The objective of this study was to evaluate the adoption of maize technologies in the Lake zone of Tanzania. Data collected from a survey of 162 farmers were grouped into low, intermediate and high rainfall zones. All the sample farmers in the high rainfall zone used fertilizer compared to about 50% of sample farmers in the low and intermediate zones. In the high rainfall zone, farmers used 20 kg/ha of inorganic fertilizer, while farmers in the intermediate and low rainfall zones used 17.5 kg/ha and 13 kg/ha, respectively. Improved maize varieties were adopted by 83%, 12% and 6% of the sample farmers in the high, low and intermediate rainfall zones, respectively. In the low rainfall zone, farmers preferred composite varieties like Kilima (60%) and Katumani (10.9%). Farmers preferred these varieties for their high yield and drought tolerance. In the intermediate rainfall zone, farmers preferred Tuxpeno (44.4%) for its drought tolerance. Farmers in the high rainfall zone mainly preferred hybrid varieties (92.9%) for their high yield. Research should develop zonal specific recommendations to fit a particular rainfall regime. Increased extension efforts will accelerate the adoption of maize production technologies.

Global Maize Program

English

0103|AL Maize Program|R99-00CIMPU|AGRIS 0102|AJ|3

Jose Juan Caballero

INT1320

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection