The Impact of Agricultural Research on Poverty and Income Distribution: A Case Study of Selected On-farm Research Projects at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Improved technologies induce productivity growth that generates pro-poor improvement processes. However, improving welfare and equity is a  difficult task. This study investigated whether interventions in agriculture
benefit farmers who are more capable to derive sufficient gains than  others using data from on-farm research projects in Tanzania.Data were collected during baseline and impact assessment studies using  questionnaires. The distributions of income were assessed using  coefficients of variation, Gini coefficients and Theil’s Tstatistic. Results show that the projects contributed to increase farm income through  enhanced productivity and sales of products and these gains were equitably shared. To encourage adoption and sustainability of these interventions it is important to sensitize Local Government Authorities and Agricultural Sector Lead Ministries on these technologies to allow incorporation of research findings in development plans. Involvement of extension staff in research and demonstrations through farmers’ shows should also be encouraged to increase adoption.

Key words: Agricultural research, Agricultural productivity; poverty and income inequality.