Farmers’ Participation in Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Programs: Empirical Evidence of Maize Producers in Sussundenga District, Mozambique

Abstract

This study analyses the factors affecting farmers’ participation in agricultural research and rural extension programs in Sussundenga district-Mozambique. We applied a questionnaire to 140 maize producers and to 18 technicians (extension agents and agricultural researchers). Fieldwork was carried out in February and March, 2018. Logit binary regression, descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data. The results appoint that farmers' participation is considered weak, discontinuous and low. Farmers' participation is affected by the practice of off-farm activities, membership of farmers’ associations, number of technological demands and the maize production purpose. Nevertheless, the institutional context interferes with farmers' willingness to participate in research and extension programs. This article brings significant contributions to the literature that discusses farmers' participation in rural development programs. In addition to farmers' characteristics, the institutions context affects farmers' participation in the activities developed by these organizations. The promotion of farmers' participation should be thought taking into consideration that farmers are involved in several activities. Furthermore, the organizations need to offer technologies and services that help farmers finding solutions to the problems that they face.