Explore publications.

This paper uses a multinomial endogenous treatment effect model and data from a sample of 470 farming households to assess the impacts of adopting sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) on farm yield and household incomes among smallholder maize farmers in Morogoro region. Results show that combination of improved maize and crop residual significantly increased maize yield by 46%, while intercropping with crop residual (65%), improved maize seeds with manure use (58%), and maize rotation with intercropping (57%). The model estimates indicate that individual elements of SAPs increased yield by crop residual (30%), crop rotation (38%), improved maize varieties (85%), intercropping (58%), and manure (43%) whereas, the application of bundled SAPs had significant impacts on the household income via the following combinations; maize-legume rotation and crop residual (50%), improved maize and crop residual (46%), improved maize and manure (70%), maize-legumes rotation and improved maize (46%), maize rotation and intercropping (68%), maize rotation, improved maize, crop residual, and intercropping (41%), and lastly improved maize, intercropping, manure, crop residual, and crop rotation (55%). The study recommends actors involved in the design, promotion and dissemination of SAPs to find a suitable mix or combination of these practices that will enhance maize productivity and incomes, while simultaneously addressing issues related to the dis-adoption of SAPs, and climate change, by raising awareness and educating to farmers about the benefits of using SAPs and implementing mitigative measures for climate change. This includes providing financial incentives such as loans and subsidies, as well as conducting policy reforms to evaluate and adjust policies that currently favor the use of conventional practices in Tanzania.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has remained a major source of food security and income generation for most developing countries including Tanzania due to its ability to drought and disease resistance. At present, its production in Tanzania stands at 630,000 tons while the country's market demand is expected to grow at 7% by 2026.  Therefore, this study assessed the contribution of cassava production and marketing on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Tanzania particularly in the Dodoma region, so as to explore its potential contributions to the society welfare. A cross-sectional research design was employed whereby a multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample of 240 cassava smallholder farmers from four districts in the Dodoma region namely Kondoa, Chemba, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa. Quantitative data were collected through self-administered structured questionnaires and focus group discussion, interview and observation methods also were used in collecting qualitative data from the study area. Content analysis was used in analyzing qualitative data.  A binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the contribution of cassava production and marketing on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the region. The findings from the study indicated that family size, farmers’ experience, land size, education, number of visits by extension, and market access statistically were significant with showed a positive relationship with the improvement in the livelihood of farmers in the selected districts. On the other hand, transportation costs showed a negative relation with the improvement of farmers’ livelihood. Generally, it can be concluded that an increase in production and improvement in marketing variables could contribute much to the improvement of smallholder farmers’ livelihood.  Based on these findings, it is recommended that Ministries responsible for cassava production and marketing which included the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade focus more on the design, promotion, and implementation of policies and programs that are intended to enhance cassava production in rural areas and increase the provision of best farming practices through employing more extension officers.