Tea production and economic contribution to smallholder farmers in Bumbuli, Tanzania: a rigorous analysis for policy and practice
| dc.contributor.author | Salehe Farida S | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-15T12:30:08Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-15T12:30:08Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-12-22 | |
| dc.description | The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH). pp. 41-49 | |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2619- 8851 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6852 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Tea Production | |
| dc.subject | Smallholder Income | |
| dc.subject | Agronomic Practices | |
| dc.subject | Market Access | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | |
| dc.title | Tea production and economic contribution to smallholder farmers in Bumbuli, Tanzania: a rigorous analysis for policy and practice | |
| dc.type | Article |