Influence of public agricultural extension on technology adoption by small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe

TP Masere; S Worth

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n2a12785

Authors

TP Masere Department of Land and Water Resources Management, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9017-9862
S Worth Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences. University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3291-5542

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n2a12785

Keywords:

AGRITEX, Extension approaches, Small-scale farmers, Technology adoption

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these have affected the adoption of technologies they render to small-scale farmers. This study uses a critical review of relevant literature on Zimbabwe’s primary public extension agency (AGRITEX). Additionally, 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to corroborate data collected in secondary research on extension approaches currently in use, the key factors affecting technology adoption, and the technology adoption process of small-scale farmers. The study found AGRITEX’s major challenges to be poor funding, poor remuneration and incentives for extension personnel, lack of in-service training, lack of appropriate technology, as well as poor operational resources like transport to reach all farmers. Consequently, services offered to small-scale farmers were compromised, which led to poor adoption of recommended technologies. Furthermore, the study determined that key factors influencing technology adoption are related to the farmers’ circumstances, the operating environment, and the attributes of technology itself. As a lasting solution to poor technology adoption, an adaptive extension system that promotes building the capacity of extension workers and researchers, as well as embracing farmers and their indigenous knowledge, is proposed.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ABBEAM, G.D., EHIAKPOR, D.S. & AIDOO, R., 2018. Agricultural extension and its effects on farm productivity and income: insight from Northern Ghana. Agric. Food Secur., 7:74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0225-x

BELL, M., CRUMP, A., PEACH-FINE, E. & SANTIBANEZ, M.P. 2015. Agricultural extension methods – A comparison [viewed 27 August 2020]. Available from https://epakag.ucdavis.edu/vocational_training/factsheets/fs-ext-methods-comparison.pdf

CAMPBELL, D.A. & Barker, C., 1997. Selecting appropriate content and methods in programme delivery. In Improving agricultural extension. A reference manual (pp. 41-62). Rome: FAO.

CHI, T.T.N. & YAMADA, R., 2002. Factors affecting farmers’ adoption of technologies in farming system: A case study in OMon district, Can Tho province, Mekong Delta. Omonrice, 10: 94-100.

CLOETE, P., BAHTA, Y.T., MARUNGA, M. & LOMBARD, W.A., 2019. Perception and understanding of agricultural extension: perspective of farmers and public agricultural extension in Taba Nchu. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 47(3): 14 – 31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n3a512

COOK, B.R., SATIZÁBAL, P. & CURNOW, J., 2021. Humanising agricultural extension: A review. World Dev., 140 (2021) 105337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105337

DAVIS, K., LANDINI, F., VAN NIEKERK, J., GREEN, K. & TERBLANCHE, S.E., 2019. Extension officers’ perceptions of extension and innovation in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 47(4): 152– 161. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n4a533

HAILEMICHAEL, S. & HAUG, R., 2020. The use and abuse of the ‘model farmer’ approach in agricultural extension in Ethiopia. J. Agric. Educ. Ext., 26(1): 1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2020.1757475

HANYANI-MLAMBO, B.T., 2002. Strengthening the pluralistic agricultural extension system: A Zimbabwean case study. Harare: Agricultural Research Council.

JOHNSON, W.H.A., 2008. Roles, resources and benefits of intermediate organisations supporting triple helix collaborative R and D: the case of Precarn. Technovation, 28(8): 495–505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2008.02.007

KATANGA, R., KABWE, G., KUNTASHULA, E., MAFONGOYA, P.L. & PHIRI, S., 2007. Assessing farmer innovations in agroforestry in Eastern Zambia. J. Agric. Educ. Ext., 13(2):117-129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13892240701289544

KOUTSOURIS, A., 2012. Facilitating agricultural innovation systems: A critical realist approach. Stud. Agric. Econ., 114: 64-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.7896/j.1210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1210

KULYAKWAVE, P.D., XU, S., YU, W., SARY, S. & MUYOBOZI, S., 2021. Reliability of the agricultural extension and technological services among rice farmers in the rural areas of Tanzania. J. Agric. Ext., 25(2): 18-31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v25i2.2

MAFUTA, W. & KAMUZHANJE, J., 2020. Transitioning from relief to development: Challenges and opportunities: The case of GOAL Zimbabwe in Buhera District. J. Asian Afr. Stud., 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909620916913

MAPIYE, O., MAKOMBE, G., MOLOTSI, A., DZAMA, K. & MAPIYE, C., 2021. Towards a revolutionised agricultural extension system for the sustainability of smallholder livestock production in developing countries: The potential role of ICTs. Sustain., 13: 58-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115868

MARUME, U., 2010. Effectiveness of extension methods and strategies in resettlement areas of Zimbabwe following the fast track land reform program: A critical analysis. In Towards improving agricultural extension service delivery in the SADC region (pp. 135-140). Dares Salaam, Tanzania: Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR).

