Factors affecting the adoption of improved ground nuts varieties by the farmers of Khabutoola sub county Manafwa district

Abstract

A survey was carried out in Khabutoola Sub County to assess the factors affecting the adoption of improved groundnuts varieties in Manafwa District. The survey employed qualitative and non-experimental research method where 40 farmers were interviewed by using open ended and structured questionnaires. These farmers had either grown local groundnuts varieties or improved groundnuts varieties. The study established that about 80% of the farmers were growing local groundnuts varieties which has led to food insecurity in the area of study due to low yields obtained per unit area. This has also increased the poverty levels in the Sub County because these local varieties have been grown purposely for home consumption. The study concludes that there is need to increase on the yields of ground per unit area by adopting improved groundnuts varieties, addition of organic manures and also encouraging farmers to grow these improved varieties on large scale for both home consumption and commercial use.