The Synergy between maize productivity and food security among smallholder farmers in Tanzania: insights on successes, challenges, and pathways forward
| dc.contributor.author | Jesse,Angela M | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ngowi,Edwin E. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-24T06:09:33Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-24T06:09:33Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | Journal Article | |
| dc.description.abstract | Maize (Zea mays) is the most widely grown crop among smallholder farmers in Tanzania, contributing significantly to both household food security and income generation. Accounting for 45% of the total caloric intake and cultivated by over 85% of rural households, maize plays a dual role in providing essential nutrients and as a key economic asset that facilitates the purchase of complementary food items. Despite its importance, the productivity of maize in Tanzania remains low, averaging 1.6 tons per hectare, far below the potential yield of 4-5 tons per hectare under optimal conditions. This paper critically reviews the synergies between maize productivity and food security among smallholder farmers by synthesizing findings from 59 peer-reviewed studies drawn from 1,100 English-language articles published between January 2000 and December 2022. By systematically analyzing these studies, the paper identifies: (i) successful strategies for improving maize productivity and their positive impacts on food security (what works), (ii) persistent challenges that hinder productivity growth (what doesn’t work), and (iii) potential areas for further enhancing maize yields to address food insecurity (what could work). Drawing on the conservation and diffusion models, the analysis focuses on how the transfer of knowledge and adoption of innovative agricultural practices—such as the use of improved maize seeds, chemical fertilizers, pest and disease management, post-harvest storage improvements, and irrigation—can boost productivity and improve food security. However, the review reveals that despite the availability of these strategies, the adoption rate remains low, with only 30% of farmers consistently using high-yielding seeds and less than 20% applying adequate fertilizer, largely due to limited access to agricultural extension services and financial constraints. The paper problematizes the widespread reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which exacerbates vulnerability to climate variability, and highlights how systemic barriers—including poor infrastructure, limited market access, and insufficient government support—undermine the potential benefits of maize productivity interventions. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for context-specific, farmer-centered agricultural policies that prioritize capacity-building through tailored extension services, climate-resilient farming practices, and enhanced access to input markets. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing these structural challenges if Tanzania is to meet its national food security goals and improve rural livelihoods. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2619-8894 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6895 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH) | |
| dc.subject | Maize productivity | |
| dc.subject | Food security | |
| dc.subject | Smallholder farmers | |
| dc.subject | Agricultural innovations | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania rural development | |
| dc.title | The Synergy between maize productivity and food security among smallholder farmers in Tanzania: insights on successes, challenges, and pathways forward | |
| dc.type | Article |