Abstract
Increasing crop production amid recurrent droughts remains a critical challenge for smallholder farmers in the semi-arid Iramba District; however, empirical evidence on crop production remains scarce. This paper analysed trends in crop production in Iramba District from 1995 to 2024. Mixed methods were used, and data were collected through structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, in-depth interviews and document reviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The results indicate that 84.2% (n=95) of the households showed an increase in crop yields despite concurrent severe drought. Sunflower, maize, bulrush millet, and sorghum were identified as the dominant crops to withstand drought. The adoption of dominant crops contributed to increased crop yields in the studied area. This paper recommends that agricultural stakeholders in Tanzania should prioritise dissemination and adoption of bred-drought-tolerant crop varieties for semi-arid areas, to stabilise and increase rain-fed crop yields.
Recommended Citation
Shalua, Nashokigwa; Mlengule, Digna Wolfram; and Andrea, Johnstone M.
(2025)
"Adapting to Aridity: Crop Production Trends among Smallholder Farmers in Iramba District, Tanzania,"
Tanzanian Economic Review: Vol. 15:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7740/1035
Available at:
https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/ter/vol15/iss2/8
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