MASERE, T.P., 2014. Crop management decision making processes by small-scale farmers of Lower Gweru Communal area, Zimbabwe. Int. J. Dev. Sustain., 3(10): 2049-2058.

MASERE, T.P. & DUFFY, K.J., 2014. Factors cost effectively improved using computer simulations of maize yields in semi-arid Sub-Saharan Africa. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 42(2): 39-50.

MASERE, T.P. & WORTH, S., 2015. Applicability of APSIM in decision making by small-scale resource-constrained farmers: A case of Lower Gweru Communal area, Zimbabwe. J. Int. Agric. Ext. Educ., 22(3): 20-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5191/jiaee.2015.22302

MAZWI, F., CHAMBATI, W. & MUTODI, K., 2018. Contract farming arrangement and poor resourced farmers in Zimbabwe. Policy brief. Sam Moyo African Institute for agrarian studies (SMAIAS), 1-11.

MIKA, H.P. & MUDZIMIRI, N., 2012. The impact of master farmer training scheme on crop productivity of communal farmers in Gutu District. Int. J. Math. Arch., 3(3): 849-854.

MNGUMI, E.B., 2010. Researchers as extensionists/extensionists as researchers (RaE or EaR) approaches in improving veterinary extension services. In Towards improving agricultural extension service delivery in the SADC region (pp. 82-85). Dares Salaam, Tanzania: Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR).

MOYO, R. & SALAWU, A., 2018. A survey of communication effectiveness by agricultural extension in the Gweru district of Zimbabwe. J. Rural Stud., 60: 32–42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2018.03.002

MUCHESA, E., NKOSI, B.D., ZWANE, E.M. & VAN NIEKERK, J.A., 2019. The role of extension support in a communal farmers’market system in Mhondoro-Mubaira, Zimbabwe. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 47(2): 72-80 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a504

MUGWISI, T., 2017. Applying Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Extension in Zimbabwe. Indilinga, 16(1): 160-177.

MUGWISI, T., OCHOLLA, D.N. & MOSTERT, J., 2012. The information needs of agricultural researchers and extension workers in Zimbabwe. An overview of the findings. South Africa: Department of Information Studies, University of Zululand.

NDORO, O., MVUMI, C., MATIZANADZO, P. & MUNYIWO, S.A., 2017. Impact of master farmer training on smallholder farmers’ rapoko Eleusine Coracana (L.) productivity in Buhera District, Zimbabwe. J. Sustain. Dev. Afr., 19(3): 66-83.

NGOMANE, T., 2010. From a deficit-based to an appreciative inquiry approach in extension programs: Constructing a case for a positive shift in the current extension intervention paradigm. J. Int. Agric. Ext. Educ., 17(13): 57-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5191/jiaee.2010.17305

NHONGONHEMA, R., 2010. An overview of extension approaches and methods in Zimbabwe. In Towards improving agricultural extension service delivery in the SADC region (pp. 141- 144). Dares Salaam, Tanzania: Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR).

PAZVAKAVAMBWA, S. & HAKUTANGWI, M.B.K., 2006. Zimbabwe’s agricultural revolution revisited. Harare: University of Zimbabwe Publications.

SINGH, R.P., 2009. Extension perspective in changing agricultural environment. Indian Res. J. Ext. Educ., 9(2): 5-11.SN

SNV, 2015. Study report for SNV eExtension pilot: A sub-component of the RARP-CSF Program. SNV: Harare, Zimbabwe.

STEVENS, J. B. & NTAI, P. J., 2011. The role of extension support to irrigation farmers in Lesotho. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 39(2): 104-112.

TUTTLE, S.L., WAITS, J.O., MARTINEZ, C.L., BENALLY, J.Y., LIVINGSTON, M.R., ALDEN, E.A. & MASTERS, L., 2013. Overcoming barriers to participatory extension and development. J. Assoc. Int. Agric. Ext. Educ., 20(2): 198-200.

WORTH, S., 2012. Agricultural extension in South Africa: Status Quo Report. Cape Town: Phuhlisani Solutions.

WORTH, S., 2014. The facilitated learning agenda and the extension carousel. Annual Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Miami, FL, USA.