Socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of improved seed varieties among smallholder farmers in the bean value chain in Misenyi district, Tanzania

Abstract

In Africa, the initiatives targeting bean value chain have been implemented in order to improve
bean seeds varieties. Despite the initiatives, some studies indicate that smallholder farmers have
been sceptical and reluctant to adopt the improved varieties, which seem to be potential in
improving productivity. This paper analyses the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption
of improved varieties among smallholder farmers in bean value chain. A cross sectional research
design involving 166 smallholder farmers including adopters and non-adopters was used for
comparative purposes. The household survey and key informant interviews were used for data
collection. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis while quantitative data were
analysed using multiple response analysis, chi square, and binary logistic regression. The findings
indicate that sex of the head of the household, availability of extension of services, education
level, and membership to farmers’ groups or associations were significant socioeconomic
predictors in the adoption of improved bean variety (p<0.005). The study concluded that the
adoption of improved bean seeds variety is not impulsive as it depends on a number of pull and
push socio-economic factors among smallholder farming households. The study recommends that
the provision of extension services and training should be improved through the provision of
advanced trainings on usefulness and application of improved varieties to enable smallholder
farmers acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This would enable them improve
productivity, household incomes, and subsequently their livelihoods.