The role of farmer field schools in adoption and adaptation of recommended rice production practices in Mvomero District in Tanzania

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) provide farmers with an opportunity to experiment new technologies which help them to make informed decisions that eventually lead to increased production and income. This study aimed at assessing the role of FFS in adoption and adaptation of recommended rice production practices in Mvomero district in Tanzania. To achieve the above objective a cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby 188 respondents (FFS members) were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using various methods including household survey, interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation. Data analysis was done using SPPS Version 22. The results of the study show that a total of 15 recommended rice production practices were promoted using FFS in the study area and more than 75% of FFS members were found to be aware of them. The results further show that the majority of the recommended rice production practices (80%) promoted were adopted by more than 65% FFS members. However, the study results show that only 20% of the recommended rice production practices were adapted by FFS members due to financial constraints and risk averse behaviour. It was therefore concluded that FFS promoted a good number of recommended rice production practices and that the level of adoption of the recommended rice production practices was high while the level of adaptation was low. It is recommended that awareness creation among farmers on the recommended rice production practices and other agricultural technologies should be done through FFS. Additionally, the adoption of recommended rice production practices and other vii agricultural related technologies should be promoted through FFS whenever resources allow.