The impacts of land management on selected soil fertility properties and productivity of food crop were investigated in Rungwe volcanic area of southern Tanzania. The study involved fertility assessment of soil under: 1) forest reserve; 2) abandoned grassland covered with scattered trees; 3) 3 years fallow; and 4) land under continuous cropping. Land under forest was included as a bench mark soil with less influence from human activities. Soil parameters assessed per land use category were soil depths (cm), soil exchangeable bases and exchange properties (cmolckg-1 soil). Communities’ perceptions on soil fertility changes and productivity were also assessed through focus group iscussions (FGD), whereby 25 village community members representing different age groups and gender were involved. Findings indicated that soil fertility varied according to land management, whereby a soil under forest reserve had deep A horizon and was rich in total exchangeable bases (11.80 cmolc/kg soil) and with high in exchange property while that under continuous cultivation had low fertility with a total exchangeable bases of 3.28 cmolc/kg soil. This depletion in soil fertility was described to lead into food insecurity due declining crop productivity over years. The main social economic activity in study area was identified to be agriculture, whereby both crops and livestock played a significant role. The three main wealth groups namely the: 1) rich; 2) middle; and 3) poor people reflects a very strong linkages among them in terms of livelihoods and resource management. To sustain productivity of volcanic soils, sustainable land management strategies need to be strengthened through research and training following an innovation approach involving key stakeholders.