Economic contribution of spice farming to household income on the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Ngolle, A. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Salehe, F. S. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-15T12:14:31Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-15T12:14:31Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2024) Vol. 23 No. 2, 351-365 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Spice farming is a crucial agricultural activity for smallholder farmers in the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro Region, Tanzania. However, the extent to which it contributes to household income compared to other livelihood activities remains unclear. This study assesses the economic significance of spice farming, identifies the main types of spices cultivated, and examines key challenges affecting spice production and market access. As such, a cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing simple random sampling (a probability technique) to select 120 farmers from a sampling frame of 617 organic spice farmers, and purposive sampling (a nonprobability technique) to select key informants and study villages. Data collection involved household surveys, key informant interviews, and direct field observations conducted between June and July 2020 in four wards: Kinole, Mkuyuni, Mtombozi, and Tawa. The findings reveal that black pepper, vanilla, and cinnamon are the predominant spices cultivated. Income derived from these spices was significantly higher than that from other crops (p<0.007, t=2.727), underscoring their economic importance. However, fungal diseases affecting black pepper and weak market linkages present major challenges to farmers. The study concludes that the agro-climatic conditions on the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains are highly suitable for spice farming but require improved support systems. It is recommended that farmers increase investment in spice production, while local government authorities and extension officers should enhance training on best agricultural practices and establish stronger market linkages to boost productivity and economic returns. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6849 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences | |
| dc.subject | : Spices farming | |
| dc.subject | Household’s income | |
| dc.subject | economic contribution | |
| dc.subject | smallholder farmers | |
| dc.subject | Morogoro | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | |
| dc.title | Economic contribution of spice farming to household income on the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro Region, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Article |