The independent and intervening variables that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in Namtumbo district of Ruvuma region, Tanzania

The continuous fall of maize production and non or low adoption of recommended maize production practices like fertilizer application in the Namtumbo District of Ruvuma Region have enhanced to conduct this study. The study investigated the adoption level and factors that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package (Phosphate, Nitrogen fertilizers and time of Nitrogen application) in the study area. The primary data were collected by the use of structured questionnaire from135 respondents selected at random. Data were analysed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer program where descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to determine distribution of the study variables. Correlation was used to determine relationship between independent and dependent variables while Chi – square tested the significance difference between variables. Findings reveal that the level of adoption of recommended fertilizer package in the study area is low. Majority 128 (94.8%) of farmers who applied fertilizers, applied at different levels below recommendations. About 86 (63.7%) fall under low adoption level, 42 (31.1%) fall under medium adoption and about 7 (5.2%) of farmers did not apply at all. Not a single farmer adopted in full the recommended package that is 50 kg/ac of DAP/TSP mixed with 25 kg of Nitrogen fertilizer at planting and 75 kg of Nitrogen during topdressing. Several factors seemed to have influence on the level of adoption. These are the independent factors like sex of the respondent and the intervening factors (variables) namely the Efficiency misperception (EM), Need tension (NT) (Need aspects), prominence (perception), and awareness (knowledge). n general, the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in the study area is strongly influenced by the interveningiii variables. Therefore the intervening variables which need to be focused in enhancing the adoption of recommended fertilizer package in the study area are need, perception and knowledge. From this point of view, extension deliverance should be emphasized based on the intervening variables