The role of improved sweet potato varieties to food security and rural livelihoods in Zanzibar, the Eastern and Lake Zones of Tanzania
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Date
2005
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study was conducted to analyse the role of improved sweet potato varieties (ISPV)
and popular highly grown local cultivars to food security in Zanzibar, Eastern and Lake
zones of Tanzania. Study objectives were, to assess the rate of adoption of improved sweet
potato varieties at farm level; to assess the production trends of ISPV; to assess the role of
ISPV to food security; to identify the production constraints of ISPV and finally identify
highly preferred local cultivars in the community. Multistage sampling technique was
employed, 186 sweet potato grower households were sampled by random sampling. Data
were collected through interviews using the pre-tested questionnaire and checklists for
informal surveys (PRA). Secondary data was obtained from projects reports and
electronically through Internet. Data were statistically analysed using SPSS to obtain
frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, SAS were used for multivariate analysis using
logit/probit regression model. Adoption of ISPV was found to be influenced by socio
economic and institutional factors: extension service, participation and farming experience
were statistically significant (P<0.05) between adopters and non-adopters. Majority
(60.2%) of respondents reported high significant (P<0.05) increase in ISPV production
compared to local cultivars, yet insignificant difference increase in acreage under ISPV
was noted. Majority (70.4%) of respondents were growing ISPV and few (29.6%) were
not growing. Majority of respondents (74.7%) were food secure and few (25.3%) were
insecure. Sweet potato was found to be on transition from subsistence to commercial
production. Major constraints identified were poor fanning and post-harvest improved
technology, drought, pests and diseases, poor access to improved sweet potato vines, and
marketing. Popular and highly grown local cultivars for food and market are.
Pananzala/Mbutu, Matako mapana, Polista, Sekondari, Shangazi and Mkonibozi. Highly
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adopted ISPV in the Eastern zone are Ukerewe and Simania, Lake zone are Jitihada,
Simania and Sinia and Zanzibar Kizinibani inayai, Sinia and Simania. This study
concludes that, ISPV play a greater role in household food security and generates income
for their livelihoods. Its adoption was statistically significant though only few varieties
were adopted. Thus research on potentials, opportunities, and constraints of the ISPV
should be conducted. Plant breeders should develop improved varieties that have desirable
traits for home consumption and for market.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Improved sweet potato, Food security, Local cultivars, Rural livelihoods