Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Rice Farmers in Mbeya and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania

Juma Mussa; Elibariki Msuya; Joseph Longo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.5.3.36

Authors

Juma Mussa
jumakapiligi39@gmail.com
Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3007, Morogoro, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8288-2235
Elibariki Msuya Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3007, Morogoro, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7789-4837
Joseph Longo Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O Box 3007, Morogoro, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8142-3985

Keywords:

Inorganic Fertilizer, Rice, Sustainability, Yield

Abstract

This study identifies factors that influence smallholder rice farmers to adopt or not adopt inorganic fertilizer. This study employed a cross-sectional design. This study was guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) in determining the factors that influence the use of inorganic fertilizer among smallholder farmers. The data was collected using multistage sampling, a two-stage design. To do this, secondary data from the National Sample Census of Agriculture (NSCA) survey of 2019–20 are used to model participation and intensity of use of inorganic fertilizer as separate decisions. The results showed that factors such as farm income, membership in the farmer group, and irrigation influence both participation and intensity of inorganic fertilizer use. Moreover, factors such as distance to the homestead, distance to the nearest road, and improved seed use influence participation decisions, while only extension advice and the price of inorganic fertilizer affect the intensity of inorganic fertilizer use. Furthermore, the study found regional differences in the key factors that influence inorganic fertilizer use. The study recommends various strategies for encouraging and increasing the use of inorganic fertilizer among smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania. These include developments to the rural road network, a decrease in the cost of inorganic fertilizer, encouraging membership in farmer groups, and strengthening the existing extension system. In addition, the designed intervention should take into consideration the regional differences that exist in the regions; thus, policies to increase inorganic fertilizer use might differ among regions. Furthermore, the intervention should account for the regional disparities that exist. Consequently, strategies aimed at promoting the use of inorganic fertilizers may vary among regions.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Akpan, S. B., Nkanta, V. S., & Essien, U. A. (2012). A double hurdle model of fertilizer adoption and optimum use among farmers in southern Nigeria. Tropicultura, 30(4), 249-253.

Anago, F. N., Dieudonné, D. G., Emile, A. C., Brice, O. C. T., & Guillaume, A. L. (2020). Inorganic fertilizer adoption, use intensity and rainfed rice yield in Benin. Open Journal of Soil Science, 10(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2020.101001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2020.101001

Aryal, J. P., Sapkota, T. B., Krupnik, T. J., Rahut, D. B., Jat, M. L., & Stirling, C. M. (2021). Factors affecting farmers' use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in South Asia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(37), 51480-51496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13975-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13975-7

Boniphace, N. S., & Fengying, N. (2015). An analysis of smallholder farmers' socio-economic determinants for inputs use: A case of major rice producing regions in Tanzania. Russian Journal of Agriculture and Socioeconomic Studies, 2(38), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2015-02.05 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2015-02.05

Chinasa, J., Alagba, S., Ifeyinwa, P., & Chukwuneke, M. (2022). Factor influencing inorganic fertilizer use among rice farmers in Ebony state, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 26(1), 27-35. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v26i1.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v26i1.4

Dabessa Iticha, M., Jaleta, M., & Mitiku, F. (2021). Determinants and profitability of inorganic fertilizer use in smallholder maize production in Ethiopia. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 7(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2021.1911046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2021.1911046

Dassa, A. (2022). Determinants of inorganic fertilizer use intensity on cereal crop among smallholder farmers: The case of Toke Kutaye District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia, 22. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1256471/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1256471/v1

Dissanayake, C. A. K., Jayathilake, W., Wickramasuriya, H. V. A., Dissanayake, U., Kopiyawattage, K. P. P., & Wasala, W. M. C. B. (2022). Theories and models of technology adoption in agricultural sector. In Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies (p. 15). Wiley-Hindawi. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9258317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9258317

Dittoh, S., Omotesho, A., Belemvire, A., Akuriba, M., & Haider, K. (2012). Improving the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa. Global Development Network, 48.

Eba, N., & Bashargo, G. (2014). Factors affecting adoption of chemical fertilizer by smallholder farmers in Guto Gida District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal, 3(2), 237. https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i2.31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i2.31

FAO. (2021). Agricultural outlook 2021-2030. Food and Agriculture Organisation, 337.

García, B. (2013). Implementation of a double-hurdle model. The Stata Journal, 13(4), 776-794. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536867X1301300406 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1536867X1301300406

Jamwal, Y., Singh, P. S., Sharma, Y., & Singh, P. (2021). Challenges for small scale rice farmers-A case study from Tanzania. Economics Affairs, 66(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.46852/0424-2513.1.2021.19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46852/0424-2513.1.2021.19

Makombe, T., Tefera, W., & Ulimwengu, J. M. (2020). Tracking key CAADP indicators and implementation processes. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293946_16

https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293946_16

Martey, E., Wiredu, A. N., Etwire, P. M., Fosu, M., Buah, S. S. J., Bidzakin, J., Ahiabor, B. D. K., & Kusi, F. (2013). Fertilizer adoption and use intensity among smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 3(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v3n1p24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v3n1p24

Mather, D. (2017). The determinants of adoption of commercially-priced inorganic fertilizer for use on maize in Tanzania. Working Paper No. 7. Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics, USA, 22.

Mensah, M., Villamor, G., & Vlek, P. L. G. (2018). Gender specific determinants of inorganic fertilizer adoption in the semi-arid region of Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 26, 179-192.

Minot, N. W., Minot, N., Kherallah, M., & Berry, P. (2000). Fertilizer market reform and the determinants of fertilizer use in Benin and Malawi. International Food Policy Research Institute, 202, 63.

Nakano, Y., & Kajisa, K. (2013). The determinants of technology adoption: The case of the rice sector in Tanzania. Working Paper No. 58. JICA Research Institute, 36.

Ouattara, N., Xiong, X., Guo, C., Traoré, L., & Ballo, Z. (2022). Econometric analysis of the determinants of rice farming systems choice in Côte d'Ivoire. SAGE Open, 12(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221094605 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221094605

Tadesse, S. (2021). Determinants of inorganic fertilizer use by smallholder rice farmers in South Wollo and Oromia special administrative zones, Ethiopia. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Electronic Journals Service, 25(4), 101-108. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v25i4.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v25i4.11

Tefera, T., Elias, E., & van Beek, C. (2020). Determinants of smallholder farmers' decisions on fertilizer use for cereal crops in the Ethiopian highlands. Experimental Agriculture, 56(5), 677-687. https://doi.org/10.1017/S001447972000023X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S001447972000023X