Factors influencing effectiveness of decenntralised agricultural extension information and service delivery in Tanzania: A case study of Arumeru District

PhD. Thesis 2018

The study aimed at determining factors influencing the effectiveness of decentralised agricultural extension information and service delivery in Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data from 390 respondents from Arumeru District which were purposively selected. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, focused group discussions, key informant interviews and observations checklist. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the data analysis whereby inferential statistics were determined. Quantitative data were analysed using McNemar Chi-square test, Paired t-test; Wilcoxon signed ranked test, Pearson chi-square test and Binary logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The study found that there was no statistically significant influence of administrative-delinking on farmers’ access to agricultural extension information and services delivery at p≤0.05. Moreover, it was found that, the increase in the local government autonomy had no significant influence on the delivery of quality agricultural extension information and services to farmers. In addition, the study findings show that, 71% of the respondents were of the view that the shift in agricultural extension information and service delivery decision making had no significant influence on farmers’ empowerment. Furthermore, it was found that there was statistically significant inequity in the provision of agricultural extension information and service delivery among famers in the study areas at p≤.0.05 despite the change in the government relations. Generally, the decentralized agricultural extension information and service delivery did not significantly contributed in improving quality, access equity and empowerment of smallholder farmers. Its effectiveness is hindered by actor’s non-compliance to D by D principles, guidelines and regulations as well as weak institution arrangement. It is recommended that, D by D sector coordination Ministry, which is PO-RALG, should review the policy and enforce the application of laid down rules, guidelines and procedures to make AEI&SD become D by D compliant.