Factors affecting maize production in Kiteto district, Manyara region, Tanzania: cross sectional design

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important food crops globally; however, its production in most of the developing countries has been facing several challenges that also affect the livelihood of the large number of smallholder farmers who highly depend on the crop for food and income. Therefore, to deepen understanding of the same, the current study explores factors affecting maize production in Kiteto district, Manyara, Tanzania. This study employed a cross-sectional research design to gather primary data from a randomly selected sample of 100 individuals. The data was analysed using the multiple linear regression technique. The findings revealed that farm size (0.0083, p<0.01), access to irrigation (0.0878, p<0.01), and access to improved seeds (0.0582, p<0.01)  had a significant statistical influence on the level of maize production. Furthermore, regarding the challenges, the results were analysed through the utilisation of measures such as the mean, frequencies, and percentages.  Furthermore, the study found that shortage of rainfall, maize price fluctuation, diseases, and pests were the main challenges facing maize farmers in the study area. The study findings recommend that in order to improve maize production, there is a need to increase accessibility to irrigation facilities, improved seeds, fertiliser, and modern farming techniques among smallholder maize farmers, and this may be done by the government in collaboration with the private sector.