Role of farmer field schools in adoption of innovative rice production practices in Mvomero District, Tanzania

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) provide farmers with an opportunity to experiment new technologies which help them to make informed decisions that eventually lead to increased production and income. This study assessed the role of FFS in adoption of innovative rice production practices in Mvomero district, Tanzania. Adoption was conceptualized as an act in which FFS members accept and use the recommended rice production practices in their own fields. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 188 respondents (FFS members) selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Frequencies were run to determine the adoption level (proportion of FFS members who adopted the innovative rice production practices). Additionally, T-test and Chi-square tests were run to assess the influence of FFS members’ socio-economic characteristics on the adoption of innovative rice production practices. The results of the study showed that a total of 15 recommended rice production practices were promoted using FFS in the study area and more than 75% of FFS members were found to be aware of them. Further, 80% of the innovative rice production practices promoted were adopted by more than 65% FFS members. Household size, total land size, land planted with rice, marital status, literacy and nonfarm income influenced the adoption of some of innovative rice production practices. The findings suggest that FFS played an important role in awareness creation among FFS members whereby a total of 15 innovative rice production practices were promoted. Additionally Farmer Field Schools improved FFS members’ knowledge and experience which facilitated the increased adoption of innovative rice production practices among FFS members. It is therefore evident that FFS provide a good opportunity for the dissemination of innovative rice production practices and other agricultural technologies and their use. It is recommended that the FFFS approach be further scaled out.