Browsing by Author "Salehe Farida S"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Organic spices farming in west districts, Zanzibar: it’s contribution to income of smallholder farmers.
(Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research, 2025-07-09) Chingonikaya Emanuel E.; Garu Foum A.; Salehe Farida S
Aims: In recent years, organic agriculture has been gaining considerable importance. Many farmers today show interest all over the world in organic farming. The concept of organic farming is not new, but it has been scantly studied. Organic spice farming is therefore, requires to be studied widely. Spice production is a popular economic activity in Zanzibar. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of organic spice farming to income of the smallholder farmers. Study Design: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in two districts of Zanzibar, the West and Central districts between August 2018 and September 2018. Methodology: A random sampling procedure was used to obtain 120 households. The households were categorized from three clusters namely: merely organic, certified organic and inorganic spice farming farmers. Data were collected using a household questionnaire survey. Results: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Among the three types of spice farming, inorganic spice farming averagely produced 174.3 kg/household, followed by merely organic (86.3 kg/household) and certified organic (70.2 kg/household). However, certified spice farming households earned in average 565 900 TAS higher than others (merely organic (361 170 TAS) and inorganic (350 500 TAS)). Further, certified spices contributed to 26.2% of the total household’s income, followed by merely organic (23.1%) and inorganic (19.0%) spices. Conclusion: The study concludes that spice farming increased income among households. Therefore, there is a need of putting more effort in spice farming improvement, particularly certified organic spice farming as it gives high earnings to the households.
Tea production and economic contribution to smallholder farmers in Bumbuli, Tanzania: a rigorous analysis for policy and practice
(2024-12-22) Salehe Farida S
Despite its long-standing role in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, tea production among smallholder farmers remains under-researched in terms of its actual economic contribution and the persistent structural barriers limiting its potential. In Bumbuli District, Tanga Region, tea farming is often promoted as a viable source of income; however, the majority of smallholders operate under resource-constrained conditions that hinder productivity and sustainability. This study undertakes a rigorous mixed-methods analysis—drawing from surveys, interviews, and secondary data—to critically examine how tea production contributes to smallholder livelihoods and to identify the key constraints affecting income generation. Findings show that 78% of farmers cultivate less than three acres and that fertilizer use is strikingly low, with 95% of farmers not applying any, contributing to average yields ranging from 1,100 to 1,500 kg per acre annually. Corresponding incomes remain modest, between TZS 384,300 and 1,098,000 per year, and are further undermined by market uncertainties such as frequent factory closures and persistently low producer prices averaging TZS 366 per kilogram. Additionally, the sector is dominated by an aging population, with over 60% of farmers aged above 52, raising concerns over long-term generational continuity. Inferential statistical analysis, particularly multivariate regression, identifies land size and adoption of agronomic practices as significant predictors of household income, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted policy responses. These include improving access to agricultural inputs, establishing more reliable market systems, and designing youth-inclusive programs to revitalize tea farming as a sustainable economic activity for future generations.