Effects of Socio-demographic Characteristics on Adoption of Improved Sorghum Farming Practices in Dodoma Region

Abstract

The low adoption of improved sorghum farming practices, including the use of improved seed varieties, fertilizers, pest control, and post-harvest management, has led to reduced agricultural productivity and increased food insecurity among farmers in developing nations, including Tanzania. This scenario can be attributed to a breakdown in communication, resulting in essential information not clearly understood and used by its intended recipients. This study focused on investigating how the socio-demographic characteristics of sorghum farmers influence the adoption of improved farming practices in the Dodoma Region of Tanzania. The main objective was to examine whether demographic factors affect the acceptance and use of agricultural information necessary for the adoption of improved sorghum farming techniques. Based on Sengupta's (1967) classification of adoption levels, the research reveals distinct categories: non-adopters (14.79%), low adopters (39.35%), medium adopters (16.04%), and high adopters (29.82%) of improved sorghum farming practices. The results from linear mixed model analysis revealed that only farming experience and information-seeking behaviour significantly and positively influenced the adoption of improved practices (p-value < 0.05). These results underscore the key roles of experience and proactive information-seeking habits in driving the uptake of improved sorghum farming practices. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights into the challenges and aids that farmers face when considering and implementing changes in their sorghum cultivation techniques. By illuminating the factors that influence agricultural behaviour and decision - making, this research enhances our comprehension of sustainable farming practices in the Dodoma Region. Furthermore, the practical implications of these findings provide a strategic guide for policymakers, development organizations, and agricultural extension services to create tailored and context-specific strategies that effectively encourage the adoption of improved sorghum farming practices. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity within the region.