Factors Influencing Maize Production in the Coastal Zone of Mainland Tanzania during Long Rainy Season

Abstract

This study sought to assess the factors affecting maize production in the Coastal zone of Mainland Tanzania, using data from the 2019/2020 National Sample Census Agriculture. Correlation and multiple linear regression were employed for analysis. The findings from correlation analysis indicated that maize output was significantly correlated with land area cultivated (r=0.94), seed quantity (r=0.97), and fertilizer quantity (r=0.57) at the 5% significance level. Furthermore, results from the multiple linear regression revealed that land area cultivated (p=0.00), use of household labour compared to non-household (p=0.00), seed quantity (p=0.00), and fertilizer quantity (p=0.00) positively influenced maize production, while pesticide use (p=0.00) had a negative effect on quantity of maize harvested. The results also showed that total production costs increased with output (p=0.00) and that household with educated fared better compared to non-educated households (p=0.01). The study concluded that strategies for improving maize yield in a cost-effective way should be developed by incorporating optimization techniques. Furthermore, the study recommended to the government the need to formulate strategies for commercializing small-scale maize production to improve welfare of farmers.