Browsing by Author "Munna, Godfrey Vincent"

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    Assessment of factors influencing agricultural productivity in smallholder irrigation schemes in Tanzania: a case of Kwemazandu Irrigation Scheme in Korogwe District
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Munna, Godfrey Vincent
    This study assessed the factors influencing agricultural productivity in smallholder irrigation schemes in Tanzania. The focus is made on kwemazandu smallholder irrigation scheme in Korogwe District. The methodology employed to attain the study objectives is based on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and household interview. Results showed that main socio economic factors which influence productivity of the scheme are land tenure system, availability and affordability of agricultural inputs, and level and number of irrigation infrastructures,. Environmental and ecological issues observed to contribute to declining crop production of the scheme is water availability which is highly contributed by low flow in River Lwengera due to clime change and climate variability and land use change in the catchment area. Further results showed that institutional arrangements from district to scheme level, lack commitment to development of the scheme mostly due to inadequate funds to invest in the scheme for improvement of irrigation infrastructures, poor dissemination of required knowledge and weak enforcement of bylaws. Recommendations given to improve production are provision of customary lands right to scheme farmers and intensification of paddy farming by capacitating farmers to access credits for agricultural inputs, dissemination of knowledge and new technology through establishment of Farmers’ Field School (FFS) in the scheme and allocation of more funds to the scheme for either rehabilitation or construction of new infrastructures. Improvement of design of upstream traditional irrigation schemes, introduction of drought tolerant crop varieties and awareness campaign to all farmers is suggested to minimize the impacts of climate change and climate variability. The recommendations aim at improving crop production in smallholder irrigation schemes without compromising ecological integrity