Adoption of improved agricultural technology among subsistance/small scale farmers: A case stdy of Kanchomba in Choma district
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Date
2015-06-15
Authors
Hameja, Dennis
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Abstract
The adoption of modern methods of agrleu1ture in Zambia among small scale farmers involves a process of trial avid error. It is a complex Issue characterized by a process of moving forward and backwards until one makes a final decision. Small-scale farmers readily accept the new idea when it is socially and economically beneficial to them and does not involve a lot: of risks. The discussion of results have revealed that there has been a tremendous increase in the sphere of adoption of improved methods of agriculture since the colonial period, involvi.ng the use of chemical. fertilisers, hybrid seeds., improved implements such as ploughs, hurrows, cultivators etc., The increase in adoption have been facilitated partly as a. result of European settler farmer's influence, and also due to 'the provision of subsidies by government, which enabled farmers to purchase the .inputs at affordable prices.. Adopt ion has a 1 so been encouraged through extension , credit, and marketing policies since independence. The Resaroh findings also show that. farmers use traditional methods of cultivation involving the use of hoes, axe, kraal manure and no n~ hybrid. seeds.. due to inadequate funds to PUT"chose the best inputs,, Further, it shows that farmers in Kanchomba , also face a number of Problems such as late rains and delivery of inputs, lack of capital to purchase the inputs and repair the implements: and persistent droughts. This project, therefore attempts to investigate the spatial extent of diffusion of modern agriculture methods and their effects on production among the small-scale farmers of Kanchomba in Chomba Didtrict.
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Keywords
Agricultural technology-Zambia , Subsistance farming-Zambia