Decentralisation by Devolution and Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Extension Services in Dodoma, Tanzania

Abstract

The aim of this study to investigate the impact of decentralisation by devolution on farmers' access to agricultural extension services in selected villages in Dodoma, Tanzania. The specific objectives of the study are (i) to examine the availability and distribution of agricultural extension staff at ward and village levels and (ii) to examine farmers' accessibility to agricultural extension services at the local level. Data for the study were collected from a sample of 273 farmers in three wards of Hombolo, Kikombo and Chigongwe, using questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. Data analysis techniques involved descriptive statistics, chi-square test and qualitative content analysis. The findings show that implementation of decentralisation has contributed to increased availability and distribution of agricultural extension staff at the ward and village levels. This has enhanced farmers' access to several agricultural extension services. Nevertheless, the number of extension staff is still far below to meet the needs of farmers, partly because Local Government Authorities do not have the discretion to recruit their staff which is still under the mandates of the Central Government. It is recommended that local government authorities should be given more authority and mandates to recruit extension staff according to their needs.

The influence of ethical leadership in the delivery of agricultural advisory services in Tanzania local government authorities

“…The effectiveness of such digital services is constrained by the high cost of upscaling the online system in the local government (Sanga, 2018;Steinke et al, 2020). This suggests that, although the decentralization reforms particularly for agricultural advisory services were intended to improve the delivery of such services, the expectations of such reforms have not been realized due to a lack of resources and prevalence of corruption (Mjwahuzi and Kunkuta, 2005;REPOA, 2008;Daniel, 2013;Masanyiwa et al, 2019). Although the literature shows that ethical leadership in government service delivery can improve the quality of governance and contribute to effective public services delivery (Downe et al, 2016), embrace ethical values, and instil the expected ethics in the public service, the public service delivery institutions have not sufficiently internalized ethical leadership in the delivery of public services.…”

“…From there, they visit individual farmers, farmers groups and villages to provide face-to-face services to farmers. The officials in the Local Government Department of Agriculture at the district level instruct and supervise field workers (JICA, 2008;Kyaruzi et al, 2010;Mvuna, 2010;Daniel, 2013;Masanyiwa et al, 2019).…”

“…The effectiveness of such digital services is constrained by the high cost of upscaling the online system in the local government (Sanga, 2018; Steinke et al., 2020). This suggests that, although the decentralization reforms particularly for agricultural advisory services were intended to improve the delivery of such services, the expectations of such reforms have not been realized due to a lack of resources and prevalence of corruption (Mjwahuzi and Kunkuta, 2005; REPOA, 2008; Daniel, 2013; Masanyiwa et al. , 2019).…”

“…The delivery of agricultural advisory services is considered an important means of improving agricultural production and marketing (URT, 2013). Agricultural advisory services refer to the transfer of knowledge on agricultural technology to farmers, and which includes the assistance of farmers' groups in the development and execution of special projects to enhance production and collective training of farmers in field schools (Masanyiwa et al, 2019). In Tanzania and worldwide, these services are provided by Agricultural Extension Officers.…”

“…The officials in the Local Government Department of Agriculture at the district level instruct and supervise field workers (JICA, 2008; Kyaruzi et al. , 2010; Mvuna, 2010; Daniel, 2013; Masanyiwa et al. , 2019).…”