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Key factors influencing food security of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and the role of cassava as a strategic crop

Author

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  • Katrin Reincke

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Elisa Vilvert

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Anja Fasse

    (TU Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability)

  • Frieder Graef

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Stefan Sieber

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Marcos A. Lana

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU))

Abstract

Due to beneficial characteristics of cassava such as robustness and versatility for multiple uses, it can have a major role in contributing to local food security. The objective of this study was to find out whether and how the cultivation of cassava benefits smallholder farmers in the regions of Dodoma and Morogoro, Tanzania. In addition, the study assessed the main factors that support or threaten food security of smallholder farmer households in the survey region and analysed whether cassava cultivation could counteract them. We applied a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were provided by a comprehensive household survey of the Trans-SEC project, and qualitative data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews. To approach the complexity of our chosen food security definition, three approaches for household food security measurement were applied. These covered the components of food availability, food access, and food utilization. Additionally, dependent variables for regression models were constructed and a multivariate analysis was run. The results show that cassava contributes to food security in the households, but achieving food security through cassava cultivation was constrained by several factors, including pests, missing markets, poor processing, social perception and lack of knowledge. Besides these, other factors affecting food security in the study area were found, uncovering some roots of local food insecurity and serving as a basis for further research and action on how to enhance food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Katrin Reincke & Elisa Vilvert & Anja Fasse & Frieder Graef & Stefan Sieber & Marcos A. Lana, 2018. "Key factors influencing food security of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and the role of cassava as a strategic crop," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(4), pages 911-924, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:10:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-018-0814-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-018-0814-3
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    7. Das, K K & Ghosh, Arunava & Bhattacharya, P M & Dhar, T & Chowdhury, A & Rola-Rubzen, M F & Gathala, M & Tiwari, T.P, 2021. "Determinants of Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Intensification (CASI) outscaling a study in Coochbehar district of West Bengal, India," Agricultural Economics Research Review, Agricultural Economics Research Association (India), vol. 34(2), December.
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    9. Xi Chen & Chenyang Shuai & Ya Wu, 2023. "Global food stability and its socio‐economic determinants towards sustainable development goal 2 (Zero Hunger)," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1768-1780, June.
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    11. Tana, PO & Maina, SW & Makini, FW & Bebe, BO, 2023. "Assessing Differential Gains That Outstanding And Average Performing Farmers Attain From Climate-Smart Cassava Innovations In Nyando Climate-Smart Villages, Kenya," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 23(3), January.
    12. Luca Tricarico & Andrea Galimberti & Ausilia Campanaro & Chiara Magoni & Massimo Labra, 2020. "Experimenting with RRI tools to Drive Sustainable Agri-Food Research: The SASS Case Study from Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Fulgence Dominick Waryoba & Li Jing, 2019. "Consumption Uncertainty Reduction Among Sweet Potato Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 11(1-2), pages 132-147, January.
    14. Munirwan Zani & Haji Saediman & Sukmawati Abdullah & L. Daud & Lukman Yunus, 2019. "Determinants of Household Food Expenditure in a Cassava Growing Village in Southeast Sulawesi," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 8, November.
    15. Nyarai M. Mujuru & Ajuruchukwu Obi, 2020. "Effects of Cultivated Area on Smallholder Farm Profits and Food Security in Rural Communities of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.

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