Browsing by Author "Kiduga, Herman"

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    The impact of national agricultural input vouchers scheme on smallholder farmers’ production in Kilombero district, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Kiduga, Herman
    The study on the impact of agricultural input vouchers scheme on smallholder farmers’ production was carried out in Kilombero District. The overall objective of the study was to determine the extent to which national agricultural input vouchers scheme has contributed towards the smallholder farmers’ agricultural production. The study used questionnaire, semi-structured interview and Focus Group Discussion as main data collection methods. The sample size was 126 respondents selected from four villages of Mkula, Sonjo, Katurukila and Magombera. Quantitative data was subsequently organized into themes and coded for statistical analysis mainly using excel and basic computer programmes. Qualitative information was subjected to content analysis. The study findings indicate that the introduction of national input vouchers scheme has increased farmers’ access to and utilization of agricultural inputs which eventually improved smallholder farmers’ production in the study area. However, this potential is limited by challenges such as corruption, shortage of input retail shops, high inputs price, late delivery of input vouchers and inadequate extension services which affect the way smallholder farmers’ access and utilize the inputs for sustainable agriculture production in Kilombero District. Therefore, in order to effectively improve agricultural production among smallholder farmers through national agricultural input vouchers scheme, the study calls for the government to address the major implementation challenges such as corruption, shortage of input retail shops, late delivery of input vouchers and inadequate extension services to make inputs more accessible and useful to farmers as it is desired.