Factors Influencing Rural Farmers' Access to Agricultural Extension Services Provided by Private Organizations in Kibondo District, Tanzania

Abstract

Agricultural extension plays a very important role in improving agricultural productivity in many countries, including Tanzania. Through agricultural extension services, farmers acquire useful information to minimize agricultural production challenges. Though farmers in many countries, including Tanzania, still rely on public extension services, the governments in many countries have started to open doors for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), farmer-based organizations, and private agribusiness firms to provide services to farmers. Regardless of their existence still access to extension services provided by private organizations has remained a main question. Studies have consistently pointed out that only a few farmers in rural areas get access to extension services provided by private organizations. Low access to extension services by rural farmers has contributed to low agricultural production in rural areas and has remained the main factor for persistent poverty. There are limited studies documenting the factors for low access to agricultural extension services provided by private organizations. This study aimed to determine factors influencing rural farmers’ access to agricultural extension services provided by private organizations in the Kibondo district. The study used a cross-sectional research design and data were collected by interviewing 120 farmers sampled from four villages. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model techniques. The study found that only 18.3% of farmers had access to extension services. Gender, marital status, education level, farmers’ income, and group membership had a positive and statistically significant association with access to extension services. The study concluded that only a small proportion of rural farmers in the study area had access to extension services. It is recommended that the provision of extension services by private organizations should consider the identified factors.