Assessment of factors contributing to food insecurity to smallholder farmers in Mbulu district, Manyara region

This study on factors contributing to food insecurity to small holder farmers was carried out in Mbulu district, Manyara region from September to December 2010.The purpose was to analyze the food situation; identifying limiting factors for optimal food production and to identify various coping strategies employed by smallholder farmers in a situation of food insecurity in the study area. Data for this study was obtained by cross-sectional design whereby random sampling was used to select respondents from the study area. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used to collect data for this study. Primary data was collected from farmers, extension agents and local leaders by using a questionnaire and checklist respectively. A sample of 120 respondents was randomly selected. Quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used. From the study, about 81.7 percent of the households were food insecure. Smallholder farmers in the study area are suffering from food shortage mainly because of low productivity of the sector and low access to food due dependency on farming as the major source of food and income. Agricultural productivity was low as it depends on seasonal rainfall which is inadequate, low hectares under cultivation and food loses due to pests and diseases. Other factors are limited use of modern technology, poor soils and in adequate extension services. Since agriculture play a major role in the reduction of food insecurity, a strategy on strengthening farming and non-farming activities linkages is likely to yield better results in terms of increasing self food production and income generation. On top of that there is need for the government to motivate extension service providers as well as farmers to be insisted to utilize the services effectively and efficiently.