Knowledge and Adoption levels of Sunflower Farming Technologies in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts, Morogoro Region-Tanzania Mwajombe Kizito K.*, Mattee Amon Z., Ntumva Mabebe E. *Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension and Community Development, Morogoro-Tanzania Online published on 28 July, 2016. Abstract This study aimed to document knowledge and adoption levels of sunflower farming innovations at household level in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and regression analyses were employed to determine knowledge and adoption levels and factors influencing adoption of sunflower farming innovations among small-holder farmers in the project area. Majority of the respondents were knowledgeable on various recommended agronomic practices in sunflower production. However, knowledge level was relatively higher among respondents who have attended FFSacross all the attributes assessed and the differences were statistically significantly different at p≤ 0.05. Farmers who attended FFS had adopted and were using most of the recommended agronomic practices and the differences were statistically significantly different at p≤ 0.05. Respondents planted Record sunflower variety due to low supply of the promoted hybrid varieties. Availability of important services like markets, processing facilities, fertilizers, high yielding seeds were rated as low to medium. Unreliable weather conditions, plant diseases, low capital, lack of markets and unavailability of high yielding sunflower varieties were the main challenges affecting sunflower productivity. Continuous provision of trainings on proper sunflower agronomic practices, availability of credits, high yielding sunflower varieties and other required inputs, stable markets and strengthening the producer groups could help improve sunflower productivity. Age, membership in producer groups and participation in FFS training significantly influenced adoption at p ≤ 0.05. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers training through FFS on proper sunflower agronomic practices should be strengthened to impart knowledge to more smallholder farmers who could not be reached by the project., smallholder farmers should be empowered through formation of producer groups to allow them obtain credits to facilitate sunflower production and ensure availability of required inputs and high yielding hybrid sunflower varieties that are drought tolerant should be promoted. Top Keywords Sunflower, Production, Agronomic practices, Adoption, FFS, Producer groups Introduction. Top |