EPAR RESEARCH BRIEF #216
Thu, 08/08/2013
AUTHORS: Alice Golenko, Claire Kpaka, Caitlin McKee, C. Leigh Anderson, Mary Kay Gugerty
ABSTRACT:
In this brief we analyze patterns of intercropping and differences between intercropped and monocropped plots among smallholder farmers in Tanzania using data from the 2008/2009 wave of the Tanzania National Panel Survey (TZNPS), part of the Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA). Intercropping is a planting strategy in which farmers cultivate at least two crops simultaneously on the same plot of land. In this brief we define intercropped plots as those for which respondents answered “yes” to the question “Was cultivation intercropped?” We define “intercropping households” as those households that intercropped at least one plot at any point during the year in comparison to households that did not intercrop any plots. The analysis reveals few significant, consistent productivity benefits to intercropping as currently practiced. Intercropped plots are not systematically more productive (in terms of value produced) than monocropped plots. The most commonly cited reason for intercropping was to provide a substitute crop in the case of crop failure. This suggests that food and income security are primary concerns for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. A separate appendix includes the details for our analyses.
The other reports in our series analyzing data from the 2008-2009 wave of the TZNPS include:
- Section A: Introduction and Overview (EPAR Technical Report #154)
- Section B: Median Farmer Profile (EPAR Research Brief #167)
- Section C: Household Characteristics and Education (EPAR Technical Report #160)
- Section D: Farm Characteristics, Crops, and Productivity (EPAR Technical Report #161)
- Section E: Livestock and Livestock By-Products (EPAR Technical Report #164)
- Section F: Farm Inputs (EPAR Technical Report #163)
- Section G: Food Consumption and Expenditures (EPAR Technical Report #165)
- Section H: Nutrition (EPAR Technical Report #166)
- National and Zonal Highlights (EPAR Technical Report #184)
- Gender (EPAR Research Brief #190)
- Input Use (EPAR Research Brief #179)
- Market Access (EPAR Research Brief #196)
- Maize Cultivation (EPAR Research Brief #187)
- Paddy Cultivation (EPAR Research Brief #188)
- Legume Cultivation (EPAR Research Brief #189)
- Sorghum & Millet Cultivation (EPAR Research Brief #224)
TYPE OF RESEARCH: Data Analysis
RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORY: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods; Agricultural Productivity, Yield, & Constraints; Agricultural Inputs & Farm Management; Market & Value Chain Analysis; Gender
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: East Africa Region and Selected Countries
DATASET(S): LSMS & LSMS-ISA
Downloadable Documents
Full Brief
Appendix to the Brief