Promotion of Agricultural innovation Systems Approach: Policy Implications for Maize Extension and Advisory Services in Tanzania

Transcription

1 Innovative Agriculture Research Initiative (iagri) Collaborative Research Workshop April 28 29, 2016 Promotion of Agricultural innovation Systems Approach: Policy Implications for Maize Extension and Advisory Services in Tanzania Prof. Raphael M. Wambura 1, Dr. Prosper K. Doamekpor 2, Prof. Dismas L. Mwaseba 1, Prof. Catherine P. Msuya 1, Dr. Dorothy M. Masinde 3, Ms. Lilian J. Mwanga 4 and Mr. GeorgeM. Iranga 4 1 Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA); 2 Tuskegee University (OSUC); 3 Iowa State University (OSUC); 4 Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF)

2 On Farm Maize Production Experiment

3 Outline Title Introduction Materials and Methods Findings and Discussions Conclusions and Recommendations

4 Introduction (1) Despite its great potential, Tanzania has remained a net importer of maize over the last five decades. The average national production is 1.25 ton/ha instead of the potential 4.5 ton/ha Average on farm yields for Morogoro and Dodoma Regions range from 0.2 to 0.48 ton/ha.

5 Introduction (2) Low maize productivity is attributed to lack of and access to technology among other factors. Conventional agricultural research and development has recorded limited success in improving productivity.

6 Introduction (3) In the study, agricultural innovation systems (AIS) approach is used to assess the performance of the current extension service delivery system for maize production in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania in order to guide the design and implementation of effective extension service delivery (Fig. 1)

7 Figure1: Agricultural innovation systems (Spielman and Birner, 2008)

8 Introduction (4) The specific project objectives were to: (i) identify maize value chain actors and institutional context, in which generation, diffusion, use and sustainability of maize innovations takes place; (ii) examine roles of the identified actors in maize production process and how these roles influence the effective delivery of extension services; (iii) determine the perceptions of key actors regarding performance of extension service delivery for maize production; and (iv) determine factors influencing the performance of extension service delivery for maize production.

9 Introduction (5) This paper is based on specific objective (i) above and its purpose is to explore the state of maize innovation system in the study area and provide policy implications for future extension and advisory services (EAS) in Tanzania.

10 Methodology (1) Project sites: Morogoro and Dodoma Regions, 2 districts from each region and 4 wards from each district The study used a mixed method research design to collect data using structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews with key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholders workshops. A total of 346 respondents drawn from a population of various actors involved in the maize value chain were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

11 Methodoloy (2) Supplementary data were collected through FGDs organized in each of the four study districts, which involved a SWOT/L analysis of maize productivity and extension service delivery. These focus groups comprised of both men and women with each group size ranging from five to eight participants.

12 Methodology (3) A total number of 60 key informants were selected and interviewed using snowball sampling technique. In addition, 71 maize value chain stakeholders were identified and involved in a one day consultative workshop, which provided an important input to the final study report. Content analyses of cases provided a context to understand policy implications for maize extension and advisory services in the study area.

13 Results and Discussion (1) Maize value chain actors: researchers, input providers, farmers, buyers, processors, traders, wholesalers & retailers, government officials, technical specialists, financial institutions, farming organizations and transporters (24% female). Availability of institutions like SUA, research and training institutes, and seed agencies. Institutions have weak institutional structures with weak linkages, limited funding for research and little to no contact between stakeholders.

14 Results and Discussion (2) Farmer organizations face trust issues (leadership) and inadequate knowledge on cooperative and financial management. Unfavorable trade policies, low prices, and limited local level markets. Poor infrastructure, high transport cost, limited number of extension agents and inadequate facilitation High costs of seeds, poor quality of seeds and unavailability of quality seeds at the local level. Limited knowledge on technology use, high technology costs, and low level of education among farmers. Inadequate input subsidies limits technology uptake of technology, resulting in declining yields and low incomes for farmers ().

15 Table 1 Situational Analysis of Maize Innovation Systems in Tanzania Situation Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor Institutional structures Contact between stakeholders Farmer organizations Access to markets Infrastructure Level of knowledge Crop varieties Management practices Access to inputs Crop yields Farmers incomes Issues discussed with and rated by key informants

16 Conclusions (1) Policy makers should therefore identify weak or missing components and linkages within the maize innovation systems and to take measures accordingly of innovations being promoted while extension should built in such policy information into technology. In addition, the Government should encourage and promote farmers and private sector innovation by enacting favorable policies (patenting, reward system), while extension administrators should by training build capabilities to facilitate, analyze and promote farmer innovations.

17 Thank you for your attention