Assessment of the Impact of Sustainable Land Use Practices on Food Security in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper assessed the impact(s) of practicing sustainable land management (SLM) technology on food security in West Usambara Mountains. Primary data were collected through household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants interviews and personal observations while secondary data were collected from relevant local authority reports and records. A total of 160 households were interviewed. Research results suggest that, the area is still experiencing soil erosion problem reported by 61.9% of the respondents although at reduced scale. Multiple linear regression model to establish the contributing factors revealed that age of household head, farmland ownership and household income have significant and positive impact on improving household dietary diversity and hence improves food security while non adopters of SLM showed declined dietary diversity. The study conclude that in order to increase food security keeping soil health in place through practicing SLM is a necessary condition.The study concludes that, to increase your food security keep your soil in place by practicing SLM.