Impact of round potato production on well-being of smallholder farmers: a case of chips project in Meru district, Tanzania
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Date
2022
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Round potato is among the potential food and cash crop cultivated in Tanzania's Northern
highlands particularly Meru District in the Arusha Region. Despite of potentiality of
potatoes to contribute to smallholder farmers’ income and food security, there is scarce
empirical evidence on the impact of round potato production on smallholder farmers’ well-
being. The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of round potato
production on the well-being of smallholder farmers in terms of income and food security.
The first specific objective was to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing round
potato production and the second objective aimed to assess the impact of round potato
production on smallholder farmers' food security in terms of dietary diversity. The third
specific objective aimed to assess the impact of round potato production on smallholder
farmers’ income. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage
random sampling approach using purposive sampling and simple random sampling to
select 341 potato farmers (122 project participants of the potato project and 219 non-
project participants). A multi-stage random sampling approach was used whereby
purposive and systematic sampling was applied to select a representative sample of
smallholder farmers growing round potato varieties from Meru District. Quantitative
information was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and STATA
while qualitative information was analysed using content analysis. Data were collected
using mixed methods and tools namely key informant interviews, focus group discussions
and a survey using structured questionnaires. Findings showed that the use of quality
potato seeds, loan application, availability of other inputs, access to extension services and
area cultivated had a significant impact to round potatoes production (p<0.05). There was a
positive and significant (p<0.05) association between income and production (yield),
income and area cultivated, income and cost of fertilizers and income and cost of seeds. Project participants had a positive and significant impact on the smallholder farmers’
income (Gross Margin) and food security in terms of HDDS and HFIAS using NNM and
MDM principles. NNM findings show project participants had an average income of TZS
TZS 348 603.42 compared to an average of TZS 214 854.55 for non-project participants.
MDM findings show project participants had an average income of TZS TZS 418 120.63
compared to an average of TZS 251 270.49 for non-project participants. Finding on food
security show NMM results revealed an average HFIAS of 1.211 for project participants
compared to an average HFIAS of 1.833 for non-project participants. MDM results
revealed an average HFIAS of 1.352 for project participants compared to an average
HFIAS of 2.213 for non-project participants. Moreover, both NMM and MDM results
revealed an average HDDS of 8.123 for project participants compared to an average HDDS
of 7.265 for non-project participants. Therefore, potato production had a positive
significant impact on smallholder farmers' income and food security in the study area. It
recommended that the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture should build constructive
conditions through the improvement of agricultural policy and formulation of a potatoes
forum with rules and regulations that could be the roadmap along the potato value chain.
The local government authority (LGA) through extension officers should insist on and
encourage farmers' groups and associations to ensure the spreading and adoption of the
improved technologies, strategies for marketing potato produce, access to soft loans, and
subsides. Research institutions should ensure the production and availability of quality
seeds, certified pesticides and insecticides for potato production. Other actors along the
potatoes value chain should ensure the supply of proper agro-inputs in a required period at
a favourable price in the study area. This will contribute to improving potato production
which enhances the well-being of the smallholder farmers in Meru District.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Meru district, Tanzania, Potato production, Smallholder farmers, Chips project