This study explored the causal relationship between exports and economic growth in Tanzania. It analyzed time series data for the period of 1980 to 2015. Economic growth is measured in terms of growth per cent while exports are measured in percentage change of goods and services sold abroad. Econometrics analysis was employed in the due course. Such procedures as testing for the presence of unit root, co-integration and causality were done. Furthermore, the Johansen co-integration and Granger causality tests were employed to examine the long-run relationship among variables. The results of co-integration indicate the existence of one co-integrating equation. The causality test results exhibited causality which runs from economic growth to exports. The results conclude that, in the long run, there is a relationship between exports and economic growth in Tanzania. This study recommends the Government to make efforts to improve exports and eventually, in the long-run, rejuvenating the economy.

Carrots are emerging as a crop of choice among many smallholder farmers due to thier affordable management schedules, quick maturing and high returns per acre; thus improving directly their livelihood. Despite its potentiality, it is not clearly known how the crop farming contributes to the household livelihoods among farmers in the study area. This cross-sectional study explored the contribution of carrot farming on the households’ livelihood in Arumeru district, Arusha Tanzania. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select 150 smallholder farmers. Semi-structured questionnaires were used in data collection and then analysed by descriptive statistics, profit gross margin and sustainable livelihood analysis. The study results determine that profit generated in carrot farming was approximately 23.1% gross profit margin per acre. This implies that it is a profitable activity in the study area. More, the results show that carrot farming enhances farmers’ livelihoods through improving access and control to human asset. The study recommends that promotion of carrot farming should be sustainably to accommodate poverty eradication strategies among households. The other stakeholders should invest efforts in promoting carrot farming which is evidenced to improve people’s livelihood. More, financial services should be accessible and reliable to facilitate the farming processes. Moreover, extension officers should invest their efforts in providing necessary trainings to farmers. Much more, the study recommends more research on the welfare and postharvest losses of carrot farming in the study area.

This cross-sectional study analyzed the profitability of maize production among smallholder farmers in Mbinga District, Ruvuma, Tanzania. A multistage sampling procedure was applied to select 120 smallholder farmers. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaires and then analyzed by using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting technique. The results reveal that Gross Margin for maize enterprise was 1,182,650.79 TZS per hectare. This implies that maize farming is a profitable enterprise in the study area. The study recommends that the government should promote financing mechanisms to facilitate conducive environment for investment in the subsector. More, it is recommended that the government should manage the inputs subsidy provision by using participatory techniques. Further, the government should regulate informal maize markets to protect the welfare of farmers. Moreover, youth, women and people with disabilities should utilise the funds (10% of councils’ budgets) available at the Local Government Authorities to engage in agricultural activities. This will ultimately offer an opportunity to reduce unemployment in such localities.

Maize plays a significant role in food security strategies in the world. It is the world’s most important food crop to majority of communities since it provides cheap source of essential calories as compared to other sources of protein foods. It has the potential of being grown in a variety of agro-ecological zones with varied yields per hectare. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the determinants of maize yields among small-scale farmers in Mbinga district, Ruvuma region, Tanzania. This cross-sectional study employed a multistage sampling method to select 120 farmers in the study area. Semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews were used for data collection. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis (double-log model). The results indicate that farm size, amount of seed, fertilizer and labour were the significant determinants of maize yields among small-scale farmers in the district. The study recommends that; the government should ensure access to quality and affordable inputs to farmers by employing effective price control mechanisms on fertilisers and improved seeds which are imperative in improving the yields. Farmers should be capacitated on accessing affordable loans through financial inclusion programs and expand market access that can be reliable through the formation of farmers’ associations. Farmers should be exposed to better farming techniques such as the rational application of inputs through effective provision extension services.

As an outcome of agricultural activities, land degradation causes detrimental impacts on the environment and soil. It requires sustainable measures to combat the problem that is becoming critical worldwide. Despite many technological improvement programmes in agriculture, especially on land conservation, adoption has remained low in many developing countries. This situation triggered a further investigation into potential factors influencing sustainable land management practices (SLMPs) adoption in Mbulu district, a semiarid area in northern Tanzania so as to determine and suggest appropriate measures that can promote greater adoption. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data from 120 farmers was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The adoption index was computed and determined the level of SLMPs adoption to be low. Probit regression analysis examined the factors influencing the adoption of SLMPs. Results show that gender, marital status, education, land size, and the distance to the extension office significantly influenced the adoption of SLMPs. Specifically, being male, widowed, having formal education, owning a larger size of land, and being closer to the extension office significantly increased the likelihood of the adoption. Also, being unmarried and unaware of SLMPs reduced the probability of the adoption. Awareness-raising programmes must be more targeted and effective to reach the intended audience. In addition, promoting sustainable land management practices that support income diversification and livelihood improvement is crucial in the study area. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable land management practices requires supportive policy and institutional frameworks in the study area. Overall, addressing these factors requires a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including farmers, communities, the government, civil society organisations, and the private sector. By working together, these stakeholders can create an enabling environment that promotes SLMPs adoption and contributes to more sustainable livelihoods and income diversification in the study area.