Assessment of the factors influencing sustanaibility of improved pineapple production technologies in Geita district, Tanzania

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND EXTENSION OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF A GRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIAThis study was conducted within Geita District Council to find out factors influencing sustainability of improved technologies for pineapple production. Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain status or process in existing systems, there are four types of sustainability human, social, economic and environmental. The overall objective was to establish factors influencing sustainability of improved pineapple production technologies by small scale farmers in Geita district. Specific objectives of the study were to identify indigenous technologies that are in use, to determine the improved technologies and to compare indigenous and improved technologies. The population consisted of smallholder farmers in four wards drawing a sample size of 120 respondents with each ward contributing 30 respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informants interviews and observations. Sustainability technology is important in this study in spreading new technologies of pineapple production and hence increases productivity. There are two types of technologies used in pineapples production such as improved and indigenous technologies. Indigenous technologies are generally low capital intensive, environment and ecology friendly. Improved technologies are those technologies which have the modern agricultural inputs such as improved varieties and fertilizers. Main approach to increasing productivity among farmers by most sub-Saharan African countries was through government controlled distribution of fertilizers and improved varieties at subsidized prices. The study recommends that Geita District Council should promote the use and sustained with technologies