FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF LOCAL RICE VARIETIES AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PRODUCTIVITY IN THE LWAFI-KATONGOLO IRRIGATION SCHEME, NKASI DISTRICT, TANZANIA

Abstract

Performance of rice production in the Lwafi-Katongolo Irrigation Scheme is influenced by both environmental and non-environmental factors. Despite introduction of improved rice varieties in irrigation schemes for increased production, farmers still choose to use local rice varieties. The factors that determine farmers’ choice of local and improved varieties have not been studied and used as a basis to improve productivity in the scheme. Such an analysis has wider implications on improvement of performance of rice irrigation schemes. This study was done to determine: (1) socio-economic factors influencing use of local rice varieties (2) other non-socio-economic factors influencing rice production (3) factors influencing productivity in the scheme. A sample of 120 farmers from 4 purposely selected villages of Katongolo, Masolo, Kamwanda and Mpata were surveyed using standard socio-economic survey approaches. Data on soil chemical and nutrient characteristics for the irrigation scheme were obtained from ARI- Uyole database. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and Stata computer programs. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Multinomial Logistic Regression model was used to determine factors influencing the adoption of different rice varieties. The results show that education level had significant positive influence on the use of local varieties (p<0.1). Other major economic activities influence use of local varieties for farmers who grow both varieties (p = 0.05). For most farmers prior experience on growing local varieties and investment capital greatly influenced adoption of new rice varieties. Constraints of using local rice varieties are poor appearance, poor taste and low production with implications on markets, economic performance and consumer preferences. Understanding farmer preferences based on quality of rice is prerequisite in introducing new rice varieties for improvement of productivity in irrigation schemes. Research on the most favorable rice varieties especially from socio economic and soil condition points of view is imperative. Concerted extension education to promote the use of improved rice varieties and measures to ameliorate possible saline condition of the soil will augment productivity.