Abstract:
The low adoption of improved sorghum farming practices, including the use of improved
seed varieties, fertilizers, pest control, and post-harvest management, has led to reduced
agricultural productivity and increased food insecurity among farmers in developing nations,
including Tanzania. This scenario can be attributed to a breakdown in communication,
resulting in essential information not clearly understood and used by its intended recipients.
This study focused on investigating how the socio-demographic characteristics of sorghum
farmers influence the adoption of improved farming practices in the Dodoma Region of
Tanzania. The main objective was to examine whether demographic factors affect the
acceptance and use of agricultural information necessary for the adoption of improved
sorghum farming techniques. Based on Sengupta's (1967) classification of adoption levels,
the research reveals distinct categories: non-adopters (14.79%), low adopters (39.35%),
medium adopters (16.04%), and high adopters (29.82%) of improved sorghum farming
practices. The results from linear mixed model analysis revealed that only farming experience
and information-seeking behaviour significantly and positively influenced the adoption of
improved practices (p-value < 0.05). These results underscore the key roles of experience and
proactive information-seeking habits in driving the uptake of improved sorghum farming
practices. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights into the challenges and aids that
farmers face when considering and implementing changes in their sorghum cultivation
techniques. By illuminating the factors that influence agricultural behaviour and decision -
making, this research enhances our comprehension of sustainable farming practices in the
Dodoma Region. Furthermore, the practical implications of these findings provide a strategic
guide for policymakers, development organizations, and agricultural extension services to
create tailored and context-specific strategies that effectively encourage the adoption of
improved sorghum farming practices. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing agricultural
sustainability and productivity within the region.
