Articles
HORTICULTURE IN THE FARMING SYSTEMS OF MGETA VILLAGES, MOROGORO, TANZANIA
Article number
270_9
Pages
83 – 90
Language
Abstract
A farming systems diagnostic survey has been conducted at Mgeta villages since 1985. Data collection has been based on field trips, monitoring of farmers plots and questionnaires.
The paper presents work on the classification of different cropping systems in Mgeta based on the farmers objectives of cultivating the crops, geographical influence especially altitude and biological interrelationship among crops.
Three major cropping systems are identifiable: a subsistence cropping system (16%), a mixed cropping system (70%), and a pure market vegetable system (14%). Farmers decisions on which system to adopt are influenced by the need to meet food requirements (maize and pulses) and money income (olericultural and pomology products). Limitations and restrictions on choice are climatic conditions influenced mainly by altitude.
Areas ranging from 1200m to 1600 asl. are significantly different from those at 1600m to 1800m asl across all three systems in terms of the type of crops grown, crop husbandry practices, the use of inputs, and the length of the growth cycle of maize.
Horticulture development is evidently affected by the same factors.
Recommendations for horticulture improvement in the area include introduction of single vegetable stands in the subsistence system; intensification of modern practices in the mixed cropping system and the market vegetable system.
Exploitation of the fertility recycling potential from piggery enterprise is also advocated.
Institutional factors affecting horticulture development in the area include poor transport and marketing systems of which suggestions for improvement are given including an all weather road construction.
The paper presents work on the classification of different cropping systems in Mgeta based on the farmers objectives of cultivating the crops, geographical influence especially altitude and biological interrelationship among crops.
Three major cropping systems are identifiable: a subsistence cropping system (16%), a mixed cropping system (70%), and a pure market vegetable system (14%). Farmers decisions on which system to adopt are influenced by the need to meet food requirements (maize and pulses) and money income (olericultural and pomology products). Limitations and restrictions on choice are climatic conditions influenced mainly by altitude.
Areas ranging from 1200m to 1600 asl. are significantly different from those at 1600m to 1800m asl across all three systems in terms of the type of crops grown, crop husbandry practices, the use of inputs, and the length of the growth cycle of maize.
Horticulture development is evidently affected by the same factors.
Recommendations for horticulture improvement in the area include introduction of single vegetable stands in the subsistence system; intensification of modern practices in the mixed cropping system and the market vegetable system.
Exploitation of the fertility recycling potential from piggery enterprise is also advocated.
Institutional factors affecting horticulture development in the area include poor transport and marketing systems of which suggestions for improvement are given including an all weather road construction.
Authors
A.E. Temu, A.N. Minjas, J.L. Paul
Keywords
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