List of articles (by subject) Rural Studies
-
Open Access Article
1 - Effects of Socio-demographic Characteristics on Adoption of Improved Sorghum Farming Practices in Dodoma region, Tanzania
Peter Kadilikansimba Gervas Machimu Alfred SifeThe adoption of improved farming practices plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security for smallholder farmers. This research aimed to analyze how socio-demographic factors influence the adoption of these practices in the Dodom MoreThe adoption of improved farming practices plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security for smallholder farmers. This research aimed to analyze how socio-demographic factors influence the adoption of these practices in the Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Through a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 399 sorghum farmers in the region using questionnaires and interview guide. The adoption quotient was used to measure the results, revealing that 14.79% were non-adopters, 39.35% were low adopters, 16.04% were medium adopters, and 29.82% were high adopters of improved sorghum farming practices. Analyzing the data with a linear mixed model, it was found that only two socio-demographic factors—farming experience and information seeking behavior—had a statistically significant positive influence on the adoption of improved farming practices (p-value < 0.05). These findings emphasize the need to consider the local context when promoting adoption and recommend tailored interventions to address region-specific challenges faced by farmers. Designing strategies to promote adoption should account for local environmental conditions, socio-cultural factors, and economic considerations. It is important to customize the dissemination of agricultural information to suit the unique needs of different socio-demographic groups, taking into account factors such as education levels, age groups, gender, and the specific challenges posed by the local environment. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
2 - Understanding Factors Impacting to Low Members’ Savings among Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS), A Survey Study in Rural Kwimba District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
Paulin PaulThe functionality of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) sorely depends to members’ savings. Specifically this study aimed to determine SACCOS’ members saving capacity and to identify factors leading to low members’ savings. Ninety SA MoreThe functionality of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) sorely depends to members’ savings. Specifically this study aimed to determine SACCOS’ members saving capacity and to identify factors leading to low members’ savings. Ninety SACCOS members were selected and used in this study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, checklist of interview and documentary review. The collected data was analyzed descriptively whereby percentages and multiple responses analysis were computed. The study findings revealed that SACCOS members in Kwimba District have low saving capacity of below 10,000TZS per month. Among the revealed factors leading to low member savings included; un-payment of interest to members’ savings, few sources of income among members and lack of faith with SACCOS as a strong financial institution hence members fear of losing their money when they consider depositing to SACCOS. Stiff competition from other competitors that offer loans without savings was also among the factors leading to low member savings. The study concludes that low member savings among SACCOS members in Kwimba District is sorely associated with; demographic characteristics of individual SACCOS member, SACCOS as an institution and external environment particularly SACCOS competitors. The study recommends that; SACCOS management should work upon the identified hindrances of low member savings in order to improve member savings capacity and the entire functionability of the SACCOS in Rural Kwimba District. The study as benefited the SACCOS management to strategize on how to increase members savings capacity hence improve liquidity and functionality of the entire SACCOS. Manuscript profile