Record-keeping Practices and Challenges among Small-holder Maize Farmers in Ruvuma, Tanzania: 26180
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https://doi.org/10.35716/IJED-26180
Author: Donata Kemirembe, Robert Eliakim Katikiro, and Maliwaza Mbwana
Author Address: Department of Agricultural and Business Statistics, Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
Abstract
This study examined the practices and challenges of record-keeping amongst small-holder farmers, with a view to devising appropriate measures and sustainable recommendations. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect primary data from 557 maize-farming households in the Ruvuma region using multi-stage sampling. To obtain the data, the study utilised structured questionnaires alongside interviews with key stakeholders. The findings revealed that 70.2 per cent of the farmers do not keep records, relying instead on recall. The key challenges included habitual practices and economic hardships. The significant predictors of record keeping were yield, land size, and respondents' educational level. The study emphasises the need to develop motivating factors that foster accountability to address record-keeping challenges.
Keywords
Farm records, food security, policy making.
JEL Codes
Q10, Q12, Q18