Adoption of Improved Varieties amoung Smallholder Farmers in Beans value Chain Misenyi District – Tanzania

Abstract

The research was done to analyse factors influencing the adoption of improved bean seed varieties in bean value chain in Misenyi District. Specifically, the study examined value chain factors influencing the adoption of improved varieties versus the local ones, socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder farmers influencing the adoption of improved varieties and gross margin of adopters and non-adopters of improved varieties. The study adopted a cross-section research design in which data were collected through questionnaire and interview. Multistage sampling was adapted to select smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent sample t-test, multiple response and binary logistic regression were employed in data analysis. The study found that the value chain factors have positive significant influence on the adoption of improved bean varieties when performed and managed in good manner hence determines costs and affects profits, socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder farmers had influenced the adoption of improved variety as it equip farmers with required information and knowledge of new technology(p<O.005). Gross margin of adopters was greater than that of non adopters of improved varieties (p=O.OOO).Influence on adoption of improved varieties in bean value chain had increased drastically as there is a significant difference in the scores of value chain factors in bean production (p<0.05). Significant difference in the scores whereby adopters •gross margin(p = 0.00). Supported with thelevene's test for equality of variances (F=5.477; p=0.02) which indicates that the variability in the compared conditions is significantly different. Hence, all the previously mentioned null hypotheses were rejected. The study concluded that there were multiple factors that influenced the adoption of improved varieties that lead to greater gross margin of adopters. It is recommended that to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation system performance, uses or new varieties, training of farmers, credit access and extension services to properly be addressed in future projects in the district and the country as whole.