Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 32,1 (April 2000):35–47 @ 2000 Southern Agricultural Economics Association Factors Affecting Adoption of Improved Maize Seeds and Use of Inorganic Fertilizer for Maize Production in the Intermediate and Lowla

This paper examines factors influencing the adoption of improved maize seeds and the use of inorganic fertilizer for maize production by farmers in the intermediate and lowland zones of Tanzania. The results indicate that availability of extension services, on-farm field trials, variety characteristics and rainfall were the most important factors that influenced the extent of adopting improved maize seeds and the use of inorganic fertilizer for maize production. Farmers preferred those varieties which minimize field loss rather than maxi-mizing yields. Future research and extension policies should emphasize farmer participa-tion in the research process and on-farm field trials for varietal evaluation and demonstra-tion purposes. Key Words: Adoption, agroecological zones, improved maize seeds, new technology, Tan-zania. Farmers ’ adoption of a new technology, such as improved maize seeds, is a choice between traditional and new technology. Farmers ’ de-cision to adopt or not to adopt is usually based on the profitability and risk associated with the new technology. Before adoption, farmers have to be assured of the expected margina