Adoption-Diffusion Model of Farm Innovations: Its Applicability to Radical Terraces Project in Rwanda

The farming technique of radical terracing is one of the new agricultural technologies introduced in Rwanda to enhance farming activities in the highland areas. The study was designed to analyze the applicability of the adoption and diffusion model of farm innovation on adopting radical terraces in Rwanda. It adopted a descriptive correlational research design to the farmers owned radical terraces in Nyamagabe District. The purposive sampling technique was applied to select 19 Key Informants and 192 farmers. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, direct observation and documentary sources. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data analysis whereas thematic and narratives content analyses were used on qualitative. The research outcomes show that the level of farmers' adoption was medium. Besides, the farmers’ access to agricultural information; and farmers’ participation were found to have a positive influence on the applicability of the adoption-diffusion model on the adoption of radical terraces. The study showed that the adoption of radical terraces in Nyamagabe depended on the compatibility with the existing values and practices among farmers based on the information-contagion model and the social participation model that is widely used in the agricultural context. The study recommended the government continue sensitizing farmers on the importance of adopting radical terraces for better use and maintenance as a modern farming practice. Further research should focus on the applicability of technology characteristics user's context model on the adoption of radical terraces in Rwanda.