Browsing by Author "Philip, Damas"

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Economic analysis of medium scale agricultural enterprises in a predominantly smallholder agriculture sector.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Philip, Damas
Sub Saharan African countries poverty. Most of these countries, including Tanzania, depend heavily on agriculture for their economic development and meet their food requirements from domestic production, imports and food aid. Increasing agriculture production is thus a high- priority topic in Sub Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. This study is motivated by governmental organisations, to support smallholder farmers to achieve the expected targets and hence the need to seek for a more responsive alternative target for support that will lead to the achievement of the desired improved production in the Tanzanian agriculture sector. The study tests the hypothesis that there is an unexploited potential for modernizing the Tanzanian agriculture sector through promotion of medium scale farming. To test this hypothesis the study investigates the profitability of medium scale agricultural enterprises in Tanzania using 233 dairy and sugarcane farms located in Morogoro as a case study. In this study profitability was measured by Economic Farm Surplus (EFS) and Gross Margin Analysis (GMA) for the dairy and sugarcane/paddy farms respectively. Literature on previous studies in this area focused on small-scale enterprises and has highlighted the importance of the size of the agricultural enterprise the trend of profitability of agro-based enterprises with increasing farm size. In order to capture the effect of the changing farm size on profitability, the selected dairy and sugarcane/paddy enterprises were grouped into seven and nine categories for dairy and sugarcane respectively. Prior to the estimation of multiple regression models for the two types of enterprises i.e. dairy and sugarcane, a simple comparison of mean EFS ABSTRACT are faced with lagging food production and pervasive on productivity of agro-based enterprises. Thus the present study aimed at observing the failure of the efforts, by the Tanzanian government and international and non-and GM analyses for the different size categories was conducted deploying the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. The ANOVA indicated the existence of significant differences in the levels of the EFS and GM for the different farm size categories. Three multiple regression models were estimated to establish the relationship between size and profitability. The results revealed that the productivity of an enterprise was positively influenced by the size, access to credit facilities, access to extension services and farmer’s level of education. The results from this study suggest that Tanzanian medium scale agro-based enterprises have a very high potential for growth if supplied enterprises in the country' drastic policy changes that will make sure that the needs of medium scale farmers take a central part in the agriculture policy are required. with a favourable environment. In order to stimulate the growth of medium scale
An economic comparison between alternative rice farming systems in Tanzania using a monte carlo simulation approach
(MDPI, 2020-07) Kadig, Ibrahim L.; Mutabazi, Khamaldin D.; Philip, Damas; Richardson, James W.; Bizimana, Jean-Claude; Mbungu, Winfred; Mahoo, Henry F.; Sieber, Stefan
Tanzania is the second-largest producer of rice (Oryza sativa) in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa after Madagascar. Unfortunately, the sector has been performing poorly due to many constraints, including poor agricultural practices and climate variability. In addressing the challenge, the government is making substantial investments to speed the agriculture transformation into a more modernized, commercial, and highly productive and profitable sector. Our objective was to apply a Monte Carlo simulation approach to assess the economic feasibility of alternative rice farming systems operating in Tanzania while considering risk analysis for decision-makers with different risk preferences to make better management decisions. The rice farming systems in this study comprise rice farms using traditional practices and those using some or all of the recommended system of rice intensification (SRI) practices. The overall results show 2% and zero probability of net cash income (NCI) being negative for partial and full SRI adopters, respectively. Meanwhile, farmers using local and improved seeds have 66% and 60% probability of NCI being negative, correspondingly. Rice farms which applied fertilizers in addition to improved seeds have a 21% probability of negative returns. Additionally, net income for rice farms using local seeds was slightly worthwhile when the transaction made during the harvesting period compared to farms applied improved varieties due to a relatively high price for local seeds. These results help to inform policymakers and agencies promoting food security and eradication of poverty on the benefits of encouraging improved rice farming practices in the country. Despite climate variability, in Tanzania, it is still possible for rice farmers to increase food production and income through the application of improved technologies, particularly SRI management practices, which have shown a promising future.
