmers’ perception of soil fertility problems and their attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management for coffee in Northern Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

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