Impact of round potato production on well-being of smallholder farmers: a case of chips project in Meru district, Tanzania

Abstract

Round potato is among the potential food and cash crop cultivated in Tanzania's Northern highlands particularly Meru District in the Arusha Region. Despite of potentiality of potatoes to contribute to smallholder farmers’ income and food security, there is scarce empirical evidence on the impact of round potato production on smallholder farmers’ well- being. The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of round potato production on the well-being of smallholder farmers in terms of income and food security. The first specific objective was to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing round potato production and the second objective aimed to assess the impact of round potato production on smallholder farmers' food security in terms of dietary diversity. The third specific objective aimed to assess the impact of round potato production on smallholder farmers’ income. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage random sampling approach using purposive sampling and simple random sampling to select 341 potato farmers (122 project participants of the potato project and 219 non- project participants). A multi-stage random sampling approach was used whereby purposive and systematic sampling was applied to select a representative sample of smallholder farmers growing round potato varieties from Meru District. Quantitative information was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and STATA while qualitative information was analysed using content analysis. Data were collected using mixed methods and tools namely key informant interviews, focus group discussions and a survey using structured questionnaires. Findings showed that the use of quality potato seeds, loan application, availability of other inputs, access to extension services and area cultivated had a significant impact to round potatoes production (p<0.05). There was a positive and significant (p<0.05) association between income and production (yield), income and area cultivated, income and cost of fertilizers and income and cost of seeds. Project participants had a positive and significant impact on the smallholder farmers’ income (Gross Margin) and food security in terms of HDDS and HFIAS using NNM and MDM principles. NNM findings show project participants had an average income of TZS TZS 348 603.42 compared to an average of TZS 214 854.55 for non-project participants. MDM findings show project participants had an average income of TZS TZS 418 120.63 compared to an average of TZS 251 270.49 for non-project participants. Finding on food security show NMM results revealed an average HFIAS of 1.211 for project participants compared to an average HFIAS of 1.833 for non-project participants. MDM results revealed an average HFIAS of 1.352 for project participants compared to an average HFIAS of 2.213 for non-project participants. Moreover, both NMM and MDM results revealed an average HDDS of 8.123 for project participants compared to an average HDDS of 7.265 for non-project participants. Therefore, potato production had a positive significant impact on smallholder farmers' income and food security in the study area. It recommended that the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture should build constructive conditions through the improvement of agricultural policy and formulation of a potatoes forum with rules and regulations that could be the roadmap along the potato value chain. The local government authority (LGA) through extension officers should insist on and encourage farmers' groups and associations to ensure the spreading and adoption of the improved technologies, strategies for marketing potato produce, access to soft loans, and subsides. Research institutions should ensure the production and availability of quality seeds, certified pesticides and insecticides for potato production. Other actors along the potatoes value chain should ensure the supply of proper agro-inputs in a required period at a favourable price in the study area. This will contribute to improving potato production which enhances the well-being of the smallholder farmers in Meru District.