Desafios e dificuldades enfrentados na adoção e difusão de inovações tecnológicas no distrito de Balama.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify, in partnership with farmers, extension workers, and NGOs, the challenges and difficulties faced in the adoption and diffusion of technological innovations in the district of Balama. The research adopted a qualitative and participatory approach, combined with a literature review, analyzing the efficiency, coverage, and quality of rural extension services. The non-probabilistic convenience sample was composed of 100 farmers, organized into four groups of 25 members across the administrative posts of Kwekwe, Impiri, Mavala, and Balama Sede, as well as 34 extension workers distributed among these localities. The results show that the diffusion and adoption of innovations are limited by structural, economic, cultural, and institutional barriers. Among extension workers, the main challenges are poor infrastructure, lack of resources and training, and the inadequacy of technologies to the local context. Farmers, on the other hand, face financial constraints, low levels of education, cultural resistance, and distrust in technologies that have not delivered satisfactory results. Limited access to credit, inputs, and markets further exacerbates these difficulties. It is concluded that overcoming these obstacles requires public policies focused on financing, infrastructure improvement, technical training, and community participation, along with productive diversification and the use of accessible communication technologies.