Coconut Productivity and the Status of Improved Agricultural Technologies at Small-Scale Level in Tanzania: Country Experience after National Coconut Development Program

Abstract

In the mid-seventies, there was a steady decline of coconut production in Tanzania hence the government established the National Coconut Development Programme (NCDP) from 1979-2004 aimed at promoting of coconut sub-sector industry in Tanzania. However, since then there is little information on coconut production and productivity in the country and less is known on the status of improved agricultural technologies. This paper therefore, investigates the current production and productivity of coconut at small-scale level and the status of improved agricultural technologies (IATs). Primary data were solicited by interviewing 150 farm households, focus group discussion which involved 68 members and key informants which involved 30 people. Results indicate that coconut production in terms of nuts/year in Tanzania decreased at a rate of 2.2% per annum while at other end of the spectrum yield in terms of nuts/ha decreased at a rate of 0.5% per annum. Furthermore, only 22% of the small-scale farmers applied improved technologies for coconut production while rest (78%) of the farmers practiced conventional methods. Decreasing of production and productivity in the study areas is associated with low use of improved technologies and poor extension services. Promotion of coconut research and development (R&D) activities, extension services and dissemination of improved technologies are recommended by this study.

Keywords: Coconut Production, Productivity, Small-Scale Level, Improved Technologies, Tanzania