Analysis of capacity development needs toward crop productivity improvement

Saku, Lilanga (2023) Analysis of capacity development needs toward crop productivity improvement. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study examined the development needs of vegetable farmers in Mlali village. The specific objectives of this study were: to identify the needed training of vegetable farmers to improve crop productivity; to determine the contribution of human capital investment through training of vegetable farmers toward crop productivity improvement; and to examine the contribution of diffusion of innovation toward crop productivity improvement. The study utilized Human Capital Theory to explore the relationship between human capital investment and the expected productivity, while diffusion of Innovation theory used to understand the acceptance or rejection of new technologies or capacities. The target population was 170 vegetable farmers from Mlali village. The sample size of 119 derived from the Yamane (1967) formula. The study used simple random sampling techniques. The research tool used was a structured questionnaire. Data analysis conducted to generate descriptive and inferential statistics through regression models. The findings of the study revealed that vegetable farmers in Mlali village had the most emphasized training need on accessing marketing information, followed by fertilizer use, pest and disease control, planting methods and irrigation. Furthermore, the study found training and diffusion of innovation had a statistically small positive significant correlation on crop productivity improvement. The study therefore concluded that training and diffusion of innovation contribution to crop productivity improvement was evident though it was small. The study recommended more research to identify specific training needs of farmers, implement them effectively,and replicate the study in other vegetable crop growing area in Tanzania.Encouraging and strengthening regular visits by extension officers, accompanied by demonstration plots recommended. Keywords: Vegetable Farmers, Training Needs, Diffusion of Innovation, Crop Productivity Improvement

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