The contribution of irrigation systems to household food security in Rufiji District, Tanzania
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Date
2023-06-30
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Journal of Social and Applied Sciences (EAJ-SAS)
Abstract
Irrigation is considered a major means of increasing productivity to ensure food security all
over the world due to rainfall variability caused by climate change. Different countries,
including Tanzania, have been advised to engage in irrigation systems, and various regulatory
frameworks have been developed to support this. However, different studies reveal both
positive and negative results regarding the contribution of irrigation systems to food security,
which has raised concerns and prompted the need for further investigation. This study aimed
to determine the awareness on the contribution of irrigation systems to food security, types of
crops cultivated through irrigation systems, the number of meals consumed by households
practicing irrigation, and the challenges facing smallholder farmers in adopting irrigation
systems. The Entitlement to Food Theory guided the conduct of this study, which employed a
cross-sectional research design involving surveys, interviews, and documentary reviews. A
total of 60 households were selected for the study, and the data were analysed descriptively
using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and content analysis. The study
revealed that farmers had an understanding of the contribution of irrigation systems to food
security, although they encountered some challenges including lack of inputs and funds for
extensive farming. It was further found that 80% of farmers preferred planting maize over
other food crops due to its cost-effectiveness in terms of the required inputs. Additionally,
majority of the community members had an understanding of food security in terms of access
and availability, rather than utilisation. The study recommends that farmers be educated on
the importance of planting other nutrient-rich crops. Furthermore, they should be informed
about alternative means of obtaining funds, such as entrepreneurial activities, and using their
farms as collateral to access the required agricultural inputs.
Description
Tanzania. East Africa Journal of Social
and Applied Sciences, 5(1): pp. 53-64.
Keywords
Climate change, Food crops, Food security, Household food security, Irrigation system, Nutrient-rich crops