The comparative role of independent and intervening variables on influencing the adoption of nitrogen fertilization among maize growers in the Njombe District

C P Msuya

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2016/v44n2a352

Abstract

Various practices including Nitrogen fertilization have been recommended in the Njombe District to maintain its status as one of the districts that is famous in maize production in Tanzania. Despite the recommendation the level of adoption is not convincing that forced this study to investigate variables that are most important in determining the adoption behaviour. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data from 113 respondents selected from four villages namely, Ulembwe, Igagala, Kibena and Uwemba. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The findings reveal that the intervening variables (like efficiency misperception (EM), need tension (NT), prominence and knowledge) played a great role in determining the adoption behaviour compared to independent variables (like age, sex, level of education, farm size and area under maize production). It is therefore recommended that more emphasis should be placed in addressing intervening variables in order to enhance adoption in the study area. Keywords: Independent, Intervening, adoption, Nitrogen fertilizers, Agricultural Extension

Highlights

Njombe district is one of the districts that is famous for the production and supply of maize in the country (Msuya, 2007)
There after it will discuss the total influence of all independent and intervening variables investigated in order to determine which set of variables among the two is important in explaining the adoption behaviour in the study area
This study concludes that both set of variables play a significant role in influencing the adoption behaviour

Summary

Introduction

Njombe district is one of the districts that is famous for the production and supply of maize in the country (Msuya, 2007). A package consists of the combined use of recommended maize varieties, fertilizers, seed spacing, pesticides application and weed control. As far as fertilizer application is concerned, the recommended fertilizer for maize production is phosphates fertilizer for planting like Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) or Minjingu Rock Phosphate (MRP), and nitrogenous fertilizer for top dressing like Urea and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN). The amount of nitrogen to be applied for maize is dependent upon a number of factors, such as likely losses of N through leaching, immobilization, mineralization and de-nitrification, plant characteristics (tillering potential, leaf area index, resistance to lodging and length of growing cycle), management practices (dry land/irrigated systems, sowing/planting density, pest and diseases and weed control) (Mustapha, 2004)

Methods

Results

Conclusion