Abstract:
In principle the innovation systems approach, examines the interactions and institutions
that affect actors to innovate and adapt technology. Roles and functions played by farmers
and other actors determine farmers’ response to innovation. This study was conducted in
the PANTIL and TARP II-SUA project areas in Tanzania, involving 182 respondents to
investigate the banana technological innovation system that emerged as a result of the two
projects. Technologies and practices developed were examined, various actors and their
functions and roles identified, institutional relationships investigated, strategies and
approaches for dissemination evaluated and the resultant technological innovation system
described. The results indicate that technologies and practices of banana pit size, new
planting materials like tissue culture, new high yielding and disease resistant varieties.
spacing, de-suckering, mulching, fertiliser application and pests’ control were advanced
and ultimately adopted by farmers. There were more adoptions among project farmers than
it was for non-projcct farmers and were significantly (p<0.05) better in improved banana
varieties, spacing, pit management, thinning and in getting new markets. Rungwe farmers
did significantly (p<0.05) better in fertilising farms because of keeping livestock while
Mkuranga significantly (p<0.05) better in finding new markets because of their proximity
to huge urban markets. Institutional participation was dominated by research and training
institutions of PANTIL, TARP II-SUA, ARI-Uyole and local extension agents and less of
other components of the innovation system especially marketing, credit, input supply and
transportation institutions. Thus, agricultural technology innovation system for banana that
was developed during the two projects was impaired due to non-participation of other key
institutions. It is thus recommended: (i) Future innovation efforts to accommodate all key
elements of the innovation system, (ii) Ensure sustainability by intensively training few
farmers in the technologies and relevant extension techniques to better assist their
colleagues, (iii) Vary approaches of engagement and methods of dissemination, (iv)iii
Facilitate farmers to be innovative to address missing institutional roles and functions, (v)
Improve agricultural shows through diversification of methods.
