The role of improved sweet potato varieties to food security and rural livelihoods in Zanzibar, the Eastern and Lake Zones of Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Ishika, Mshaghuley Mcharo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-17T06:50:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-17T06:50:45Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2005 | |
| dc.description | Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | The study was conducted to analyse the role of improved sweet potato varieties (ISPV) and popular highly grown local cultivars to food security in Zanzibar, Eastern and Lake zones of Tanzania. Study objectives were, to assess the rate of adoption of improved sweet potato varieties at farm level; to assess the production trends of ISPV; to assess the role of ISPV to food security; to identify the production constraints of ISPV and finally identify highly preferred local cultivars in the community. Multistage sampling technique was employed, 186 sweet potato grower households were sampled by random sampling. Data were collected through interviews using the pre-tested questionnaire and checklists for informal surveys (PRA). Secondary data was obtained from projects reports and electronically through Internet. Data were statistically analysed using SPSS to obtain frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, SAS were used for multivariate analysis using logit/probit regression model. Adoption of ISPV was found to be influenced by socio economic and institutional factors: extension service, participation and farming experience were statistically significant (P<0.05) between adopters and non-adopters. Majority (60.2%) of respondents reported high significant (P<0.05) increase in ISPV production compared to local cultivars, yet insignificant difference increase in acreage under ISPV was noted. Majority (70.4%) of respondents were growing ISPV and few (29.6%) were not growing. Majority of respondents (74.7%) were food secure and few (25.3%) were insecure. Sweet potato was found to be on transition from subsistence to commercial production. Major constraints identified were poor fanning and post-harvest improved technology, drought, pests and diseases, poor access to improved sweet potato vines, and marketing. Popular and highly grown local cultivars for food and market are. Pananzala/Mbutu, Matako mapana, Polista, Sekondari, Shangazi and Mkonibozi. Highly tiii adopted ISPV in the Eastern zone are Ukerewe and Simania, Lake zone are Jitihada, Simania and Sinia and Zanzibar Kizinibani inayai, Sinia and Simania. This study concludes that, ISPV play a greater role in household food security and generates income for their livelihoods. Its adoption was statistically significant though only few varieties were adopted. Thus research on potentials, opportunities, and constraints of the ISPV should be conducted. Plant breeders should develop improved varieties that have desirable traits for home consumption and for market. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | International Potato Centre (C1P) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7428 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Improved sweet potato | |
| dc.subject | Food security | |
| dc.subject | Local cultivars | |
| dc.subject | Rural livelihoods | |
| dc.title | The role of improved sweet potato varieties to food security and rural livelihoods in Zanzibar, the Eastern and Lake Zones of Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |