Browsing by Author "Mchilasi, Amon Thomas"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Assessment of tobacco smallholder farming practices: the case of Nzega district, Tanzania.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2012) Mchilasi, Amon Thomas
A study was conducted to assess smallholder tobacco farming practices in Nzega District. The objective of the study was to assess tobacco production and curing practices aiming at increasing tobacco production and decreasing environmental degradation. The methodology involved a cross-sectional research design, with a sample of 240 farmers, randomly selected from 6 villages in Mambali, Milambo Itobo and Magengati wards. Questionnaire, focus group discussions, physical observations and consultations with key informants were the main methods of data collection. Data collected were analysed using SSPS software. Results indicated that most farmers use inorganic fertilizers organic fertilizers are rarely used. Major forms of environmental degradation identified were deforestation, land degradation and loss of biodiversity. Major introduced farming technologies were woodlots establishment and improved barn structures. Majority of the farmers (95%) did not adopt improved barn technology. Low adoption of introduced technologies was influenced by delivery of extension service which was largely due to inadequate number of extension workers. Findings also indicated that most farmers access credit facilities from tobacco companies. Study findings further showed that most farmers are members of primary cooperative societies. Based on the results it is recommended that, (i) Efforts should be directed towards use of organic fertilizers to sustain meaningflil land management, (ii) Environment policies and development interventions should strengthen the involvement of well functioning informal institutions, (iii) Improved barn technology developed and disseminated should meet and consider farmers5 socio-economic situations, (iv) Tobacco companies should build capacity to tobacco fanners to raise their own seedlings fbr existing woodlots, (v) Research 一 Extension - Farmer linkage should be strengthened for effective dissemination of improved farming teclinologies and District should capacitate farmers to seek legal land ownership which has implication in long term agricultural investments.