Factors influencing cotton production and its contribution to farming households’ income in Tanzania: a case study of Meatu district in Simiyu region

Abstract

The study analyzes the factors influencing cotton production in Meatu District and its contribution to farming households’ income. The Tobit regression model used in this study reveal that cotton market price, credit provision, transport cost, total household income and rental cost of hiring tractors were statistically significant in influencing cotton yield. Gini coefficient was computed so as to determine how income is distributed among cotton growing farmers in Meatu District and at the end serve the need for policy recommendation. Gini coefficient analysis showed that there is a large income difference between organic cotton farmers and inorganic cotton farmers suggesting that farmers in Meatu District should engage more in organic cotton production which is more profitable.