Major Events and Maize Productivity

Abstract

Major events are unpredictable and continue to occur, affecting farmers differently. This study assesses the effect of major events on maize productivity in Tanzania. Specifically, the study analysed the role of financial co-operatives and influence of technology on leveraging maize productivity in the period of major events using Moshi rural and Hai districts in Tanzania as a case study. The theory of big event, the theory of adoption, and the theory of farm household production were used to guide the study. A cross-sectional design was used and data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, and documentary reviews. This study targeted a sample size of 350 respondents obtained using purposive and multistage random sampling techniques. The stochastic production frontier model, descriptive statistics, and content analysis were used to derive the findings. The findings revealed that drought (mean score of 3.89) and the COVID-19 pandemic (mean score of 3.75) significantly disrupted maize productivity. Furthermore, flooding (mean score of 3.68), pest/disease infections (mean score of 3.66) and temperature increases caused by climate change with a (mean score of 4.08) were observed affecting maize productivity at household level. The study findings showed that financial co-operatives played a crucial role by providing credit, land acquisition assistance, inputs, and training which in turn, significantly elevated maize productivity. Similarly, the finding indicated that effective pesticide uses and capital investment significantly enhanced yields, while improper fertilizer use, and inefficient land expansion reduced maize productivity. Also, high quality seeds positively impacted yields across adopters and non-adopters of technology. The study concluded that major events like drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, and pest infestations disrupt maize productivity, while financial co-operatives and the use of technology lessen the effect. The study recommends strengthening financial cooperatives and leveraging technological use to lessen the effects of major events while upholding resilient agricultural practices and improve the use of agricultural inputs so as to enhance maize productivity in Tanzania