Analysis of Socio-Economic Impacts of Vegetable Gardening in Urban and Sub-Urban Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

The study was conducted in two sites namely Mazimbu (Dark-city) and Mwembesongo in Morogoro Municipal, Tanzania to analyze the socio-economics of vegetable gardening activities. Specific study objectives were to identify specific techniques involved in vegetable gardening activities, to identify the most produced vegetables, to find out the extent to which growers benefit with vegetable gardening activities and the grower’s future plans on vegetable gardening activities. A sample of 40 people engaging in vegetable gardening was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Field observations and secondary data supplemented the information from the primary data. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency distribution were used to summarize the information for interpretation. Findings of the study indicated that, there are various techniques which the growers use in order to get best produce, The specific techniques include; Land preparation, Sowing, Management practices such as watering, fertilization, pests and disease control etc. The growers admitted to get some benefits in these activities, there are various vegetables which are mostly produced than others, these includes Amaranthus, Potato leaves, okra and tomatoes and also the study indicated the grower’s future plans in these activities. Growers were advised to form groups so as to increase their chance of acquiring credit or loans as most growers admitted that they need financial support so as to increase their production and be able to buy the inputs for production, if they form groups, they will increase their chances for of acquiring credit or loans as the suppliers for the loans or credit are more interested in groups rather than individual persons.