Adopsjon av jordbruksinnovasjoner i Misungwi, Tanzania

Abstract

This thesis is the result of investigations of the agricultural practices in Misungwi district in Tanzania. The background for the research is the rough conditions for agriculture in the district and an assumption that new practices can lead to better results in the form of increased harvests and reduced work load. Many practices are currently being introduced to a large number of farmers in Misungwi through a project intervention by CARE. The central objective of the thesis is to identify and discuss barriers and incentives for adoption of innovations among the farmers. As part of this objective, the agricultural system in terms of agroclimatic conditions, types of crops, work methods, and income- and market conditions will also be explored. And of course, the mere mapping of existing innovations is central. Several methods have been used for the data production and collection, in accordance with the concept of triangulation; interviews, informal talks, participatory observation and secondary literature are the main sources of information. Also, I have used different theories in the evaluation process, in order to see the information from several angles. These include, among others, classical diffusion theories, social characteristics of adopters and more recent views upon technologies as social constructed complexes. Through my inquiries, I have identified a set of central practices, to which the many farmers relate different with respect to use. Among these practices are such implements as modern seeds, natural pesticides and the treadle pump, but also processual innovations such as formation of interest- and work groups. The research undertaken reveals that the rate of adoption of these practices is related to several different barriers and incentives. One of the barriers is the distance between the village where the farmers live, and Mwanza city. In other words, high centrality is positively correlated with the use of many of the investigated practices. Other barriers to adoption include price of implements, lack of knowledge about the practices, availability of the relevant implements and their suitability. The central incentive for adoption is a positive cost-benefit analysis. There is also a positive correlation between membership in CBOs and the rate of adoption. In addition to this, the actual intervention of an NGO, in this case CARE, has a substantial effect on the adoption rate. Whether the rate of adoption will stay high after the project ends, is still an open question.