Sweet Potatoes Production and Poverty Reduction in Singida District: Empirical Evidence from Ihanja Division

Kidole, Valerian Vitalis (2013) Sweet Potatoes Production and Poverty Reduction in Singida District: Empirical Evidence from Ihanja Division. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The main aim of the study was to assess the extent to which sweet potatoes production has reduced poverty in Ihanja division, Singida district,. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and on site observations. The study revealed that majority of households (78.7 %) acknowledged to have ability to finance food through potatoes earning (89 %) education and (94 %) health services with no difficulties. Moreover 82% of the respondents reported that, sweet potatoes production had helped them to construct houses, only that many of the houses were not modern one. Majority (64 %) of the households did not acknowledge having adequate clothing material. Regarding beddings and kitchenware, 93.3 % did not acknowledge adequacies in beds, chairs, tables and kitchenware. The major problems facing sweet potatoes production were weevil infestation especially during the dry season, lack of financial assistance, low prices of the crop due lack of organised marketing strategies and inadequacy of land. Absence of extension services which resulted in poor agricultural practices, and pests and diseases were also mentioned as constraints to sweet potatoes production. Based on the findings of the present study, some issues aimed at improving sweet potatoes production need to be addressed. These includes improvement of access to rural credit by strengthening of the existing SACCOS and cooperative societies, provision of agricultural extension services, distribution of high-yielding varieties, and improved access to land and secure property rights.

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