The role of farmer research groups in agricultural technology generation and dissemination in the coffee-banana-based farming Systems: the case of Bukoba rural district

Dissertation

This study examined the role of Farmer Research Groups (FRGs) in agricultural technology generation and dissemination in Bukoba Rural District. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) identify and describe the general characteristics of the FRGs, (ii) identify technologies that were promoted by researchers through FRGs, (iii) describe the nature and extent of farmer participation in the process of agricultural technology generation and dissemination, and (iv) identify the strengths and weaknesses of FRGs in agricultural technology generation and dissemination. The research design of this study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using an interview schedule and a questionnaire supported by personal observation and informal discussion with key informants. A representative sample size of 60 respondents (30 FRG members and 30 non-FRG members) was drawn from a sampling frame using a table of random numbers. In addition, five researchers and extensionists involved in the FRG programme were interviewed in order to enrich the findings of this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of the data. The characteristics of the respondents that were interviewed in this study are presented in chapter four. The findings showed that agricultural technologies such as use of improved seed varieties and use of manure and fertilisers for maize, cassava, bean and sweatpotatoes were the type of technologies that were experimented in order to see their performance on farmers’ fields by ARI-Maruku through FRGs. Furthermore, farmers were educated on the control of banana weevils through trapping techniques and use of improved bean storage techniques. Majority of the FRG respondents (70 percent) were involved in carrying out research trials, attending research meetings and iii seminars. In addition, respondents indicated that meeting (77 percent) was the most widely used method of dissemination, apart from other methods like field visits and demonstration. The major constraints of farmer participation in FRGs were: lack of support services such as inputs, credit and reliable markets, poor coordination and communication between FRG members and researchers and too much work to some households. The study revealed the strengths of FRG approach as: education of farmers on improved farming practices, enhanced acceptance of agricultural technologies, increased group unity and improved farmer to farmer information sharing. Some weaknesses that were identified in the study were: lack of proper and systematic record keeping that is required to evaluate the results, lack of capital to purchase inputs and targeting a small number of farmers.