The effect of nitrogen-fertilizer and optimal plant population on the profitability of maize plots in the Wami river sub-basin, Tanzania: a bio economic simulation approach
(Elsevier, 2021) Kadigi, Ibrahim L.; Richardson, James W.; Mutabazi, Khamaldin D.; Philip, Damas; Mourice, Sixbert K.; Mbungu, Winfred; Bizimana, Jean-Claude; Sieber, Stefan
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the essential staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Tanzania in particular; the crop accounts for over 30% of the food production, 20% of the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and over 75% of the cereal consumption. Maize is grown under a higher risk of failure due to the over-dependence rain fed farming system resulting in low income and food insecurity among maize-based farmers. However, many practices, including conservation agriculture, soil and water conservation, resilient crop varieties, and soil fer tility management, are suggested to increase cereal productivity in Tanzania. Improving planting density, and the use of fertilizers are the immediate options recommended by Tanzania's government. In this paper, we evaluate the economic feasibility of the improved planting density (optimized plant population) and N-fertilizer crop management practices on maize net returns in semi-arid and sub-humid agro-ecological zones in the Wami River sub-Basin, Tanzania. We introduce a bio-economic simulation model using Monte Carlo simulation pro cedures to evaluate the economic viability of risky crop management practices so that the decision-maker can make better management decisions. The study utilizes maize yield data sets from two biophysical cropping system models, namely the APSIM and DSSAT. A total of 83 plots for the semi-arid and 85 plots for the sub humid agro-ecological zones consisted of this analysis. The crop management practices under study comprise the application of 40 kg N-fertilizer/ha and plant population of 3.3 plants/m2 . The study finds that the use of im proved plant population had the lowest annual net return with fertilizer application fetching the highest return. The two crop models demonstrated a zero probability of negative net returns for farms using fertilizer rates of 40 kg N/ha except for DSSAT, which observed a small probability (0.4%) in the sub-humid area. The optimized plant population presented 16.4% to 26.6% probability of negatives net returns for semi-arid and 14.6% to 30.2% probability of negative net returns for sub-humid zones. The results suggest that the application of fer tilizer practices reduces the risks associated with the mean returns, but increasing the plant population has a high probability of economic failure, particularly in the sub-humid zone. Maize sub-sector in Tanzania is pro jected to continue experiencing a significant decrease in yields and net returns, but there is a high chance that it will be better-off if proper alternatives are employed. Similar studies are needed to explore the potential of interventions highlighted in the ACRP for better decision-making.
Factors that affect the adoption of improved maize varieties by smallholder farmers in Central Oromia, Ethiopia.
(Iiste, 2015) Teferi, Abadi; Philip, Damas; Jaleta, Moti
This study aims at identifying factors which affect the adoption of improved maize varieties in three woredas in Central Oromia, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional farm household level data collected by CIMMYT from 300 randomly selected sample households in 2012/13. Both descriptive and econometric methods have been used to analyze the data. The descriptive statistics were utilized to compare adopters and non-adopters. The logit model was employed to assess the adoption determinants.The descriptive analyses results show the existence of significant mean and proportion difference between adopters and non-adopters in terms of farmer characteristics. Adoption of the improved maize varieties among households was found to be positively influenced by adult-literacy, family size, livestock wealth, access to output market and credit access for the new varieties. On the other hand, farmer associations, distance to main markets and fertilizer credit negatively influenced adoption. Thus, the finding of this study revealed that educating farmers, strengthening extension services, improving farmer associations and improving market opportunities are some of the measures that need to be taken to enhance adoption of improved maize varieties by farmers.
The influence of geographical concentration of firms on performance of small agro food processing enterprises in Tanzania
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-10-22) Seluhinga, Nicetus S.; Philip, Damas
Geographical concentration/clustering of firms are important in growth of small agro processing firms, having prominent impact in the subsector. Using descriptive statistics, gross sales per worker measured in normal and seasonal monthly output production. This paper assesses the performance of small agro food processing firms by comparing the performance of 31 geographically concentrated firms and 31 dispersed firms using three empirical considerations namely: output per worker, enterprise employment intake (EEI) and average sales per worker were used to analyze the difference in performance of agro food processing enterprises located in clustered/ geographically concentrated relative to others located elsewhere enterprise employment intake (EEI). Survival costs were used to determine sunk costs which are the difference between survival costs and total costs of successful design. Remarkably the results showed that there are differences in mean output per works in both normal and seasonal production. In seasonal production the difference in mean output per worker between firms in clustered and non-clustered firms were significant (p value = 0.0510) compared to normal production with (p value = 0.000). This shows that there is slight significant difference between clustered and non-clustered firms respectively. The results further show that enterprise employment intake vary in the sub sector vary between districts. The survival costs between clustered and non-clustered. Firms show that the cost of staying in the market by sampled agro processing firms is very high because the total value of products in the market is very low. The paper concludes that cluster initiatives with specialization improve the performance of small firms.
