Component Analysis of Farming Systems With Relevance to Finger Millet Cultivation in South Western Tanzania

Abstract

Interpretation of farming systems. involves many aspects influencing the systems. Different components of farming systems have been categorized as cropping systems, the farm household system, livestock system and the interaction between these components and the environment. The purpose of this paper is to preface component analysis results of a study of finger millet farming systems of South Western' Tanzania. The farming systems in the area fall mainly in two categories namely shifting cultivation and fallow systems. These systems are characterized by specific cultivation systems such as slash-andburn, mounds (ntumba) and "burnt mounds" (nkule), ridge cultivation and various forms of oxploughing. Finger millet is sown mainly as a mono-crop usually with insignificant intercropping tendencies. The crop is cultivated essentially for cash. Farm households with cattle are better cultivators of the crop. Households practicing ox-ploughing were mostly those who owned more cattle and were cultivating greater acreages. Having more wives increased household size and workforce and these were very important sources of household's manpower. Availability of good and reliable markets and good transport logistics are important constraints limiting the crop production. There is also need to investigate further on the scientific and environmental parameters responsible for sustainance of the traditional systems that predominat€f the crop production.

Keywords: Farming systems, Component analysis, Shifting cultivation, Fallow systems, Mono-crop

Tanzania J.Agric.Sc. (2006) Vol.7 No.2, 87 - 96