Browsing by Author "Mlozi Malongo R. S."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Assessment of vegetable gardening and its contribution to household income in Tabora Municipality, Tanzania
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international., 2024-10-19) Kitundu Samson C.; Mosha Devotha B.; Mlozi Malongo R. S.
This study investigated the contribution of vegetable gardening to household income among vegetable growers in Tabora Municipality, Tanzania. Despite the potential of vegetable cultivation to improve livelihoods, many households remained reliant on limited income sources. This study aimed at ascertaining the contribution of vegetable gardening to the household income in Tabora Municipality, Tanzania. Specifically, the study identified the major vegetables grown in the area and examined the relative contribution of income from vegetable sales compared to other income sources. This study employed a cross-sectional design with a mixedmethods approach during data collection, where qualitative and quantitative data were collected. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 respondents purposively selected from three wards: Ndevelwa, Mlisha, and Kabila. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings revealed that in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 cropping seasons, slightly more than half of the respondents (N=55.3% and N- 55.5%), recognized the significant contribution of vegetable gardening to their household income. This percentage increased significantly to 80.5% in the 2023/2024 season. Notably, the income generated from vegetable gardening surpassed other household incomegenerating activities. However, the study also highlighted substantial constraints: most respondents operated on small plots of land (<0.6 acres) and frequently failed to implement recommended agronomic practices effectively. These factors limited the overall productivity and profitability of vegetable production. To enhance yields and improve household income. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Tabora Municipality, through local authorities, should provide targeted capacity-building training on best agronomic practices to vegetable growers.
Socioeconomic and agronomic factors influencing vegetable production in rural wards in Tabora Municipality Tanzania
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2025-02-04) Kitundu Samson Charles; Mosha Devotha B.; Mlozi Malongo R. S.
The productivity of Tabora Municipality's small-scale vegetable producers is hampered by lack of understanding of market dynamics and agricultural practices. The purpose of this paper was to investigate aspects affecting the production and evaluate farmers' understanding of vegetable growing. A survey was carried out in Ndevelwa, Misha and Kabila Wards. The findings showed that 90% of the respondents agreed that soil fertility and quality were important factors to consider for growing vegetables. Four-fifths (80%), 75% and 77.5% of the respondents in Ndevelwa, Misha and Kabila Wards, respectively, followed suggested agronomic practices. Proper seed selection (51.7%) and watering (65%) were mentioned as important factors that affected vegetable production. Nine in ten (90%) of the respondents in Ndevelwa, 97.5% in Misha and 82.5% in Kabila reported to have access to agricultural extension services. Nevertheless, 60.0% of the respondents in Kabila said that the quality of the services was poor. Regarding marketing, 87.5% of the respondents looked for market pricing trends, and 99.2% of the respondents had access to market data. The commonest routes were local market places (60.8%) and wholesale (67.5%). About 70% of the respondents said that they were satisfied with vegetable pricing, and 60.8% of the respondents cited high costs as a result of supply not keeping up with demand. Agronomic practices, farm size, gender, marital status, and price satisfaction were among the important variables that influenced production. Production was adversely affected by pricing and inadequate extension services. In order to boost vegetable production in Tabora Municipality, there is a need for addressing gender inequities, improving extension services, stabilizing market pricing and promoting agronomic practices.