Contribution of agricultural intensification on household income and food security: the case of Njombe and Mvomero districts

Abstract

Agricultural intensification is now a reality around the world. The phenomenon has been attributed to various drivers including an increased demand for feeding the growing human population, increased multiple competing land uses and therefore creating the pressure of need for enhanced production. Other factors entail the advancement of market and road infrastructures and thus creating enabling environment for agricultural transactions, and improved access to agricultural inputs and technologies. It is undoubtedly true that intensification brings diverse consequences in terms of income and food security among others. This study manifests the effects of agricultural intensification on income and food security amongst small scale farmers based on the data collected through household survey, and uses maize and paddy production in Njombe and Mvomero districts respectively as the case study. Our operational definition of intensification entails the frequent use of agro-chemical inputs such as mineral fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides; and use of improved seeds for the aim of enhancing crop productivity. We also narrow the food-security-definition by focusing on sufficient production for household consumption and having surplus for sale.