Effects of Socio-demographic Characteristics on Adoption of Improved Sorghum Farming Practices in Dodoma region, Tanzania

The adoption of improved farming practices plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security for smallholder farmers. This research aimed to analyze how socio-demographic factors influence the adoption of these practices in the Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Through a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 399 sorghum farmers in the region using questionnaires and interview guide. The adoption quotient was used to measure the results, revealing that 14.79% were non-adopters, 39.35% were low adopters, 16.04% were medium adopters, and 29.82% were high adopters of improved sorghum farming practices. Analyzing the data with a linear mixed model, it was found that only two socio-demographic factors—farming experience and information seeking behavior—had a statistically significant positive influence on the adoption of improved farming practices (p-value < 0.05). These findings emphasize the need to consider the local context when promoting adoption and recommend tailored interventions to address region-specific challenges faced by farmers. Designing strategies to promote adoption should account for local environmental conditions, socio-cultural factors, and economic considerations. It is important to customize the dissemination of agricultural information to suit the unique needs of different socio-demographic groups, taking into account factors such as education levels, age groups, gender, and the specific challenges posed by the local environment.