Alternative crops to tobacco: a gateway for tobacco farmers Ruvuma region, southern Tanzania
1 1 | Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum, Tanzania, United Rep. |
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A948
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
Download abstract book (PDF)ABSTRACT
Background:
Tanzania is second in Africa in tobacco production after Malawi. Despite the increased production, Tanzania remains a poor country with tobacco farmers getting poorer and the country losing more than 61,000 hectares of forests annually due to tobacco growing and curing.
Methods:
Since 2006, Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum (TTCF) has been working closely with tobacco farmers of Namtumbo District in Ruvuma Region, Southern Tanzania to adopt alternative crops. A survey was carried out in Namtumbo in 2011, using a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and a structured questionnaire to determine the extent of adoption of alternative crops.
Results:
Results indicated that, more than 70% of the farmers had adopted alternative crops. Current data from Namtumbo District Council indicate that, between 2006 and 2014, there has been increased tonnage in both food and cash crops and a decrease in tobacco production. For example, maize and rice production increased by 452% and 377% respectively, while pigeon peas and sesame increased by 5,839% and 1,302% respectively. Tobacco production increased by 583% from 2006 to 2009, but dropped by 491% between 2010 and 2014.
Conclusions:
Increased farmers' sensitisation coupled with sustainable and viable markets, could enable total replacement of tobacco with alternative crops in Ruvuma Region.
Tanzania is second in Africa in tobacco production after Malawi. Despite the increased production, Tanzania remains a poor country with tobacco farmers getting poorer and the country losing more than 61,000 hectares of forests annually due to tobacco growing and curing.
Methods:
Since 2006, Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum (TTCF) has been working closely with tobacco farmers of Namtumbo District in Ruvuma Region, Southern Tanzania to adopt alternative crops. A survey was carried out in Namtumbo in 2011, using a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and a structured questionnaire to determine the extent of adoption of alternative crops.
Results:
Results indicated that, more than 70% of the farmers had adopted alternative crops. Current data from Namtumbo District Council indicate that, between 2006 and 2014, there has been increased tonnage in both food and cash crops and a decrease in tobacco production. For example, maize and rice production increased by 452% and 377% respectively, while pigeon peas and sesame increased by 5,839% and 1,302% respectively. Tobacco production increased by 583% from 2006 to 2009, but dropped by 491% between 2010 and 2014.
Conclusions:
Increased farmers' sensitisation coupled with sustainable and viable markets, could enable total replacement of tobacco with alternative crops in Ruvuma Region.
RELATED ARTICLE