4. Role of Extension Services on Livestock Investment Decisions by Smallholder Farmers in Mbulu and Bariadi Districts, Tanzania.

Abstract

Provision of extension services to livestock farmers ranks high on government’s agricultural development agenda in Tanzania. Livestock Extension Services (LESs) are usually designed around productivity improvements to farmers and the sector at large. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of LESs on the choices of smallholder farmers commitment of resources for future expectation of returns on useful domesticated animals (Livestock Investment Decisions - LIDe) in Mbulu and Bariadi Districts. A cross sectional research design was applied to survey 333 households randomly selected among smallholder farmers. A probit regression model was employed to investigate the role of extension service attributes on LIDe by smallholder. Results suggest that market linkages, access to information, technology transfer, access to training, technical advises and competence of livestock technical staff have a positive significant effect to LIDe. Group membership and access to livestock facilities appeared to have negative influence. The study concludes that, the more access and participation in extension service packages by the smallholder farmers, the higher the contribution of the extension services on LIDe. It is recommended that, follow-up visits to farmers after joining new markets or channels is important so that sustainability of the livestock returns to farmers is sustained.