Assessment of tobacco smallholder farming practices: the case of Nzega district, Tanzania.
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
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.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Environmental degradation, Deforestation, Land degradation, Tobacco farming practices