Livelihoods of smallholder farmers in southern agricultural growth corridor of Tanzania: lesson from households in Ihemi cluster

Masters dissertationThis study assessed livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ihemi Cluster based on male and female headed-households. The methodology involved a cross-sectional research design with sample size of 150 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Ihemi Cluster among other Clusters of the SAGCOT intervention and stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents. The main methods of data collection used were structured household questionnaires and focus group discussion. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and independent T-test statistics were used to analyze the data. Research findings found that, majority of the sampled respondents had poor livelihoods status based on measurable indicators assessed. The computed independent T-test for mean production difference revealed that, there was a significant difference in production scores for male-headed households (M=12.4, SD=9.1) and female-headed household (M=9.4, SD=7.8) conditions; t (142) =-3.233 and p=0.002, these results suggest that there was statistically significant differences (p< 0.01) in agricultural production between male and female-headed households in the Cluster. Furthermore, multiple linear regression model reveals that land owned, access to credit, number of livestock owned, HH education level and household size were found to have significance influence on male and female headed- households’ income inequalities. The study recommends that, livelihood diversification (diversification of income sources) should be encourage, Fostering of community - investor linkage and increase access and control over natural resources such as land to female-headed households who are important actors in agriculture in rural areas as they depend on land for their livelihood