Barriers to Good Governance for Maize Farmers’ Groups in Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Abstract

Despite the critical role played by good governance in organisations, as well as the various initiatives undertaken to enhance this role. Good governance is not effectively practiced among the maize farmers’ groups in Southern highlands of Tanzania. Moreover, the available studies on good governance have not adequately examined governance barriers in grassroots organisations. This study examines barriers to good governance for the maize farmers’ groups in southern highlands of Tanzania and proposes strategies for overcoming the barriers. The study was conducted in three regions of Tanzania; notably Iringa, Mbeya and Ruvuma from December 2018 to January 2019, where by around 100 respondents from 60 groups were purposefully selected and interviewed. Qualitative design was adopted and data were collected using in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and observations. Findings indicated that barriers to good governance for the Maize farmers’ groups were lack of relevant good governance structures and policies, lack of education and awareness on good governance, lack of leadership skills and ethics, poor technology, poor records keeping, inadequate communication skills and use of foreign languages in specific. Other barriers include poverty and lack of financial resources in particular, disability of some group members as well as cultural beliefs that impeded participation. Accordingly, strategies for ensuring good governance of the groups are institutionalisation of relevant policies and structures, training on leadership, good governance and communication skills, records keeping skills, economic and technological empowerment of group leaders and members.