A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Project Planning and Management of Mzumbe University
The main objective of the study was to analyse the contribution of smallholder maize production towards household food security in Babati District. Specific objectives were to examine household maize production per year in Babati; to examine household caloric acquisition from maize consumption; and to investigate the challenges facing maize producers. Primary data was collected from 80 households through observation, interview and focus group discussion using structured questionnaire and checklist. The study found that the average maize yield was 509.72 kg/acre. Farmers incurred an average production cost of 118,642.29 Tshs per acre that was dominated (42%) by ploughing. Also, farmers accrued an average of 254,860.69 Tshs per acre with an average Return on Investment of 44.1%. Almost all (i.e 96.25%) of the households in the study area had three meals per day and about 79.2% (1770.1 kcal/adult equivalent/day) of caloric intake per adult equivalent per day was acquired from maize. Basing on Dietary Energy Consumed per adult equivalent per day, 53.75% and 46.25% of households were food secure and insecure respectively; however, basing on Household Dietary Diversity Score, 73% and 7% of households were food insecure and secure respectively. Three quarters (70%) of households had at least one individual involved in non-farm activities. Majority (33.75%) accrued an average income of between 100,001 and 200,000 TSHS per month. Moreover, majority (32.5%) of households responded that low income among maize producing households was the major constraint in maize production; other challenges were unreliable rainfall, high cost of hybrid maize seeds, inadequate ploughing tools, wild animals and theft of crops. Hence, households should expand their farming systems to include the cultivation of vegetables, legumes and tubers. Also, they should diversify farm income to other off-farm activities such as business or any small enterprise so as to be able to improve their dietary intake as well as ensuring financial liquidity at the household that can help them to manage farm activities.