Round potato (Solanum tuberosum L) production and household food security in the southern highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

Round potato (Solanum tuberosum L) has been an important food and cash crop in the southern highlands of Tanzania since its introduction in the 1920s. However, the extent to which it contributes to household food security was empirically unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted in Mbeya and Makete Districts to contribute to this knowledge gap. The purpose of the study was to determine the contribution of round potato production to household food security. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the impact of round potato production on household food security, (ii) determine the contribution of round potato production to household income, (iii) establish the status of food security incidences based on monetary and caloric poverty lines and (iv) apply theories of food insecurity to explain food status in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Multistage sampling was used to select 233 households in Mbeya and Makete Districts. The research was a cross-sectional one and was conducted through structured interviews using a questionnaire, focus group discussions using an FDG guide and key informant interviews using a checklist of items for discussion. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse quantitative data. Multiple linear regression was used to assess impacts of independent variables on the dependent variable that was food security in terms of dietary energy consumed per adult equivalent per day and monetary values of all food items consumed. Dietary Energy Consumed from round potato showed positive significant (p<0.1%) impact on dietary energy consumed per adult equivalent per day. Based on this finding, it is concluded that round potatoes are a reliable source of food in the study area. Moreover, there was positive significant (p<0.1%) impact of income from round potato on household income. Based on this finding, it is concluded that round potato is a main source of income and that, if it were given due attention and care, it would contribute greatly to household income. One-way ANOVA was used to compareiii levels of food status based on kilocalories consumed and monetary values of food consumed. Using the national food monetary and caloric poverty lines, 82.8% and 79.0% of the sampled households were food secure in Mbeya and Makete Districts respectively. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the extents to which Malthusian and Anti- Malthusian theories, the entitlement to food approach by Sen, and Woldemeskel’s contentions explain food security in Mbeya and Makete Districts. With respect to the Malthusian theory, population in terms of household size was the most important factor influencing food security negatively. Contrary to prior expectations, food security was not significantly different between households which used different numbers of agricultural improved technologies and different amounts of fertilizer per unit area. Moreover, entitlement to food security in terms of number of cattle owned, non-agricultural activities and farmers’ group membership were found to be more important factors enhancing food security. On basis of these findings, it is concluded that addressing these factors could improve food security in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended that the government and policy makers should support farmers through training sessions on improved round potato technologies, and enhance timely availability of farm inputs at affordable prices. Moreover, policy makers, Non-Governmental Organizations and other development partners are urged to support other income generating activities so as to increase income and hence increase farmers' purchasing power and access to food.