Training Transfer for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification in Tanzania: Critical Considerations for Scaling-up

Authors
H. Sseguya 1
M. Bekunda 1
F. Muthoni 1
F. Flavian 2
J. Masigo 1
1 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Regional Hub for Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
2 NAFAKA Staple Value Chains Project, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Abstract
Sustainable Intensification (SI) in agriculture is fronted as a promising approach to increase agricultural production in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Technologies that can lead to realization of the SI goal are available but one of the key challenges is the low reach among smallholder farmers due to, among others, ineffective training and co-learning. In this study, a survey methodology was used to obtain data from 145 trainees in a sustainable intensification intervention in Kongwa and Mvomero districts, Tanzania, to analyze the drivers of training transfer. Hierarchical linear regression revealed that motivation of trainees, training design and delivery, and work environment (peer, extension and local institutional support) had positive effects on transfer of the training. For successful transfer of training, recommendations given were a deliberate focus on selection of suitable trainees and ensuring their motivation to learn; use of appropriate documentation, extension and training methods; strengthening farmers’ networks for peer learning; and strengthening collaborations with local institutions.

Keywords

Subjects

1. Abass, B.A., Ndunguru, G., Mamiro, P., Alenkhe, B., Mlingi, N. and Bekunda, M. 2014. Post-Harvest Food Losses in a Maize-Based Farming System of Semi-Arid Savannah Area of Tanzania. J. Stored Prod. Res., 57: 49-57.
2. ACDI/VOCA. 2014. NAFAKA Staple Value Chains Activity: Annual Performance Report (2013-14). ACDI/VOCA, Washington DC.
3. AGRA. 2016. Africa Agriculture Status Report: Progress towards Agricultural Transformation in Africa. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Nairobi.
4. Asadi, A., Kalantari, K. and Choobchian, S. 2013. Structural Analysis of Factors Affecting Agricultural Sustainability in Qazvin Province, Iran. J. Agr. Sci. Tech., 15: 11-22.
5. Ataei, P. and Zamani, N. 2015. Determinants of the Transfer of Sustainability Learning in Agricultural Sector of Iran. J. Agr. Sci. Tech., 17: 1437-1447.
6. Baldwin, T. T. and Ford, J. K. 1988. Transfer of Training: A Review and Directions for Future Research. Pers. Psych., 41(1): 63-105.
7. Blume, B. D., Ford, J. K., Baldwin, T. T. and Huang, J. L. 2010. Transfer of Training: A Meta-analytic Review. J. Manage., 36(4): 1065-1105.
8. Boone, N. H and Boone, A. D. 2012. Analyzing Likert data. J. Ext., 50(2): 1-6.
9. Burke, L. A. and Hutchins, H. M. 2007. Training Transfer: An Integrative Literature Review. Hum. Resour. Dev. Rev., 6(3): 263-296.
10. Butler, M. L. and McMillan, E. D. 2015. Tapping Philanthropy for Development. Kumarian Press, Boulder, CO.
11. FAO, IFAD and WFP. 2015. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2015. Meeting the 2015 International Hunger Targets: Taking Stock of Uneven Progress, FAO, Rome.
12. FAOSTAT. 2015, FAO Statistical Data: Tanzania. Retrieved from: http://faostat3.fao.org/download/Q/QC/E
13. Gil, J. A, Molina, J. A. and Ortega, R. 2016: Determinants of Training Transfer in the Wine Industry: Conceptual Hypotheses and Results for Rioja (Spain). J. Wine Res., 27(1): 65-83.
14. Gillis, L. 2009. Transfer Questionnaire. Retrieved from: http://www.cfli.ca/downloads/pdf/high_impact_evaluation_tools/r2b1_transfer_instructions.pdf
15. Grossman, R. and Salas, E. 2011. The Transfer of Training: What Really Matters? Int. J. Train. Dev., 15(2): 103-120.
