Abstract:
The study was examining the contribution of southern Highland regions to the
sustainable agriculture development in Njombe. Agriculture is the backbone of
Tanzania economy hence it accounts about 30% of export revenues and it employs
about 70% of Tanzania population. The Objective of the study was to analyze the
role played by southern highland regions through agricultural activities in promoting
sustainable agriculture development in Njombe district. The focus of the research
was to analyze the role played by Southern highlands regions through agricultural
activities in promoting sustainable agriculture development in Njombe district.
Specifically focusing on the role of southern highlands cooperative societies, the
government, private sector, and financial institutions in southern highlands
agriculture development. The field survey approach was used to collect data of
variables. A Likert scale analysis was used in study because most of the information
collected was based on obtaining respondent’s attitude toward different role played
by the cooperative societies, the government, private sector and financial institutions
in agriculture development and economic development in Southern highland regions
Njombe district being our case study. sample of 188 respondents were drawn from
the total farmers which are practicing small scale and medium scale including
SAGCOT & NOSC officials in Njombe district. The attitude was measured in five
Likert scale which are strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree.
The study reveals, that major players in Njombe region Tanzania are not playing
their part in agricultural development in the desired mannered spite of high number
of respondents accepting on the role played by financial institutions in making sure
agriculture development is in place in southern highlands regions, as compared to
low number of respondents who agreed on the role of cooperative societies, the
Government and Private sector. It was recommended that, Agricultural Cooperatives,
Government and Private sector and Financial Institutions should be given most
economical and organizational freedom for them to be less dependent on the central
cooperatives, especially in obtaining and distributing the production inputs and
assuring the market for the output