ADOPTION AND IMPACT OF IMPROVED POST-HARVEST STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES IN TANZANIA: THE CASE OF KONGWA AND GAIRO DISTRICTS

ABSTRACT

This study was intended to determine the adoption and impact of the improved post-harvest maize storage technologies in Kongwa and Gairo districts, Tanzania. To achieve this objective, the study pursued three specific objectives which are; to analyze factors that contributes to the adoption of improved maize storage technologies to the smallholder farmers; to determine the impact of the adoption of the improved maize storage technologies to the farmers and to examines the roles of gender in the decision to adopt the improved maize storage technologies. The descriptive survey research design was used and both primary and secondary data were captured. The study had a sample size of 188 maize farmers from the study area. The Double hurdle model was employed to determine the factors contributing to the adoption of improved post-harvest maize storage technologies while tobit model was used to determine the impact of the adoption of improved post-harvest maize storage technologies.The study revealed that the adoption of the improved maize storage technology in the study area, are influenced by the socio-demographic profile of the farmers, level of education of the farmers,cost of technology as well as the training which farmers have been participated . Also, some factors in socio demographic profile of the farmers as well in the training have no significant effect on the level of adoption of the technology. Also, the adoption of the improved maize storage has an impact on food security and farmer‟s income and well-being and no significant difference between the adopter and non-adopter on selling maize. The study recommends that to increase the number of extension officers, revisit agricultural policies and programs, to improve informal loans systems and empowering women by providing training on self-actualization