The effect of nitrogen-fertilizer and optimal plant population on the profitability of maize plots in the Wami river sub-basin, Tanzania: a bio economic simulation approach
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the essential staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Tanzania in particular; the crop
accounts for over 30% of the food production, 20% of the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and over
75% of the cereal consumption. Maize is grown under a higher risk of failure due to the over-dependence rain fed farming system resulting in low income and food insecurity among maize-based farmers. However, many
practices, including conservation agriculture, soil and water conservation, resilient crop varieties, and soil fer tility management, are suggested to increase cereal productivity in Tanzania. Improving planting density, and
the use of fertilizers are the immediate options recommended by Tanzania's government. In this paper, we
evaluate the economic feasibility of the improved planting density (optimized plant population) and N-fertilizer
crop management practices on maize net returns in semi-arid and sub-humid agro-ecological zones in the Wami
River sub-Basin, Tanzania. We introduce a bio-economic simulation model using Monte Carlo simulation pro cedures to evaluate the economic viability of risky crop management practices so that the decision-maker can
make better management decisions. The study utilizes maize yield data sets from two biophysical cropping
system models, namely the APSIM and DSSAT. A total of 83 plots for the semi-arid and 85 plots for the sub humid agro-ecological zones consisted of this analysis. The crop management practices under study comprise the
application of 40 kg N-fertilizer/ha and plant population of 3.3 plants/m2
. The study finds that the use of im proved plant population had the lowest annual net return with fertilizer application fetching the highest return.
The two crop models demonstrated a zero probability of negative net returns for farms using fertilizer rates of
40 kg N/ha except for DSSAT, which observed a small probability (0.4%) in the sub-humid area. The optimized
plant population presented 16.4% to 26.6% probability of negatives net returns for semi-arid and 14.6% to
30.2% probability of negative net returns for sub-humid zones. The results suggest that the application of fer tilizer practices reduces the risks associated with the mean returns, but increasing the plant population has a
high probability of economic failure, particularly in the sub-humid zone. Maize sub-sector in Tanzania is pro jected to continue experiencing a significant decrease in yields and net returns, but there is a high chance that it
will be better-off if proper alternatives are employed. Similar studies are needed to explore the potential of
interventions highlighted in the ACRP for better decision-making.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Bio-economic simulation, APSIM, DSSAT, Crop-management practices, Risk, Maize, Tanzania