Determinants of adoption of enhanced cashew production technologies among smallholder farmers in Mtwara region, Tanzania

Abstract

The appropriate use of improved technologies in cashew production can lift cashew productivity and income amongst cashew growing countries including Tanzania. The major motive of this study was to assess the adoption determinants of improved technologies in cashew production for enhancing country’s effort of attaining 1,000,000 MT of cashewnut production by 2025 from the current 238,576 MT. Multistage sampling was used to collect cross-sectional data from 760 cashew growers using a semi-structured questionnaire in Tandahimba and Masasi districts. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the adoption rates whereas a Cragg Double hurdle model was used to analyze the determinant of enhanced cashew technologies. Results showed that the overall adoption of enhanced cashew technologies in Mtwara region was 58%. The findings revealed that the adoption intensity of pesticides application, recommended spacing, and the area under improved cashew trees were 88%, 32%, and 41% respectively. The outcomes revealed by Double Hurdle model indicated that the choice and extent of adoption were influenced by education, off-farm income, farm size, extension contacts, group affiliation, and credit access. Furthermore, cashew tree age, gender, asset endowment, and location influenced only the adoption decision of cashew production technologies. Therefore, the study urges for the inclusive policy agenda that will escalate land allocated for cashew production and off-farm earnings to enhance the adoption and intensity of enhanced cashew technologies. Moreover, results suggest the requirement for policy mediations that will accentuate the extension support and input credit services to heighten espousal of enhanced cashew technology in Tanzania.