Assessment of Factors Causing Coffee Yield Gap Among Smallholder Farmers in Mbinga and Mbozi Districts

Abstract

This study assesses the factors causing coffee yield gap among smallholder in the study area. The aim of this study is to increase coffee productivity from the current level. The primary data were collected from 218 adopters and 102 non-adopters of improved coffee varieties using a structured questionnaire. The descriptive statistics was used to assess yield gap and linear regression model was used to determine factors causing yield gap among smallholder farmers in the study area. The findings showed that the yield potential (3000 kg/ha and 1000 kg/ha) for improved and traditional coffee varieties respectively has not yet been realized by farmers and there is a large gap between the average coffee yield (1141 kg/ha and 384 kg/ha) gained by smallholder farmers growing improved coffee varieties and farmer growing traditional coffee varieties respectively. The yield gap from smallholder farmers with improved coffee varieties was 2000 kg/ha and 646 kg/ha from traditional coffee varieties. The main factors causing coffee yield gap were lack of access to extension services (p < 0.000), plant population (0.007), low use of fertilizer (p < 0.002), coffee diseases (p < 0.008). To minimize coffee yield gap in Tanzania promotion of the use of improved coffee varieties, fertilizer and agro-inputs is important.

In-Depth Assessment of Key Factors Affecting Coffee Production in Tanzania

“…The annual coffee production average is 65.2 million tons recorded in 2021/22, which is far below the potential of the country to produce over 200,00 Metric tonnes (MT) without expanding the area under cultivation [4,8]. In terms of productivity, currently, the average production per hectare is estimated to be 0.5 t ha -1 of clean coffee compared to the potential of over 3.0 t ha -1 of most varieties under the best management practices [6].…”

The Impact of Sustainable Technology Adoption on Coffee Farming in Tana Toraja, Indonesia: A Call for Comprehensive Support

“…Studies suggest that variations in yields among small-scale farmers can be attributed to a range of factors. These factors include irregular visits by agricultural extension agents, insufficient or improper fertilizer usage, inadequate management of pests and diseases in coffee cultivation, the cultivation of non-premium coffee varieties, and the extent to which small-scale farmers adopt technology in the study area [18].…”

“…However, it is essential to ensure that the seeds used come from healthy and high-quality coffee plants. Multiple research findings demonstrate that farmers cultivating premium coffee varieties generally achieve higher yields compared to those who cultivate traditional coffee varieties [18] and farmers who adopt superior varieties get higher yields than farmers who use traditional varieties [19] The maintenance of coffee plants is carried out using fertilizers. Coffee farmers use chemical fertilizers, namely ZA, Urea, and NPK fertilizers.…”