Factors influencing the adoption of improved sweet potato varieties: The role of perceived risk in Gaza Province, Mozambique

Hercidio Tandane; Betty Mamuya Waized; Florens Martin Turuka

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.3.5

Authors

Hercidio Tandane
htandane@gmail.com
Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, Agriculture Research Institute of Mozambique, Mozambique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7530-4189
Betty Mamuya Waized Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6655-436X
Florens Martin Turuka Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Keywords:

Adoption, Farmers, Gaza Province, Improved Sweet Potatoes Varieties, Mozambique

Abstract

Adopting improved agricultural technologies is crucial for enhancing food security and agricultural production in regions like Mozambique, where farmers face significant problems, including climate variability and market uncertainties. Despite the potential of improved sweet potato varieties (ISPVs) to boost yields and resilience, adoption rates remain unpredictable, partly due to insufficient understanding of how farmers’ risk perceptions influence their decisions. Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study investigated the factors influencing the adoption of ISPVs in Gaza province, Mozambique, focusing on the role of perceived risks. The study used a cross-sectional survey design, and a multi-stage sampling method was employed to randomly select 382 farmers for interviews, of whom 76% reported adopting ISPVs. Data was collected using questionnaires, and the Logit model was employed to estimate the factors influencing ISPVs adoption. The model results indicated that farmers who diversified their crop production had access to extension services and perceived low risks (reduced yield and market uncertainty) were likelier to adopt ISPVs. The study highlights important policy implications, emphasizing the need to enhance the coverage and effectiveness of extension services, encourage crop diversification, and provide farmers with better access to production and market information, insurance cover, and training programs that reduce uncertainty and boost the adoption of ISPVs.

Author Biographies

Betty Mamuya Waized, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, College of Economics and Business Studies

Florens Martin Turuka, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, College of Economics and Business Studies

Dimensions

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