Influence of Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors on the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Bahi District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study sought to establish the influence of socio-economic and institutional factors on the adoption of conservation agriculture in Bahi District, Tanzania. This study used a cross-sectional research design, using the sample of 176 farming households, where 89 households were CA adopters and the remaining 87 households were non-CA adopters. Data from a questionnaire was analyzed through a binary logistic regression model and descriptive statistics. The study concluded that gender, age market availability, credit accessibility and bylaw awareness influenced the adoption of Conservation Agriculture in the study area. If credit accessibility, extension service and bylaws are present, then adopting CA is done more easily. Therefore, before introducing CA, it is important to assess the presence of these factors for better results. Some of the recommendations are that collaboration between financial institutions and policymakers be encouraged as it is essential to increase farmers' credit accessibility by providing affordable loans and financial services. Extension services need to be improved and expanded by funding the extension programs and employing more extension workers. Information dissemination and training on CA should be tailored to consider the needs of female and young farmers. Additionally, cooperative farming groups or networks of young and female farmers should be created to facilitate resource pooling, knowledge sharing and collective investment in necessary equipment and inputs.