Effects of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies on Maize-Common Bean Intercrops Growth and Yield Performances in Smallholder Farmer’s Fields in Semi-Arid Areas, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2025-08-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing Inc
Abstract
Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies (CSATs) offer promising solutions
to improve climate resilience and productivity among smallholder farmers.
From 2022 to 2024, a study was conducted in semi-arid areas of Tanzania to
evaluate selected CSATs, including a drought-tolerant maize variety (DTMV),
an early-maturing bean variety (EMBV), and farmyard manure (FYM), com-
pared to local varieties under traditional farmer practices (FPs). Using the Tri-
adic Comparison of Technology (Tricot) method across 135 farms, treatments
were assigned in incomplete randomized sets. Data were analyzed using
ANOVA and the Plackett-Luce model. Results indicated that integrating im-
proved varieties with FYM significantly boosted yields. The highest combined
maize and bean yield was obtained from the T105 + TARI B6 treatment (4.809
± 1.034 tons/ha), followed by T105 + Selian 13 (4.788 ± 0.991 tons/ha) and
T104 + TARI B6 (4.56 ± 0.270 tons/ha). In contrast, traditional practices with-
out FYM, such as Msituka + Bjesca (local checks), yielded significantly less
(2.866 ± 0.726 and 2.705 ± 0.687 tons/ha). Further, treatments responded sig-
nificantly to spacing and FYM (P < 0.001), with wider spacing increasing
maize yield to 4.978 tons/ha, while bean yield was slightly higher at 75 × 30
cm (0.5485 tons/ha) than wider spacing (0.5456 tons/ha). The net gain in
maize yield compensated for the slight bean difference, resulting in higher
overall productivity. These findings emphasize the importance of CSATs, particularly improved crop varieties combined with FYM in enhancing yield and
resilience to climate variability. The study recommends the adoption of these
practices by smallholder farmers in semi-arid Tanzania as an effective strategy
for climate change adaptation.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG - 2 : Zero Hunger
SDG -13 : Climate Action
SDG -12 : Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG -15 : Life on Land
Keywords
Climate-Smart Agriculture, Intercrops, Farmyard Manure, Improved Varieties, Tricot