Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption and willingness to pay for improved legume technologies in Tanzania

Abstract

Generally, legumes are critical in improving nutritional status, enhancement of ecosystem resilience and reduction of poverty for rural households. However, limited information is available concerning smallholder farmers’ adoption and their willingness to pay for improved legume technologies in Tanzania. Therefore, this paper assesses the determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption of improved common bean seeds (Uyole Njano, Lyamungo 90 and Rose-coco/Red bean) and willingness to pay for improved common bean seeds, Basal fertilizers (NPK; DAP), Boosting fertilizers (UREA), Pesticides, Herbicides and Anti-fungal). The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby data from 400 respondents were collected once from Gairo and Mvomero districts, Tanzania through a questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A third of the respondents were from the non-intervention area. Data were analysed using SPSS and STATA whereby descriptive and inferential statistics were determined. The results show that there were statistically significant associations between the adoption of improved common bean seeds and availability of legume technology intervention (p<0.05), the total area cultivated (p<0.01) and size of the household (p<0.05). In addition, being a member of a farmers’ association (p<0.05) and visits by extension officers (p<0.01) were statistically and significantly associated with willingness to pay for improved legume technologies available in the study area. It can be concluded that, availability of legume technology intervention, the total area cultivated and size of the household determines adoption of improved legume technology, being a member of a farmers’ association and visits by extension officers determines willingness to pay for improved legume technologies. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders need to further promote improved legume technologies’ intervention, formation of farmers association as well as extension services to enhance adoption and willingness to pay for improved legume technologies.