Table 36a: Constraints militating against the adoption of Good Agronomic Practices cassava farmers Constraints
Very severe
Severe
Mild severe
Not severe
Not a problem
Weighted score
Insufficient awareness about safety
9(15)
18(30)
11(18.33)
9(15)
13(21.67)
2.9
Environmental and social problem
13(21.67)
15(25)
16(26.67)
5(8.33)
7(11.67)
2.2
Insufficient knowledge of impact of agricultural practices
3(5)
10(16.67)
19(31.67)
8(13.33)
20(33.33)
2.4
Lack of knowledge and low education
4(6.67)
9(15)
18(30)
6(10)
23(38.33)
2.3
Poor understanding of technology (GAP) requirements
3(3)
10(16.67)
12(20)
17(28.33) 18(30)
2.4
Poor record keeping
11(18.33)
10(16.67)
9(15)
8(13.33)
22(36.67)
2.6
Low motivation and incentives to implement GAP
12(20)
15(25)
14(23.33)
4(6.67)
15(25)
3
Unhygienic practices in production and food processing
2(3.33)
9(15)
18(30)
13(21.67) 16(26.67)
2.7
No direct links with market
20(33.33)
21(35)
6(10)
6(10)
7(11.67)
3.6
Small number of large export companies
13(21.67)
26(43.33)
8(13.33)
9(15)
4(6.67)
3.5
Insufficient organization of small growers in producers association
7(11.67)
11(18.33)
22(36.67)
8(13.33)
12(20)
2.8
Inappropriate use of pesticides
8(13.33)
12(20)
14(23.33)
12(20)
14(23.33)
2.7
Shortage of skill labour
13(21.67)
14(23.33)
17(28.33)
6(10)
10(16.67)
3.2
Poor understanding of the role of GAP
4(6.67)
14(23.33)
14(23.33)
7(11.67)
21(35)
2.5
Insufficient dialogue with stakeholders
14(23.33)
10(16.67)
14(23.33)
12(20)
10(16.67)
2.9
Insufficient outreach and lack of coordination in training
2(3.33)
5(8.33)
17(28.33)
15(25)
21(35)
2.2
Figures in parentheses are percentages Note: weighted score less than 3.0 indicates not severe
5.6.1 Constraints militating against the adoption of Good Agronomic Practices among sorghum farmers There were equally 16 envisaged constraints that could militate against adoption of good agronomic practices by sorghum farmers in various zones under the project. These constraints are presented in table 36b. From the table all these constraints have weighted scores that were less than 3 meaning that none of them have severities in their ability to hamper adoption of agronomic practices disseminated to sorghum farmers. It does appear from the results in the table 68
