The Extent of Food Insecurity and its Linkage to Poverty in Kigoma Region, Tanzania: A Case Study of Kitahama, Mwali and Kalinzi Villages

Gwalema, Susan Rugano (2010) The Extent of Food Insecurity and its Linkage to Poverty in Kigoma Region, Tanzania: A Case Study of Kitahama, Mwali and Kalinzi Villages. Huria Journal, VIII. pp. 44-67. ISSN 0856 6739

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Abstract

The study set to investigate the extent of food insecurity and its linkage to poverty in Kigoma region. Three sample villages, namely: Kitahana, Kalinzi and Mwali were randomly selected from three ecological zones for detailed study. The study investigated the impact of poverty on sustainable land management; the extent of the use of improved techniques of agriculture; the level of accessibility of smallholder farmers to agricultural extension services, and the effect of women’s heavy workload on food availability and income in Kitahana, Mwali and Kalinzi villages. A sample of 152 households was randomly selected from three sample villages. A questionnaire was administered to heads of households and their spouses. Focus group discussions were also conducted in Mwali and Kalinzi villages. Findings have shown that 88% of the sampled households faced intermittent food insecurity particularly in Kalinzi and Kitahana villages. Reasons for food insecurity included; adverse weather changes, soil infertility, unavailability of farm inputs, shortage of labour, time constraints, transportation problems and wide use of traditional agricultural practices such as mixed cropping, shifting cultivation and short time bush fallowing. Only 22% of households had access to agricultural extension services and 66% of wives were inefficient in agriculture because of heavier workload than their husbands. Most of these reasons were linked to income and human poverty. However, data showed no significant direct association between poverty and food insecurity. This could be due to the effect of other factors such as drought, poor transportation and marketing. It is recommended that food production be improved through use of better implements and modern agricultural practices such as irrigation. The government should ensure availability of better farm inputs and effective use of agricultural extension workers.

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