16. Hicks, T. E. 2006. Individual and Situational Factors Affecting Transfer of Training in a Call Center Environment. Electronic Theses and Dissertations, Retrieved: from http://dx.doi.org/10.18297/etd/614.
17. IFPRI. 2016. Global Hunger Index. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC.
18. IITA. 2015. Sustainable Intensification of Key Farming Systems in East and Southern Africa. Africa RISING Project Document, IITA, Ibadan.
19. Leech, N. L., Barret, K. C. and Morgan, G. A. 2005. SPSS for Intermediate Statistics: Use and Interpretation. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, London.
20. Muthoni A. R. and Miiro F. R. 2017. What Influences Transfer of Training in an African Agricultural Research Network? J. Agr. Edu. Ext. 23(1): 23-37.
21. Pretty, J. 2008. Agricultural Sustainability: Concepts, Principles and Evidence. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. B: Biol. Sci., 363: 447-466.
22. Pretty, J., Toulmin, C. and Williams, S. 2011. Sustainable Intensification in African Agriculture. Int. J. Agr. Sust., 9(1): 5-24.
23. Robbins, S. P. and Judge, T. A. 2009. Organizational Behavior. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
24. Saks, A. M. 2001. So What is a Good Transfer of Training Estimate? A Reply to Fitzpatrick. Indus. Org. Psychol., 39(3): 29-30.
25. Saks, A. M. and Belcourt, M. 2006. An Investigation of Training Activities and Transfer of Training in Organizations. Human Res. Manage., 45(4): 629-648.
26. Salas, E. and Stagl, K. C. 2009. Design Training Systematically and Follow the Science of Training. In: “Handbook of Principles of Organizational Behavior: Indispensable Knowledge for Evidence-based Management”, (Ed.): Locke, E. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.
27. Salas, E., Wilson, K., Priest, H. and Guthrie, J. 2006. Design, Delivery, and Evaluation of Training Systems. In: “Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics”, (Ed.): Salvendy, G. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
28. Scoones, I. and Thompson, J. 2009. Farmer First Revisited: Innovation for Agricultural Research and Development. Practical Action Publishing, Worwideshire, UK.
29. Simmons, R., Fajans, P. and Ghiron, L. 2007. Scaling up Health Service Delivery: From Pilot Innovations to Policies and Programmes. World Health Organization, Geneva.
30. Taylor, P. J., Russ-Eft, D. F. and Chan, D. W. L. 2005. A Meta-Analytic Review of Behavior Modeling Training. J. App. Psych., 90: 692-709.
31. Vanlauwe, B., Coye, D., Gockowski, J., Hauser, S., Huising, J., Masso, C., Nziguheba, G., Schut, M. and Van Asten, P. 2014. Sustainable Intensification and the African Smallholder Farmer. Curr. Opin. Envir. Sust., 8: 15-22.
32. Tittonnell, P. and Giller, E. K. 2013. When Yield Gaps are Poverty Traps: The Paradigm of Ecological Intensification in African Smallholder Agriculture. Field Cr. Res., 143:76-90
33. URT. 2003a. Dodoma Region: Socio-Economic Profile. National Bureau of Statistics, United Republic of Tanzania.
34. URT. 2003b. Morogoro Region: Socio-Economic Profile. National Bureau of Statistics, United Republic of Tanzania.
35. URT. 2012. National Sample Census of Agriculture 2007/2008. National Bureau of Statistics, United Republic of Tanzania.
36. Velada, R. and Caetano, A. 2007. Training Transfer: The Mediating Role of Perception of Learning. J. Eur. Indus. Train., 31(4): 283-296.
37. Wenzel, R. and Cordery, J. 2014. Training Transfer Research: A Manager’s Guide and Bibliography. Australian Institute of Management, Perth.
38. World Bank. 2016. World Development Indicators 2016. Washington, DC.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 20, Issue 4
September and October 2018
Pages 661-671