Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to determine the conditions under which sustainable
agriculture functions as an effective conservation tool whereby, increasing crop
production while maintaining sustainability is a priority for agricultural development
projects particularly in Tanzania. Factors contributing to the effectiveness of
Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies after project closure in improving the
sustainability of cropping systems to participating and non-participating farmers of
six villages in Mvomero District were investigated. It has been cited that non-project
and project participants recognize CA as a technology with saving properties and a
potential solution to farm power shortages suitable in household’s labour stress. High
yield grains and less cost of production per hectare were noted on CA as compared
with conventional farms. Soils were improving which means that, the rate of
degradation and erosion is lower than the rate of soil building-up. CA group at
Msufini village experienced production of 4 000 kgs in CA compared to 1 900 kgs in
conventional agriculture per 0.5 acre of season maize crop harvest. Data were
collected from 120 randomly selected households in purposively selected villages
using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis and chi
square analyses using SPSS were employed as major tools of analysis to determine
factors influencing effective and sustainable CA practices. Of the 120 respondents, a
total of 113 (93.3%) non-project and project participating respondents indicated that
they were willingly to continue with CA which included 56 (91.8%) non-project and
57 (94.9%) project participating respondents, respectively. The main reasons given for
being able to continue using CA technology included increase in production, income,
cultivation of different types of crops and increase of soil fertility. However,
significant change in farming practices, availability and use of specialist equipment,
awareness as well as a fundamental change in mindset towards CA practices is
necessary.
