Barriers of Agroecology Adoption in Fostering Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania: A Case of Lindi Municipal.

Kombe, Mkunde R. (2025) Barriers of Agroecology Adoption in Fostering Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania: A Case of Lindi Municipal. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study investigated the barriers affecting the adoption of agroecological practices among smallholder farmers in Lindi Municipal, Tanzania, with the goal of promoting sustainable agriculture. Specifically, it examined psychological, environmental, and social barriers that influenced farmers' willingness and ability to adopt agroecological methods. Employing a descriptive research design with a deductive approach, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a sample of smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings from 132 respondents revealed that psychological barriers, including farmers’ perceptions and attitudes, significantly influenced adoption, accounting for the largest effect size. Environmental barriers such as poor soil fertility, climate variability, and water scarcity also significantly hindered adoption. Social barriers, including limited community support and cultural norms, were found to have a notable but relatively smaller effect. The regression model explained 72.5% of the variability in adoption rates, indicating a strong collective impact of the studied barriers. The study recommended targeted educational programs, environmental management interventions, and strengthened social support systems to enhance agroecological practice adoption. These findings provided important insights for policymakers, agricultural extension officers, and stakeholders aiming to foster sustainable farming in Tanzania and similar contexts. Keywords: Agroecological practices, Adoption barriers, psychological barriers, Environmental barriers, social barriers, Smallholder farmers

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