Full Report. Also available at: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/16561/1/moshi_a_b_200114.pdf
This study was undertaken to investigate the local and regional variations in conditions for agriculture and food security by identifying the factors that are responsible for the disparity in agricultural performance in Tanzania. The study attempts to answer the following questions: What is the distribution of key crops grown and livestock kept in Tanzania? What are the current institutional arrangements and how are different stakeholders (local, county, national and international) involved in agenda setting for policy research? What has been the impact of policies, programs and strategies targeting local and regional variations in conditions for agriculture in Tanzania: what lessons have been learnt? What major gaps. Based on the desk review employed for purposes of this study from documents at both global and country levels, the study reveals that there is a difference in agricultural and productivity among regions. It was also found that considerable amount of variation in production and productivity exists among the regions. For the food crops, the total cropped area and productivity is higher in the southern highlands compared to the central and northwestern regions part of Tanzania. There has been a slow and unbalanced agricultural growth among regions in Tanzania over the years. The factors range from variation in climate and topography, farming system, social cultural, and enabling physical infrastructure and access to markets. It has been established that apart from agro ecological settings, the agricultural infrastructure across states is highly uneven in the country. Moreover, the disproportionate distributions of public and private investment in favour of agriculturally developed states are found to be responsible for wide disparity in agricultural performances in Tanzania which, in turn, is considered to be responsible for wide disparity in both agricultural production and the per capita domestic product across regions in Tanzania. There is a need for taking some immediate steps to put a check in this disparity and lop-sided growth of the regional economy and should be given special priority to bridge-up the immense development by the proper agricultural policy. Further to strengthen capacity building of various institutions to ensure efficient and effective in service delivery. Strengthen the capacity of the Ministry and local governments in overseeing implementation of agricultural activities