Profitability of gliricidia-maize system in selected dryland areas of Dodoma region, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2021-12) Swamila, Martha; Philip, Damas; Akyoo, Adam Meshack; Manda, Julius; Mwinuka, Lutengano; Smethurst, Philip J.; Sieber, Stefan; Kimaro, Anthony Anderson
Declining soil fertility and climatic extremes are among major problems for agricultural production in most dryland agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. In response, the agroforestry tech- nology intercropping of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.)) and Maize (Zea mays L.) was developed to complement conventional soil fertility management technologies. However, diversified information on the profitability of Gliricidia-Maize intercropping system in dryland areas is scanty. Using data from the Gliricidia and maize models of the Next Generation version of the Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), this study estimates the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system relative to an unfertilized sole maize system. Results show significant heterogeneity in profitability indicators both in absolute and relative economic terms. Aggregated over a 20-year cycle, Gliricidia- Maize intercropping exhibited a higher Net Present Value (NPV = Tsh 19,238,798.43) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR = 4.27) than the unfertilized sole maize system. The NPV and BCR of the latter were Tsh 10,934,669.90 and 3.59, respectively. Moreover, the returns to labour per person day in the Gliricidia-Maize system was 1.5 times those of the unfertilized sole maize system. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system is more negatively affected by the decrease in output prices than the increase in input prices. A 30% decrease in the former leads to a decrease in NPV and BCR by 38% and 30%, respectively. Despite the higher initial costs of the agroforestry establishment, the 30% increase in input prices affects more disproportionally unfertilized sole maize than the Gliricidia-Maize system in absolute economic terms, i.e., 11.1% versus 8.8% decrease in NPV. In relative economic terms, an equal magnitude of change in input prices exerts the same effect on the unfertilized sole maize and the Gliricidia-maize systems. This result implies that the monetary benefits accrued after the first year of agroforestry establishment offset the initial investment costs. The Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology therefore is profitable with time, and it can contribute to increased household income and food security. Helping farmers to overcome initial investment costs and manage agroforestry technologies well to generate additional benefits is critical for the successful scaling of the Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology in dryland areas of Dodoma, Tanzania.
Sources of technical efficiency among smallholders maize farmers in Babati district, Tanzania
(2013-07) Baha, Michael; Temu, Andrew; Philip, Damas
Maize yield in Tanzania has been decreasing in the past few years. The decline has been attributed to many factors. This paper assesses production efficiency and its determinants among maize farmers in Babati district. The paper uses data collected from 122 maize farmers residing in six villages in the study district. A stochastic frontier model has been used to determine the sources of inefficiency among maize farmers in the study area. The results show that the mean technical efficiency score for famers in the study area is 62.3%. This implies that there is a significant room for increasing maize yield in the study area if farmers use the resources at their disposal efficiently. Moreover, the results show that the efficiency of maize farmers in the study area is influenced by farm size, formal education, number of plots owned by the farmer, frequency of contacts with extension officers, and the use of insecticides. It is therefore plausible to argue that improving farmers’ access to extension services and important inputs such as insecticides will have a significant influence on maize yield in the study area.
Vulnerability and Poverty: what are the causes and how are they related?
(ZEF, 2004) Philip, Damas; Rayhan, Israt
This paper aims to analyze how the terms ‘vulnerability’ and ‘poverty’ can be elucidated in a variety of ways, with different meanings, different implications and their interrelationship. The analysis shows poverty is generally associated with deprivation of health, education, food, knowledge, influence over one’s environment and the many other things that make the difference between truly living and merely surviving. There is another universal aspect of poverty, which makes it particularly painful and difficult to escape is: Vulnerability. The poor are more vulnerable than any other group to health hazards, economic down-turns, natural catastrophes, and even man-made violence. Shocks such as illness, injury and loss of livelihood have dreadful impacts, and are significant causes of poverty. Scholars argue that vulnerability and poverty are comprised of economic, social, cultural, political and environmental factors, thus to identify the full range of factors, this paper encompasses an interdisciplinary analysis with some case studies from developing countries.