Towards Sustainable Maize Farming in Tanzania: Understanding Yield Predictors among Smallholder Farmers | Chapter 5 | Contemporary Research in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 4

Maize production plays a key role in ensuring global food security, particularly in providing important, low-cost, and nutritious staple food for communities worldwide. This study analyses the factors influencing maize yields among smallholder farmers in Mbinga District. Using a cross-sectional approach and multistage sampling, data were collected from 120 farmers using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Analysis using descriptive statistics and multiple regression using the double log model highlights the critical role of farm size, seed quantity, fertiliser application, and units of labour on maize yields in the district. Recommendations from these findings advocate strengthening extension services for farmer education, improving access to affordable agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertiliser through supportive policies, and advocating modern agricultural practices for optimal input use and increased yields. It also suggests facilitating access to credit, promoting market linkages, and investing in infrastructure development to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Promoting research and innovation in agriculture is urged to tailor technologies, crop varieties, and management strategies to local conditions and build resilience to climate-related challenges. These actions can promote agricultural sustainability, livelihoods, and resilience in the study area and contribute to global food security efforts.

Author(s) Details:

Dickson Utonga,
Department of Project Planning and Management, Tengeru Institute of Community Development, P.O. Box 1006, Arusha, Tanzania.

Lusajo Japhet Kamwela,
Department of Project Planning and Management, Tengeru Institute of Community Development, P.O. Box 1006, Arusha, Tanzania.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CRBME-V4/article/view/14074

Investing the Impact of Climate Variability and Change on Maize Yields in the Semi-Arid Lands of Lower Eastern Kenya | Chapter 2 | Research Highlights in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

 In the semi-arid lands of lower eastern Kenya, this study examined the effects of climatic variability and change on maize yields. Climate is a key element in rain-fed agriculture. Climate fluctuation and change have been the main determinants of crop output in Kenya and other parts of the world. The impact of climate variability on maize yields in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of lower eastern Kenya counties hasn't been the subject of a lot of research, though. The effect of three meteorological elements on maize yields at various temporal and spatial scales was evaluated in order to lay the groundwork for maize crop monitoring and modelling. This study contends that Machakos County had the highest levels of maize output decline, followed by Kitui, Mwingi, and Makueni Counties. Since maize yields have negative Z-values, all of the counties' experiences with climate change between 1994 and 2008 have primarily been negative. Four out of the six weather stations were decreasing by up to 3 mm per year, according to a review of rainfall trends. Evidently, annual and seasonal temperatures have been rising at a rate of 0.03°C per year. According to the study, there is high climate variability in the arid and semi-arid counties, which has a significant impact on maize yields and food security in lower eastern Kenya. Rainfall and maize had a statistically significant positive and negative relationship, respectively. In all four of lower eastern Kenya's counties, the yield of maize is clearly on the decline. Thus, in order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, it is essential to climate-proof agricultural crops through adaptation strategies like early planting, cultivating maize varieties that can withstand water stress, and increasing awareness of climate change and its effects on agriculture. These results are essential for developing suitable adaptation strategies that will increase the resilience of maize output and food security.

Author(s) Details:

Nyandiko Nicodemus Omoyo,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.

Jacob Wakhungu,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.

Silvery Oteng’I,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RHAS-V2/article/view/8154