Analysis of factors affecting agricultural productivity in selected subsistence farming villages in Tanzania

This study examines the events affecting maize productivity. The study answered four questions: What events were occurring in the subsistence farming villages; were the events related to maize productivity; were these differences in events, if any, associated with the levels of maize productivity; and what accounted for the notable differences in maize productivity within the same area, where some subsistence farming villages were faring well while others were starving?; A review of the literature identifies factors reported to influence maize productivity. Those factors were categorized and formed the basis for the theoretical framework and exploratory-case study.; Family members were the sources of farm labor. There was a significant difference between the six villages in farm size, and in maize production. Farmers with large farms had low maize yields/hectare. This was true for farmers in the high, middle, and low strata villages. As farm size increased, maize production decreased. However, farmers indicated their major farming goal was to expand the size of farms.; Age, gender, education, culture, and farmer opinion on adequacy of production were not a factor in maize production. Husbands greatly dominated the decisions made in a household. Farmers were solving their problems "alone" and through "neighbors" instead of solving their problems through agricultural extension agents. The motivating conditions in the six villages were: the ability to produce enough food for the family, the availability of fertilizers, seeds, land, and oxen-ploughs. Oral extension service, Radio Tanzania, newspapers, and institutions outside the agricultural field were the main sources on information on maize farming.; There was no significant difference in average production between farmers who used commercial and inorganic fertilizers, and those who did not use fertilizer. Farmers in the middle and low strata had never kept records. Farmers in three villages were using seeds saved from previous hybrid harvest.; The noted differences in maize productivity within the same area were due to: farm size, family labor, knowledge and skills, cost of inputs, cultivation implements, and values.